My Asolo hiking boots need to be re-soled, who should I use?

[Hot Sauce]

These are awesome boots that Asolo doesn't make anymore--they are essentially the non-goretex version of the Fugitive GTX.

I'm about a decade in on relatively infrequent use on them, because I often choose goretex outside of hot summers.

The midsole very suddenly started crumbling and delaminating 1/2 way into the ascent. It was a very slippery ol' fun time coming back down.

71682

I did a bit of research for sole replacement. The two options I came up with were:

Dave Page Cobbler (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWz4ChpYzh8)
My Shoe Man (https://myshoeman.com/asolo_boot_repair.htm)

They essentially do the same type of work except Dave is about ~$20 cheaper. They replace the sole and midsole with a single piece Vibram Bifida molded rubber sole.

Has anyone ever had this done? I'm wondering if it makes the shoes a lot stiffer and less comfortable since there is no more foam midsole layer?

Are there any other options I'm not aware of?
Clusterfrack littlejerry sparkyv Doc_Glock and anyone else I didn't mention from the recent hiking shoe thread.

[Pepper]

Here is another to check out: https://rmresole.com/hiking-boots/asolo-hiking-boot-resole-before-and-after/ I have no experience with them.

[OlongJohnson]

I had my 1996 Raichles done by Dave Page around 2008. Same deal. Not worn out, but the OE soles just came apart about 3.5 miles into an easy 5 mile hike. The new soles are Vibram and have been great. Can recommend.

[RevolverRob]

This happened to my Asolos and when I dug around I learned it's a common sole issue with them. I decided not to resole them, because the cost associated with it, paying a $100 to repair a pair of $200 boots that broke down after relatively moderate use. I'll admit, the whole situation kind of pissed me off and soured me on Asolo.

So I dropped the Vietnamese-made Asolos and bought a pair of Italian-made Zamberlans, which the factory will resole for me.

[Caballoflaco]

If you get them re-soles let us know how it works out. I go through a couple of pairs of Scarpas a year at work from wearing out the soles and like Rob I’ve been skeptical about paying almost half the cost of a new pair of boots just to get them re-soled.

[Clusterfrack]

Good thread. Following.

I haven’t resoled boots in many years.

[boing]

Here is another to check out: https://rmresole.com/hiking-boots/asolo-hiking-boot-resole-before-and-after/ I have no experience with them.

I’ve used Rocky Mountain for a pair of Lowas. No complaints.

[vcdgrips]

Thanks for the info.

The issue is framed perfectly- do you spend another 100.00 on a 200 max glued on bottom boot.

I decided NO on a set of REI/Raichles that I had 50.00 in off of Ebay. The gave me 10 years of good casual use and BSA campouts.

The generous application of Shoe Goo bought me another season of casual wear.

But for COVID, I suspect I would I would have put that 100.00 toward a sewn on bottom boot for cold weather wear and I would continue to use lighter boots for actual hiking as I am a firm believer in running the lightest shoe possible relative to the conditions.

Thank you all for continuing to chime in.

[OlongJohnson]

Thanks for the info.

The issue is framed perfectly- do you spend another 100.00 on a 200 max glued on bottom boot.

I decided NO on a set of REI/Raichles that I had 50.00 in off of Ebay. The gave me 10 years of good casual use and BSA campouts.

I said yes. I got them when still in college, when I could barely afford them, and viewed them as a long-term investment. I tried on all the boots, and these were the ones that were the shape of my foot. I knew instantly they were right. When the original sole came apart, they were >10 years old. I figured it was time to replace them. Went shopping. The new version of the same boots, now no longer just "Raichle," but rather "REI/Raichle," were not even close to the same, although they looked more or less the same on the outside. Long story short, I couldn't find a pair of boots that I thought would come close to being as good as my old ones. So I sent them off to Dave Page, and got them back better than new. And they've lasted more years than the original soles did, although they've done fewer miles.

Also, I love these boots. They've been to the bottom of the Grand Canyon twice, the top of Mt. Whitney, Prudhoe Bay and Baja. Lots of good miles and memories. Worth keeping, and will do it again if I ever need to.

[vcdgrips]

O:

I hear you loud and clear. It I had those miles on any of my boots, I would do exactly what you did.


Be well.

[whomever]

I'm amazed that those could be repaired.

But, FWIW, Dave Page did a nice job for me several years ago on a pair of the old black leather Asolo telemark books. He was familiar with their internal structure and so on, so if he thinks he can do something I'd believe him.

[Hot Sauce]

Thanks for all the responses.

Currently, I'm leaning toward going with Dave, since we have some decent experiences amongst us here, and his shop seems to be cheapest.

The framing on spending ~75-100 on $200 boots is important, but there are a few caveats.


In all fairness, I don't think that Asolo ripped me off, given I've had these a decade. I know other friends who had other companies' boots where the same thing happened. It's the nature of foam cushioning. Those buddies just happened to use that as an excuse to try a different boot.
My choices would probably be different if it happened to my Fugitives, but the fact that this model is no longer made is important to note.
Supposedly, the foamless restoration generally lasts longer than the original sole. Makes sense since the actual rubber bottoms are worn but still fully functional.



I had my 1996 Raichles done by Dave Page around 2008. Same deal. Not worn out, but the OE soles just came apart about 3.5 miles into an easy 5 mile hike. The new soles are Vibram and have been great. Can recommend.
How do you feel about the cushioning on the restoration--is not having the foam cushioning pretty noticeable or not really? Anything else of note performance wise? Different feel when hiking?

Any more details would be helpful.


So I dropped the Vietnamese-made Asolos and bought a pair of Italian-made Zamberlans, which the factory will resole for me.
Mine are Romanian made, but same difference.

I wish Asolo would do a discounted resole job. It's probably be more green than tossing them anyway, which all the hiking/outdoorsy companies are focusing on.

[OlongJohnson]

How do you feel about the cushioning on the restoration--is not having the foam cushioning pretty noticeable or not really? Anything else of note performance wise? Different feel when hiking?

Any more details would be helpful.


These boots never had much cushioning to begin with. They were always good for walking on "moon rocks" trails that would tear up and destroy lesser footwear. I always used Thor-Los or better if I was going to be doing anything serious. So it doesn't really register that there's a there there to think about.

[Hot Sauce]

These boots never had much cushioning to begin with. They were always good for walking on "moon rocks" trails that would tear up and destroy lesser footwear. I always used Thor-Los or better if I was going to be doing anything serious. So it doesn't really register that there's a there there to think about.

Thanks!

As it happens, I'm drawn to moon rocks like bears to honey.