Asolo Summit Boots

Posted: 01/25/2003 In Category(s): Reviews :: Product Reviews

After years of mediocrity, Asolo had all but knocked itself out of the climbing market. Thus, it's refreshing that not only has the company come back strongly with the new Summit but it has also leapt to the front of the pack.

Our official mountaineering gear tester and long-time ice climber filed the following evaluation after testing the boots on Colorado rock and ice:

Asolo Summit Boots
Asolo Summit

"The Asolo Summit is among the new breed of alpine climbing boots that are light, trim and offer exceptional ankle flexibility. A unique monocoque carbon/Kevlar frame forms the foundation that provides slight flex at the ball (a desirable feature) and absolute torsional rigidity. Wearing these boots, I was able to effortlessly edge on dime-width holds while climbing 5.10 rock (many other boots would have twisted off). With monopoint crampons attached, they delivered solid performance on ice routes.

The leather and fabric uppers have full rands for jamming and are insulated with 150-gram Thinsulate that is sufficient for all but the most frigid conditions. The lacing system is of course key in any performance climbing boot, and the Summit delivers here with ease of adjustment that stays secure. This boot is lighter than almost any other on the market yet does not compromise performance in the slightest. On top of all that, it’s aesthetically appealing to North American tastes (no Euro styling here that Americans may consider ugly).

This is the type of product that serves a wide-range of alpine and ice climbers far better than the bulky, heavy boots of yore. Yet it isn’t over the top like some of the new competition boots with crampons bolted to them. While a single new boot does not a company make, the Summit serves notice that Asolo is solidly back in the technical market."
      
Suggested Retail:  $385
www.asolo-usa.com
603-448-8827

5 hands clapping


Rating: SNEWS Full ClapSNEWS Full ClapSNEWS Full ClapSNEWS Full ClapSNEWS Full Clap

To learn more about how SNEWS® conducts product reviews, click here.



SNEWS® CHAT -- Have a comment, idea, retort, or an engaging thought that was inspired by this article or from our opinions expressed in the SNEWS® View? Just click here to comment now.
Products and Trends
GearTrends Ad Marketplace
Category Thumbnail
Santini Carbon Bike Bib Santini Carbon Bike Bib
May 8, 2009
Knitwear pioneer ESCHLER introduces an innovative fabric development for bikewear
Category Thumbnail
Minx GTX Minx GTX
Apr 25, 2009
TheNorth Face Minx GTX is a perfect lightweight trail shoe for hikers who want to move quickly.
Category Thumbnail
Camaro Bamboo Shirts Camaro Bamboo Shirts
Jun 27, 2009
Camaro bamboo shirts by Komperdell are breathable, odor-neutralizing, and funcitonal.
SNEWS Headlines
Did you hear?...Health magazine announces fitness/gear award winners
Jul 2, 2009
Read Story | Comment on this story | Go to all Outdoor Headlines
Power Players' Lounge: Opportunity knocks -- do you hear it?
Jul 1, 2009
Read Story | Comment on this story | Go to all Outdoor Headlines
Business Solutions Forum: It seems my biz life is one emergency after another…how do I break the cycle?
Jun 29, 2009
Read Story | Comment on this story | Go to all Outdoor Headlines
Industry Releases
Boulder Outdoor Specialty Group grows design team, brings R&D in-house
Jul 1, 2009
Read story | Post a release | Go to all Industry Releases
Highgear Receives Health 2009 America's Healthiest Fitness Award
Jul 1, 2009
Read story | Post a release | Go to all Industry Releases
Hydration at Elevation: nuun and Mountain Madness Team Up
Jul 1, 2009
Read story | Post a release | Go to all Industry Releases
Featured Content
Product Reviews
Review ThumbnailMakoto Xergame
June 29, 2009
When the current owners of Makoto USA saw the game that would become Makoto at an arcade in 2002, they immediately realized its potential to provide both physical and mental fitness for anyone, from athletes to the elderly to folks in rehab. The SNEWS® team first saw a Makoto at the Health & Fitness Business show in Denver several years ago and, after playing it (over and over, we must admit), we had to get one for the office.
See all Product Reviews
Trend Reports
SNEWS Readers' Choice: Our readers pick their top 25 products of the last quarter-century
Jun 22, 2009
Read Story | Comment on this story | Go to all Product Trends
Grassroots Outdoor Alliance's Early Show offers early preview of trends and potential top sellers
Jun 19, 2009
Read Story | Comment on this story | Go to all Product Trends
Outdoor Retailer Winter Market ’09: You want new and cool?
Mar 23, 2009
Read Story | Comment on this story | Go to all Product Trends
Outdoor Retailer Winter Market '09: Layer up
Mar 4, 2009
Read Story | Comment on this story | Go to all Product Trends
Outdoor Retailer Winter Market '09: Outerwear makers shell out jackets and pants -- and kids get in on the action too
Feb 27, 2009
Read Story | Comment on this story | Go to all Product Trends
Most Viewed Stories
Outdoor industry rugby players unite for match against Utah locals during Outdoor Retailer
May 27, 2009
Read story
SCAM Alert: Did you book your hotel rooms at OR or HFB with Travel House Services?
Jun 26, 2009
Read story
EU iodine ban worries -- SNEWS provides the facts
Jun 26, 2009
Read story
Did you hear?...Health magazine announces fitness/gear award winners
Jul 2, 2009
Read story
Business Solutions Forum: It seems my biz life is one emergency after another…how do I break the cycle?
Jun 29, 2009
Read story
SNEWS Reader Poll
Log in to view or participate in user polls.
SNEWS Blog
WS 100 endurance run observations: Product, privacy and sloshing packs
"I was hanging out helping brain-dead runners summit the Devil’s Thumb climb in the Western States 100 last Saturday, June 27. It’s a nasty, rocky, 1,500 foot climb over 1.8 miles that comes for most in the hottest part of the day. And it was pretty hot, dry and dusty last weekend. As I escorted runner after runner from the top to the medical aid weigh-in, got their bottles and packs refilled, and"


Read Comments
Community Chat
"denver show " by fabio ravasi (07/03/2009 16:22 MDT)
Comments
"HFB " by John Price (07/02/2009 10:03 MDT)
Comments
"Denver show. " by Dan Sharshel (07/02/2009 09:14 MDT)
Comments
Join the conversations -- Ideas, Community. Becoming a member of the community is free.
Click here to activate your membership now. Dark Blue Triangle