"Right idea, poor execution" - Review of Asolo Fugitive GTX Hiking Boot - Men's

I've walked nearly 300 miles in the Fugitives, from cold spring mornings with dew to baking hot desert river valleys for days on end. Lots of issues with this boot, which I found less worthy than it appears. I fit them carefully in the store, and I gave them a proper break-in by doing ten 10-12 mile day hikes before taking them on a packing trip. No good. The toe box (like all Asolos now) is too narrow, meaning I had to get a half-size larger for toe room, which made the flex point wrong at the ball of my foot. Despite the mesh material, they were boiling hot in all weather due to the Gore-tex lining, and yet soaked through in only 5 minutes in a dewy meadow with gaitors on (I suspect the stitching through the Gore-tex to be at fault). The shank in the forefoot is great, and so is the stability and weight. But you'd actually be cooler and drier with a pair of leather boots. The heel cups were different sizes on each foot (poor quality control). I had to cancel my trip on day 11 because of the abuse these boots did to my feet, which is a first in more than 60 backpacking trips). Get them for cool and dry conditions, but not if you like toe room and breathability. Come on Asolo, you used to be great.
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