"Daniel-San" (Rot13) wrote in message
om...

"Tom Nakashima" wrote ...
I was in the store Any Mountain last weekend and tried on a pair of hiking
boots. I have an older pair of Vasque Alpine before GTX, which I've had
for eight years now. The new boot I tried on was an Asolo powermatic 200
and I was amazed how comfortable they were right out of the box. I also
looked over the other brands of high end hiking boots, such as Vasque, and
Montbell which they too seemed to be comfortable. I remember it took me a
long time to break in my older Vasque Alpine. I didn't purchase the Asolo
or any other hiking boots, just going to run mine into the ground, but I
was amazed how far hiking boot technology has come.

Someone mentioned smartwool socks, instead of double layering and I'll
have to agree. I did purchase a pair of Dahlgren backpacking socks, and
did some mild hikes the last few days, and was also amazed in the new
technology, no more double layering.


You're right that the boots don't change shape much after wearing (they do
a little, but not nearly as much as leather boots do). For some, that's
good. For those of me that have foot shape quirks, the break-in provided a
short, albeit painful adaption process. Take the good with the bad, I
guess....


My Older Vasque Alpine's fit like a glove, not sure what hiking boot I'll go
with once I run them into the ground, however they're still plenty of tread
left. I'm going to ask if I can get them resoled.


As to socks, I still prefer a liner. I use a very thin polypro liner sock
under a pair of merino wool socks. The way my feet sweat, I have to change
socks every couple hours to avoid blisters if I don't use a liner.

I was using liners (cool max ultralights) until I hiked in a pair of
Dahlgren Backpacking Socks, after suggestions about Smartwool from ROFF.
They are comfortable, and my feet have never felt as good after a hike, but
every individuals is different, so it's best to go with what works for you.


Careful going from Vasque to Asolo. Both high-quality boots, but the lasts
are significantly different. Might work, might cause pain....

Dan

Yea, I was just killing time waiting for my wife shopping when I tried on
the pair of Asolo's. As soon as I got home, I put on my tried and true
Vasque Alpines with the new Dahlgren socks. I really get attached to my
backpacking equipment, very hard to give up anything that's been with me for
a period of time.

I have a pair of Birkenstocks that I've been wearing almost daily since
1979. It's been resoled six times, and look like hell, but I just can't
seem to get rid of them.
fwiw,
-tom