Asolo Power Matic 200 GV Review

The Asolo Power Matic 200 GV is the most rugged, heavy-duty boot that we featured in our Best Hiking Boot Review. It most closely resembles the traditional hiking boot that many grew up wearing and have worn for years. The Power Matic 200 performed well in some metrics, notably in water resistance and durability, but poorly in weight and comfort.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

This is a heavy-duty boot that Is adequately padded around the ankle collar and has a good amount of cushioning in the ankle bone itself, locking the foot into place securely, but did not have as much ankle comfort as the Editors Choice Award. The included footbed is one of the flimsier ones we found in any of the boots - the Best Bang for Buck winner has a much better quality insert - so we would recommend an aftermarket Superfeet brand footbed to replace it with.

We liked the lacing system, with the eyelets made of micro pulleys, it is easy to get a secure fit quickly. With a medium weight wool hiking sock, we were able to attain a good, snug fit for a medium volume foot, and Asolo does make this boot in a wide version for those with wider feet.

What we found least appealing, however, was the required break-in time to make these boots genuinely comfortable on long hikes. This is a stiff boot with full-grain leather uppers that needs to be treated with a leather softener. It's also necessary to walk in this contender for many miles before expecting them to loosen up.

Stability

The Asolo boot is one of the most stable boots in this review. Support is this boot's strong suit, and in addition to cradling the foot with a high ankle collar and an excellent lacing system, the Power Matic 200 has a stiff sole, which provides a stable platform in rugged terrain. The Power Matic synthetic shank provides long-lasting stiffness without the metal of years gone by, and the thick leather upper provides rigidity to the boot as well as protection for trail crews, construction workers, and others who want the comfort and quality of a hiking boot for days on the job.

Traction

We appreciated its rugged, durable Vibram sole, that features heavy lugs for providing excellent traction in mud, snow, and scree. The stiff sole delivers a solid platform when kicking steps in firm snow or edging on rock. For scrambling performance, we felt the stiffness hindered its ability to smear, especially when hiking on rock slabs, and we preferred boots with a softer sole for more versatility.

Water Resistance

The full leather upper is an incredible barrier to water, and it can be treated year after year with aftermarket waterproofing products like Nikwax or Sno-Seal. In addition to the simple leather outer that has very few seams, Asolo uses a Gore-Tex Performance Comfort waterproof/breathable membrane, ensuring your feet stay dry. It has a measured flood height of six inches from sole to the top of the lining, and the addition of a suitable gaiter could efficiently increase that height.

Weight

Alas, all of these features, waterproofness, durability, and stability come at a price, and that is the weight. With a measured weight of 4.15 pounds in size 11, these tipped the scales as the heaviest boots in our review by a healthy margin. An extra pound on each foot adds up over the miles; we would recommend a more durable, supportive boot for novice backpackers and would only grab this boot for trips where we would benefit from the increased stability (along with the support it would give us).

Durability

Durability was another metric that the Asolo excelled in. This is a boot that should be able to last for many seasons with the proper upkeep, namely, treating the leather outer on an annual basis. Asolo gives users a two-year warranty against defects. The lacing eyelets are all metal and should not fail, though some users did note that sole delamination and crumbling of the EVA/PU material in the heel was also noted.

Value

The Asolo Power Matic 200 GV is one of the most expensive boots in our review. We feel that it is a quality boot, and it is worth the money for top-notch construction.

Conclusion