REASONS TO BUY
Effective waterproofing
Very stable
Great traction
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Requires breaking in
Very stiff
Asolo Fugitive GTX Review
This heavyweight hiking boot is best suited for rugged terrain and for those carrying heavy pack weight
Credit: Asolo
By Ryan Huetter ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ October 29, 2024
RELATED: The Best Hiking Boots for Men
Our Verdict
The Asolo Fugitive GTX represents a modern take on a traditional full-leather hiking boot design. It has been a popular choice for those going into rough and rugged environments, where support and traction are paramount. These boots are highly water-resistant thanks to a Gore-Tex membrane. We feel these are a good choice for those hiking in wet and snowy climates or for those who plan on carrying really heavy packs and who would like to protect their ankles. We even have seen many construction workers wearing these boots on the job site! If you don't need this level of protection, there are many other hiking boots that can shave more than a pound per pair off your feet.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Asolo Fugitive GTX | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall Hiking Boot |  Best Support | Best for Mountain Climbing |  Best Bang for the Buck | |
| Price | $288.77 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | $240 List $240.00 at REI | $172.46 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $349 List $174.82 at Backcountry | $101.04 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This stiff and supportive boot excels in loose and uneven terrain with excellent traction | While these boots are a bit bulky, the cushion delivers a soft ride that's hard to beat | This flagship hiking boot is our first recommendation for a hiking and backpacking boot, achieving remarkable performance in all terrain types and conditions | For hikers venturing off trail into rocky or snowy terrain, this boot offers stability and traction that no other boot does | This inexpensive boot is super comfortable and is a great all-around option |
| Rating Categories | Asolo Fugitive GTX | Hoka Kaha 3 GTX | Salomon Quest 4 Gor... | Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX | Merrell Moab 3 Mid... |
| Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Support (25%) | |||||
| Traction (15%) | |||||
| Water Resistance (15%) | |||||
| Weight (10%) | |||||
| Durability (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | Asolo Fugitive GTX | Hoka Kaha 3 GTX | Salomon Quest 4 Gor... | Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX | Merrell Moab 3 Mid... |
| Measured Weight (per pair, size 11) | 3.43 lbs | 3.0 lbs (size 14) | 3.27 lbs | 2.65 lbs | 2.44 lbs |
| Upper | Split-grain leather/nylon | Waterproof nubuck leather | Leather and nylon | 1.8mm suede perwanger | Pigskin leather, mesh |
| Width Options | Regular, wide | Regular | Regular | Regular | Regular, wide |
| Waterproof Lining | Gore-Tex | Gore-Tex Invisible Fit | Gore-Tex | Gore-Tex | Waterproof membrane |
| Midsole | DuoAsoflex PU | 2-density EVA | EnergyCell | PU + 3D EVA-MP | Super Rebound Compound |
| Boot Type | Heavyweight hiker/backpacking boot | Midweight hiker/backpacking boot | Midweight hiker/backpacking boot | Midweight hiker/backpacking boot | Midweight hiker/backpacking boot |
| Last Board/Shank | TPU shank | Not specified | 4D Chassis | BZ last | Molded nylon |
| Sole | Bi-Density rubber | Vibram Megagrip rubber | Contagrip TD | Vibram Drumlin / Mont | Vibram TC5+ |
| Measured Flood Height | 4.5 in | 5.75 in | 5.5 in | 4 in |
Our Analysis and Test Results
This heavy boot definitely tips the scales, but gives lots of support underfoot with a TPU shank, and the stiffness of the leather and Cordura nylon upper protects the foot well from above. It performed especially well in demanding terrain where traction was necessary, but did suffer from comfort issues and a very high weight.
This burly boot is ready to handle anything you can throw at it.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Comfort
The Asolo Fugitive fits much more like an old-school hiking boot. It is stiff and boxy, feeling at first more like wearing a cinder block than a boot. This boot does require a break-in period before the leather upper starts to flex with the foot instead of resisting the foot's natural flex. We found it to fit on the wide side, and the uppers are stiff enough that it is difficult to lace them really snugly if you have a narrower foot. The upper ankle cuff is softer and provides a comfortable fit around the ankle.
The leather and Cordura uppers are pretty stiff, and it is hard to get a tight fit even after cranking the laces down.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Support
The Fugitive GTX is an incredibly stiff boot thanks to a TPU shank and a PU midsole. We were able to crush whatever terrain we had underfoot and felt a great deal of foot protection. The ankle collar is relatively soft, however, and allowed for more side to side movement than we would have expected from a boot this tall.
Durable materials and quality construction will help ensure these boots last you for a while.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Traction
The Fugitive earns high praise when it comes to traction. The bi-density rubber compound grips well, though there is so much forefoot stiffness in this boot due to the TPU shank that it does not smear on rock slabs as well as more flexible boots. We charged up slopes of never-ending scree, and were happy to have such deep lugs to bite into the loose slope.
Super stiff and featuring a heavy-duty outsole, these boots shine in loose terrain like this.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Water Resistance
Using Gore-Tex, a well-known waterproof and breathable membrane, the Fugitive GTX held up well in all of our water tests. The leather and Cordura nylon upper shed mud and water easily, and the membrane kept water out both during informal stream crossings and our formal water bucket test. It boasts a flood height of 4.5 inches, with water only beginning to enter the boot at the top of the tongue gusset during deeper submersions.
No issues on this water crossing thanks to the GTX membrane.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Weight
The Fugitive is heavy, there is no way around it. Weighing 3.43 pounds per pair in the size 11 that we tested, the weight on the feet is noticeable. Sure this comes with a really beefy midsole, but with so many options available now that are less than three pounds, this boot feels a bit dated.
These boots are heavy, but also have heavy-duty construction.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Durability
We put these Asolo through the wringer, but did not have any issues in terms of durability. The leather and Cordura upper resisted wear even after lots of abuse. There is some exposed stitching connecting the panels of leather and nylon, which may start to fray over longer term use.
The stiff midsole makes the boots feel really stable when bounding over uneven ground.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Should You Buy the Asolo Fugitive GTX?
The Fugitive is a nice, well-made boot that offers a ton of stability and traction capability. That said, it is heavy and fairly expensive. It is a good boot, but it is not the best value when compared to the many other models we tested.
The outsole of the Asolo Fugitive can handle loose scree and tough terrain.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
What Other Hiking Boots Should You Consider?
If you are looking for a durable and supportive high-top boot, the Salomon Quest 4 is way more comfortable, and if you really want to shave some weight and add some comfort, the Hoka Kaha 3 GTX stands out.
—Ryan Huetter
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