Ideal for backpacking or technical alpine trekking, the Asolo men’s Shiraz GV is constructed
with highly durable materials and waterproof lining that will make it great for extended
trips on challenging terrain.
Let’s take a look at all of its features.
Starting with the upper of this boot, we have got a combination of Schoeller K-tech micro
synthetic fabric and the suede leather here.
It is going to provide really good durability, but also a very light weight.
That Schoeller material is an extremely durable, abrasion resistant material with a lot of
technology built into it, including some Kevlar stitching.
So it is going to give it some really good durability and abrasion resistance, while
maintaining a very, very light weight profile.
The suede here is just a nice, durable overlay that is going to allow this boot to be flexible,
but still enough, not quite so stiff that it is going to be like a full grain leather
boot.
So there won’t be as much of a break in period required with the upper materials of
this boot.
We do have a fully wrapped rubber toe rand, so starting at the back it goes all the way
around the front and around back to the other side.
It is going to give you really ample protection when you are in those alpine environments
and you need extra protection and durability against rocks and sharp objects.
So a nice feature there.
This book does have a slightly higher ankle cut so it is going to give you more ankle
protection while maintaining that flexible profile.
So you will get a good, comfortable and snug fit, but still get the support and the structure
in the ankle portion, so a nice feature in the boot there.
It is a fully waterproof, breathable boot.
It is Gore-Tex lined throughout, so you have got nice weather protection in all conditions.
And that is going to come up pretty high.
We have got a gusseted tongue here that just kind of cuts off right at that second rivet.
And so that is going to give you confident waterproof protection pretty high up on the
boot.
This boot is constructed 100 percent in European Asolo owned factories and 99 percent of those
materials are sourced in Europe as well.
So that is just a fun fact about Asolo.
Moving down to the midsole we do have a dual density rubber midsole on this boot.
It is going to give you some good cushion and shock absorption.
And to add to that shock absorption we have a low density PU insert that is in the heel
portion of the boot.
So for those hard heel strikes, you are going to get that extra cushion and that extra anti
shock system.
So a nice added feature there in the Shiraz.
Now this boot is built on an Asolo flex lasting board.
Those boards are matched to the last of the shoe and it gives a custom stiffness and flex
pattern depending on the size and gender of the footwear.
So this one is a pretty stiff system designed, again, for those backpacking or those technical
alpine systems.
It gives it some durability, some underfoot protection, a little bit of insulation and
really ample traction all while maintaining a lightweight profile.
So the Asolo flex lasting board is a nice system that Asolo incorporates in all of their
footwear.
Moving down to the outsole we do have a stiff and rigid Vibram outsole.
It is going to give really good grip on multiple types of terrain.
It is designed more, again, for those alpine pursuits, but it is a really nice system here,
really durable, pretty stiff and going to give you good grip.
It also has this neat Aso-brake system in the heel.
So there is a little bit more of an aggressive lug pattern in the heel that is going to give
you really ample breaking power or stopping power when you are going on steep descents.
So it really digs in and bites the trail and it gives a really good confident grip.
Now a neat feature about Asolo boots, they are easily resoled.
So if you find that you re-ally enjoy the upper and it fits you very well and you just
happen to wear down the out-sole, you can get this boot resoled easily through Asolo.
So that is a nice feature.
It adds a lot of value to the boots.
So there you have it.
It is the Asolo Shiraz GV, built by a family owned Italian company.
It is a great option for extended backpacking, technical alpine trekking or hiking