Raichle or Asolo?
 

I am going to buy a pair of nice hiking boots. I have been looking at Raichle's and Asolo's. Being military I have been issued Danners and Oakleys, which both are excellent boots, but am looking for more of a commercial hiking boot. Some of the QP's at my FOB when I was abroad were wearing the Asolo FSN 95 http://www.rei.com/online/store/Prod...P_FOOTWEAR_TOC. I have heard mixed reviews of them. I have looked at these Raichle's http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/3...s-For-Men.html
I am looking for something that will be comfortable under a 50-60lb load

Anyone got any insight?
Thanks

The search button will provide all the answers you seek.

I have searched. Have seen both great reviews on Raichel and Asolo, but am looking at more specific review on the boots I put in the links.
Cheers

Go with the Asolo's. Great boots, just ordered a pair of fugative GTX's for my trip.

The Asolo's are great, only problem with them is the rubber sole only lasts about six months (of constant use in the Afghan mountains) before they wear out.

I have the ASOLO's
 

Matter of fact...they are on my feet right now. I have worn them in the jungles of Southeast Asia for the past three years. Heat, wet, funk, rot, mud, rock, clay...you pick it. If it is in the jungle...I have put these boots through it.

1.5 years into my tour, the toecaps cracked. Not all the way through, but as a piece of fiberglass would crack. This did not affect the "waterproofedness" of them but was "cosmetically concerning". I notified ASOLO of this and they offered a replacement pair free of charge and free shipping...I declined because my current pair were so friggin comfy.

Excellent comfort and ankle support without being exceedingly heavy. Break in time time was about 3 weeks and no hotspots throughout, but the cordura needed to properly "mold" to my foot structure for ultimate comfort.

Drying time was about 6-8 hours after sweat all day in 90 degree heat and 100% humidity...double that if they filed with water. The gore-tex stayed porous without ever seeming to loose it's ability to breathe.

Bottom line...great boots. $140 well spent. If I had to replace the pair I currently own, I would have no problem paying more for them.

Eagle

Thanks for all the good information guys.
Much appreciated!

Hooray Necro-Post!
(lay off me, it's my birthday)

I Made it out to REI last weekend for their "members only Garage Sale" they do this periodically to get rid of returned stuff. After waiting in line for an hour and a half with the Granola eating, Birkenstock wearing, Prius Driving, "make love not war" REI customers, I finally got in to the store (Wearing my VTAC "Going Green" T shirt I might add ;-)) anyway, I waded in amongst em and pried 2 pairs of Asolos from the grasp of the Hippie devotees of gluttonous consumerism. One pair of the ones mentioned in the original post, and one pair of These I'm wearing the Power Matics right now and they are bad ass. $29 for the FSN 95s and $59 for the Power Matics. All they needed were some Superfeet insoles and Smartwool Socks.

Air.177,
You described the Eugene Oregon REI Store perfectly but since they carry a couple of my knife designs I like the store a lot and have learned the customer service and product backup is exceptional.

Asolos...
Eagle, I believe you.
I'm on my second pair in three years, amazing hiking shoe. No shoe I have had lasts as long as these do, actually wore the bottom smooth on the first pair and re-soled them myself by they weigh more now so i don't wear them but keep 'em on standby.
I would rate them as the best shoe I've owned and wear them all day long in the shop too. Tops are not fire proof so have to be careful when grinding titanium as setting them on fire seems to affect the water proof part.

The Danners I've had performed very well but since they have spikes on the bottom I can't wear them in the house without hearing protection.

Lucky dog!

Great deals.

TR

LMAO :D

I bought a pair of Asolo's in 1985. Leather started off with yellow boot laces. I've hiked and climbed in them all that time. I even wore them for 9 months on a plastics molding shop floor (I saw what happened to a guy when a forklift brushed his ankle -- yeah he didn't think it could happen to him either). Still going strong and feel great!