Looking for a little "Boot Help"

[The Feathered Hat]

TEO, I haven't bought the insoles yet but will the next time I'm in an EMS store. Though I've had no real problems with my Limmers, I would like just a bit more arch support, I think (I have a high arch), which is why I called Carl for his recommendation after reading the insole threads on VFTT.

 

[BIGEarl]

....
The Norwegian welting means they can be resoled, too, unlike the Asolo models you're looking at, Earl.
....QUOTE]
I am pretty sure the Asolos I have listed and many other boots with similar designs can be resoled. There are a number of places that have the necessary equipment and expertise to do the job properly.

 

[The Feathered Hat]

Ah. I was thinking those boots with molded soles are difficult to resole. If you're sticking with the Asolos (or a similar boot), it might be worth checking to see if a cobbler who is local to you has the necessary equipment. Not that you'll get your boots resoled every month, but it's nice to know if you've got a local guy who can work on your boots as needed.

 

[Little Rickie]

I’m shopping for a new boot and have zeroed in on the Asolo line. They have a couple leather boots that look very interesting.

The three models that mainly have my attention are:

Power Matic 500 GV

and

Power Matic 200 GV

and

TPS 520 GV


Does anybody have first hand experience with any of these boots?

Those of you that know me understand I’m a big guy. Depending on when I get on the scales (before lunch or after lunch) I weigh in at 225 – 235 lbs. Add pack weight and I need a solid boot. I am not concerned with the weight of the boots so much as the support they provide.

In my experience, boots with lots of seams don’t last long on my feet. Hiking around here and my approach to it are tough on boots. Single-piece construction or very limited seams would be my primary focus.

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

I'm, ahem, a tad larger than you and have the asolo 200 and love them. My feet used to get beat up and my boots went soft so I felt every rock. When I tried on the asolos I was sold on the spot. Their heavy but worth it. My weight problem isn't because of my shoes and gear are heavy. I now have to come up with a different excuse for being slow.

 

[BIGEarl]

Ah. I was thinking those boots with molded soles are difficult to resole. If you're sticking with the Asolos (or a similar boot), it might be worth checking to see if a cobbler who is local to you has the necessary equipment. Not that you'll get your boots resoled every month, but it's nice to know if you've got a local guy who can work on your boots as needed.

Thanks for your suggestions.

I haven't made a decision on any boot at this point so you comment about "sticking with the Asolos" is a little confusing to me. Limmer has a company based in Germany manufacture boots for them that they sell under their name as their "Standard" model. Unfortunately, even the most basic information such as price isn't stated on their web site. Merrell also has a model that has been discussed and looks very interesting. LL Bean has a boot that has been recommended by a number of people. If anything, my list of potentials has grown.

I think I understand your comment. Limmer may be local to you but it isn't local to me by any measure. A round trip of 250 miles isn't local.

I am unaware of any local cobblers (local to me) that have adequate experience with resoling hiking boots. Everybody that I might consider are all the same distance away. They all require a drive to the closest UPS shipping location, which is less than two miles away.

I'm, ahem, a tad larger than you and have the asolo 200 and love them. My feet used to get beat up and my boots went soft so I felt every rock. When I tried on the asolos I was sold on the spot. Their heavy but worth it. My weight problem isn't because of my shoes and gear are heavy. I now have to come up with a different excuse for being slow.

Thanks Little Rickie.

I always thought there was some humor hiding in your name. Thanks for the good information about the 200's - very helpful.

 

[Taconic]

I have a pair of the 200s. I got them in January '08 and, aside from not smelling too fresh at this point, they're still going strong. I maintain them on a fairly regular basis (though probably not as much as I should) and they're still waterproof.

They're a tad narrow for my feet (I take wide sizes in sneakers,) but not to the point of discomfort. I've never gotten a blister or anything.

I have no qualms with them.

 

[The Feathered Hat]

A pair of Limmer Lightweights runs about $275, the Midweights a bit more. A pair of Standards is around $325. The "commercial" (not custom) boots of all three models are made in Germany by a company the Limmer family has had a long relationship with, and I think the construction of these boots is better than the construction on the two pair of Asolos I have, which were both made in Romania (though, to be sure, the Asolos are good boots). The custom Limmers are made in New Hampshire and, as I said above, they're very expensive compared to other boots and the waiting period is long. Some people think they're worth it, though.

 

[DrJJFate]

I purchased a pair of Limmer Standards in the spring of 2002. The day I was up in Intervale Peter Limmer was manning the shop.

He really new his stuff. He looked at me and my feet, grabbed a pair of boots and nailed my size. He had me kicking the wall of the place to ensure that my heals were correctly set in the pockets. When I strolled around both inside and outside the shop, and I noticed that my heal was pulling up a little. He pulled out some leather "shims" which fit to the top of the insole. Bingo. Problem solved.

Once I committed to purchasing them, he took them in back and stitched the shim to each insole and stripped the original dope off the boots and reapplied a fresh coat.

Granted, I paid a premium. However, between their reputation, my experience in the shop, and the boots I am wearing, I believe I received both quality and value.

 

[BIGEarl]

....
The Norwegian welting means they can be resoled, too, unlike the Asolo models you're looking at
....

In case you would like this information for future reference. I sent a note to the manufacturer and here is their reply....

"Yes, all of our current line of high top hiking boot models including the Powermatic 500 can be resoled. We recommend using www.davepagecobbler.com who specializes in hiking boots...."
(Lisa Erling, Customer Service Manager)

The response went on to state Dave Page Cobbler has the largest inventory/selection of Vibram soles in the USA.

Dave Page Cobbler has been used by many folks on this site. From the threads I have read, it seems that everybody has enjoyed a very good experience. This is the company that is located on the other side of the UPS counter where I will send my old boots for rehab.

 

[The Feathered Hat]

Thank you, that's good to know. My older pair of all-leather Asolos can be resoled, and have been resoled, by any cobbler with Vibram soles on hand. My other pair, with soles molded on to the boot (as is the case with virtually all Asolos and so many other boots nowadays), would require the specialist you list.

I still have my first pair of real hiking boots, by the way, a set of Italian-made smooth-leather Pivetta Fives that I bought nearly 40 years ago when I was 16 years old. (Some here might remember the famous Pivetta "Muir Trail" boots that were popular in the early 1970s.) I've probably hiked 5,000 miles in these wonderful, cherished boots; they're on their third set of soles. They've finally weakened and stretched in some critical areas, though, so now I wear them mostly as work-in-the-garden boots and for occasional light hikes, e.g. up to Bridalveil Falls.

Pivettas haven't been sold in the U.S. for several years, alas. But after my dad died a couple of years ago, I found a pair of Pivetta Fives in his closet that were practically brand new -- Dad may have hiked less than 20 miles in them. They were just gorgeous; the leather didn't have a scratch. I oiled them up and gave them to my nephew, who has the same foot size as Dad.

 

[BIGEarl]

Thank you, that's good to know. My older pair of all-leather Asolos can be resoled, and have been resoled, by any cobbler with Vibram soles on hand. My other pair, with soles molded on to the boot (as is the case with virtually all Asolos and so many other boots nowadays), would require the specialist you list.
....

It would probably be inaccurate to suggest there is only one place that has the ability to resole this style boot.

Here are three large operations that I believe have all been mentioned in threads with these capabilities, including Dave Page Cobbler. I'm sure there are many more.


Dave Page, Cobbler
3509 Evanston Ave. North
Seattle, WA 98103
800-252-1229
http://www.davepagecobbler.com


Rocky Mountain Resole
211 Oak St.
Salida, CO 81201
719-539-1455
http://www.rmresole.com


Resole America
7134 Lineweaver Rd.
Warrenton, VA 20187
888-349-7463
540-428-3620
http://www.resole.com

 

[Jimmy Legs and Little D]

Reconditioning Boots

Danner Boots also has a "reconditioning" service.
http://www.danner.com/category/recraft.do

Mike