My wife has just got the female version, the Atlantis (I think!). They look very nice. One point though, the review kept on about Asolo's micro pulley lacing system. I thought that was their system where the lace threads through tiny little pulley wheels which (as can be clearly seen in the photos) the Flame doesn't have!!!! Though it is used on some of their mountaineering boots.
[hangs head in shame] Yes, you're right, there are no pulleys there, just a nicely slick lacing system. I suppose it says something for the slickness that I didn't actually notice. The lacing system is the same as the Fugitive, I think, which works well and doesn't seem fragile despite looking a bit lightweight.
I loved my Fugitives and used them a lot last year. The tongue has no padding to speak of though and started causing me grief around the top couple of lace hooks after they softened up with good bit of use. I see the new ones have the same tongue. I'm all sad.
No, they have an Asolo-branded sole, it's different to the one on the Fugitive, but that performs well and I don't see why the one on the Flame shouldn't be the same. I'm guessing it's the same rubber compound and the tread pattern looks fine for UK hills.
I went to buy leather boots but bought these instead because they best fitted my narrow heel and moderately wide forefoot. They are solid, supportive, light, and look well built. They are not overly padded inside, so they do need bedding in. In use I have been very impressed with them, no blisters or soreness after walks of 6-7 hrs. The uppers are very supportive. The soles grip excellently on wet rocks and wet roots, so I imagine they are fairly soft compound where it matters. Wet grass is more slippery though. The sole is also very supportive and provides a solid platform when walking on jagged stones and rough rocks, not solid enough for scrambling but they cope well with pretty much anything else below that. Unfortunaetly, first time out in the rain one boot leaked badly, however my e-mail to Asolo was answered within a couple of hours and the boots were replaced without question. New ones okay so far.
only had the boots a few weeks but they realy do scream quality from the moment i put them on , they held my feet solidly ( but comfortably ) up and down some very steep hills , their great on rocks too , and due to the solidity of the boots i diddn't cockle over on my ankles , they just held everything very solidly indeed,
i cant praise these boots enough , they got everything right on this boot. even the tongue baffle starts from the top of the boot ( not half way down letting water in )
Know some one who has actually been to the Asolo factory. They test each groetex bootie individually, putting them intoa waterproof tank, filling with air, then drying them out if they pass afterwards.
Asolo use their own soles, as do a fair few other companies. The reason being that if vibram dont see you as a big enough company, they will just give the boot a general sole unit, which is not tapered to the boot, so it may have a tendancy to peel away.
