My Asolo Stynger boots are the best pair of hiking boots I’ve ever owned, and by far the most comfortable.
I’ve worn them on rugged terrain: in snow, rain, sand, and mud, and they’re still going strong! Because the upper of the boot is constructed of a mix of synthetic materials and leather, they are lighter than most backpacking boots that are full leather. Plus, the shank is less stiff than some other boots, which is perfect for moderate hikes and backpacking trips.
The toe and heel are reinforced with rubber, which I have found to be helpful when hiking in rocky areas.
Plus, the Gore-Tex keeps my feet dry (and I’ve crossed many streams, and been caught in more rain than I would have liked). On extremely hot summer days they can get warm, so I wear wicking wool or synthetic socks to avoid blisters.
I have worn mine to the top of Mt. Whitney (the highest peak in the continental 48 states!), on numerous backpacking trips, scrambling over rocks in Joshua Tree National Park, exploring Catalina Island, you name it!
Treat Your Feet Right! Hiking Lady’s Tips:
Hi Joy,
Great question! YES, I still love my Asolo Styngers. I love them so much that I had them re-soled since I wore them so much! Here’s the article I wrote about how I had my Asolo re-soled.
For the kind of hiking you’re doing, I’d recommend a solid boot like the Asolo Styngers instead of a low top trail running shoe like the Vasque’s I’ve recommended. I think you’ll appreciate having a stiffer sole and more stability. After a long day on the trail, I always am happier when I have my Asolo’s on instead of a trail running shoe. For a quick hike on a nice wood chip lined trail you can get away with trail runners. For the mountains of Colorado, I’d go with the boots!
Asolo has “updated” the women’s Asolo Styngers, but the only difference is the color scheme. That’s the nice part about the hiking boot industry…the best boots seem to stay the same because customers like us love them and don’t want change!
Happy trails!
Carol
Hi Hiking Lady!
I just came across your website and I don’t think my question really appeals the masses, so I would be fine if you posted it on your site, but I will ask you here:
ME
– Used to be an avid hiker the Northeast. Did most of high peaks (over 4k vertical) in NYS and tons of peaks in NH and VT, but I’m over 50 now and lived in Houston for 10 years, so I’ve not hiked except for some winter peaks over thanksgiving/christmas each year. As well, I cannot find my perfectly worn-in Vasques – likely lost somewhere in the moves.
QUESTION BACKSTORY
My son and I are going on a hiking vacation to Colorado next month. Not going to technical climb, but not going to yak route either. Something in between.
Like you, I have very narrow feet. As well, I have an impossibly high arch.
QUESTION(S)
1. Do you still recommend Asolo Styngers?
2. Could I get away with low hikers, like the vasque trail runners in your blog?
I guess I’m just looking for your general guidance, like, what is the decision tree for low versus high for you? And there’s no date on your blog posts for narrow feet, so I was just wondering if you had any updated recommendations.
If you’re still reading this, thank you!
Joy
Thanks for the insight Liz. Glad you have boots and insoles that work for you :). Happy trails!
I”ve worn the Stynger and other Asolo models for years. I have narrow, low volume feet and ankles that have been repeatedly injured. I find these boots are very supportive, rugged, and comfortable. I very much agree with the recommendation to get footbeds that support the natural shape of your feet and arches. For me, there has been some collapse over the years, but not just at the primary arch.
Hi Rebecca,
Yes, Asolo’s tend to run slightly narrow. If your feet are medium width I’d still try them. If you have wide feet, then I’d try some New Balance hiking shoes. Happy trails!
I really want a pair of these for my rolling ankle… But i keep reading they run narrow. Any thoughts on that? Or an alternate option?
Hi Angie!
Great question! Check out Zappos – they have 2 brands (Five Ten and Scarpa) that have size 11.5. Just search for size 11.5 women’s, athletic shoes, then choose “hiking shoes”, and you’ll see a few options. I like ordering shoes on Zappos because they do not charge shipping on returns. Order a couple of pairs and return the one that doesn’t fit! Good luck!
HELP!!!!!!!! Who is making a size 11.5 women’s low ankle hiking boot these days? I just outgrew my Merrill Siren Sport this month, which I have worn for lightweight backpacking with huge success (25 pounds 4 days max) and now my feet are an 11.5 and I cannot find a lightweight, supportive medium to narrow width hiking boot in my size. Need I go to a mens shoe which is wider and bulkier? ARGH!!!! Thanks for any information. BTW, I am a woman in my 50’s and only 5’5″ tall and 130 pounds but my feet just seem to keep growing!
Hi there Val – great question! I actually would not recommend the Styngers for snowshoeing. They are wonderful for backpacking, but I use a separate pair of boots, the La Sportiva Glacier Evos for snowshoeing.
You could also wear a pair like these Keen Hoodoos.
Happy trails!
Thanks for your review of the Styngers! I am sure they are the boots for me, but have one hesitation before buying – I’d like to use them while snowshoeing sometimes, and I worry that the heel of the boot is too smooth and ridge-less to hold up the heel strap of a snowshoe without it slipping down. Is this something you might be able to advise on? Thanks!
Hi Lesley, It sounds like you’re taking a lot of the right steps!
I use the blue superfeet in my Asolos.
I definitely recommend that you try wearing liner socks. Also be sure to use this boot lacing technique in order to prevent heel blisters.
Let me know how those tips work. Have fun on your trip! 🙂
I’ve been trying to break my Asolo Stynger GTXs in since late May. I keep experiencing hot spots on the bottom of my big toes and the ball of each foot. I’ve tried a variety of different socks, although, I haven’t tried liners with these boots yet. It’s been so hot this summer I didn’t want the extra layer. I think I’ll try them out next weekend. I’ve noticed the hot spots usually start hurting around mile 3. Yesterday, I tried the Berry Superfeet to see if the extra cushion would help. I also changed out my socks before mile 3. This time my right foot didn’t hurt but my left foot still hurt a little, although nothing as painful as in the past. Unfortunately the added height to the heel area caused new problems…blisters on the back of both heels. I was curious as to which version of Superfeet you used in your Asolos. I think if I could get the cushion without the added heel height I’d be set. I have just under 7 weeks before traveling to Nepal to hike to Everest Base Camp…I don’t have much time to get this boot situation figured out. I’ve even tried several other boots out in the store (REI) but none of them feel better than the Asolos.
Hi Kristen!
Thanks so much for sharing your story. I’m sorry to hear about your blisters. Definitely try the toe sock liners as well as the boot lacing technique I show in this video. That will help if you ever get heel blisters.
Good luck, and I’d love to hear what ends up being the cure to your blister issue.
In college I bought my first pair of hiking boots: Vasque Sundowners. LOVED these boots. Since I bought them at 17, I outgrew them by half a size by age 21, and had to give them away. Owned a pair of REI brand boots that gave me blisters and rarely hiked for about ten years. SAD. Did not repurchase Vasque Sundowners due to reviews of poor construction in recent years.
I bought the Asolo’s a few years back based on a mountaineering store in Boulder, Colorado’s recommendation for narrow feet. Unfortunately developed blisters. Saw a custom boot fitter, got insoles, and the problem persisted. So sad because I LOVED the orange color. Stopped hiking in boots, wore trail shoes.
Last summer bought Oboz Yellowstone II boots from the Denver REI and hiked quite a bit in them last fall in Canada with no problems.
Back to hiking this summer and all was good on rainy, chilly days with moderate inclines. Wore them this weekend on a hot day ascending Sentinel Pass in Banff and got horrible blisters. Not very happy at the moment.
What I’m noticing is that I get the blisters on hikes with serious inclines, especially on hot sweaty days. My wool socks were soaked after saturdays hike. So I need to tie my boots better and get the toe liners that you recommend. I might also re-evaluate insoles. Love your website! I’m bound and determined not to let blisters get in the way of hiking !!!!
Hi Activechic – I’m glad you didn’t get blisters, but sorry to hear they hurt! I always wear inserts, and wear liner socks plus outer socks… never had an issue with these boots. I wear them on rocky, mountainous terrain (especially in the California Sierra Nevada mountains). I’ve worn them in the desert, coastal mountains, and on muddy trails…
All of us just have different feet so it is important to keep trying different boots until you find the ones that work best for you.
Happy trails!
Hi –
I bought these boots, and I honestly do not like them, either!! I did not get blisters from them, but found them to have little to no traction… Perhaps we are hiking on different terrain. After doing more research, read these are great mountain hiking/climbing boots. I live in MN, and we have large hills w/ lots of mud/dirt… Saving for when I go to the mountains ;).
I agree – 1/2 size larger on hiking shoes… Feet swell, and inserts are a must!! measuring at a store is prob the best idea…
Sarah –
Did you put in inserts? when I use inserts, I don’t need mole skin until 8-9th day of hiking trip. (hike 10-30 miles a day).
And, have you tried vaseline on feet before hiking??? Wow, the cheapest invention, and really helps prevent blisters!! (can be warm in the summer tho…) wear vaseline w/ smart wool socks = happy girl. (hope this helps!!)
Hi Sarah,
Thanks for your comment, and I’m really sorry to hear about your blisters! Were they heel blisters or on your toes? I’ve definitely done many 8 mile+ days with these and my feet love them. Hope you can find a style of hiking boots that works for your feet! I’d love to know what you’re wearing now.
My experience with these boots was horrible. But it may just be my feet. These boots gave me serious blisters; I use to wrap my feet in moleskin and duct tape. They also made the bottoms of my feet hurt really bad if I hiked more than 8 miles a day with a heavy pack.
Thanks for your comment, Jerry. In my experience I have found that if I buy boots that are my street shoe size, I don’t have enough space for my insoles, liner socks, and thick hiking socks. I agree that the key is to get measured and then try on the boots at a store using your own insoles and socks combo that you prefer.
No, do NOT buy a size larger than you need. Hiking boots are designed to accomodate thicker socks and swollen feet. Get your feet properly measured, especially if you haven’t for a while, and buy that size. Unless you have monstrously thick feet, this should be fine. Buying boots too large will cause you grief as your foot slides around in them, and you’ll find your stability will suffer for it.
Yep, I use Superfeet is my Asolo Styngers and trail running shoes. Here’s more info I’ve written on insoles. Mole skin should be used to prevent blisters if you have hot spots on your feet. Insoles provide better support for your feet and therefore legs, and don’t do anything for blister prevention or blister treatment. Hope that helps!
Thanks!! Do you put insoles in too?? I haven’t, but thought might be better than mole skin??
Yes, ALWAYS get 1/2 size larger so your feet have room to expand at altitude and your toes have space on the downhills… the last thing any hiking “lady” wants is black toenails 😉 Have fun on the trails! Great question.
Do you recommend buying a 1/2 or 1 size larger?? I love Keen’s, but go through them every 6 months… Looking for a good boot to last a thousand miles at least.
Thanks 🙂