The Fugitive GTX has been a staple of the Asolo footwear line for more than a decade. This $275 lightweight/day hiker combines a flexible upper with a firm outsole and midsole to create a unique feel that you’re unlikely to find in any other hiking boot. It’s an expensive boot as well as a hefty one. It has a comfort and stability profile that you won’t find in any other boot, making it very popular amongst some hikers, but it’s not for everyone. We loved how durable and waterproof they were, but we also expected slightly more ankle support in a boot this heavy.

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The Fugitive GTX has been a staple of the Asolo footwear line for more than a decade. This $275 lightweight/day hiker combines a flexible upper with a firm outsole and midsole to create a unique feel that you’re unlikely to find in any other hiking boot.

Comfort & Weight

Comfort with this boot is, for the most part, based on preference. Some hikers really enjoy the contrast of a stiff outsole and midsole, made of Asolo’s proprietary DuoAsoflex polyurethane, with the flexible upper, while others found this to feel, well, strange. The forefoot has a large toe box that can accommodate thin or thick socks. Moreover, the footbed is relatively flat, so those who require arch support will want to use an insole. Thankfully, there is plenty of room to add one. The Fugitive GTX has a burly all-metal lacing system, with four closed metal eyelets at the bottom, followed by a wider set of metal eyelet hooks and two metal eyelet hooks at the ankle.

Weight is a notable drawback with these boots; our pair of men’s size 11s tipped the scales at 3.12 lbs (1.42 kg). These are the third heaviest boots in our review, just behind the 3.3-pound Salomon 4D 3 GTX and the 3.5-pound Zamberlan 996 Vioz GTX, a heavyweight Italian boot made with full-grain leather and none of the space-age technology you’ll find in many of today’s hiking boots. Considering the lack of weight in the upper, we were a bit surprised that the Fugitive GTXs, a lightweight/day hiker, came so close in weight.

Traction & Stability

The outsole of the Fugitive GTX is constructed from Asolo’s proprietary Syncro compound, bi-density rubber mixed with polyurethane. The firm outsole is excellent for a wide range of terrain but lacks a high degree of feel for scrambling over boulders.

A stiff sole plus a flexible upper adds up to a one-of-a-kind stability profile with both pros and cons. Although the split-grain leather upper could be a bit more rigid, it boasts a tall collar height that extends well above the ankles, and the lacing system makes it easy to lock in the fit around our feet and ankles.

Water Resistance & Durability

As you might have guessed by the name, Asolo uses Gore-Tex waterproof lining for the Fugitive GTX, specifically Gore-Tex Performance Comfort. This paired with the water-resistant split-grain leather means these boots will shed water like a duck. A high flood height (almost 7 inches!) makes these an excellent choice for creek crossings. They’re also incredibly breathable, thanks to the Cordura nylon uppers.

We found these boots to be quite durable overall; one hiker even noted that it took him 8 years to wear them out. The leather inside and nylon outside of the upper is well constructed and held up to multiple hikes. The rubber toe rands perform well at protecting your feet, but certain reviewers have encountered issues with the outsole, specifically a separation from the midsole after 6 to 12 months of use.

Styles & Sizes

The two color options for the Asolo Fugitive GTX are Truffle/Stone and Wool/Black. Sizes run from 8-14 US with regular- and wide-fit sizes available. The Fugitive GTXs come with a stellar 2-year warranty and can even be resoled.

The Bottom Line

At $275, the Asolo Fugitive GTX is an expensive boot as well as a hefty one. It has a comfort and stability profile that you won’t find in any other boot, making it very popular amongst some hikers. We loved how durable and waterproof they were, but we also expected slightly more ankle support in a boot this heavy.

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