[Mike P.]

They may be okay. They look to be about the same style as my EMS Arete’s. I typically wear them (& have worn similar boots) in late fall & early spring. I’d also wear them in winter in CT, MA on hikes up Monadnock, Greylock & the Catskills. I’d likely have them in the car in case the weather was going to be in the upper 20’s low 30’s. which occasionally happens. (Wore mine last Friday (11/30) in Adirondacks in the AMR.


That said, IMO, they aren’t the same as plastic boots. I prefer plastic boots over the lighter insulated boots that are out there currently. The Asolo’s appear to take step-in crampons. The newer style insulated boots like the Columbia’s will not. Many people are using the lighter insulated boots but if you are looking to do some trips with the AMC, some of their trip leaders do require plastic boots. (Even though the latest issue of Outdoors shows a hiker not in plastic boots)

You’ll get opinions all over the place on this one, in the end are they warm enough for you? I’d find out on smaller trips before trying a Presidential Traverse. For winter camping people prefer double boots. With plastics you are set, if you decide you want to try that, now you’ll need another pair of boots & your choice will be Plastic or Sorel type pac-boots.