First Impressions
A few weeks ago, it was time — time to replace that aging pair of Scarpa Zens that accompanied us to Yellowstone, Grand Teton and numerous other destinations. We love the approach shoe genre around GearGuide and put many miles on those old Zens, 5.10 Guide Tennies and numerous other variants on the theme. So when we ran across a reasonably priced pair of Asolo Shiver GVs, we jumped at the chance to put those in the shopping cart at one of our favorite discount retailers Sierra Trading Post. They arrived a few days later and we began putting to the test.
Features
Now the Asolo Shiver GVs aren’t exactly a hard-core approach shoe. They do however share many of the styling traits of those products. Instead of scrambling over scree, Asolo positions the Shriver GV as “perfect for a short hike or a walk on the path, but also for everyday life in the city or during a trip to discover a new destination.” That’s a pretty good description of how we planned to test our pair. And the feature set seemed to fit that intended use.
Here’s a quick rundown of features. Asolo makes the upper from suede leather and lines it with a waterproof Gore-Tex Performance Comfort membrane to keep your feet dry while maintaining breathability. The collar and tongue are padded and very comfortable.
Specs
Weight: 30 oz. per pair (men’s 11)
Upper:Suede, Gore-Tex membrane
Sole: Vibram Tenere rubber outsole
In keeping with the approach shoe styling, the Asolo Shiver GV laces from toe to top to create a very custom fit. We like this feature a lot as the show can be tailored to almost any foot for optimal comfort and support. The Vibram Tenere rubber outsole provides traction. It’s good but doesn’t smear like some 5.10 and other more serious approach-shoe compounds.
Overall, the feature set provides good all-round and all-year performance. It’s not too heavy, too sturdy or too expensive for everyday use.
Fit
We found the Asolo Shiver GV to be comfortable. The approach-shoe-like lacing system allowed us to customize the fit. It’s a bit stiff on first wearings but was never uncomfortable. Nor did the fit create hot spots and other issues that might make the shoe less than desirable on longer walks and hikes.
Final Verdict
We found the Asolo Shiver GV to be comfortable, light weight and sturdy. The approach-shoe-like lacing system allowed customized the shoe to our feet. The outsole wore like iron. And the overall construction was at once stylish and sturdy. If you’re in the market for a versatile hiker and around-towner, this might be the ticket.
Find them at Sierra Trading Post.