Walking Boots

Asolo Acadia Mid LTH GTX Boot | Review

A mid weight boot that we found to tick a lot of boxes as an option for three-season hiking and also for day-to-day wear.

Released in Spring/Summer 2025, this boot from Italian footwear specialists Asolo falls into their light hiking category. It’s made from a quality suede leather, has a Gore-tex membrane and the brand’s own proprietary grip. You also find it in a version designed specifically for women’s feet and as a low cut walking shoe.

The Top Line

This is one of those hiking boots that I’d call a workhorse – the kind that you’ll end up wearing for all manner of things, from long-distance hikes and three-season hillwalks, through to just wearing for a wintry dog walk on the beach or even down to the shops. It’s not their most rugged of boots, nor is it a budget option for casual hikers. From my experience, it sits right in the middle of the scale.

Buy The Asolo Acadia Mid LTH GTX: £173 at Asolo.com

How I Tested The Asolo Acadia Mid LTH GTX

I wore the Asolo Acadia for the main duration of our week-long Outdoor 100 test trip in the mountains of Eryri, taking on hikes in the rocky Rhinogydd and Moelwynion ranges. I also wore the Acadias on a three-day camping trip surveying routes in southern Eryri for my Peak Bagging Wales guidebook. Throughout this testing, I encountered muddy trails, bog and a lot of rain-soaked boulders, and I was carrying a heavy trekking pack for the duration.

One of those hiking boots that I’d call a workhorse – these are the Asolo Acadia Mid LTH GTX Boot. Photos: Dave MacFarlane.

What Are They Best Suited To?

These are three-season boots that will suit hikes from the start of spring through to the end of autumn. I’d also be happy to wear them in a UK winter, so long as the conditions aren’t too cold and crampons aren’t required. Like all Gore-tex lined boots, I’ve found they can start to feel a little warm in hot weather.

They have performed really well for me over big mileage and on rugged terrain and I’d therefore recommend them for long-distance hikes, particularly over wet and muddy surfaces. They’re not really designed for scrambling so I wouldn’t really recommend them if you’re looking for something to take on sharp, rocky terrain.

Buy The Asolo Acadia Mid LTH GTX: £173 at Asolo.com

Fit and Feel

I’ve got pretty averagely-shaped feet (though they’re maybe just a little narrow at the heel) and the Acadia fitted me very nicely. Even after long 20km days in the mountains, I didn’t feel any hot spots, and I didn’t feel in much of a rush to take my boots off at the end of the day. I was also able to wear my pair straight out of the box, going straight into a 12km hike in the mountains with no issues at all.

The sole unit has a nice shaping to it. I’ve found it provides good arch support and there’s a very subtle forward roll to it. At the ankle, there’s support but without too much rigidity and loss of flex.

Will They Keep My Feet Dry?

The Gore-tex Invisible Fit liner did the job it’s supposed to. My feet have felt dry in these throughout my entire test period – and comfortable too. Initially, the water resistant coating on the leather worked a total treat with water beading off superbly during my first day of hiking in wet weather. This did eventually start to lose its effect, so I’ve been reproofing the boots with Nikwax every now and then in order to maintain that water resistance.

Here, the boots are being testing at the Roman Steps by the Rhinogydd in North Wales.

Durability

The toe bumper does a good job of protecting your toes and the upper leather on the boot. I’ve put around 80 miles into these so far and I haven’t notice any degradation in the leather or in the cushioning within the sole. What I did notice is that the exterior of the midsole has some sort of coating that has scratched off a bit during some demanding hikes over bouldery terrain, but this doesn’t affect the performance of the boot – and it’s not that noticeable.

Related: Best Walking Boots
Related: Best Hiking Socks

Shoe soles will always wear out, no matter the quality. That’s why I always like it when a brand makes their footwear in a way that allows them to be resoled. That’s the case here and what’s more, Asolo also offer their own resoling service where they change the outsole, midsole, toe cap or rubber rand (if present), laces and footbeds (if worn out), and send them back to you, normally within two weeks.

Grip

The Acadia offers very reliable grip on muddy surfaces. On one occasion, I was hiking down a steep slope in the Moelwynion, with a big duffel bag hanging off my back, but I didn’t slip at all and felt confident that I’d stay upright. There was a bit of slippage on some very wet and slimy rocks, but I haven’t really come across any boots that can give sure footing on that kind of stuff.

A Final Shout-Out To…

The laces. These are on the narrow side compared to most other boots, and I’ve liked them. They glide easily and evenly and they hold extremely well. I can’t recall having to stop to re-tie them.

Verdict

At 506g per boot, these fall within the mid weight category. They definitely don’t feel heavy or cumbersome but nor do they feel flimsy or highly flexible either. I find they also have quite a casual and non-clunky look about them, so you can wear them in non-mountain situations and people aren’t going to ask you which mountain you’re about to climb.

At £173, they’re not the cheapest, but I think you get what you pay for here. Good boots that should last well. It’s worth checking out the Asolo Traverse GV if you’re after something for high-level, rocky treks. I found that to be superb while hiking up high above Glencoe last year. There’s also the Asolo Falcon EVO GV which should cater for those who like a light and breathable boot that still offers a good amount of stability.