Gear Review: Brasher Aso GTX

Brasher Aso GTX 5/10
This is Brasher's first winter boot and you can tell.  The mix of synthetics on the upper have kept the cost down to an incredible £140 which has then been grafted onto an aggressive Vibram New Ice sole unit (B1 for a C1/C2) with a fibre glass insole board for rigidity.  So it's supposedly ideal for snow and ice use but, although has toe box protection does not have the full rubber side protection that I'd like, and obviously it hasn't got the same durability as leather, but, even though it's double-stitched, it doesn't have the same durability as other synthetics on the market, after use with crampons these boots began to fray.  They don't have the best heel-toe motion either, and are pretty clumpy (if you're looking for a wide fit though, these boots are a possibiity). The high-abrasion resistant collar is good and the rigidity is there, but Brasher need to work on their upper and provide a better ridge to support crampon use.  Not a bad effort, but it's not a sexy boot either- aesthetically it says "Hills" but underfoot it says "Mountain", it's got a personality crisis, and I'm not buying...yet.

SPEC:

• Weight: 2000gms (based on size 9)
• Colour: Dark Granite/Deep Red
• Lining: GORE-TEX footwear. High abrasion resistant Lycra collar and memory foam laminate
• Insole: Glass fibre setting insole board
• Features - for Brasher Aso GTX (Mens)
• Upper: 2 tone 1200D non-wicking abrasion resistant fabric with 2.2mm suede support structure. Moulded toe box. Tri-Fit™ Mountain technology.
• Sole: Vibram® 'Ice New' C1/C2 crampon compatible mountain sole with shock absorbing PU midsole. Lining GORE-TEX® footwear. High abrasion resistant Lycra® collar and memory foam laminate.
• Insole: Glass fibre stiff setting insole board.