The Gist
The Dalbello DS Asolo 130 brings a traditional, 4-buckle overlap narrow width made with regular ole polyurethane in the shell and cuff. Bravo! Take the creature comfort of the medium width DS, keep its Power Cage shell construction that maintains strength while reducing weight, add a little of the race-bred fit characteristics from the DRS line (while keeping the convenience and traction of GripWalk soles) and you've got one in the winner's column. Last year's Grilamid-built DS Asolo Factory 130 is still around, but both boots sport all new liners this year--good move, testers said.
The Fit
Testers say the fit this year is improved over last year's narrow Asolo--both the new shell mold and new liner contribute to a more-evenly-narrow fit throughout the lower boot, they said. Last year's lumpy mid- and rear-foot fit has been eradicated, replaced by a well-distributed squeeze on the entire foot, en-masse, and testers thought it fit true to its 98mm claim--narrow the way narrow should fit. The toebox is not overly long or boxy, but well-contained, and testers said the instep is on the closer-fitting side of average for the category, so perhaps high, bony arches may get a little crushed there without some strategic bootfitting. Low-volume feet will love it, essentially. The cuff fits close and testers dug the flex feel and adequately padded shin fit. They agreed that the cuff height is a little lower than the category average, and so might appeal especially to shorter guys or guys with muscular calves as well as women looking for a 130 flex that didn't run too high on the leg.
Performance
Stronger than last year's narrow Asolo due to the polyurethane engine block, but didn't lose a step, quickness wise, and all-day skiing is now an option given the improved fit. Testers like the stance angles and simple adjustments.
Cool Features
We think the DS Asolo 130's coolest feature is its traditional, straightforward approach to a top tier performance boot. Four-buckle overlap construction in polyurethane throughout, simple 40mm Velcro power strap, removable Velcro rear spoiler, dual liner pull loops, elliptical cam lateral cuff adjustment, bolted rear spine and race-bred buckles--nothing fancy, nothing extraneous. Yes, we like the revised IF liner with its Ultralon tongue padding and sure, GripWalk soles are grippy and walkie.
Kudos