Asolo Drifter vs Fugitive: Waterproof and Affordable

Asolo is a boot company that manufactures high-end, durable products. One of the appeals of Asolo is the fact that 99% of the materials used in these boots are sourced in Europe. Also, all of their boots are manufactured in Europe. You can rest assured that the quality of these boots will be more than adequate.

Along with the purchase of Asolo boots comes a lifetime guarantee. This includes the waterproofing of the waterproof boots.

You have likely already done some research into what some of the Asolo boots are about. In this review, we will be comparing the Asolo Drifter vs the Fugitive to give you a better idea of these two specific models and their differences.

You might like: Asolo Flame vs Fugitive: With Durable Nubuck Suade

Asolo Drifter vs Fugitive

Preview
Asolo Drifter
Asolo Drifter GV Evo MM Cendre/Brown 10.5 D (M)
Asolo Fugitive
Asolo Men's Fugitive GTX Light Hiking and Trekking Boots (Wool/Black, 10.5)
Title
Asolo Drifter GV Evo MM Cendre/Brown 10.5 D (M)
Asolo Men's Fugitive GTX Light Hiking and Trekking Boots (Wool/Black, 10.5)
Price
Price not available
$260.00
Upper Material
Water-resistant suede
Water-resistant suede
Sole
Asolo/Vibram® Duo Radiant
690 g
Weight
593g
Asolo Syncro
Lining
Gore-Tex®
Gore-Tex®
Footbed
Lite 2
Lite 2
Protection
Toe rubber cap
Toe rubber cap
More Information
Asolo Drifter
Preview
Asolo Drifter GV Evo MM Cendre/Brown 10.5 D (M)
Title
Asolo Drifter GV Evo MM Cendre/Brown 10.5 D (M)
Price
Price not available
Upper Material
Water-resistant suede
Sole
Asolo/Vibram® Duo Radiant
Weight
593g
Lining
Gore-Tex®
Footbed
Lite 2
Protection
Toe rubber cap
More Information
Asolo Fugitive
Preview
Asolo Men's Fugitive GTX Light Hiking and Trekking Boots (Wool/Black, 10.5)
Title
Asolo Men's Fugitive GTX Light Hiking and Trekking Boots (Wool/Black, 10.5)
Price
$260.00
Upper Material
Water-resistant suede
Sole
690 g
Weight
Asolo Syncro
Lining
Gore-Tex®
Footbed
Lite 2
Protection
Toe rubber cap
More Information

Our Drifter vs Fugitive Comparison

The Drifter and the Fugitive hiking boots are specifically made to be completely waterproof. They have a Gore-Tex membrane on the inside of the boot that will not wear off with heavy use. With these boots, you can walk through creeks and rivers up to the ankle without your feet getting soaked.

These boots have a gusseted tongue that ends just above the second eyelet to give waterproof protection all the way up to the ankle. They also offer a tiny bit of insulation, but they are mostly made for those long trail walks and hot summer days. For winter usage, it is useful to buy a pair that is slightly larger than normal so that you can double up your sock layers.

In the list below, we have made a compilation of the key differences between the Fugitive and the Drifter. This outlines the considerations to keep in mind when deciding which of these hiking boots you will want to get.

Rubber toe cap:

Both of these hiking boots have a tough rubber toe cap to protect against hard bumps from rocks.

Asolo Fugitive GTX Wool/Black 10 D (M) Asolo Drifter vs Fugitive

Synthetic material overlay:

Unlike the Fugitive boot, the Drifter has a synthetic material overlay along the sides of the boot. This helps to protect it against scrapes and abrasion while going through rough terrain. This is a harder material than the Nubuck sides of the Fugitive.

Nubuck overlay:

The Fugitive has a Nubuck overlay extending from the rubber toe cap to the heel. Some extra pieces of Nubuck are also included around the eyelets of the shoe. With Nubuck, you get an attractive high-quality look and feel to the boot. You will also need to maintain it by applying oils, which will actually help to keep the boot waterproof. Nubuck is a thick suede leather that is often used in high quality hiking boots. Granted, it will not provide as much protection against abrasion than the synthetic overlay of the Drifter.

Suede upper:

Both of these boots have a suede upper, giving them high quality and durable feel.

Lug sizes:

The lug sizing on hiking boot outsoles help to determine the amount and type of traction that the boot has. The lug size of the Drifter is larger in comparison to the lug sizes on the Fugitive. These larger lug sizes will be great for going through mud without slipping. The Drifter also has a particular area on the outsole that has a much larger lug size.

Asolo Fugitive GTX Wool/Black 10 D (M) Asolo Drifter vs Fugitive

The slug area acts as a break to the boot for when you are going down hills and want to stop. The outsoles on both of these boots are very sticky and are great for going over large wet rocks and terrains full of pebbles.

Narrow vs wide:

The size of the Fugitive boot is made to be narrower than the Drifter. Those who have rather narrow feet will feel more comfortable in the Fugitive boot because it will not slide off the foot as easily as other boots. Those who have normal to wide feet are better off with the Drifter boots.

Asolo Drifter vs Fugitive: Price Comparison

The prices of the Fugitive and the Drifter boots are very similar and comparable. In order to view current prices for these waterproof boots, please see the Amazon links below:

Asolo Drifter vs Fugitive Review: The Verdict

The Drifter and the Fugitive are made for those very long days on the trail. They are made to be ultra comfortable, yet stiff enough to protect the foot against debris and hard hits. They are some of the most durable boots being made, and will last several years. Some Asolo customers swear by these boots and will keep buying them year after year.

Asolo boots are specially made have the ability to be resoled. They do come with a lifetime guarantee in case they do not meet your expectations.

Overall, the Drifter and the Fugitive offer the same value and quality boot. Which to choose is simply a matter of which of the features mentioned above you feel the most comfortable with.

Asolo is a boot company that manufactures high-end, durable products. One of the appeals of Asolo is the fact that 99% of the materials used in these boots are sourced in Europe. Also, all of their boots are manufactured in Europe. You can rest assured that the quality of these boots will be more than adequate.

Along with the purchase of Asolo boots comes a lifetime guarantee. This includes the waterproofing of the waterproof boots.

You have likely already done some research into what some of the Asolo boots are about. In this review, we will be comparing the Asolo Drifter vs the Fugitive to give you a better idea of these two specific models and their differences.

You might like: Asolo Flame vs Fugitive: With Durable Nubuck Suade

Asolo Drifter vs Fugitive

Preview
Asolo Drifter
Asolo Drifter GV Evo MM Cendre/Brown 10.5 D (M)
Asolo Fugitive
Asolo Men's Fugitive GTX Light Hiking and Trekking Boots (Wool/Black, 10.5)
Title
Asolo Drifter GV Evo MM Cendre/Brown 10.5 D (M)
Asolo Men's Fugitive GTX Light Hiking and Trekking Boots (Wool/Black, 10.5)
Price
Price not available
$260.00
Upper Material
Water-resistant suede
Water-resistant suede
Sole
Asolo/Vibram® Duo Radiant
690 g
Weight
593g
Asolo Syncro
Lining
Gore-Tex®
Gore-Tex®
Footbed
Lite 2
Lite 2
Protection
Toe rubber cap
Toe rubber cap
More Information
Asolo Drifter
Preview
Asolo Drifter GV Evo MM Cendre/Brown 10.5 D (M)
Title
Asolo Drifter GV Evo MM Cendre/Brown 10.5 D (M)
Price
Price not available
Upper Material
Water-resistant suede
Sole
Asolo/Vibram® Duo Radiant
Weight
593g
Lining
Gore-Tex®
Footbed
Lite 2
Protection
Toe rubber cap
More Information
Asolo Fugitive
Preview
Asolo Men's Fugitive GTX Light Hiking and Trekking Boots (Wool/Black, 10.5)
Title
Asolo Men's Fugitive GTX Light Hiking and Trekking Boots (Wool/Black, 10.5)
Price
$260.00
Upper Material
Water-resistant suede
Sole
690 g
Weight
Asolo Syncro
Lining
Gore-Tex®
Footbed
Lite 2
Protection
Toe rubber cap
More Information

Our Drifter vs Fugitive Comparison

The Drifter and the Fugitive hiking boots are specifically made to be completely waterproof. They have a Gore-Tex membrane on the inside of the boot that will not wear off with heavy use. With these boots, you can walk through creeks and rivers up to the ankle without your feet getting soaked.

These boots have a gusseted tongue that ends just above the second eyelet to give waterproof protection all the way up to the ankle. They also offer a tiny bit of insulation, but they are mostly made for those long trail walks and hot summer days. For winter usage, it is useful to buy a pair that is slightly larger than normal so that you can double up your sock layers.

In the list below, we have made a compilation of the key differences between the Fugitive and the Drifter. This outlines the considerations to keep in mind when deciding which of these hiking boots you will want to get.

Rubber toe cap:

Both of these hiking boots have a tough rubber toe cap to protect against hard bumps from rocks.

Asolo Fugitive GTX Wool/Black 10 D (M) Asolo Drifter vs Fugitive

Synthetic material overlay:

Unlike the Fugitive boot, the Drifter has a synthetic material overlay along the sides of the boot. This helps to protect it against scrapes and abrasion while going through rough terrain. This is a harder material than the Nubuck sides of the Fugitive.

Nubuck overlay:

The Fugitive has a Nubuck overlay extending from the rubber toe cap to the heel. Some extra pieces of Nubuck are also included around the eyelets of the shoe. With Nubuck, you get an attractive high-quality look and feel to the boot. You will also need to maintain it by applying oils, which will actually help to keep the boot waterproof. Nubuck is a thick suede leather that is often used in high quality hiking boots. Granted, it will not provide as much protection against abrasion than the synthetic overlay of the Drifter.

Suede upper:

Both of these boots have a suede upper, giving them high quality and durable feel.

Lug sizes:

The lug sizing on hiking boot outsoles help to determine the amount and type of traction that the boot has. The lug size of the Drifter is larger in comparison to the lug sizes on the Fugitive. These larger lug sizes will be great for going through mud without slipping. The Drifter also has a particular area on the outsole that has a much larger lug size.

Asolo Fugitive GTX Wool/Black 10 D (M) Asolo Drifter vs Fugitive

The slug area acts as a break to the boot for when you are going down hills and want to stop. The outsoles on both of these boots are very sticky and are great for going over large wet rocks and terrains full of pebbles.

Narrow vs wide:

The size of the Fugitive boot is made to be narrower than the Drifter. Those who have rather narrow feet will feel more comfortable in the Fugitive boot because it will not slide off the foot as easily as other boots. Those who have normal to wide feet are better off with the Drifter boots.

Asolo Drifter vs Fugitive: Price Comparison

The prices of the Fugitive and the Drifter boots are very similar and comparable. In order to view current prices for these waterproof boots, please see the Amazon links below:

Asolo Drifter vs Fugitive Review: The Verdict

The Drifter and the Fugitive are made for those very long days on the trail. They are made to be ultra comfortable, yet stiff enough to protect the foot against debris and hard hits. They are some of the most durable boots being made, and will last several years. Some Asolo customers swear by these boots and will keep buying them year after year.

Asolo boots are specially made have the ability to be resoled. They do come with a lifetime guarantee in case they do not meet your expectations.

Overall, the Drifter and the Fugitive offer the same value and quality boot. Which to choose is simply a matter of which of the features mentioned above you feel the most comfortable with.

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