Asolo Freney Mid GV

Comfort: 4.7 The Freney Mid’s cushy lining and footbed mean its break-in time—almost instant— was the fastest in the test. “No rubbing, no hot spots, no slippage, and a snug heel fit,” one tester said after trekking 35 miles with a 40-pound pack in New Zealand’s Arthur’s Pass National Park. In rocky terrain, he appreciated how a large wedge of PU at the back cushioned heel strikes. The Freney Mid has a Gore-Tex Performance Comfort liner, and its almost fleece-like interior padding captured enough heat to keep one tester warm into the teens on a glacier in Greenland.

Durability: 2.7 After nearly a full month of use on steep and rocky terrain in New Zealand’s Southern Alps, one tester noticed the Freney Mid’s rand had begun to crack.

Stability: 4.0 A carbon-fiber lasting board helps the Freney Mid remain stable on snow slopes while paired with semi-automatic crampons. Its Vibram Mulaz outsole with its single, large lug that curves around the toe area allowed our tester to find footholds on small rock ledges in Arthur’s Pass.

Overall: 3.9