HA I can relate to the dilemma. I tried a pair of Lowa's...they were nice but I was after the most support I could find. That required, in my mind, an all leather upper.

Asolo's work like this in their numbering....the TPS 535 GV is made for lighter backpacking...30 to 40 pound pack. The TPS 520 GV is made for heavier backpacking 60 to 75 pound pack. There is one above the 520(I forgot the number) that is the same as the 520 except the lower eyelets have mini-pulleys in them. Theoretically for the purpose of making it easier to tighten the lace. I have no problem with lacing mine but I could see the benefit in the mini-pulley's and if I ever have to replace these, I'll get the mini-pulley version for 15 bucks more just because...why not. :-)

These things are unadulterated bad asses. Without a doubt the most impressive thing I've had on my feet. The break in period is long and can be painful if you over do it. I got a big blister on my heel and I was taking it easy. After you get them broken in though, you may find yourself wearing them everywhere.

There is one issue with them that I found in my search. At some point Asolo decided to change their method of attaching the souls from, I believe, glue to heat. The newer version is called "evolution" EVO for short. So if you see TPS 520 GV Evo, you're dealing with the Evolution model. The problem...there are complaints that the heal of the EVO will prematurely...way prematurely...detach. The guy who sold me my pair recommended staying with the older..."tried and true"...older version. That may be somehting you should investigate when it comes to the Asolo.

I have run into many people who have had these thing and to a person they are like...Oh, I had a pair of those...they lasted me...10 or 12 years.