The timing could not have been more perfect. A new pair of Garmont Axon’s arrived last fall to coincide with “Big Oh Eight” — the deepest winter and best spring skiing I’ve seen in thirty years in Aspen. I was determined to make the most of the opportunity as one never knows when another ski mountaineering season like that might come along. So I did. A hundred thousand miles worth.
Apparently Garmont has arrived at the perfect combination of sole durability and traction, as even after quite a bit of abuse they held up fine.
I documented the performance of the Axon in a previous blog. My initial impressions have not changed or lost any luster, even as memory fades, leaves fall from trees, and another season arrives. The Axons met all my expectations and allowed me to perform at my full potential. Just as impressive as their performance is how well they held up to the constant barrage of skinning, snow climbing, barren ridges, 3rd class scrambling and dirt hikes.
My biggest concern was how much damage would occur at the front “toe” edge of the “Brown Bomber’s” sole, as I’ve had trouble with other boots in this area when using for backcountry skiing. I wasn’t holding out much hope based on how little it takes to destroy a pair of Adrenalin soles (replaceable thankfully). Much to my surprise and delight the Axons proved to be incredibly durable. As you can see in the photos, despite my best efforts the Axons show what could be described as normal wear and tear.
Based on my experience I would gladly enlist for another tour of duty with the high performance, steadfast and sturdy Garmont Axon. Don’t even try and tempt me with all that “overlap” talk. What was that you said, “younger, faster, more sleek?” Maybe just a little touch of overlap? No, I couldn’t possibly. Well, what harm could it do? Axon who? Oh those boots, they’re just an old friend who stood up for me through the Big Oh Eight.
Another view. Most of the voids you can see in the soles are cleats. A chunk of rubber pulled out of the left boot toe, but a bit of such damage is to be expected when you scramble as much rock and dirt as these boots were asked to do last spring.
Most wear was only this type of normal abrasion. Not much to say about the shell and buckles, it's all still there, the scratches are cosmetic. Liners held up fine as well.
Get your 100,000 mile Garmont Axons here.
(Guest blogger Bob Perlmutter and his wife Sue live in Aspen where Bob manages Aspen Mountain Powder Tours, a snowcat skiing operation. Bob has sought adventure skiing over the past thirty years, in the nearby Elk Mountains as well as locales around the world. Presently, he is reeling it in close to home to embark on his biggest adventure yet, fatherhood.)
Bob Perlmutter and his wife Sue live in Aspen where Bob manages Aspen Mountain Powder Tours, a snowcat skiing operation. Bob has sought adventure skiing over the past thirty years, in the nearby Elk Mountains as well as numerous locales around the world. Presently, he is reeling it in close to home to embark on his biggest adventure yet, fatherhood.
