How to Choose Hiking Boots

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With legendary Italian quality and comfort, the Zamberlan Vioz GTX boots offer waterproof protection and burly construction to handle everything from easy day hikes to backcountry adventures.
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View all Zamberlan Men's Backpacking BootsBest Use | Backpacking |
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Footwear Height | Over-the-ankle |
Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
Waterproof | Yes |
Type of Waterproofing | GORE-TEX waterproof breathable membrane |
Upper | Full-grain leather |
Lining | Nylon |
Midsole | Polyurethane |
Support | Thermoplastic urethane shank |
Outsole | Rubber |
Can Be Resoled | Yes |
Weight (Pair) | 3 lbs. 8 oz. |
Gender | Men's |
8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 13 | 14 | |
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U.S. Men's | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
EU | 42 | 42.5 | 43 | 44 | 44.5 | 45 | 45.5 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 |
Foot Length (in.) | 10.3 | 10.5 | 10.6 | 10.8 | 11 | 11.1 | 11.3 | 11.5 | 11.7 | 11.9 | 12.1 |
Half sizes may appear with an "H" on the box and tag. For example, 8.5 may be listed as 8H.
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I bought the Vioz GT after suffering extreme feet pain whilst using light weight hiking boots and carrying a heavy pack over a five day, 106km hike. I just broke the GT's in on a 60 km hike, with steep hills, mud, clay, slippery rocks and on the final day, high winds, constant rain and ankle deep water. I am happy to say that the boots (with orthotics fitted) were comfortable and solid, although quite heavy (to be expected). I had little foot pain and the sturdy sides prevented me rolling an ankle three times. My feet stayed dry, and the soles gripped on the slippery rocks OK. I would recommend these for folks carrying heavy loads over multiple days.
Just back from September Colorado Elk hunt and couldnt be happier with how these performed! Rough, rocky, and very steep terrain, usually off trail (11k-12k ft of elevation) and the stiffer sole was AMAZING! My friend had Salomon high top hiking shoes and had to limit his hunt becasues of pain when hiking on the rocks, sole far too soft. I was the only one with dry feet during our rainy day and when we had to traverse a boggy area. Some minor scuffs and 1 tiny gouge with the extensive rocky terrain, would consider the rubber rand model if I did this trip routinely. Extremely happy with these boots!
I bought these in March, 2010 and did light hikes in April breaking it in. In May I took it on 10+ miles hikes. The first hike I got a hot spot on the ankle & blister developed. I was wearing only a cotton sock. So on my consequent Hikes (usually 12-20+ miles) I took the Wool sock and double up on my sock. Since then there was no problem. I will have to say that this is the most comfortable Hiking Boots I purchased. Looking at how this boot is breaking in, I will say that it will last me years. I love these boots so much and was afraid that they will discontinue that I bought a second pair. Never wrote a review before but love the boots so much that I want all to know.
I have had my Vioz GT’s for nearly 8 years and have hiked easily close to 2000 miles in them. I just got back from trekking around New Zealand and they continue to perform at a high level and are still extraordinarily comfortable and supportive. I have never retreated the leather and got lazy prior to our trip. Still held up to almost daily rain without ever soaking through. The soles still have plenty of tread left and the traction has never let me down. I am a physical therapist and would highly recommend these boots to all hikers and backpackers that want to take great care of their feet. The trend towards lighter footwear is crazy when you have options like this. Happy hiking.
I purchased these in 2020 for a series of trips focused on hiking and backpacking. During the break in period they were so comfortable it was almost redundant. It is now 2024 and the soles are just now separating from the leather. I have so many miles on these boots it's ridiculous. I weigh on average 270 lbs they have definitely held up. Only brand I will buy now.
I bought these in Feb of 2016. I actually bought two pairs of boots at that time, some Scarpas for winter hiking and these Zamberlans for my "lifetime" boots for summer hiking, replacing some old black leather Merrell boots I bought at REI over 20 years ago. I know the painful break-in period that comes with sturdy leather boots so I was took it easy on these for nearly a year - doing only about 50 miles on them in my first year. This summer I put in only another 50-100 miles on them...and the treads are already completely breaking down. Big chunks of them have broken off on the sides and front... I'm totally disappointed in the durability. I've had them over a year so they are not returnable thanks to REI's limited 1 year satisfaction guarantee, and I don't want to exchange new ones because breaking them in was so time-consuming.
i have hiked mt thielsen and the south sister in these boots. mt thielsen had a lot of scree and it pretty much scuffed the heck out of the boots. i hope it is superficial and i get a couple years out of these boots. the traction is great. stability is great. had some hot spots on my heal during the first hike, but only a small blister formed. that was july 20th. when i hiked the south sister on aug 3rd, they were super comfortable with no hot spots. i blame myself for scuffing them up... i guess that is what happens when you go scree surfing.
OK, since my black ones are getting old and my brown ones don't always go with my clothes... (I know I know, they are HIKING BOOTS!) I had to get another pair of black ones. Immediately out of the box I am for a third time in as many years blown away by how nice these boots are. The forward jutting spikes in the front of the heel are one of my favorite aspects of these boots, they really grip great. Why did it take so long for someone to do that? Love these boots. Whether running to your next plane in an airport or traversing rugged, wet slippery rocks, your feet will thank you for getting these great boots. Thanks Zamberlan!
Within a week the boots had to be returned. I hiked less than 12 miles and the soles could not keep up. I took them off trail in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona and the soles crumbled apart. The rocks ripped, shredded and tore apart the sole. The rocky area I was in scratched up the leather but that was to be expected. If you plan on taking these anywhere technical plan on bringing a spare pair.
After trying on seven or eight different pairs of hiking boots at REI, via REI online orders and at a small local hiking shop and finding none that both fit my wide 4E duck's feet without crushing the heads of the metatarsals or pinching my pinkie toe, while also providing structure and support for my ankles, I gave the Zamberlans a shot despite them being big and clunky. They were pretty much the only ones I hadn't tried yet. And... they fit! They actually fit! I bought them on the spot and then went home to learn about them. Like good traditional shoe and bootmakers Zamberlan builds some of its styles on more than one last. A last is a sort of wooden foot model around which leather shoes and boots are traditionally constructed. Different lasts accommodate different shapes and sizes of feet. Zamberlan has a special wide last, and the wide boot on the wide last is actually really wide, perfect for someone like me with freakishly difficult to fit duck feet! I've had them for nearly five months now and have used them a lot. They are comfortable, rugged, supportive, tough, and I believe they are made to a very high quality. I learned that Zamberlan has a very long relationship with their compatriot company Vibram, "VItale BRAMani," and gets the best Vibram soles made specially for their boots. I believe it. Two other companies whose boots I were able to try on did make wide enough products, Keen and Merrell, and while both seemed like nice comfortable hiking boots, they weren't really suited to my intended use of jagged/craggy/rocky 'paths' and steep scree. I'm sure they would be delightful on manicured trails but I really worry about rolling an ankle so I wanted something more supportive. LOWA's wide boot crushed my forefoot, and Salomon doesn't make their best stuff in wide sizes at all. A lifetime of extra-extra-extra-extra wide feet has made every new venture into footwear a great ordeal, and I'm both pleased and grateful to have found hiking boots of excellent quality and fit which are both durable and affordable. They aren't the most modern or lightweight boots but they fit my purposes well and if your feet are wide enough there always has to be some compromise. I love them.