Zamberlan Trekker Hiking Boots - Men's

Comments about Zamberlan Trekker Hiking Boots - Men's:

I bought these Zamberlan Trekker's after a long and torturous debate over my priorities with regard to hiking boots and after years owning Asolo boots. Years ago (in December) I purchased a pair of the Asolo TPS 520's and instantly fell in love. They were my first one piece full grain leather boots and my second pair of boots with a gore-tex liner. Summer came along and, here in North Carolina, that means heat and humidity. Not a good combination when you're wearing a heavy full grain leather boot with a gore-tex liner even up in the mountains where it's a bit cooler!!! Hikes around Asheville and Boone and section hiking the AT with my father often left my feet a sweaty mess. Thus, the first insidious seeds of doubt were planted.

Fast forward to the present and my trusty Asolo's needed replacing. My first instinct was to drive down to my local REI and purchase another pair since in every single condition other than heat + humidity they were flawless but I decided to look for a boot that had the strengths of my old Asolo's (good fit for my feet, full grain leather upper, Vibram sole, very good arch support, water proof, not made in China, extreme durability, good looks, etc) but without any of the weaknesses (heavy, gore-tex liner and full grain leather combo too hot, could use a slightly larger toe guard to prevent scuffing and wear, could use a leather lining on the interior, could be just a smidge wider).

After an exhaustive search I narrowed it down to several boots: Zamberlan 992 Panther, Zamberlan Trekker RR, Asolo TPS 535 (non-gortex version of 520), Scarpa SL M3.

LONG story short I ended up with the Trekker's and I LOVE them. Here's why:

As far as I'm concerned it's as if Zamberlan created this hiking boot just for ME. Excellent fit to my foot, full grain leather, good arch support (a must as I suffer from plantar fasciitis), rubber toe guard, leather lined interior, non-goretex so it ACTUALLY BREATHES unlike all the gore-tex boots that merely CLAIM to breath, good water proofing(so far..).

Also, I am amazed at how much difference the weight reduction makes over my 520's. I must confess that when I first purchased the 520's the weight was never really an issue because they were just SO comfortable and supportive and I guess I just got used to carrying that weight. I'm told a pound on your feet is like five pounds on your back. I didn't believe it until I started wearing the Trekker's. It really does make a difference.

The only negative things I have to say (other than I wish they came in brown or chestnut) is that they don't provide quite the level of arch support as the Asolo 520's. It's still very good just not as good. Time will tell for me, especially considering my plantar fasciitis, but so far I've had no problems. Second, although the leather liner is amazingly comfortable and a luxury I don't ever want to do without again I'm not certain about its long term durability. I've got some friends with Lowa's and the leather lining on those wore out rather quickly especially considering the astronomical price they paid. I don't even think they got one resole out of them before the leather started to wear out which is crazy. Time will tell for the Zamberlans. Also I've had other boots with rubber toe guards that came unglued at or near the flex point so that's another thing I'll be keeping an eye on with the Zemberlans. So far so good though.

If you're like me and you've been waiting for a company brave enough to ignore the gore-tex hype and make a modern quality full grain leather boot that is actually light weight, extremely comfortable and breathable, but still highly water resistant, this it it. Thank god I found these. As hard as it is to believe I'm not sure that there is another boot around that checks all those boxes other than the Trekker. If there is PLEASE let me know!!! I like being spoiled for choice and I don't like concluding that there is only one boot out there that checks all my boxes. As it is that boot is the Trekker.

Comments about Zamberlan Trekker Hiking Boots - Men's:

I am a day hiker who carries video equipment on all my hikes. I need comfort and a boot that can handle a medium load.I had no idea what Zamberlan even was but my buddy recommended them when I told him I have a WIDE foot.Because of my WIDE foot, accurate fitting hiking boots are impossible to find. Many come close but these Zamberlan Trekker boots are COMFORTABLE out of the box because they have a ROOMY TOE BOX and they are actually built accurately. Hand made in Italy makes all the difference as far as I'm concerned. I'm a Zamberlan wearer for life![@]

Comments about Zamberlan Trekker Hiking Boots - Men's:

Using recommendations from Backpacker's 2010 Gear Guide issue, I went to REI Portland and tried the following mids - SCARPA Bhutan GTX, Merrell Col WP and one Columbia, and one HiTech - being sold on my Merrell Moab ventilators - I thought the Col would be an easy ride but was disappointed by the wide stiff feel of the boot -

soooo, being narrow of foot, the Zamberlan 308 Trekker was an instant fit and hit -

since Feb 2010, I have worn them over 2 dozen hikes in the PNW over mostly wet and woody trails, more recently in the Mt Baker wilderness - rocky with streams, and Whistler - rocky, glacial till - the boot continues to perform superbly - great traction over all terrain including the wet and slippery - full credit to the Vibram soles - wonderful fit for my A width feet - ankle support is perfect being neither too stiff nor too soft - the heels seem to have shock absorbers on the descents - the arch support is just right for my high arch - I use a good thin insole - not really necessary - and I like the 1/4" freeplay in the toe area as I hike.

They are as waterproof as I have needed them to be - no extended immersion in cold streams to test. They are fairly light, but increase in weight as the day progresses (joking y'all).

They do trap some of the trail sweat so I use sock liners to compensate. No complaints. Real satisfaction.

They have come to fit my feet more with each outing - I have about 100 miles on them so far - no signs of wear - a huge step up from my lower priced slush puppies - never going back to bush boots. Unqualified support for these quality Italian boots - oh yea, they do give you a certain Euro look out there...Ciau amici!

Comments about Zamberlan Trekker Hiking Boots - Men's:

I saw the Zamberlan 308 Trekker reviewed in Backpacker Magazine Gear Guide (April 2010)and thought I'd give them a try. These boots are awesome! The fit is very true to size. I have a wide foot and there is plenty of room in the toes, very stable, good ankle support, and super light-weight. I took them on a 5 mile hike with a 25lb. pack straight out of the box and had no issues whatsoever. They felt completely broken in. I have not had them long enough to comment on durability but the quality seems excellent.

The only drawback is the price, but well worth the comfort in a leather boot.

Comments about Zamberlan Trekker Hiking Boots - Men's:

Have had trouble finding boots that actually feel good. I have bone spurs on the back of my heels that have caused extreme problems! These boots have taken several miles and daily wear along with padding on my heel to get the leather to form to my heels. After a little time the boots have formed to my foot and they feel great! love the old school leather boot that forms to fit!

Comments about Zamberlan Trekker Hiking Boots - Men's:

I am a regular recreational hiker that does trail work and surveys for various non-profits plus 4 to 6 day backpack trips. So I'm off trail as much as on. I usually hike 5 to 10 miles a day with a 20 LB pack most every weekend on flat wooded trails, wet meadows and rocky terrain. I had a pair of Asolo Gore-Tex boots for 12 years. I thought about replacing them, but they felt so good and my feet were happy, so I kept them. Then it became necessary to replace them. I struggled between the Zamberlan Treker and the Asolo. A co-worker had a pair of Zamberlans, so I relied on his opinions as much as anything. I wanted to comment on some of the reviews for the Zamberlan boots. Now, we all know that many of the reviews written on products on different web sites are written by employees of the site or of the manufacture. So I was suspicious, but I got the Zamberlan Treker. The first pair was at least a half size too big. The review that the sizes run true is BS. I've bought size 12 for 30 years in all kinds of shoes and boots. Unfortunately I had to order them on line. I'm now on the second pair a half size smaller. Also, the review that these boots have a short break-in is also BS. I've had the 2nd pair for about 2 months. It seems like I have to break them in every time I put them on. They don't fit like a glove either. My feet usually adapt pretty easily. These boots are fine on a flat trail, but going uphill or uneven terrain I get hot spots on my heels. Not enough to produce blisters, but I believe that on more hiking on hills would produce blisters. And I never had boots that makes my feet so hot. I believe that the Gore-Tex helps keep your feet cooler. Maybe not dryer, but cooler. That's not a big deal to me, but I did notice the immediate heat on a cool fall day. We'll see what they will be like next summer.

So the jury is still out on these boots. If they loosen up soon, then I'll keep them. If they don't I'm gonna take them back and get the Asolo again. Also, REI should sell the Hydrblock. I can't see paying $14 (including shipping) for a little tube. Maybe soon. These are well made boots, but don't believe the raving reviews. Have a plan B ready.

Comments about Zamberlan Trekker Hiking Boots - Men's:

After suffering through my gore-tex lined boots roasting my feet after a few years of use (does it get clogged?), I decided that I wanted to go back to basics with an old-fashioned leather boot like I used as a Boy Scout. But I wanted it to make use of modern lightweight materials so I wasn't carrying three pound monsters on my feet. So I needed a lightweight leather boot without gore-tex, eVent, or any other waterproof lining.

There are only a few boot companies that make such a boot. These Zamberlains were at the top of the list for quality and comfort, and I bought a pair. I spend a few day hikes breaking them in in the Fall, and now have worn them for a rainy overnight in the Catskills and a five-day backpacking trip in the Adirondacks.

The boots are sturdy, comfortable, supportive, and protected my feet and ankles from the very difficult terrain around Mt. Marcy and Avalanche Pass. Most importantly, my feet can breath again!

Service and delivery comments:

I ordered a size too large and REI sent me the correct size quickly and without a fuss even before I returned the ones I had. REI is always terrific for this!

Comments about Zamberlan Trekker Hiking Boots - Men's:

These were super comfortable right out of the box. Unlike a lot of the synthetic hiking shoes I have tried, the heel didn't feel too tall and unstable, so I felt very surefooted on uneven terrain.

My feet tend to sweat a lot and so in gore-tex boots my feet tend to be wet and cold. These breathed great and on my first hike with wool socks I could tell these leather-lined boots were breathing better than any of the supposed permeable membrane boots I had used before.

Also, the fit was spot on. I am typically a size 12, that's what my feet measure out to on the little contraption at shoe stores. However most boots have such a small toe box or such thick padding that I end up needing a size 13. I read a few reviews that said to order the correct size from Zamberlan - I am SO GLAD I listened. The 12 fit perfectly with a good pair of wool hiking socks underneath.

I love that someone is still making a high quality all leather boot!!!

REI doesn't seem to carry the hydrobloc proofing creme, so I ordered mine directly from Zamberlan USA.

Now I have to convince my wife to order a pair for herself!

Comments about Zamberlan Trekker Hiking Boots - Men's:

I'm a huge fan of 100% leather shoes and boots. I just don't like the synthetic materials very much. Exceptions are running shoes (but that's a whole different kettle of fish) and of course on hiking boots you need a rubber sole.

This boot was about the only one I could find with a leather upper and leather lining at the local REI store. Plenty with leather uppers with goretex lining but with leather lining this was it as far as I could tell. When I tried them on I knew I was on the right track. I really don't mind a break in period with a good pair of leather shoes (it's worth it) but in this case there was no discernible break in period. I found these comfortable right out of the box. I hiked in them straight away and had no issues (my hikes are not particularly long though - normally <10 miles, so those doing very long hikes may find a break in period beneficial).

The support and stability are great. Traction, comfort, waterproof, high marks all around. Where I live and hike the climate is pretty mild so I can't speak to how the boots do at keeping your feet warm and/or cool. I've been comfortable in them but coldest I've hiked in is around 35F.

At first I was not crazy about the color (would have preferred brown) but the olive has grown on me and I like it now.

I really like these boots and at this point I'm 100% sold on the brand.

Comments about Zamberlan Trekker Hiking Boots - Men's:

These boots make me want to get up and do adventurist things. At age 64, books don't excite me, however this pair sure did. The fit, comfort and styling suits me fine. The genuine leather used throughout display quality at its best.
Don't give up on quality, Zamberlan