How to Choose Hiking Boots

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The all-season Zamberlan Tofane NW GTX RR men's hiking boots feature GORE-TEX waterproof, breathable linings for superior moisture protection during extended backpacking trips.
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View all Zamberlan Men's Backpacking BootsBest Use | Backpacking |
---|---|
Footwear Height | Over-the-ankle |
Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
Waterproof | Yes |
Type of Waterproofing | GORE-TEX Performance Comfort waterproof/breathable membrane |
Upper | Full-grain waxed leather |
Lining | Polyester |
Midsole | Dual-density polyurethane wedge |
Outsole | Zamberland Vibram NorWalk rubber |
Can Be Resoled | Yes |
Weight (Pair) | 3 lbs. 13.5 oz. |
Gender | Men's |
8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 13 | 14 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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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These are the best boots I've ever owned so far. Very comfortable out of the box. They've seen about 70+ miles to date and are breaking in beautifully. Yes they are pricey but this is just one of those things where you get what you pay for. Resole-able Norwegian welt means these are high quality boots you'll have for many years, not just seasons. Worth every penny. For serious backpackers who need a boot that does.
Bought these specifically for the Everest Region of Nepal. Trekked the region with a 17.5k pack and never felt them give out. The stiff shank and soles held up incredibly well. They broke in quickly and actually, they really seemed ready to go right out of the box. They have bout 75+ miles on them and the fit and comfort has only improved as the break in has softened. Have worn them comfortably in temps from 70f down to 0f. Wet, dry, sand, gravel, snow, grass and the trails of Khumbu. These were strewn with mud, loose gravel and many large granite blocks. The stiff soles were a massive blessing. Never felt an edge or point. Traction was crisp and responsive. Even on trails of extreme incline or decline. Pretty much, wore these exclusively for 18 days straight on trails and even in the city. I wouldn't call them a winter boot, per se, but it seemed that with activity, they more than did the job. Lacing system has a great grip on the first quick lace eyes. Fantastic, you can easily lace lower and upper areas to your needs. There was a small bubble that developed or wore under the top of the left rubber toe cap. Trimmed it off and the it hasn't grown since. On the final day, laced them up pretty loosely and did develop a blister on each foot.
I occasionally used these boots backpacking. The first time I used them this winter (on a very cold day) the soles of both boots fell off within 10 minutes. Given how odd this was I spoke with Zamberlain USA, but to no avail. It turns out the midsoles of these boots use/are made of product/chemicals that decompose over time (starting at about 5 years) and this is a known “issue.” While I expect high performance boots to also be high quality, this obviously isn’t the case, and I would not have bought the boots knowing about the problem. Also see the oldest review below re: the custom midsole needed for resoling these boots (another example of the problem). Bottom line, it doesn’t make sense to buy the boots if you’re expecting value/a long life. Guess I’m back to my backup heavy trail boots – a pair of Peter Limmer boots I’ve had for 51 years.
While I love the boot fit, I expect the midsole of a $500 boot to hold together for a lot longer than the 1-2 years that mine did. First hint was the annoying squeaking, then I noticed that the separation of layers had begun. No more Zamberlans for me!
Over the past 4 years, these have taken me well over 1000 miles through the Cascades, Olympics, Rockies, Alaska Range, and Andes. They’ve climbed Rainier, Shasta, Kilimanjaro, and more. On my second pair of soles. Hated them the first 10 miles as I broke them in. Loved them ever since. They’re on the heavy side, but worth the weight if you like boots with a lot of support.
Just purchased these and have now officially worn them on my first outing in the Blue Ridge Mountains this evening. Pretty much everything people say here is true: The Tofanes fit well, are comfortable, look beautiful, and are built very well. Coming from a pair of La Sportiva Nepal EVO GTXs, however, they actually seem light to me. Since everyone has covered the usual here, I'd add the following points: - The hand-crafted leather uppers of the Tofanes are a work of art that require maintenance, which is painstakingly described in the manual. Mostly that means cleaning dirt after heavy use, drying & storing them properly, and applying Zamberlan's Hydrobloc creme regularly. I often have leather items last me 10-15 years. Routine care should be a religion for those that purchase these. They'll clearly last a lifetime, especially as they designed to be resoled many times, if you haven't neglected the uppers. - The REI description says that they are compatible with strap-on crampons. But when I saw the enormous heel welt on my pair, I went and got out my Black Diamond step-in crampons, and sure enough, they fit like a glove. So you can use either. - Sizing is spot on to the U.S. shoe size. I did a lot of research since I don't like sending things back. Zamberlane fits dead-on to your U.S. shoe size + a fraction of an inch according to all sources, including them. I wear a size 11 and ordered a size 11 and they fit perfectly. Don't go a size up like many other mountaineering boots. - Frankly, the no-break in features of the boot compromise some rigidity. This means the ankle support really isn't as good as a mountaineering boot that doesn't have the break-in folds. I actually twisted my ankle on my front lawn on the way in from my first hike with the Tofanes (admittedly, by stepping in a hole). If bomber ankle support is key, I'd look elsewhere. - Don't absolutely count on zero break-in the first time you wear them. I got a blister on one heel the first time I hiked in them. If you're going 10+ miles the first time you wear them, I'd tape/bandage your hot spots.
I have used these boots for about 5 years now. They have almost no ankle support, due to the cut in the boots cuff that is filled with a lighter perforated piece of leather. I have an ankle that is loose and easily rolls to the outside. This is a constant problem for me on uneven ground. The boots are comfortable and easily flex as you roll your foot forward, but that is why they are so unstable laterally. The finish is easily scratched and there is nothing you can buy to repair the scratches. When I complained to Zamerlan USA, I was told it was just a finish and there was nothing to fix the scratches.
I have had these boots about 2 months now and they just become more and more comfortable. Many have said that they do not require a breakin period, but I think they reall do. They were comfortable even the first time I put them on but they just get better and better. The quality of the shoes make me think these were well worth the price. Maybe not a lifetime investment but I think we will be friends for a long time.
The first thing you must understand about Zamberlan Tofane boots is that they are the hiking and backpacking worlds Ferrari Testarossa, with amazing good looks and craftsmanship, with top of the world performance and wonderful touring comfort and luxury. They're beautiful boots to look at. The leather grain is perfectly polished and flawless. The attention to detail in manufacture is obvious. I suppose this should be expected in footwear that costs more than four Benjamins. Thankfully the rubber toes ameliorate the worst hiking & camping scratches to the gorgeous leather Like my last set of Zamberlan boots, these were very comfortable immediately out of the box for daily wear around the office and at home. That's not to say they shouldn't be properly broken in before your first serious hike. In fact, the Norwegian welt construction helps make this boot so stiff it took several weeks longer to break in than my last set of Zamberlans with glued on soles. The Tofanes are seriously water proof as a 12 mile hike on mud and slush filled trails proved. Over the last several months I've forded many puddles and creeks with them and my feet have remained dry. Like any heavy duty hiking boot, if you do step in water deeper than the top of the boots, as I may have done a time or three, they seem to take forever to dry out completely. They're perfectly warm, with wool socks and gaiters walking through knee high snow in Yosemite Valley during a long day of February hiking all over the valley floor. Some reviewers believe these boots are heavy. Those folks either are not serious backpackers or they are members of the super light-weight, minimalist equipment backpacking cult. I found these boots to be remarkably light for a heavy duty backpacking boot that provides extremely robust ankle and arch support and an excellent shank and welted sole as well. They're light enough to be a joy on a short day hike but sturdy enough to endure day after day of backpacking in the Sierra Nevada with a 35 pound load. If they have a fault it is that they get hot whilst hiking in the summer on hot days. I challenge you to find any water proof heavy duty backpacking boot that does not suffer from the same problem. Summer weight merino wool socks with silk or coolmax sock liners, both frequently changed, are the best solution to this sticky problem. One reviewer said the Vibram sole seems to be wearing out very quickly, in less than 100 miles. This person may need some attention from a podiatrist or sports medicine doctor to correct their stride. They may at least need inserts to correct their pronation. I've hiked several hundred miles now through granite and serpentine trails and along two dormant and a couple extinct volcanoes, including a nasty two day 18 mile hike to the top of Mt. Lassen. I've seen no signs of quick or excessive wear, and I'm a Clydesdale, 210 pounds who routinely carries another 30 to 35 pounds when I backpack. Of course the glory of Norwegian welted construction is that when the Vibram sole does wear out, as happened on my last pair of Zamberlans after 5 years of hard use, I'll just send them back to the factory in Italy to be re-soled. Hiking in these boots has taken me along the California "Lost Coast" in the Kings Range for 60 miles of backpacking one week, to the top of Mt. Shasta on a very long day hike, on a week long 53 mile backpacking trip in the Immigrant basin in the Sierra Nevada, on a couple challenging 20+ mile per day hikes at Pinnacles National Monument and through several hundred miles of day hikes and weekend camping in the Bay Area and Santa Cruz mountains. They are by far the best hiking / backpacking boot I've ever owned. I look forward to wearing them for a very long time to come.
I wore these around my property for a few days before my first backpacking trip. My first trip was a 10 mile round trip with 4k in elevation. I was extremely happy with the comfort and support and they fit like a glove. Paired with quality wool socks, you can't go wrong with these boots. These are a stiffer boot that support your feet well with heavier loads.