Zamberlan Trekker RR SKU: #7620294

Brian O

from Research Triangle Park, North Carolina

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-Gore-Tex 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-Gore-Tex so it actually breathes unlike all the Gore-Tex boots that merely claim to breathe, 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 is 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.

Brands I'd also recommend: Asolo, Scarpa, Merrell

Anonymous

from Surf City, USA

Awesome boot. No Gore-Tex! I was looking for a lighter boot than my Danners, and this fit the bill. Super comfortable, big toe box, and very well made.