Customer Reviews Zamberlan Vioz GTX

Been researching online for a new hiking/backpacking boot for weeks now. Read all the reviews. Looked at all the stats. Went into REI several times to try different brands/boots on. After comparing them all and trying on several from Asolo, Vasque, Salomon, and other Zamberlan's there is now no doubt in my mind that this is the best boot out on the market. It is a very attractive modern interpretation of a classic boot. The Italian styling and quality of craftsmanship and materials is unmatched from any brand I've ever seen in hiking boots. It's a blend of soft and supportive in all the right places. It flexes just the right amount and the the leather is top notch while the lining and cushioning are plush yet they don't feel like they will ever break down. The fit is superb and fits true to size. The heel holds like a suction cup and there is just enough room in the toebox so your toes don't feel cramped. Traction is great but haven't really tried it out to its fullest. The heel strike feels like a memory foam mattress and the forefoot is shaped to roll with each stride and it is really noticeable. Haven't tested waterproofing or durability but I'm assuming both are top notch based on other reviews and perceived quality. These boots are also much lighter than expected. Even if they are full leather they feel lighter than most other synthetics because of how well they fit and the quality of materials. It feels like an extension of your foot and you don't want to take them off. Lacing feels snug but not painful. Ankle support is good but still flexes in the right direction when needed. It's a high boot but not annoyingly high if you compare it to others. All the hype is worth it. The reviews don't lie. It is the best boot out there even over other Zamberlan's I tried and I feel like I'll have them for many many years. They had one pair left in my size, so I felt it was fate that I buy them. Several staff gave me the head nod as I walked to the register with them and the cashier said good choice and that he owned a pair too and they were the best boots he ever owned.

After comparing these boots to the Scarpa SL M3 and Asolo TPS 520, I chose these for overall comfort. The Scarpa's simply had too narrow of a toe-box, and the Asolo were too restrictive around the ankle. With actually no break-in time, I took these to Everest base camp trail. I used a superfeet insert (orange) and double layer of socks. I only got one blister the whole trip and it was relatively small. These boots are lightweight and truly a great find!

I have had these shoes for about a month now. I have loved them from the first time I put them on. There was no break in period. They are very comfortable and give great support. Even though they are more expensive than some other hikers they are worth the price.

These are by far the best boots I have purchased. They are very comfortable. I work outside on my feet all day and guess what, they are not from China. Like Uggs and Keen. I do have med width feet and they fit prefect.

Finding the right backpacking boot can be a nightmare. Two seasons ago, I bought the Kailash Scarpa, after it won the Editor's Choice award from Backpacker magazine. They lasted one trip before I realized the toe box was just too small and I ended up with four purple nail beds. Next, I tried the Kayland Zephyrs. They also won the Editor's Choice award for the following year. They were comfortable when I wore them around the house, but once I hit the trail I realized the toe box was once again too small and steep descents in the Sierras destroyed my toes. Finally, I bought these,not because of any award, but because they are the highest rated boots at REI.com. This is without question the most comfortable boot I have ever owned, right out of the box. The toe box is roomy enough to give plenty of space even on the most brutal of descents. The lacing system makes them easily adjustable, and the collar really cushions your ankle even when laced up tight for descents. The curved rocker sole makes walking easier. The sole is flexible enough for comfort, yet stiff enough in the right places so hiking across rocks doesn't bother the soles of my feet. The cutout section of leather on the front of the boot makes it more flexible as your ankles pivot forward, and no matter how long I wear them, my feet don't feel tired and thrashed, like they always did with my previous boot. Well worth the money. I will stick with Zamberlan from now on.

I got these for my boyfriend, who is very outdoors-y, and he absolutely loves them. He said they are extremely comfortable, and are durable for when he is hiking or working on house projects.

I didn't think it would be so easy to find the perfect replacement for my 13 year old One Sport boots. I was prepared to use the free return shipping as many times as necessary but was so happy that these boots felt better than my old ones right out of the box. I wore them around the house at first, half-expecting to experience some kind of discomfort, but after just one day I knew they were 'keepers.' I've worn them a lot since then from short dog walks to long day hikes. Even after being on my feet dawn 'til dusk, they were still comfortable. I've had no problems with the waterproofing, though they are still relatively new. Buying footwear and hiking boots in particular is a very subjective and often tricky experience but I felt the sheer volume of positive reviews and the reputation of Zamberlan was a good place to start. I was right! It's not easy to find a good-looking, well-made, full-grain leather boot these days but this one is up there with the best, I think. You can tell the quality of the leather is first-rate right away and the sole is what you'd expect from Vibram. It has performed well in wet, dry, rocky, steep and swampy conditions. All in all, a very comfortable boot that lives up to its impressive reputation.

This is simply the best product that was ever placed on my feet! They needed zero break in time before I took a two week hiking tour of Yosemite last Summer. I did buy an arch support insert.

Zappos is the best! First let me start out by saying that the craftsmanship of these boots is excellent and Zappos service is even better! I ordered the boots online on a Saturday morning and had them on Monday! The boots took very little time to break-in and were comfortable from the get-go but I did have one little irritating problem. Even though the toe box offered plenty of room for my toes, when descending a steep grade my big toe would extend beyond the footbed. When I took the boots off, I found a half inch gap between the end of the footbed and the inside toe of the boot. I would reposition the footbed but it would just slide back in the heel creating the half inch gap at the toe again. I know that the footbed should have a bit of space between the end of the footbed and the toe of the shoe, but half an inch? For $35.00 a pair of cut to fit green Superfeet® solved the problem. The boots do offer great comfort, support and traction and after hours of hiking I have experienced no hot spots. All in all, a great boot but they needed a pair of Superfeet® to complete the package.

Instantly comfortable, even in a stable hiking boot. Great purchase.

Eric C., NY - Another nice, good quality Italian made hiking boot. The top of the upper has a meshy leather which is soft and flexible. I hope it will hold up well. The light gray. red and graphite colors break up the otherwise conservative look this boot has. The comfort is nice and supportive. It is true to size and width. Heavy socks give the boots a nice fit. Wear moisture wicking socks if you have sweat issues. These can comfortably be worn with orthotics. Depending on thickness, orthotics can be worn in place of or on top of the existing insoles. The leather tongue is thick and you may feel some lace pressure on the top of your foot if the boots are tied too tight. The stride is nice and the boots flex nicely while walking allowing for a non clunky walk. The soles have great traction - even on my snow and ice covered driveway - for which they were used during a recent snow shoveling job. The soles also have nice shock absorption. The sole seems to help you stride forward - which makes walking easier. This shoe requires minimal break in. I would recommend it for anyone who enjoys walking or hiking. No hikes yet but a few short walks have shown me they will work out well.

An Italian work of Art ! I bought the Zamberlan Vioz GTs not only because the Zamberlan family have been making "hiking" boots for over 75 years in NE Italy. Not only because they have a reputation for using only the finest natural and man made materials to make a boot that is comfortable right out of the box, fits like a hiking boot should, (tight heel-good arch, roomy toe box),built to last longer than most brands , has many features that offer (the hiker) benefits they will appreciate from start to finish ,and after having 3 other Zamberlan models ,I knew I couldn't go wrong. Besides all that... they look so classy !!! Hike them to the limit. Or clean them up for a “Night on the Town" I have a size 13 narrow foot. I custom fit all my 38 pair(sic)of boots with many different aftermarket insoles. I don't use the removable ones that come with most "boots."

I believe I ordered a half size too big. For decades, I didn't know I had a wide foot. You can imagine the first time I slipped on a EE. For many more years, I thought I wore a size larger than I actually did. The two resulted in many years of ill-fitting shoes. Only recently have I discovered my true size. (Yeah, I probably need some kind of therapy regarding "size". I'll look into it.) On to the shoes... Many years ago, I went into an Air Force boot store on base in Germany. I tried on and bought a pair of extremely hard-shelled mountain boots. Took me forever to break in, but once I did, I seldom wore anything else. I actually wore through the Vibram sole after some ten or so years. Probably still be wearing them had the cobbler replaced the soles correctly. I've searched for 30 years for another pair of boots like those. Glance through my closet and you'll see. I wish I had known the maker of those boots! Along comes Zamberlan. Are they the same? I don't know. Time, beer and other things have dulled the memory but never the desire. Soon as I tried these on, I knew they were the real thing. And too big. But another week and another pair - ohhh. Wonderful! They are not cheap. Neither were those first pair. They won't be easy to break in. That just means I'll still be wearing them when I'm 64. Sinfully perfect.

This is a perfect hiking boot, if you have the strength to handle it, seriously. I have been hiking/backpacking for over 40 years and there is no better boot than the Zamberlan, and the Vioz GTX is the best boot I have ever worn. This is my second pair. Why are they so good: 1) Excellent stability on scree or stony downhills 2) Fantastic for long days when your lower leg is super tired 3) Perfectly waterproof because it is a single piece of leather except for the spine in the back Things to be aware of: 1) To achieve the excellent results above they are heavy; can't have it both ways 2) They can be HOT 3) They take some time to break-in; again you can't have a boot with this stability and then want it to be easy to break-in, those things do not go hand-in-hand Summary: if you have the strength and the patience this is the best hiking boot in the world.

Fantastic boot! It felt great the moment I put it on and were awesome all day long. I wore them in by wearing them to 4 days of conferences on my feet all day on a cement floor. Everyone around me had blisters and or very sore feet but I came out like a champ. It took very little adjusting to the laces to get them to fit perfectly to my feet. I have pretty narrow feet and these felt just right for them. I look forward to wearing these boots for a very long time.

Amazing boot. These are the most comfortable, best supporting middle weight boot I've ever worn. The foot bed actually seems to spring you forward when walking. I've owned Asolo, Merrell, and Lowa boots and these are the hands down winner. I'm going to buy more Zamberlan's and hope they feel as good as these.

After breaking my foot last year, I needed a boot that gave great support. I got it with great comfort too.

Exceptional hiking boot. My son bought these 2 years ago and raved about them. Not wanting to listen to my 21 year old, I started looking at other hiking boots. What a waste of my time! But thank goodness Zappos is so accommodating to stubborn dads like me. I bought this boot for a wilderness trip to the Badlands. This style supported my ankles very well. I have plantar fasciitis, and this boot accepted my orthotics perfectly. After hours of hiking, my feet, legs, and back felt great. Remarkably, my feet were not blistery hot, even with wool socks. I would highly recommend this boot and Zappos for their great customer service.

These boots are the most comfortable I have owned, virtually no break in and quality is evident through out. Highly recommended.

Great boot for serious hiking. The leather is a little stiff so take your time breaking them in. European made boots are cut a little bit wider than US. I usually wear an e width or wider, but these boots fit well. I would recommend to others.

This is the boot, man. I took the boots out for the first time on a day hike for about 3 miles and broke them in that fast. A must have for rocky areas. I'm 6'1 - 175 lbs and thought they could be too much boot for me. I was wrong! They feel and look awesome.

Best Hiking boots. Right out of the box. These shoes are great in all conditions. I use them to hike through RMNP and al the various terrain. These are good enough to take the dog on a walk right out of the box. The traction and stability on these are great and it's almost like they are pushing you along. Extremely comfortable, versatile and durable boot. These boots breathe quality and you can tell as soon as you put them on. Best boots I own.