Customer Reviews Zamberlan Vioz GT

Zamberlan VIOZ GT vs the Asolo TPS 520 - my review. Okay, as far as heavy duty backpacking boots made of leather there is not a huge selection out there for us girls. I purchased both of these boots (The Asolo's from REI with my dividend - yeah! and the Zamberlan Vioz from Zappos). I took days deciding and wearing them around my house (on carpet of course!). Let me compare the two. Comfort: Zamberlan VIOZ - Feel custom made as soon as your slip your foot in. From toe to heel, they feel awesome. The Asolo's felt great at the heel, not so great at the ball of my foot. Zamberlan wins hands down for comfort. Sole: Zamberlan has a much more aggressive sole than the Asolo's. And also have a rocker sole that helps propel you forward a tad. Zamberlan wins here. Lacing system: Asolo wins. I felt I could lace them up better than the Zamberlans but it was not a huge difference. The hooks are bigger on the Asolo's too. Height: The Asolo's are about 1/2" higher up the ankle than the Zamberlans so this didn't make much difference. The Zamberlan has a little notch at the achilles, the Asolo does not. I did not notice a difference. I do feel that the Asolo felt slightly better around the ankle, but just slightly. Leather: Both felt the same. Nice quality. Both do not have a toe guard. Oh well, if you backpack they will get messed up anyways. Arch support: Zamberlan has better arch support period. But I plan on using my Superfeet inserts no matter what. Conclusion: I kept the Zamberlan's and returned the Asolo's. I went half size down to size 8 - I wear a liner and a thick hiking sock and it is perfect. Size 8.5 were way to big! Hope this helps you backpackers out there! I needed a sturdy boot to help me carry my 40 lb pack! Previous boots were Montrails (now Columbia) but sole is worn out and not enough support for week long trips in the backcountry.

After trying on a dozen boots, I've finally found a boot that fits my very narrow feet and doesn't aggravate my planter's fasciitis. And my hips and knees have stopped hurting! Zamberlan boots are so much more comfortable than all the other brands I've tried. Both the Zamberlan Vioz and the Zamberlan Skill are wonderful. And Zappos service can't be beat!

Zappos is one of the best internet businesses I've dealt with. I do a lot of purchasing online. The Zamberlan Vios GT is an outstanding boot. In my case, however, because of its height, it is uncomfortable on my arthritic left ankle. But any boot that height would do the same. Nevertheless, I'm confident it will break in. Considering its intended use (hardcore outdoor activity), the leather is relatively soft. As with others' feedback, the "Vibram" logo on the front of the boot aint workin'. I intend to indelibly obscure it if possible, i.e. find some kind of black ink that will adhere to the rubber. Otherwise it’s a very good looking, well constructed boot and worth the money. For others whose concern may be Zappos' prices, the couple bucks or so you pay is justified considering Zappos' efficient, reliable, fast service and excellent return policy.

These are magical boots! They fit true to size and need no breaking in. The Vibram soles are incredibly grippy and slip-proof. They're truly waterproof and provide excellent support to the whole leg; I no longer have the foot problems (lost toenails) or leg problems (knee pain) I used to have with other boots. I've hiked two weeks solid in these boots, putting in 12-18 mile days, and have never had a single blister. Why only 4 stars, then? Because I bought them from Zappos only two years ago and, for a pair of $300 boots, they have not aged terribly well. (Admittedly, I have put in a TON of miles on them.) The soles are already wearing smooth in places (making them less skid-resistant than before); the toes got scuffed right away; and the boot has stretched out more than I'd expected (I bought a pair of Superfeet inserts to address that issue, though, and that has worked great). Nonetheless, even though I expected them to last longer, I remain a huge fan and will either have them resoled or buy another pair of Zamberlans (maybe the Vioz GTX RR, which has a toe-guard to address the scuffing issue). I just can't imagine hiking in a different boot. I still love them!

Feel great right out of the box. Hiked about 5 miles my first day with them and had no issues. My heel slips a lot in running shoes, and my heel stayed perfectly in place in these! The way the boot cups the heel makes it really comfortable. I'm usually a 7 or 7.5 and I went with the 7 on these. I have gotten a few scratches on the leather which is a bit of a bummer, but that is to be expected on a shoe I'm using in such rough terrain.

I have owned these boots 6-9 months and they are the best boots ever. Pricey but worth every penny. You can walk for hours and no foot fatigue.

I love these hiking boots! I have somewhat wide feet and these boots fit perfectly with no break in period required. They would probably not be idea for someone with a narrow foot, though. I did switch out the insoles and put my own in as I need more arch support. They are attractive and seem to be very well-made; I expect to get many years of use from them. I would highly recommend these boots.

Excellent Boot! Good looking, sleek and responsive, with lots of muscle. The Bugatti of Backpacking boots. No break in time, molds to foot, superior leather quality and workmanship. Amazing heel and arch support. Excellent Vibram sole design. Great rocker, propel me uphill, plus very supportive laterally. I did not need to use Superfeet insoles with these, a first! This boot was good to go right out of the box. Bought 1/2 size up as I usually do for hiking boots to allow for thicker smartwool socks. All in all impressive, leave it to the Italians! And Thanks again Zappos, could not find these at all at REI, as they did not carry the woman's version of these and you did it with great service and a great price! Happy Traveler from Seattle!

I must have tried on about a half dozen different boots in preparation for my hiking trip to Europe this summer, and this pair was by far the best. I have somewhat narrow feet, and these fit perfectly. I ordered the same size as I would in running shoes, and with an average weight pair of hiking socks, these were immediately the most comfortable boots I've owned. I had a couple small hot spots after my first day of hiking in them to break them in, but since then no problems.Thank you Zappos!

I live in Chicago and in the winter it can get pretty brutal out there. I needed a good boot to wear while i walked the dog and went about my daily activities. I'm not a hiker nor will I ever go hiking. These boots are the bomb! At first they were a little stiff but still very comfortable. After about a week or so walking around in them is when they really became super comfortable. I honestly don't think I'll buy another boot ever again unless it's a Zamberlan.

These are by far the best boots I have ever owned. The workmanship is excellent, and beautiful to behold. I hiked ten miles of varied single track the first time out; a few rubs, but as soon as they softened up all was fine. The heel design is fantastic for downhill, no more shin stress. A great boot in the wet also; I have been in a couple inches of wet snow so far, warm and dry!

I purchased a pair of these about 10 years ago - I hiked all over South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Egypt.....and they lasted for almost a decade. IWhen the leather started to crack, I replaced them with the exact same brand/model/size, and they didn't last 3 months. The heel cup is so sharp, it poked right through the foam and fabric of the interior of the boot. I can't wear them for 5 minutes without discomfort from the heel cup rubbing against my skin. I tried double socks, but it makes the whole boot too tight. I hid them in the closet for a year, and just tried them again today - absolutely unwearable. I am so upset due to how expensive these are - I expected to get more than 3 months of wear out of them. I will never purchase from anything from Zamberlan again.

I'm going to focus on how amazing these boots are for someone with Hallux Rigidus (stiff, arthritic big toe joint). If you need a boot that does all the bending for you, look no further. They are comfy and supportive and they allow for miles of completely pain-free walking. I wish I could wear them everyday. I have custom orthotics on order to the tune of $350 so that my everyday shoes can hopefully be as user-friendly as these are right out of the box. They are soooo worth the money.

This is my third pair of Zamberlan boots, which says it all. I have never had a single blister, they are comfortable on the first day. I am a standard size 8 and usually buy a 38 in European sizes, but for these boots bought a 40. The fit is a bit large in the toe box, but the lacing system holds your foot back in the boot so that when you're going down hill your toes do not hit the front of the boot. I have high arches and do not need any additional arch support with these. My only complaint would be that the leather on the toe area does not hold up too well, it gets very scuffed over time (although the boots never lose waterproofing). Overall, these boots are a dream and worth every penny. I bought them for my daughter and she agrees. Great for hiking in the Rockies on scree!

These are amazing! Blister free from the moment I put them on. They are a bit stiff because they are so heavy duty but that gets better and better with time.

Beautifully made shoes, good fit as is, but would be too tight with even slightly thick socks and with inserts, and for me I would need some inserts to make these shoes comfortable. I think they are probably perfect for serious hikers. Big, thick, hard soles and body. Support at the lower part of the shins, which is probably a good thing but was a bit painful for me.

Great but very serious hiking boots. Fit is great, though stiff. Sole is stiff and hard. I think that might be because these boots are made for people climbing mountains and walking for 100 miles at a time. And the sole is probably hard because serious hikers would be adding their own insoles.Too much shoe for me.

Fits similar to size 8.5 in another shoe, Renegade GTX in Lowa. Returning as I am undecided about fit.

Accurate in size. Seems like a good boot. Problem for me was I have narrow size 10 feet and my heel was sliding up and down with each step.

I could not believe how comfortable these boots were from the very beginning. I put them on, walked through the woods around our house, came back and left them on for the rest of the day. They are remarkable. I did not want to take them off. They fit and feel like a pair of fine leather gloves. I love them. Hope to get another pair just like these very soon.

I compared these boots to the Timberland Chocorua Trail with Gore-Tex, the Lowa Renegade GTX Mid, and the Vasque Vista UltraDry. To help others compare, my feet are average to slightly wide and I have thick ankles. Overall these are awesome boots! They are a little stiff but the way that the sole is constructed, it permits the foot to move naturally. I think they will require a little break in time, but not too bad. The combination of excellent ankle support and excellent arch support won me over. They are suitable for backpacking as well as day hikes. They are on the heavy side, but I much prefer heavier, protective boots over lighter, cooler boots. The trade off is worth it for me. The other boots I tried seemed to be various upgrades over a really good pair of tennis shoes. That is not what I am looking for in hiking boots. If you are a serious hiker, give these boots serious consideration. They are pricey, but noticeably more comfortable and supportive than the other boots that I tried.

Size and fit are perfect for me: size 8.5 M, elderly hiker with bunions. Plenty of room in the toe box, mandatory for hiking hours and hours and possible swelling of feet. Great tread. Younger hikers who have only worn boots made of synthetic materials may not appreciate the virtues of heavy, stiff, leather boots. Correctly fitted, they really give much more support than all-synthetic boots, which soften way too fast. They are what you want and need for walking easily over rocky trails and getting best traction on slippery rock. Yes, they do require a break-in period: do not try to wear them on a long hike without breaking them in! Work up to long distances gradually. And yes, you can put your own orthotics in them but I didn’t need to: they were perfect just the way they are. That said, I found these to break in relatively quickly compared to other leather boots I’ve owned although I have to say I haven’t worn them for a hike longer than 4 miles. My one beef? They lack a pull-on loop on the back of the top of the boot. I wear the boots almost every day and just find it annoying not to have the loop found on every other boot and sport shoe I’ve owned.

Finally a pair of leather backpacking boots that fit my wide feet and custom orthotic insoles. I have short 6.5 feet that are also EE or wider and I have custom orthotics. Merrill boots even in wide do not accommodate my feet. I've struggled for years to make Merrill and other brands work and thought I would have to order handmade hiking boots. Hooray for Zamberlan! As you can see I did have to go up 2 full sizes for the perfect fit.