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kevinumberger 
Group: Members
Posts: 3633
Joined: Dec. 2005
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Posted on: Dec. 17 2012, 5:22 pm |
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howdy......
Zamberlan boots-----anyone use them?
i'm looking to buy a new pair of boots and have been looking at these and wanted to see others' opinions on them....
thanks....
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| Post Number: 2
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Upstream
Group: Members
Posts: 443
Joined: Aug. 2007
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Posted on: Dec. 17 2012, 5:39 pm |
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They have a good reputation for quality. But I have always passed them up as they don't seem to work well with my flat feet.
If they are a good fit, go for it.
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| Post Number: 3
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cuester
Group: Members
Posts: 293
Joined: Jul. 2005
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Posted on: Dec. 17 2012, 6:17 pm |
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I'm on my third pair of zamberlan vioz gtx's. I couldn't be more impressed with a boot. They fit me like a glove with little to no break in time. They've been completely waterproof and have great traction. I do find on wet wood that they don't grip very well but I believe that's more a vibram problem. I highly recommend at least this boot. I haven't tried any of their other models but if the vioz's are any indication you should be happy with them.
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| Post Number: 4
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SW Mtn backpacker
Born to hike, forced to work ...
Group: Members
Posts: 6720
Joined: Jul. 2006
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Posted on: Dec. 17 2012, 6:33 pm |
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I have a pair of non-GTX Zamberlans I've used almost daily on rock for several years (300 days per year x 8 years). Barely showing wear on the sole now.
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Usually Southwest and then some.
In wildness is the preservation of the world. - Henry Thoreau
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| Post Number: 5
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vigilguy
Group: Members
Posts: 463
Joined: Mar. 2003
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Posted on: Dec. 17 2012, 11:47 pm |
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I have been wearing a pair of Zamberlan's for about a year now. Have used them above tree line in boulder fields. I went with them because of the rubber strip around the toe of the boot, the soft leather liner, and the "rocking" sole. Very high quality boot. I would suggest that you go with a company that will allow you to try them out, but with a good return policy if they do not fit you.
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| Post Number: 6
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| Post Number: 7
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SmokeyBear
I know shoe-fu
Group: Members
Posts: 3667
Joined: Mar. 2009
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Posted on: Dec. 20 2012, 9:10 am |
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Why are you planning on buying Zamberlam specifically? Though you're probably aware of this, I'd worry much more about fit and needs first, and brand last. If you can find more than one pair of equally good fitting boots that fit your outdoor needs then consider which brand is most to your liking.
Zamberlan, like many companies, has a variety of models and lasts that fit differently. The Vioz GT 996 for example fits low to medium volume overall - narrow in the toes, medium in the heel and has a medium to slightly higher instep. The 1006 model has a wide last throughout and a higher volume fit. OTher models fit more narrow throughout. In other words, probably only one model will actually fit you, and REI might not even carry it.
I'd suggest when you go down to REI try on a number of boots from a variety of companies recommended by staff for your foot shape/type and needs (flexible/stiff, breathable/full grain leather, waterproof/non, etc), and make your decisions about brand last all other things considered equal.
Good luck!
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| Post Number: 8
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Tigger
Woods Pouncer
Group: Members
Posts: 10498
Joined: Apr. 2005
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Posted on: Dec. 20 2012, 11:54 am |
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(SmokeyBear @ Dec. 20 2012, 6:10 am)
QUOTE Why are you planning on buying Zamberlam specifically? Though you're probably aware of this, I'd worry much more about fit and needs first, and brand last. If you can find more than one pair of equally good fitting boots that fit your outdoor needs then consider which brand is most to your liking.
Zamberlan, like many companies, has a variety of models and lasts that fit differently. The Vioz GT 996 for example fits low to medium volume overall - narrow in the toes, medium in the heel and has a medium to slightly higher instep. The 1006 model has a wide last throughout and a higher volume fit. OTher models fit more narrow throughout. In other words, probably only one model will actually fit you, and REI might not even carry it.
I'd suggest when you go down to REI try on a number of boots from a variety of companies recommended by staff for your foot shape/type and needs (flexible/stiff, breathable/full grain leather, waterproof/non, etc), and make your decisions about brand last all other things considered equal.
Good luck!
+1
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If I'm going to be lost, in the woods is where I want to be...
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| Post Number: 9
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kevinumberger
Group: Members
Posts: 3633
Joined: Dec. 2005
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Posted on: Dec. 20 2012, 5:15 pm |
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welllll......
because quite frankly, the boots i have tried on (which they had in stock) at REI---i'm not impressed with.......
and wanted to see how these boots compared with others.....
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| Post Number: 10
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| Post Number: 11
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Tigger
Woods Pouncer
Group: Members
Posts: 10498
Joined: Apr. 2005
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Posted on: Dec. 20 2012, 8:46 pm |
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They were wrong. You don't "pick" a boot. A boot picks you. Pronation, Supination, volume, etc. all come into play. Try a different person to help you and/or a different store that has a different selection. The person who told you didn't know how to fit a boot/shoe.
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If I'm going to be lost, in the woods is where I want to be...
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| Post Number: 12
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2PawsRiver
Group: Members
Posts: 241
Joined: Jul. 2008
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Posted on: Dec. 21 2012, 9:20 am |
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I've had my Zamberlan GTX boots for 2 years, they've been to Wyoming, Colorado, Alaska and Michigan and have been a fantastic pair of boots.
Pricey, but worth it.
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www.MarkandSharonLundin.com
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| Post Number: 13
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vigilguy
Group: Members
Posts: 463
Joined: Mar. 2003
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Posted on: Dec. 21 2012, 10:37 am |
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(kevinumberger @ Dec. 20 2012, 5:19 pm)
QUOTE QUOTE I'd suggest when you go down to REI try on a number of boots from a variety of companies recommended by staff for your foot shape/type and needs (flexible/stiff, breathable/full grain leather, waterproof/non, etc), and make your decisions about brand last all other things considered equal. also....... when i told staff my needs/wants/and how they'd be used----they suggested that i may want to try a zamberlan boot....
The skills and knowledge of REI employees are not what they used to be. Perhaps they will order some in for you and you can see for yourself.
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| Post Number: 14
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kevinumberger
Group: Members
Posts: 3633
Joined: Dec. 2005
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Posted on: Dec. 21 2012, 10:59 am |
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QUOTE They were wrong. You don't "pick" a boot. A boot picks you. Pronation, Supination, volume, etc. all come into play. Try a different person to help you and/or a different store that has a different selection. The person who told you didn't know how to fit a boot/shoe.
they're wrong for suggesting another boot manufacturer/models after i didnt like what they had in stock?
that doesnt make sense....
maybe you misunderstood---but regardless of what brand boot i'm getting---i have to get it through REI (too much money on gift cards)........
at this point---all i'm looking to do is try them on and see how they fit me........along with gathering information from users on their performance since, unlike other boot companies, i'm unfamiliar with this manufacturer......
QUOTE Perhaps they will order some in for you and you can see for yourself.
that's kinda what i'm doing..........except in my travels on the east coast next week---i'm stopping in at various rei's and seeing/trying their selection.......not all rei's carry the same stock.....
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| Post Number: 15
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SmokeyBear
I know shoe-fu
Group: Members
Posts: 3667
Joined: Mar. 2009
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Posted on: Dec. 22 2012, 5:38 pm |
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(kevinumberger @ Dec. 21 2012, 10:59 am)
QUOTE they're wrong for suggesting another boot manufacturer/models after i didnt like what they had in stock?
that doesnt make sense....
maybe you misunderstood---but regardless of what brand boot i'm getting---i have to get it through REI (too much money on gift cards)........
They were wrong to suggest a boot brand simply for the reasons you listed:
QUOTE when i told staff my needs/wants/and how they'd be used----they suggested that i may want to try a zamberlan boot....
You don't suggest a brand. You suggest a model from a brand. Zamberlan has boots that range from mountaineering models to glorified slippers. And you didn't mention fit in that list. That is the single most important element, more so than whether it is what you think you want in a boot (e.g. materials, stiffness, etc).
Why didn't the other boots work for you? Were your feet slipping, or crushed in places?
Can you describe your foot shape/type?
Size as measured on a Brannock Device - (e.g. 10.5 D, 9EE)
Shape - pointed triangle or squared flipper?
Relative width at the:
Toes
Forefoot
Midfoot
Heel
Instep - high, medium, low?
Volume - i.e. how thick is your foot?
High, medium, low?
Arch - flexible or stiff
Do you walk neutrally, over-pronate, or supinate?
If they haven't tried to address most of these, then they're not doing their job. Knowing these features, then they can suggest models that accomodate fit based on your environmental needs.
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