Looking for new boots? Zamberlan Guide 960 GTX

[Brock A]

The last 2 seasons I have been happy with the Salomon Quest 4D. They fit my feet well and I never had any blisters.

Problem was they wouldn't last more that a few months of hard hunting.

So the search began. I was drawn to Zamberlan immediately as my good friend and hunting partner, Justin had ran them last season. He liked them and had good things to say about them. Fast forward to the Hunt Expo in Utah. Robby and I discussed a boot review. We met with the nice folks at the Zamberlan booth, checked out some boots and decided to pair this review with a custom boot system from Lathrop & Sons. After I did the carbon foot prints, Stephen recommended the Guide 960's. Once I received the boots, I tried them on. We made a slight adjustment and were off and hiking.



So far I have a few hikes on them and I am liking them.



Did a pretty tough 3D shoot this weekend in them. Lot of steep & rocky terrain.



Stay tuned for more pictures and thoughts on these boots as I use them. I am headed into the backcountry this weekend for a shed hunting trip. It should be a good test for them!

 

[robby denning]

I've been hoping for a few years we could try a pair of these. Go Brock!

 

[jmden]

Recently picked up a pair of the 1012 Vioz for October/Nov deer/elk hunting: http://store.zamberlanusa.com/1012-vioz-boot-gtx-rr-wl-p149.aspx

Somewhat similar to the 960, but probably more flexible. Was going back and forth between the two.

Will be very curious to follow this thread and see how these do.

 

[Brock A]

First impression right out of the box was these are WAY stiffer than anything ive worn before.

I have a hike in my backyard. Its 1.5 miles to the top with 1000' of elevation gain. 50 lbs in my pack and its a good "break in" hike. 3 hikes in now and they are feeling much better. Shank is still stiff (which is good) but the leather is much more comfortable.

 

[westside elkhunter]

Hey Brock. Did you stick with the Zamberlan insoles or swap them out?

 

[Brock A]

Hey Brock. Did you stick with the Zamberlan insoles or swap them out?

Being as I did the custom boot system from Lathrop and Sons, I swapped them out of the synergy footbeds.

 

[westside elkhunter]

Thanks Brock. I have another quick question. When trying a new pair of boots. How long after wearing them you figure they are keepers? I know this answer will be vary from person to person. Just curious on your thoughts

 

[Brock A]

Thanks Brock. I have another quick question. When trying a new pair of boots. How long after wearing them you figure they are keepers? I know this answer will be vary from person to person. Just curious on your thoughts

Basically if they feel good and no spots of concern I'll give them a shot. But if I try them on and I feel pressure in the heel or on the side of my toe or something like that, I'll move on immediately.

 

[5MilesBack]

I love my Zamberlans. I have the 10" and 7" Dakota's that they discontinued. Have no idea why they discontinued them, as they are the best hunting boots I've ever had on my feet. Sold my Kenetreks and Tibets. I've had the 7" ones for three years now, and I've worn them the entire archery season here the past three seasons. Last year I tracked over 200 miles via my GPS and the two previous seasons were close to the same......if not more, so I'd guess over 600 miles on them. I run the Superfeet Orange in mine. The 7" boots weigh 3.8lbs in a size 13. I used to have a pair of one of the Vioz series, can't remember which one so I'll put up a pic of them. They were over 5lbs in a size 13 and super stiff, but the best heel cup I've ever had in a boot. The pic is way too light for some reason, the Dakota boots are darker than that.

I'd highly recommend Zamberlan boots.

 

[jmden]

A trick my wife learned at a cont. ed. course was to pull out the stock insole, put it on the floor and step on it and see how close its profile fits that of your foot. The insoles of the Zamberlans I recently purchased were shaped closer to my feet that any other insoles I've seen and those boots fit like a glove.

 

[cowboy]

I sure wished Zamberlan made something in narrow width.

 

[Brock A]

I sure wished Zamberlan made something in narrow width.

Cowboy,

I have a pretty narrow foot per L & S. These boots definitely fit. Might be worth a call to Stephen. You might be surprised.

 

[wasatchcomm]

i sent my carbon prints in to lathrop last week, will they based on my feet tell me which boots will best fit my feet or make the boots i like fit my feet?
i have never spoke with them, just ordered the kit and figured they would call me.

just curious

 

[5MilesBack]

I sure wished Zamberlan made something in narrow width.

I've got narrow feet as well, and mine fit great.

 

[Brock A]

i sent my carbon prints in to lathrop last week, will they based on my feet tell me which boots will best fit my feet or make the boots i like fit my feet?
i have never spoke with them, just ordered the kit and figured they would call me.

just curious

I think that will be in your consultation phone call you will get after they review your carbon footprints.

 

[BigDog00]

How does the stiffness of the 960's compare to the Tibets? I just got a pair of Tibets in the mail today and curious how the two compare. It sounds like size wise they are similar.

 

[Justin Crossley]

I sure wished Zamberlan made something in narrow width.

Cowboy,

I have a pretty narrow foot per L & S. These boots definitely fit. Might be worth a call to Stephen. You might be surprised.

I have narrow feet as well, and like Brock said, I love these boots. I have used them for two seasons now, and they are still going strong.

 

[Timberninja]

If anyone is interested, selling a pair of new Guide boots in size 10.5 in the classifieds.

 

[Brock A]

Had them in some rough terrain this weekend. Lovin them.

 

[handwerk]

Brock, can you compare the fit on these to other boots? say the lowa tibets? so if a guy has a little wider foot it sounds like these may not work? do you consider them to run true to size? I've read a couple places that they run a little big.

thanks