zamberlan guide 960 gtx boot

[Snicolio]

Hey does anybody have any experience with using the zamberlan guide 960 gtx boot? I am looking for a good hunting/hiking boot for out west?

 

[Poser]

Great boot. I have a narrow foot and they fit me well.

 

[Justin Crossley]

My favorite boot. They fit my feet very well.

 

[Josh Wright]

They fit well for me with a mid weight sock. Narrow feet, and needed help filling the toe box at roof of toes. They work great for me. In my limited boot experience, best I have had. However, it's the first expensive boot I've owned. I have close to 250 miles on them.

 

[Snicolio]

I have read that the are heavier than other brands like lowa. Is that pretry noticeable?

 

[Rucker61]

When I put them on, they were the best fitting pair of boots I had tried, and I tried a lot. First step, and I knew they weren't for me. The toe box bent behind where my toes flexed, cutting me right across the top of the foot. They would have been a disaster trying to walk in them any distance. I really wished they had worked, considering the Promotive discounts.

 

[Poser]

I have read that the are heavier than other brands like lowa. Is that pretry noticeable?

You can compare weights of different boots that are the same size. Do they "feel" heavy? Yes, to me, all full hiking boots feel heavy, but these boots do not feel cumbersome to me. I wear a size 13, too, so they are even heavier than the average sizes.
There are probably lighter boots out there in the same class.

 

[muleman]

Another fan of the 960s. Like stated, the toe box could use a little more volume. Then they would be perfect for me.

 

[duchntr]

Used the 960's last season and I like em, they fit my narrow feet well, though I had to put the green superfeet liner in to suck up some volume now they're perfect.

 

[mauidiver]

I'm hoping they are not as narrow as Tibets. I tried the Zamberlin vios and they fit really nice. So hoping for the same fit. REI has 20% off now and you can't beat their return policy. Will have them in a few days.

 

[Snicolio]

Yeah mauidiver, I was at rei yesterday and tried on the zamberlan vios. I thought they were very comfortable and fit good. I am hoping/wondering if the 960 guides will fit the same way.

 

[Rucker61]

In my experience, they fit very similarly.

 

[mauidiver]

Sweet!! We shall see!! I've tried a few pairs with no luck. Fingers crossed!

 

[mauidiver]

Ok, REI just delivered the Zamberlins last night. First impression when putting my foot in with medium padding socks is they are very light feeling, very very similar to the vios. Now my problem is I'm comparing to my Saloman 4 GTX boots which are still my favorite fit. I still have that little heel slip I just cant seem to get away with with these quality boots ive tried. Tibets were beautifully constructed boot, but to narrow with the regular size(did not try wide) but no longer on that killer sale. I tried both LL and regular Tibets. I ordered Asolo boots I forget which ones, but did not matter, they were like wearing cement boots, way more then I need. Nice made boot, but just not for me. Now the Zamberlin guide which I wanted to try for a long time. Crazy light feeling for sure, Stiff as I expected, not as much ankle support as my salomans for some reason. I believe they fit true to size. Do feel a little big and going to try some different lacing styles to grab and pull my heel back hopefully. They also feel a little big on the inside (under my ankle bone down to bottom of foot) Don't know what this part is called, so sorry for the bad rookie description. If you were to grab your left foot with thumb just under ankle, there is a little play in there. But i feel this is because they are still and new. Im loving REI return policy which I dont have to worry about not getting money back and actually get to use outside and get a real good hike on. The footbeds in these feel great, best out of the bunch i mentioned above. Toe box feels like I have plenty of room. The major issue im feeling is just that friggin heel slip deal. I have what I feel is a pretty normal size foot, but maybe a narrow heel? I dont know, but I really want these to work. I'm going to give them a week or so and try to put as many mines on them as i can, because i will have to return my Salomans if these work. AGain, REI return policy ROCKS. I will get my money back, and use the $170 i paid for them, which would basically mean I paid an extra $100 dollars for the Zamberlins. I got these for $270 dollars with REI 20% off on any product special. I just love this store. The only other Zamberlin I wanted to try was the Vios pro RR ? Pretty much a step up from Vios, but REI does not carry them. Sorry for the horrible description as this whole boot thing is very new to me. I do think it's going to be hard to beat my Saloman boot fit though. I just know I will tear those boots up pretty fast with no RR around shoe. The first day I hiked in those I took a nice chunk out of the nubuck on the outside of the shoe. These Guides definitely are solid light feeling boots. If you've been thinking about these, try em!!

 

[mauidiver]

I have read that the are heavier than other brands like lowa. Is that pretry noticeable?

Which Lowa are you referring to? I think they feel very light. If the Tibets were just a little wider, they would have been great, but I was just thinking the wide I would have more heel slip then I had with the regular size. Its a shame, but those were some sweet boots. I'm honestly over-booted with these, I just really wanted to try some quality boots. I'll follow up with a report in a couple days.

 

[mauidiver]

Well guys, After wearing the boots around for about 6 hours Here are my comments. With a differnt lacing style I got my heel to snug in and feel almost as solid as the Solamons 4D's. The boot got a little heavier as the hours went on. I first felt the crease kinda pinch just behind the toe box where your foot bends on the top of my foot. Most likely from being new and not even close to being broke in. I love the feeling of the tongue padding and does feel pretty good around my ankle as far as support goes. Still feel like my 4d's support my ankle better or at least more comfortable. I had my med padding socks and had to switch because it's hot here in Tx today and my friggin left bunion is starting to really hurt. I'm so bummed. This was the same issue i had with all these narrow fitting boots. These definitely are wider then Tibets(Regular) but will give them some more time with a lighter sock. So thats about it so far.

 

[Craig Van Arsdale]

I had the same problem with the 960's pinching the top of my feet when kneeling.

 

[fastphin]

Well guys, After wearing the boots around for about 6 hours Here are my comments. With a differnt lacing style I got my heel to snug in and feel almost as solid as the Solamons 4D's. The boot got a little heavier as the hours went on. I first felt the crease kinda pinch just behind the toe box where your foot bends on the top of my foot. Most likely from being new and not even close to being broke in. I love the feeling of the tongue padding and does feel pretty good around my ankle as far as support goes. Still feel like my 4d's support my ankle better or at least more comfortable. I had my med padding socks and had to switch because it's hot here in Tx today and my friggin left bunion is starting to really hurt. I'm so bummed. This was the same issue i had with all these narrow fitting boots. These definitely are wider then Tibets(Regular) but will give them some more time with a lighter sock. So thats about it so far.

How would you compare the Zamberlins to Salomons on loose scree or side billing with a pack?

 

[mauidiver]

The boots have almost molded to my heel slip with minimal breakin in two days. Salomans compared to these feel like tennis shoes honestly. The ankle support I'm learning about more with these boots. It's just a lot stiffer and going to be much better support for packing over 50lbs. I honestly think I'm over booted with these here in Texas. Loose scree I don't know as I haven't been in that. And I'm a rookie man, I don't even know what "billing" is!! Ha! Rookie here. But I can tell you I'm liking them so far. I plan on doing a little hike this afternoon maybe, so I'll fill you in with what I felt. For another $100 dollars, I will tell you these will last me a lot longer then Salomans. Not returning them quite yet. Sorry for not being able to answer ur questions. Happy Easter all

 

[mauidiver]

Hey guys, this boot still feels pretty good except one little area between my fingers just over the rubber rand. It feels like there is just a little room in this area. There is just a touch of of clearance in this area. If my foot was a little wider, it would fit like a glove. I'm still getting a little soreness on my left dang Bunyan, but only after all day of wearing the boot. Superfeet green inserts took the heal slip completely away and I'm likeing them. Do you think that little gap will cause any issues down the line? I'm also only wearing summer socks, so with thicker socks in the winter, they will fit even better hopefully. Any thoughts would be appreciated.