zamberlan vioz gt

OP
C
Joined
May 29, 2012
Messages
408
Location
Elizabeth, CO
I ended up buying these boots. put about 10 miles on them last weekend and have been breaking them in at work all week. Really liking them so far but wont be able to say to much until i get a lot of miles on them on the mountain.
 

5MilesBack

"DADDY"
Joined
Feb 27, 2012
Messages
16,204
Location
Colorado Springs
I had the Vioz 1009 GT's. I wear a 12 1/2 normal, and usually a 13 in hunting boots. I tried the 12's because these boots run 1/2 size big. They were fine with just a single thin sock, but with my hunting socks they were just too tight. And their 13's were too big.:mad: However, these boots had the best heel cup on any boot I've ever put on my feet. And they were a bit heavy for my preferences.
 

T43

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Apr 13, 2012
Messages
259
I've got 2 years in mine and will probably get another pair when these are done.
 

Rizzy

WKR
Joined
Apr 27, 2012
Messages
1,431
Location
Eagle, Idaho
I have had a pair for about 3 years now. They are super comfortable, but the sole kinda sucks. There is not much tread up front and by the second season I found myself slipping a lot. I no longer use them due to the lack of insulation and sole, but I'm thinking about getting them resoled and using them for warm weather. I would probably get a pair if I had that big of a dividend, probably one of the better pieces of equipment REI carries.
 

Rucker61

WKR
Joined
Mar 8, 2013
Messages
913
Location
Fort Collins, CO
Just tried them on this afternoon. Very comfortable boots, likely to replace my Kenetrek Hardscrabbles. Held my foot nicely with no heel slippage or forward sliding.
 

Rizzy

WKR
Joined
Apr 27, 2012
Messages
1,431
Location
Eagle, Idaho
Kenetreks didn't work for me either, too much heel slip. The Zamberlains fit like tennis shoes for me. Crisipi fit similar to Zamberlains on me and are what I am using now. Those are about the only 2 brands that fit my feet out of what I've tried so far.
 
Joined
May 9, 2012
Messages
1,233
Location
Bothell, Wa
I'm going on my third season with them and I really do love them. The two big negatives have been touched on, those being they are heavy and the soles are not a heavy lug sole and probably not the best for snow/mud. The good thing about the soles is they are very quite and soft enough that they are excellent in rocky terrain.
 

Huntfun

FNG
Joined
Apr 24, 2012
Messages
95
Location
Michigan
Zamberlan boot run true to size, not half a size large or small....if you have somewhere to go try them on do yourself a favor and do it otherwise you will be spending money returning boots for your actual size....like I did following this myth. Check with those who sell Zamberlan and they will tell you they run true to size. I have the Guide 960, Steep, Lhasa, Crossover and they are all size 9.5 which is my normal shoe size and I can wear hunting socks in them. I use only Zamberlan and I think you will be happy with whatever model you buy...but make sure you are getting a model that is suited for what you will be using them for.
 

5MilesBack

"DADDY"
Joined
Feb 27, 2012
Messages
16,204
Location
Colorado Springs
Zamberlan boot run true to size, not half a size large or small....if you have somewhere to go try them on do yourself a favor and do it otherwise you will be spending money returning boots for your actual size....like I did following this myth.

Even Zamberlan admits that they run 1/2 size big. Also depends on which model you're trying.
 

T43

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Apr 13, 2012
Messages
259
I can check when I get home but I think both my Vioz and my Dakotas are the same size as my Ariats and Nikes in fact I'm fairly sure of it. The best thing is to try them on but if thats not an option I would start with your normal size first.
 
OP
C
Joined
May 29, 2012
Messages
408
Location
Elizabeth, CO
I bought mine a half size smaller than normal after trying them in. For me, they were a 1/2 size different than my other boots and sneakers. I wear a 10 and bought these in a 9.5
 

Huntfun

FNG
Joined
Apr 24, 2012
Messages
95
Location
Michigan
Here is the Zamberlan specific sizing info from the CC Outdoor Store:



Boot Sizing Information for Zamberlan Boots

Boot Sizing Information for Zamberlan Boots

Because even within the same brand boots can feel different, because everyone has unique foot profiles, and because each customer comes to a new boot purchase having worn something different, it really is impossible for us to give you good advice about how a Zamberlan boot is going to fit your feet.

Here are some tidbits about Zamerlan Boots that may help:• According to customer and industry reviews, Zamberlans tend to have a roomier toe box, eliminating the issue that tends to arise with other European brands. For this reason, many think Zamberlan boots are comfortable right out of the box.

• Zamberlan has spent a lot of time translating their European sizes to US sizes, and we can see the differences in translation on our shoe floor as a pretty obvious comparison to the other European brands we carry. What does this mean? It means there is no need to “go up a size” even though this is a European boot – and your US size will most likely fit you just fine (see note below about maybe even going smaller).

• Some of our customers have seen guidance elsewhere to buy a size up, and it never works out. Generally, our customers have been happy with their US size, and sometimes even a 1/2 size smaller.

• Zamberlan is known for their heel lock - the nice snug fit at the heel that grabs your foot. There is a slight curve that grabs the ankle area, too. When trying on your boots, check to see that your heel is fitting correctly in there. If the boot is slightly too big your heel may rub against the heel lock curve. Pay close attention when fitting to save yourself from blisters on the trail!

IF PRESSED, WE RECOMMEND: buy a your US size in a Zamberlan boot. If you have a particularly wide foot and typically buy wide shoes, many Zamberlan boots may not fit you. Consider the 1006 Vioz Plus or 1009 Vioz Top boots.
 
OP
C
Joined
May 29, 2012
Messages
408
Location
Elizabeth, CO
following up on this thread...I have somewhere just over 200 miles on these boots. The boot itself is still in good shape and waterproof but the soles are chit. Vibram soles have always been good for me but it must be this pattern. Ive got several lugs missing on them already. In comparison to boots that i have 4-5 hundred miles on the soles on these look worse. Anyone else have this issue or did i get a bad batch?
 

a3dhunter

WKR
Joined
Feb 26, 2012
Messages
941
Location
Colorado Springs,CO
following up on this thread...I have somewhere just over 200 miles on these boots. The boot itself is still in good shape and waterproof but the soles are chit. Vibram soles have always been good for me but it must be this pattern. Ive got several lugs missing on them already. In comparison to boots that i have 4-5 hundred miles on the soles on these look worse. Anyone else have this issue or did i get a bad batch?
I have around 350 miles on mine without a problem.
 
OP
C
Joined
May 29, 2012
Messages
408
Location
Elizabeth, CO
I have around 350 miles on mine without a problem.

Good deal. Im not very heavy (180lbs) and my average pack weight is 37-45lbs depending on the amount of days in in the woods. The tread just didnt hold up for me and what i was asking out of it. I brought them back to REI and exchanged them for an Asolo TPS 520 GV. A little stiffer sole and a less aggressive tread. Keep an eye on them as i was missing 7 lug, between the 2 boots (around the outside) and the fronts were shredded.
 

a3dhunter

WKR
Joined
Feb 26, 2012
Messages
941
Location
Colorado Springs,CO
Good deal. Im not very heavy (180lbs) and my average pack weight is 37-45lbs depending on the amount of days in in the woods. The tread just didnt hold up for me and what i was asking out of it. I brought them back to REI and exchanged them for an Asolo TPS 520 GV. A little stiffer sole and a less aggressive tread. Keep an eye on them as i was missing 7 lug, between the 2 boots (around the outside) and the fronts were shredded.
I'm pretty heavy without a pack, with my pack I'm right about 300 lbs.
 
Top