Zamberlan Men's 996 Vioz GT Hiking Boot

I researched these boots carefully on their website, REI and here, and also looked at many product reviews. I am in my 40s, and invest in great footwear for running, hiking and everyday use in order to take care of my body, which doesn't bounce back like it did in my 20s. My choice, from scores of higher-end boots (Danner, Merrell, Vasque, Asolo, et al) , came down to 2 Zamberlan models, this and the Zamberlan 760 Steep. I chose the Vioz because of the slightly softer, tackier (IMHO) vibram sole and aggressive heel which I wanted for a better grip on wet rocks. If I backpacked in a drier environment, I probably would have chosen the Steep.So far, so great. Out of the box the gusset felt slightly snug, and the sizing was spot on. I walked around the city a few days with them to let them conform to my feet, which they did; the snugness melted away and the boots seated nicely around my feet. I went hiking with my Boy Scout troop a few days later over about 6.5 miles of trail with a change in elevation of about 1000 feet. The boots felt great. The traction was much improved from prior boots and I walked down a steep grade over some wet rocks without mishap. Now to be sure, I slipped some - these don't chemically fuse with wet rock or allow me to walk upside down or anything. But compared to my previous boots, also with a Vibram sole, I felt like I had a better footing.These boots are a little heavy in order to achieve greater ankle support and a thicker sole, particularly in the heel. That support is very helpful when carrying a 70 Lb pack over rugged terrain. The sole is on an arc in order to have a smoother roll to the gait, but I'm not sure I noticed mcuh of a difference. The lace hooks are very sturdy and a little on the small side - I had to take a little more care lacing them up, but there was noticably less dirt, vegetation, etc. caught in them.Now comes the test of time. I'm out camping every month and I'll try to report on the durability of these boots. Initial areas I'll be checking are the sole for delamination (will the agressive heel take the stress? Or be an achilles heel?), the lace hooks, leather and soft leather at the top of the boot. I don't have any initial cause for concern on close inspection and initial use, but those seem to be the areas that start to fail first for me. I'll also evaluate the durability of the sole - softer and better grip versus wear. I was surprised how little dirt was picked up in the sole, by the way. I was initially concerned that I'd be picking clay and stuff out of it. But no worries there.So, far, I'm very pleased with my purchase.

I've been wearing a pair for 10 years and just got my new ones. Countless miles on rugged terrain and work days in the rain/snow/sun. Still waterproof and very stable (both uppers and sole). Easy break-in, comfortable, and at least a decade of wear, best boots I've every owned.

I had a pair of these and they were lost on a trip. Bought another - perfect fit, love the look and they are so well made.

My husband had his first Zamberlan boots for about 9 years. They finally gave out. He put a lot of hunting miles on them. Hopefully this new pair hold up just as long.

This is my third pair of Zamberlans and I really like them because of comfort and durability. I wear them twice a week and walk about 5 miles a shift. They are a men's shoe so the heel is a bit loose but doesn't deter me from being comfortable. I do put Sole footbeds in them for the support. Also, Zamberlan has really good service when one of the hooks broke (which has never happened to me on any pair of hiking boots) and I contacted them directly. They offered to send me a shipping label so I can send them back for a free repair. These are quality boots with good service and that is much appreciated!

Best boots I've owned hands down. I've had Vasque and Asolo boots over the years. The Vasque I wore out and the Asolo left me in a tough spot when the sole parted from the upper part. Zamberlan boots remind me of the Vasque boots I either bought in the 80's or 90's, really high quality and tough. I just got back from 7 days of backpacking over rough terrain with very sharp rocks. My feet were well protected, from below and the side. My boots only were scuffed with a couple of small superficial cuts. The boots are water proof, no leak at the tongue. The tread was grippy and the stiffness was welcome when balancing on sharp points. They do get slippery when wet like all Vibram soles. The size was nicely a bit large, I have 9.5 wide feet and the fit was perfect with one pair of thicker of Smartwool socks. Break in time was done in one 4 hour hike with no pain. They would benefit from a pair of Dr. Scholls' inserts for cushion. They roll forward nicely when taking large strides. They are not light hiking boots, these are the real deal for hard use.

I seem to be "Hooked" on these boots. I have been buying these boots for the last 5 years. It's time to write up a review because I really can't wear any other brand of boot/work shoe as the others results in either foot, ankle or minor back pain.I do use & have 4 pairs of the green "Superfeet" arch support in whatever I wear.The support & the comfort of these boots for me surpass many other brands even without the Superfeet insole. I have tried to like and be happy with others to no avail. My search to find something less expensive has not payed out. I have tried spent the extra money in my search for cheaper work boot.Walking on concrete all day everyday for work the soles wear out in about a year. I put the miles on them, granted they are not a true "slip-proof" boot. You do have to be careful on some surfaces with these because it can be like walking on ice.It's like every April I invest in a pair and have to blow $280.00 on a pair of these because the comfort is worth it. This April it's like a early birthday present because Amazon listed them for $252.00 I immediately had to throw them in my cart and buy them.

Scuffed up, dirt in treads, broken in & wrinkled. Returning, don’t advertise as new when it’s obviously used