Zamberlan Mens 996 Vioz Gt Hiking Boot Review
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The Italian-fabricated Zamberlan 996 Vioz GTX hiking and backpacking boots are the best hiking, backpacking and hunting boots I've e'er worn. The overall quality is outstanding.
At first glance, the Zamberlan 996 Vioz GTX boots look like many other hiking and backpacking boots made with waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex liners. All the same, in that location are a few standout features that deliver pure backcountry awesomeness.
Let's have a closer look.
Zamberlan 996 Vioz GTX Review
A family friend had a pair that was just a bit besides small for him, so he gave them to me, slightly worn. Nice. But I didn't actually understand how cool these boots were until a twelvemonth subsequently. I had wanted to take them backpacking, but I'one thousand a cautious guy when it comes to footwear. I've seen friends and family get serious blisters with other boots — and I've had to haul their gear while they limped along. So I am cautious before epic trips, preferring my trusty L.Fifty.Bean Cresta Hiking Boots.
On the other mitt, my Cresta boots are finally wearing down afterwards hundreds of miles.
Meanwhile, my hunting buddy'due south boots blew out this summer and he needed some recommendations. I pointed him toward a few swell options, and he cull the Zamberlan 996 Vioz GTX boots.
Upon further consideration, I took my Zamberlan 996 Vioz GTX boots archery elk hunting concluding year as a fill-in kicking. Afterward a few hard vertical miles, it turned into my favorite boot. My buddy besides wore his Zamberlan boots.
The terrain we hunt is punishing terrain. You become a keen alloy of long miles on trails and old logging roads paired with steep, rocky, dingy, brushy and slippery messes. We vesture backpacks, carry bows, stand awkwardly, and haul 80-pound plus elk quarters and our gear when we're successful.
It'due south a rugged testing ground.
The but annoying part was listening to my buddy rave every day about his Zamberlan 996 boots. Best kick e'er, he said. Swell grip, he said. Amazing, he said. Way out here you're only as skillful as your boots, he said.
And he'south right.
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Superior Grip
The Zamberlan Vibram 3D outsoles have wide lugs that do a adept job of self-cleaning. What's this hateful? Nearly other boots volition get clay and mud packed in between the lugs, which flattens your sole and reduces traction in actual use. The Vioz soles get packed less, which brings better traction more often.
Better yet, the design of the lugs gives you nifty downhill braking, particularly on very steep basis. If your soles wear out, you can resole the boot with the original mill soles, too.
First-class Stability
The Vioz boots are super stable. Starting with the footbed, you get a slight rocker sole. By rocker sole, I mean the rear and forrard function of the boot bend upwards just a bit. The result is a kick that rolls over the ground as you walk. The 996 Vioz boots evangelize a comfortable, mile-eating gait.
That'southward not all. The Zamberlan Flex System (ZFS) is somehow engineered to provide talocrural joint stability while letting the forefoot of the kicking flex . . . despite having a rugged and stiff sole. The Vioz is simply far more comfy than it looks.
The total-coverage leather concluding fits well around your foot and ankle. The heel pocket wraps and holds your heel in place, which means blisters are very unlikely. A lot of boots have vague heel pockets that result in heel-sideslip and blisters, but the Vioz accept ane of the best heel pockets I've ever worn. Of form, my gear-testing buddy agrees.
Comfort and Fit
The full-length lacing contributes to stability, only information technology also lets you dial in the fit over your forefoot and ankle. I always look for boots that have laces that extend downwards over the forefoot. Y'all just become a better aligning for varied hiking weather.
Compared to most other boots sold in America, the Zamberlan 996 Vioz GTX fits very slightly small and a bit narrow. My size 14 boots feel equally if they fit similar a 13 3/four size vs a standard 14.
If yous're concerned about width, Zamberlan now offers broad versions.
Either way, to dial in the fit, invest in some good wool socks. Go with any of the Darn Tough wool socks, which come in a diverseness of thicknesses — read our Darn Tough review here.
Outstanding Durability
Full slice leather uppers adapt to your foot.
The seams are tucked backside the kick for outstanding protection.
Let'south talk durability. The Zamberlan 996 Vioz GTX boots are made in Italian republic, and Italian-made boots have a world-broad reputation for quality. The 996 Vioz GTX boots use full-grain leather uppers. The stitching is tough and impeccable.
Take a closer look at the leather uppers. The chief portion of the boot is made from one piece of leather. This means there are no seams along the sides of the boot. This likewise means that sharp sticks and rocks in off-trail forests don't snag and tear at seams.
Zamberlan takes this pattern a flake further than nigh competitors by placing the rear seams behind the heel — sticks will slide past the seams as yous hike.
If you want long-term immovability, this is the kind of design y'all want.
Rejuvenated with HydroBloc.
HydroBloc cream. Bully stuff.
For actress waterproofing, rejuvenation, and to keep your leather supple, effort Zamberlan'south HydroBloc cream. Works swell.
996 VIOZ GTX vs 1996 Vioz GTX RR
If you're ready to take the plunge on a pair of Zamberlan 996 Vioz GTX boots, hold upwardly but a minute. How could y'all perhaps meliorate upon the 996 VIOZ boots? With a safety toe rand.
The 1996 Vioz GTX RR boots have a rubber rand over the toe box. If you're going to be hiking over very rocky footing, this safe rand will help protect the leather over your toes.
In improver, the 1996 Vioz version has a couple of other slight upgrades: Y'all get a Waxed Tuscan leather upper and new calf-leather lined collars that add a bit more comfort. The hardware is likewise treated to terminal a bit longer.
Basically, the Zamberlan 1996 Vioz GTX RR boots are the boots I lust over now, just technically, I don't expect to get them until my 996 Vioz boots wear out. Which ways my adjacent review might not come for a couple years.
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The Verdict
All-in-all, the Zamberlan 996 Vioz GTX boots are awesome. They have been Zamberlan'southward all-time-selling boot for years, and at present I'thousand a believer. Very highly recommended.
Get the Gear:
- Zamberlan 996 Vioz GTX Boots – men's
Check Shipping/Pricing: Bass Pro Shops | Cabela'due south | CampSaver | Moosejaw | REI | Zappos
- Zamberlan 1996 Vioz GTX RR Boots – men's
Bank check Aircraft/Pricing: CampSaver | REI | Zappos
Zamberlan 1013 Leopard GTX Hunting Kick — this is the hunting-specific 996, in a light camo pattern
- Zamberlan 996 Vioz GTX Boots – women's
- Zamberlan 1996 Vioz GTX RR Boots – women's
- Zamberlan HydroBloc – leather protectant foam
* Shop Zamberlan Vioz boots at Zappos and get fast and complimentary shipping!
Pros
Outstanding Fit and Finish
Outstanding Grip
Fantabulous Stability and Off-Trail Comfort
Source: https://manmakesfire.com/zamberlan-996-vioz-gtx-review-1996-rr/
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