Zamberlan Men's 1006 Vioz Plus GT RR Backpacking Boot

Sturdy Boot
I bought this model for my husband who already owns a pair of Zamberlan Vioz. This Vioz Plus model is wider in the toe box which is good for longer hikes. They look VERY well made, are sturdy and the rubber around the toe box is brilliant. They will need a little break-in time - the leather is thick. Another quality show from Zamberlan.

Ideal All-Weather Option for Demanding Day Hikes
I'm not much of a backpacker, but I love a challenging day hike that ranges far and wide across diverse landscapes and that requries more something more sturdy than your average footwear. I purchased a pair of these Zamberlans in preparation for hiking in Glacier National Park in Montana and Waterton Lakes in Alberta, Canada. I broke them in with a 10 mile loop in the redwood forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains, where they proved to be stable, supple, and capable of handling everything from thick mud to rocky ridgelines. They impressed me with their stable footbed on steep descents but also were up for a spirited ascent and didn't weigh me down with excess weight. And the leather exterior cleaned up easily with saddle soap and mink oil. The boots performed really well during multiple hikes in Glacier and Waterton, which typically ended at glacial lakes with snow fields to traverse at the end (even in late July). They remained comfortable for hikes lasting 8 hours or more and required minimal adjustments. The Vibram soles really protect your feet on rocky traverses and minimized slipping on wet and icy sections. The all leather upper and Gore-Tex liner kept my feet dry during stream crossings and around the lakes. If I had brought crampons along to tackle more challenging high-altitude trails, these boots would have been perfect for accomodating them. The final test, however, came during a 9000 ft summit hike in the rugged West Humboldt Range outside Lovelock, Nevada during our return trip back to California. Much of this hike was on unmarked trails in very rough conditions and the descent was technically tough. These boots held their own as I slid through rocks and sagebrush back into relative safety of the canyon down below. So, if you're looking for a perfect pair of all-weather boots that can handle mud, dust, dirt, ice, and snow (often in the course of the same hike), I'd recommend spending the extra money for these ones.

Best on the market
I have purchased several brands of boots and I can honestly say Zamberlan are tops. This is my 2nd pair, I can't seem to wear out the first pair! Still made in Italy and the QUALITY shows. I can't stress enough the quality of these boots, they will amaze you. The Vioz Plus come in a wide width with a roomy toe box that is great for the long treks. I found them to have zero break in time, out-of-the-box comfort. You can do no better than ZAMBERLAN