Zamberlan Men's 960 Guide GTX RR Brown Leather Backpacking Boots

Started with Zamberlan for knee problems due to their Vibram sole and when I put them on the fit like a glove. I bought every pair of 760 steep that I could get my hands on(8 pair maybe?) Why Zamberlan discontinued this boot I'll never know (voted bets of for 2010) These boots can be re-soled and the uppers take quite a beating and still look great and retain their integrity. Can't believe how many pair of Merrils, Hi Tech, etc, etc. I went through. These are similar to the 760 step but more rigid and a bit more break in felt but the heel cup holds well and I have medium feet and the toe box has plenty of room. Water proof standing in 5" of water even after many miles. Spend your money on a good mattress and good shoes.Almost 1 year later... I wear these for work and put mies on them . On my knees in sand, gravel, concrete, the rubber on the toe really protects the boot. I would have spent the same or more for China throw away boots but be miserable in them. I love that these are handmade and super quality leather with Vibram sole.The most important is the Vibram sole coupled with the Zamberlan footbed and cushion system . I look dorky but I wear these everywhere ( I have unworked "dress" pairs) Invest in your feet/Knees/back!

These were my alternative to the kenetreks due to my lack of arch I had to find a flatter sole. These are amazing boots in every way if you have flat feet, and if you don't you can add arch anyway so in my experience they are the best boots I've ever had. I do very rugged work in all weather conditions. I am on gravel all day every day and I never twist an ankle or slip and my feet aren't the slightest but fatigued or wet at the end of even a 16 hour work day. I have tested these to the point of standing in creeks and puddles to see if they leak and have yet to be disappointed. They do however take a couple weeks to break in, there were a couple spots on the tongue that hurt my foot for a while but now i don't know how I went without them for 15 years in construction. I recommend these, they are worth the money.

Superb quality materials & craftsmanship in every way to comparable hiking boots such as the SCARPA Kenesis Pro GTX - even the laces and insole footbed. The legendary quality of Zamberlan is true - and I am an extraordinarily picky individual where quality is concerned. The last on the Guide Pro 960 GTX is narrow even for my 12B narrow foot. The performance fitting last on this boot will not accommodate wide feet. The toebox is small volume on the Guide Pro 960 GTX - and Zamberlan support will confirm this fact! The last and design of the Guide Pro 960 GTX locks down the heel like you wouldn't believe (you might have different result) - the heel area becomes a strong, yet supportive glove with no heel lift\I have never experienced anything like it before - which is great - but unfortunately across the lower instep (across the top of the foot near the toes) and across the toe box the boot is too tight. When I crouched down and stood up on my tippy toes the boot material would bunch up and would cause a very painful pinch at the top of my foot and at my pinky toe area. No amount of break-in will resolve that issue nor will a rubbing bar. The sole is not as stiff as the SCARPA Kenesis Pro GTX and therefore the Guide Pro 960 GTX could be worn as "urban gear" I suppose. Hiking boot fit is highly personal. Despite the Guide Pro 960 GTX boot being of exceptional quality, the SCARPA Kenesis Pro GTX of very high quality is a better boot for me personally because of a better fit (compromise fit) - more optimal toebox room but not the vice-like glove-fit heel lockdown of the Zamberlan. With some lace adjustments I get good heel management, but oh man, Zamberlan knows how to lock-down a heel. The feel is just superb. It's too bad about they made the toebox volume way too small. So, the boot is a 5 star product - if it fits. For my fit, it is 3 stars as I had to return it.

These boots are my second pair of Zamberland boots and I love them (first pair was the 996 vioz). They are only boots that fit my foot do not order a larger size in this boot as they have plenty of room to allow for foot swelling. My foot somewhat wide in the front and narrow at the heel with a low to moderate arch.

I put miles upon miles on these boots this year. Rough rocky surfaces and steep terrain. The tongue of the boot pinches on both boots and the big toe on both feet get hot spots. The boot should be broke in considering the amount of days on the mountain and miles trekked. Not completely satisfied with this purchase.

I've worn these boots on about 5 day hikes but haven't yet had the chance to wear them on a backpacking trip. The following observations are from my somewhat limited experience with them so far.Pros:-Tread/Sole: The tread grips everything. I don't have to worry about unstable terrain in these boots and they instill confidence.-Waterproofing: I've been on a 3 hour hike in the snow and walked in a shallow stream just to test these out and they performed above my expectations. No water seeped in and my feet never got cold. They're warm, but not overly so. I've been out in the summer and my feet never got too hot.-Stiffness: If you're looking for a good, stiff boot to conquer rougher terrain, these are a great option. These would be overkill for a flat, leisurely 2 mile loop, but if you're looking to make some ascents and need the support, these are perfect.-Durability: Having only had these for less than a year, I haven't had enough time to really put them through the wringer, but I can tell these boots are going to be around for many years to come. Everything about this boot is high quality from the leather to the metal loops for the shoestrings.Cons:-Weight: There are a lot of words to describe these but light is not one of them. It's not to the point where it deterred me from buying them or wishing I hadn't, but it's certainly something to consider, especially for our weight conscious, counting ounces, ultralight brethren.Overall, these boots are great for the more serious hiker or backpacker who values performance over weight savings. If you need a boot that's going to perform in all conditions and get you anywhere you want to go, these are for you.