Back on bushwalking boots

[frank_in_oz]

Up to my third (or is it fourth??) pair of boots in 5 years. Always think that "these will be the one"! Always end up too narrow or some other problem that has not been obvious after EXTENSIVE fitting and testing in store and at home. They have always been broken in with several (many) walks around home before a trip but have always failed me with bloster, vlasck toes etc.

I now have a pair of Keens Voyagers - http://www.backcountry.com/outdoorgear/ ... -Mens.html which are a mid weight, mid height "boot" Very wide, excellent grip, waterproof within reason- (who cares too much always get wet feet anyway), expensive yes, BUT comfortable and NO blisters or black toes.

They are like putting on a pair of slippers.

Will be wearing them on OT in September. Looking forward to a nice trip with happy feet.

[Ent]

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[loric]

I use Raichle Mt Trails now.
Excellent boot (goretex lined) and snosealed. I don't find the boots hotter than my previous non-goretex LaSportivas. I'm based in Melb and walk through the summer - so in pretty warm temps.
I reckon the goretex heat thing is a myth. My old snowseal impregnated LaSportivas were just as hot - and took longer to dry too!

My wife had lots of trouble getting boots that fitted. She ended up with Zamberlans. They are available at Activefeet (podiatrist shop) in Melbourne.
They carry nearly the entire range too if you are ever up this way.

As for water crossings - i reckon good fitting gaiters are the go.

[Ent]

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[Son of a Beach]

I presume this is them (from a Google search). Let me know if you can get them to send Zamberlan boots through the mail without a fitting first.

I'd wear Zamberlans if I could get them, but their importer to Australia lost their deal just before I got my current boots a few years ago. I did get to try some on and was very impressed.

[photohiker]

And it looks like you can order them on the web from Perth HERE.

Prices look to be in the same ballpark as their Scarpa range.

[Ent]

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[photohiker]

Also:

Zamberlan AU Distributor list

MAINPEAK PTY LTD
31 JARRAD STREET
WA 6011 COTTESLOE (WA)
AUSTRALIA
Web site: http://www.mainpeak.com.au
TEL: +61 893852552
FAX: +61 0893840224

AJAYS SNOW COUNTRY SPORTS
115 CANTERBURY ROAD
3135 HEATHMONT - MELBOURNE VIC (AUS)
AUSTRALIA
TEL: +61 397204647
FAX: +61 0397202538

[Son of a Beach]

Thanks guys. It's great to know they're available again in at least some parts of Australia. We'll just have to try to convince some Tassie stores to get them in again!

[loric]

The active feet link posted above is the one.
We went to the Prahran store - excellent service.

Just a note on Zamberlan sizing - the wife found their sizing significantly different from Scarpa.
She loves em tho - and the build quality/finish is excellent. Also interesting is their use of different density rubber/eva in the soles above the vibram outer..
I squeezed into her boots (for 'r&d' purposes... unlike the high heels.. cough...) and they feel cushier than my Raichles.

[north-north-west]

Probably THE most individual piece of equipment around. If you blokes think finding a wide boot is hard, try finding a 7EEE in a women's boot!

Current boots are goretex-lined leather Asolos (I've raved about them elsewhere). First time I've found a boot that actually fits my weird feet. And, despite having a problem with sweaty shoe-hating feet, they don't feel hot at all. The most comfortable footwear I've ever had, bar Ugg boots and sandals.
The had five hard weeks walking in Tassie, brand new, not a hint of a blister or any discomfort. Give them a brushdown after every walk and a bit of Nikwax from time to time. Worth every cent I paid for them.

[sthughes]

Um? I do wonder about some advice given in shops. The Trek Pro I believe have a softer leather and less rigid stitched version of the Standard Trek range so I would be surprised if it is harder to break in than a standard Trek As for breaking in boots this has some science but a lot of witch craft.

Actually I think it is the other way around. Trek pros are more rigid - in the sole at least.

I have Trek Pros and found them no problem to break it. I only wear one pair of thin merino socks, but I also stick a bit of Leukoplast tape on my heal just in case (it lasts days). I've never had blisters this way, my first break in walk (after wearing to work (desk job) for a week) was Mt Murchison and I was very happy, have been ever since.
They are not 100% waterproof but it seeps in so slow I rareley realise my feet are wet until I take them off.
Had more flexible soles previously - made my feet ache on roots and sharp rocks etc.

As for how I select them- Comfort, construction, stiff sole, good grip, not tooo expensive!

[Ent]

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[sthughes]

Or I could be mucking up the Trek with another Scarpa Boot!
When I bought my pair they had a boot (I think/thought it was the Trek) which was less stiff in the sole (no idea about the leather) and a little less pricey, then they had the Scarpa Ranger with a hi-flex sole and at about the same price point the Trek Pro with a stiff sole and perhaps a bit higher cut??. I basically bought the Trek Pro because it was the cheapest low flex Scarpa I could get.

[Ent]

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[sthughes]

Well there you go - maybe the leather is softer than usual - can't say it seems real soft to me but it could explain the easy break in!
Be nice if Scarpa Aus had a decent web site. I notice on the UK site a new Trek is out.

[Ent]

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[photohiker]

Also found out that the ZG40/ZG60 Scarpas are not made in China or Italy - Romania! No idea about the other styles (yet)

[Ent]

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[blacksheep]

zamberlan make backpacking and alpine ranges it italy, selected models (thunder/storm etc in explore range is made in italy). the less serious models are now made in china.

many boot manufacturers in EU have been assembling in Rominia for decades, using italian materials and machinery. the labour rate is the only difference.
customers complain about pricing otherwise.

[Son of a Beach]

Zamberlan's website says

all the boots of our traditional lines are “genuine Italian products”, produced completely and solely in Italy

This implies that 'non-traditional lines' are made elsewhere. The web site's next paragraph discusses their 'non-traditional' lines, I suppose:

In order to suit new demands from the marketplace, we have recently developed a new range of footwear, named Move&Run that have different construction techniques and consequently different on field performance, yet all our quality standards are strictly applied to this side-range of boots and shoes.

It doesn't say where these are made, but the implication is that it ain't Italy. If they were made in Italy, you can be sure that they'd have said so for all their boots, not just for their 'traditional lines'. However, it would be nice if they made it clear, rather than beating around the bush, as marketing people love to do.

[blacksheep]

I think I will lob an e-mail to Zamberlan asking them to update their website to state the truth.

Cheers Brett

you will see the made in Italy boots are clearly marked as made in italy on their website.

[Ent]

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[photohiker]

customers complain about pricing otherwise.

Now, now, blacksheep. No need to be so direct. Customers always complain about something, it might as well be price.

I think the real problem is that once one manufacturer achieves a cost reduction by making use of cheap labour in a less developed country, it's very hard for their competitors not to follow suit because of the impending erosion of their operating margins. Lowest common denominator approach is hard to wiggle out of unless you have a clear differentiating factor that the market is prepared to pay a premium for. eg: Porsche.

[Ent]

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[photohiker]

eg: Porsche.

Are you teasing me

You started it by buying a Porsche Hilleberg tent

[Nuts]

( B/H a page full of posts, oh well, I submit then catch up).....

What they actually say is that there traditional line (ie. the one piece leather hiking/mountaineering boot) is made in Italy. They have a huge range, I actually have a pair of dress shoes made in Slovakia.... I have a wide foot, no problems there, I have always been under the impression that US sizing is smaller than ours? Or is Sratford in the UK Anyhow, yeah, you suprise me Brett, I thought you were looking Behind the BS.... The scout is a cheap line designed for a bigger market, as you would expect (how many times to we all need to reaffirm with each other before moving on) -you get what you pay for.....

I have heard the brand Miendl? is by far the market leader in Europe... Never see them here....most likely cost?, like a lot of these better brands. We'll all squabble over the price, looking through endless amounts of crap when the easy answer will always be there (there are very few bargains, there are likely just as few rip offs) Waste of time pouring over technical info, been there, these days there is nothing you cant find out. You can spend all night to save $20, if that makes 'one' feel like they have a bargain then each to there own. Sure we all need Some info to make choices by but its as likely found in an hour as a year.

Rule 1: More likely if something is at a sale price there is a reason behind it
Rule 2: Beware online reviews, grain of salt. Ive had some very good products that iv'e found bad reviews for (wondered whether it was the companies opposition that was writing the reviews...?)
Rule 3: You get what you pay for

I have said that I have had a very good service from Zamberlan Skill GT. I also have a few other models from the range that have proven of good quality. Perhaps I have shares........? (What they actually say is that there traditional line (ie. the one piece leather hiking/mountaineering boot) is made in Italy. They have a huge range, I actually have a pair of dress shoes made in Slovakia.... I have a wide foot, no problems there, I have always been under the impression that US sizing is smaller than ours? Or is Sratford in the UK Anyhow, yeah, you suprise me Brett, I thought you were looking Behind the BS.... The scout is a cheap line designed for a bigger market, as you would expect (how many times to we all need to reaffirm with each other before moving on) -you get what you pay for.....

I have heard the brand Miendl? is by far the market leader in Europe... Never see them here....most likely cost?, like a lot of these better brands. We'll all squabble over the price, looking through endless amounts of crap when the easy answer will always be there (there are very few bargains, there are likely just as few rip offs) Waste of time pouring over technical info, been there, these days there is nothing you cant find out. You can spend all night to save $20, if that makes 'one' feel like they have a bargain then each to there own. Sure we all need Some info to make choices by but its as likely found in an hour as a year.

Rule 1: More likely if something is at a sale price there is a reason behind it
Rule 2: Beware online reviews, grain of salt. Ive had some very good products that iv'e found bad reviews for (wondered whether it was the companies opposition that was writing the reviews...?)
Rule 3: You get what you pay for

I have said that I have had a very good service from Zamberlan Skill GT. I also have a few other models from the range that have proven of good quality. Perhaps I have shares........?

[Ent]

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[Ent]

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[Nuts]

Crikey, groundhog post... oh well, I rarely say that much, perhaps if i repeat someone will read one