www.zamberlan.com | £175
A trip to the Zamberlan factory in Pieve di Torrebelvicino in the foothills of the Dolomites is like taking a step back in time, and that’s no bad thing. The factory is full of skilled shoe technicians who have a depth of knowledge and appreciation for footwear that dates back to a time when the Chinese mass-producing machines were still minerals in the ground. And Zamberlan’s heritage in manufacturing quality footwear certainly shines through in the Vioz Gts; just looking at them you can tell that they’re a step above most other boots.
The Vioz Gts feature a Hydrobloc full-grain leather upper which has been treated to enhance water repellency and durability and, along with a Gore-Tex lining, ensures that you’ve got the best protection from the wet stuff. While the leather upper has a simple design it’s one hell of a classy looking boot and while we can imagine the looks will appeal to the red sock brigade, we also think the Vioz GT has the sex appeal to attract the younger generation too.
You get a quality Vibram sole that provides excellent grip. It’s got aggressively cut lugs around the heel for better grip on descents and smoother lugs towards the toes to give better grip when going uphill on rocky terrain. The midsole of the boot provides a comfortable forward flex (spot on with the natural flex point of the foot) and there’s a lot of lateral support to provide stability over tricky terrain.
The heel cup provides superb support and protection, and it’s a similar story for the equally tough toe box which will protect your toes from bumps and knocks. Out of the box comfort is good, although we’d recommend breaking the boots in a bit before a long hike.
We can’t fault the quality of the Zamberlan Vioz GTs. They’re exceptionally well made and the quality is evident not only in the performance of the boot, but the overall look and feel the boot has. If you’ve got the money and are after a supportive, comfortable, great-looking three season boot, get these.
Zamberlan Vioz GT Verdict
It’s got it all, superb quality, comfort and style.