Zamberlan 1996 VIOZ LUX GTX RR

I’ll link to my treatise on what I look for in a hiking boot here as they have every feature I look for in a boot. Much deeper dive into the technical specification and reasons there.

Copy and paste almost everything from the Asolo TPS 535 Evo here; the Zamberlan 1996 VIOZ LUX GTX RR almost the same shoe.  In fact, Zamberlan makes a cheaper model called the 996 Vioz GT which from what I can tell is the same boot as the 1996 but without the rubber rand.  A friend owns this model but when he killed off the sole he paid a cobbler $80 for a new one, a general refurbish and a new rubber rand.  They look almost new and have years of life left in them now.

The primary differences between the Zamberlan and the Asolo is a slightly narrower toe box (nominal), a leather instead of cloth collar, a locking ankle eyelet and a slightly stiffer sole.  Technically the Asolo had a locking eyelet as well but it was wider and more spacious so I never thought about it.  The Zamberlan’s make an audible popping sound when the laces engage but because they’re thick flat laces I always struggle a little bit. It’s a small issue, given that I usually only have to deal with it once, maybe twice on a hike. If you get the locking eyelet right it literally locks in the lacing from the toe to the ankle, allowing you to loosen or tighten the top two eyelets for flexibility depending on the terrain.

You can see the extra nub on the lower eyelet vs the open nub above.

The stiffer sole is a bit noticeable and takes awhile to break you or your foot in but worked out fine. I will say that eventually I bought an aftermarket insole and it made a world of difference.  These have been to Half Dome as well as Baldy & Jacinto in the winter, I just don’t recommend starting at those distances or you’ll be hurting.  Would I buy these again? Probably, although I’d also see if I can have a cobbler put a rand on the Asolos and debate the possibilities. They’d definitely be on my shortlist of options.