Zamberlan boots are an excellent option for a quality hiking or hunting boot. This review covers my experience with the Zamberlan 980 Outfitter Boot GTX RR Men’s Hunting Boots. However, Zamberlan now has a 1980 Outfitter GTX RR Women’s Hunting Boot. Please note this is not a sponsored post. I’m writing it because there are often few reviews on specific boots or outdoor gear, and I love my Zamberlan hunting boots. 

My Experience

I’ve hunted Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Alaska, and British Columbia. My ex-husband was a mountain hunting guide, and I may occasionally provide insight into what I learned from him. I do a lot of shed hunting in the spring and stomping around in the mountains, so I put my boots to the test.

Working at Sportsman’s Warehouse part-time for several years, I was first introduced to Zamberlan. I currently own a pair of Zamberlan 980 Outfitter Boot GTX RR Men’s Hunting Boots. Had they had this boot in women’s when I bought them, I would have gone that route. However, there are many reasons the men’s boot has worked great for me, and I would buy them again.

About Zamberlan Boots

Many people in the United States haven’t heard of Zamberlan. Zamberlan has been an Italian family-owned boot company since 1929. They make high-quality boots and ship worldwide.

Please note: their website mentions they’ve seen a rise in fake websites trying to steal your data. See the list of fake websites they’ve identified here. So if you start searching for these boots, use the official website. 

Other Hunting Boots

Before the Zamberlan boots, I owned a pair of Kenetrek Women’s Mountain Extreme 400 boots and an older model of Schnee’s men’s Granite boots. 

I liked the Kenetrek’s fine, but I always had an issue with blisters on one heel. They were insulated, so they were not as good for early-season hunting. As I got older, my feet grew, and my size 8.5 just no longer fit. 

I tried a pair of the Schnee’s. At that point, they didn’t have a women’s boot, so I went with men’s. These boots were okay, but I always struggled with blisters under my big toes. They were also heavy and clunky, and I never liked them. So I sold them to a male friend, and he’s been wearing them and loving them since. 

Zamberlan 980 Outfitter Boot GTX RR Men’s Hunting Boots

Price: $490

Pros

• Lightweight
• Fit narrow feet well
• Vibram sole with good traction
• 11″ shaft, supportive mid-sole
• Waterproof yet breathable
• Little break-in required
• Great for deer, elk, and low-country sheep hunting
• Resolable

Cons

• Uninsulated
• Expensive

Basics

I got curious about Zamberlan boots when working at Sportsman’s Warehouse, a Zamberlan retailer. Purchasing a pair was one of the best boot decisions I’ve made. I wear a size 9 in women’s and bought a size 8 in men’s.

The Zamberlan website says this boot is its “most venerable backcountry hunting boot, perfect for elk, mule deer, and lower-level sheep hunting where support, comfort, durability, and performance are required. The 980 Outfitter is ideal for carrying heavier loads and hiking through rough and steep backcountry and mountain terrain.” 

This statement is 100% accurate in my experience. 

Although I bought the men’s version of this boot, I liked them because they were more streamlined than my previous pair of Schnee’s. They felt lighter and fit my foot better. The 11″ shaft provides ample ankle support. I need this since I spend much time off-trail, scaling scree fields, and steep mountains. I put them to use doing all the abovementioned hunting and carrying heavy loads. They have yet to disappoint.

There was no break-in time, and I have never suffered a blister or a hot spot. I put them on, immediately began using them hard in the mountains, and never looked back. They’ve only gotten better with time.

The only thing I can’t speak to is how well they fit someone with a broader foot. Try them on first, or buy from a retailer you can return to if ordering online. I wouldn’t recommend them for intense mountain hunting, like Dall sheep in Alaska. I’ve heard of Kenetreks falling apart on a hunter’s feet on such a hunt. With those anecdotes, the Zamberlans likely would not hold up to that type of hunt. 

Features

While you can go on the Zamberlan website and read all about the feature details, here are some highlights:

• Vibram soles with excellent traction and dual-density midsoles for added comfort
• TPU stabilizer for torsional rigidity
• Resolable
• Hydrobloc Tuscan nubuck leather uppers for protection from water and snow
• Gore-Tex Performance Comfort membranes (waterproof and breathable)
• Sizes 8-13

Warmth

I hunt in the fall in Montana, so often, this can mean winter conditions. Some years we have early snowfall and freezing temperatures, and these boots have stood up to the challenge. 

Because these boots have an 11″ shaft, I’ve never had issues with snow getting in over the top, and I’ve hunted in knee-high snow. If I remember them, I wear a leg gaiter only to keep my pants from bunching upward. Otherwise, these boots with my pants pulled over them have sufficed in the snow.

They are waterproof, so not only are they good in snow, but also in rainy conditions and for stream crossing. I never have to worry about water seeping through if I have to walk through shallow streams. They would even hold up for a quick jog through deeper water if water didn’t come in over the top.

These are not insulated, but I have yet to have a real issue with my feet getting cold. As a kid, we had crappy gear, and my feet and hands were always cold and borderline frostbitten, so they get cold quickly. Of course, I often move quite a bit while hunting, but that’s also why these boots are great; my feet don’t get too hot and sweaty. With a good pair of wood/merino socks, my feet have stayed warm in temperatures hovering around 0 degrees. But if you sit for long periods in extreme cold, I recommend an insulated boot. 

Care

Zamberlan boots come with precise care instructions. Before wearing them, there were certain things I had to do to prepare them. However, as much as these boots cost, following them is essential, even if it is a little bit time-consuming. Since my initial boot preparation, I’ve cleaned and oiled them after the end of each hunting season, and they continue to hold up well. 

Other Zamberlan Boots

I liked my first Zamberlan boots so much that I bought another pair. In the second round, I purchased the 1996 VIOZ Lux GTX RR WNS Women’s Hiking and Backpacking Boots. It’s worth noting that these also had no break-in time. I put them on and climbed a steep mountain face in Wyoming with no blisters or fatigue. These are high-quality boots that live up to the Zamberlan name. 

Final Thoughts on Zamberlan Hunting Boots

If you haven’t figured it out, I recommend the Zamberlan 980 Outfitter Boot GTX RR Men’s Hunting Boots. It’s a great mountain hunting boot, suitable for any deer or elk hunt you may find yourself on in virtually all conditions and seasons. Take care of these boots; they will last you many years, making them well worth the initial cost. And since you can resole them, you’ll get even more mileage.  

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1996 VIOZ Lux GTX RR WNS Women’s Hiking and Backpacking Boots Review

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