Zamberlan boots are an excellent option for a quality hiking or hunting boot. This review covers my experience with the Zamberlan 1996 VIOX Lux GTX RR Women’s Hiking and Backpacking boots. Please note this is not a sponsored post but as an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases. I’m writing it because there are often few reviews on specific boots or outdoor gear. 

My Experience

I hunt, backpack, shed hunt, hike, trail run, camp, and more. My time spent in the mountains is extensive, and I have a variety of footwear for whichever activity I’m doing. I’ve owned and used many, from boots to hiking shoes to running shoes.

Working at Sportsman’s Warehouse for several years, I was first introduced to Zamberlan. I currently own a pair of Zamberlan 1996 VIOX Lux GTX RR Women’s Hiking and Backpacking boots. I bought them after falling in love with my Zamberlan 980 Outfitter Boot GTX RR Hunting Boots (review here). 

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. They use quality materials, and their boots are built to last.

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.

Zamberlan 1996 VIOX Lux GTX RR Women’s Hiking and Backpacking Boots

Price: $379

Pros

• Full-grain leather uppers
• Vibram sole with good traction
• Supportive mid-sole
• Waterproof yet breathable
• Little break-in required
• Great for backpacking with heavy loads, off-trail, and in wetter, cooler conditions
• Roomy toe box

Cons

• Uninsulated
• Expensive
• Heavy

Basics

These boots have been a decent purchase, but I’m not sure I’d make it again. This is based on the other boots and shoes I own; these are an expensive choice to fill a very small gap.  

The Zamberlan website says, “An upgrade to Zamberlan’s best-selling boot, the 1996 Vioz Lux GTX WNS for women takes our marquee and unrivaled backpacking experience to a new level with several important upgrades to the original.”

Buying these boots, I was looking for a well-made, heavy-duty backpacking boot that could stand up to many miles. These boots certainly meet this requirement and more. They are heavy-duty and designed to take a beating. 

There was no break-in time, and I have never suffered a blister or a hot spot. I put these boots on and scaled a steep mountain in Wyoming. While they have some ankle support, I’m used to wearing my Zamberlan 980 Outfitter Boot GTX RR Hunting Boots in steep terrain. Nothing can compare with the 11″ shafts. 

These boots are certainly tough enough for hunting in milder terrain. I recommend them for three-season big game hunting in rolling hills, or anywhere you aren’t scaling big mountains. But for backpacking? They’re not my top choice. 

These boots are heavy, clunky, and a bit too hot for mid-summer backpacking. If you mostly stick to established trails on your backpacking trips, I recommend a good backpacking shoe. This Zamberlan boot is too burly for many miles in the summer heat. 

These boots would stand up to snow as long as it didn’t come in over the top. Combine them with pants and a gaiter, and you can easily backpack through snow drifts. For this reason, I’d recommend them as a great spring or fall boot, where you may encounter muddy, snowy, and cooler temperatures.

Features

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

• PU-coated rubber toe for added durability
• Waxed Tuscan full-grain leather uppers enhanced with Zamberlan’s proprietary treatment for added water resistance and durability
• Calf-leather-lined collar
• Proprietary Zamberlan Vibram 3D outsold with PU midsoles for excellent traction and braking.
• TPU stabilizer for torsional rigidity
• High Resistance Treated hardware
• Excellent heel lock, an anatomical wrap over the top of the foot, and a roomy toe box.
• Zamberlan Flex System for comfortable flex without compromising lateral support.
• Gore-Tex Performance Comfort membranes (waterproof and breathable)
• Sizes 6-11

Warmth

These boots are not insulated. Still, I have found them to be too warm in hot temperatures. They are designed to be breathable, but these are just too burly of a boot to keep your feet cool. They would be worth considering if you are backpacking during the shoulder seasons. Combined with a good sock, they’d likely be warm enough to get you through some wet and muddy conditions in spring and fall. 

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 time-consuming. Since my initial boot preparation, I’ve cleaned and oiled them annually, and they continue to hold up well. 

Final Thoughts on Zamberlan Hiking Boots

It’s a toss-up as to whether or not I recommend the Zamberlan 1996 VIOX Lux GTX RR Women’s Hiking and Backpacking boots. These boots are incredibly well-made, and I think you’d be hard-pressed to beat the quality. Depending on how you intend to use these boots, they are worth consideration. If you’re going long distances in the middle of summer, these boots may be too much. However, these are worth looking at if you want something warm, rugged, and waterproof for wetter, cooler weather. They’d even work great for hunting in the right conditions.