Edwin Morse
2006-06-29 00:03:34 UTC
Hi,
I am getting started on my second Owner Review.
Owner Review
Zamberlan Hiking Boots
Ed Morse
June 25, 2006
Name: Edwin Morse
Age: 68
Gender: male
Height: 5' 8" (173 cm)
Weight: 143 lb (65 kg)
Email address: ed.morse-***@public.gmane.org
City, State, Country: Grawn, Michigan, USA
Backpacking background:
I started backpacking in 1979, with two weeks in northern Michigan.
My gear was cheap and sometimes painfully heavy. Starting pack
weight was just over 70 lb (32 kg), with food but no water. Since
the first trip I have backpacked in Michigan, Maine, New Hampshire
and Pennsylvania. After about 12 years I started slowly reducing my
pack weight. The last trip in New Hampshire my pack, including food
and water, was 35 lb (16 kg) for a week. Amazing what a change of
attitude can do. Slowly obtaining lighter gear. I only know what
works by trial and error.
The Product
Manufacturer: Zamberlan
Year of Manufacture: not sure, before 1995
URL: http://www.zamberlan.com/
Listed weight: N/A, my boots were purchased about 12 years ago.
There have been changes
Delivered weight: N/A
Weight with Superfeet insoles: 61.9oz, or 3 lb 13.9 oz (1755 g) for
the pair, as I wear the shoes.
The following image and table were copied from the REI website.
This is the present model of the boots I have been using for about
12 years. The Zamberlan website shows a nice picture, but only a
side view. The sole is very important in a hiking boot.
Zamberlan Ouray hiking boots from REI website
Zamberlain boots from REI
Specs:
Zamberlan Ouray GTX Hiking Boots - Men's
Specification Description
Upper Nubuck leather
Lining Gore-Tex/nylon
Midsole Polyurethane
Support Polypropylene/TPU
Outsole Vibram rubber
Average weight 3 lbs. 1 oz.
I bought my Zamberlan boots at the REI store in Northville, MI. I
think I tried on nearly every waterproof hiking boot they had in the
store. I have worn my Zamberlan boots on week long backpack trips in
Maine, Pennsylvania and Canada. On all three of these trips the
terrain alternated between a path in the forest and rocks.
The Maine trip was one of the few we have done in August but that
was when the youngest son could get off work. I bought the boots 2
months before our trip and wore them on walks from 4 Miles (6.4 km)
after work to 12 miles (19.3 km) long day hikes on weekends. This
trail was about equally spruce forests and very rocky nearly open
hills. It was hot with lots of mosquitoes and a few black flies. We
only had one day of rain so the new boots had a fairly easy trip. I
had no blisters and no sore feet.
The Pennsylvania trip I remember mostly for rocks. There were 2 days
when we were mostly hiking through rock fields. These rocks varied
in size from soft ball size to about twice the size of a basketball.
I found I could make the best time with the least effort by stepping
from rock to rock. The thick Vibram soles made a good platform on
the rocks. Then I got to sit down and rest while my son caught up
with me. We had no rain that trip but heavy dew every morning. This
left all the underbrush nearly as wet as rain would have. My feet
stayed dry and comfortable.
My last backpacking trip with the Zamberlans was in Pukasqua
National Park in Canada. This is about 100 miles (161 km) west of
Sault Ste Marie on the north shore of Lake Superior. We went the
third week in October, much later in the year than I wanted to be in
Canada. Our tent had been over-used and should have been replaced
before the trip. Other than that we thought we were prepared for
fall weather. The trail we followed was not marked in the forest at
all. It was just a path. Out on the rocks along the shore of Lake
Superior the route was marked with rock cairns. Sometimes we could
see from cairn to cairn and sometimes we had to search for the next
one. We were having a good time with a great hike. The third night
away from the car started with an incredible experience. We stood on
a rock (bigger than my car) and watched the northern lights for over
an hour, until my feet got too cold. Went to bed to get warm. We had
seen northern lights before but never a display that covered nearly
half the sky and lasted so long.
My son woke me hours later. It had been snowing and our tent was
starting to sag from the weight. We got up to clean the snow off the
tent and then had to shake it off again about every hour until dawn.
The tent zipper failed during the night. We were able to make it
work part time, not good for when it was snowing. We were well
prepared for cold and rainy weather - not snow! We woke to over a
foot (30 cm) of snow and a cold morning. Had to put on all the
clothes we had to keep warm enough to fix breakfast and pack up.
While doing this we discussed what to do. My son really wanted to
keep going. I did too but finally decided going back was more
sensible because our equipment just wasn't good enough for winter. I
was worried about two things, getting more snow and the hazards of
following the trail on the rocks along the lake. It did continue to
snow until about noon. We made the hike out in two days instead of
three.
I decided the Zamberlan boots were worth more than I had paid for
them. Hiking in snow is truly a test for leather boots. My feet did
not get wet, just damp from sweat. High water proof gaiters kept and
wet snow out of the tops of the boots.
The next trip I started getting my pack weight lower and switched to
trail runners for backpacking and most day hikes. For the last eight
years I have used the Zamberlans for day hikes in wet sloppy snow
or for bush whacking in rough terrain and heavy undergrowth.
My well worn Zamberlan boots
My well worn boots
Here is a picture of my Zamberlan boots as they look today.
Yes, they are due for leather treatment again. Depending on weather
and usage I usually treat the leather two or 3 times a year. I used
snowseal for several years and recently switched to Nikwax. I don't
see much difference. I always brush off (or hose off) the mud when I
get home if that is what I hiked in. Mostly I hike with these boots
in spring and fall when the snow is wet and not deep enough for
skiing. The lug soles are showing some wear and the leather is
getting a little scratched. If these boots ever wear out I will make
the trip to REI to get another pair, with the improvements of the
newer model.
Summary
The Zamberlan Ouray boots are well made sturdy hiking boots. They
have treated me much better than I have treated them. In the last 30
years I've owned at least 8 pairs of all leather hiking boots,
including three others that were Goretex lined. No other boot has
served me as well as these have.
Things I like:
1. These boots fit my feet.
2. Comfort - these are the most comfortable hiking boots I have
owned.
3. Waterproof - never had wet feet from the boots soaking through.
4. Dependable - any time I put them on to hike they feel good.
Things I don't like:
1. They are heavy - weigh twice as much as trail runners.
2. They are warm - too warm if the temperature is above 40 F (4 C).
3. Both boots squeak when I let the leather get too dry. In this
case, the squeaking boots get the grease.
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I am getting started on my second Owner Review.
Owner Review
Zamberlan Hiking Boots
Ed Morse
June 25, 2006
Name: Edwin Morse
Age: 68
Gender: male
Height: 5' 8" (173 cm)
Weight: 143 lb (65 kg)
Email address: ed.morse-***@public.gmane.org
City, State, Country: Grawn, Michigan, USA
Backpacking background:
I started backpacking in 1979, with two weeks in northern Michigan.
My gear was cheap and sometimes painfully heavy. Starting pack
weight was just over 70 lb (32 kg), with food but no water. Since
the first trip I have backpacked in Michigan, Maine, New Hampshire
and Pennsylvania. After about 12 years I started slowly reducing my
pack weight. The last trip in New Hampshire my pack, including food
and water, was 35 lb (16 kg) for a week. Amazing what a change of
attitude can do. Slowly obtaining lighter gear. I only know what
works by trial and error.
The Product
Manufacturer: Zamberlan
Year of Manufacture: not sure, before 1995
URL: http://www.zamberlan.com/
Listed weight: N/A, my boots were purchased about 12 years ago.
There have been changes
Delivered weight: N/A
Weight with Superfeet insoles: 61.9oz, or 3 lb 13.9 oz (1755 g) for
the pair, as I wear the shoes.
The following image and table were copied from the REI website.
This is the present model of the boots I have been using for about
12 years. The Zamberlan website shows a nice picture, but only a
side view. The sole is very important in a hiking boot.
Zamberlan Ouray hiking boots from REI website
Zamberlain boots from REI
Specs:
Zamberlan Ouray GTX Hiking Boots - Men's
Specification Description
Upper Nubuck leather
Lining Gore-Tex/nylon
Midsole Polyurethane
Support Polypropylene/TPU
Outsole Vibram rubber
Average weight 3 lbs. 1 oz.
I bought my Zamberlan boots at the REI store in Northville, MI. I
think I tried on nearly every waterproof hiking boot they had in the
store. I have worn my Zamberlan boots on week long backpack trips in
Maine, Pennsylvania and Canada. On all three of these trips the
terrain alternated between a path in the forest and rocks.
The Maine trip was one of the few we have done in August but that
was when the youngest son could get off work. I bought the boots 2
months before our trip and wore them on walks from 4 Miles (6.4 km)
after work to 12 miles (19.3 km) long day hikes on weekends. This
trail was about equally spruce forests and very rocky nearly open
hills. It was hot with lots of mosquitoes and a few black flies. We
only had one day of rain so the new boots had a fairly easy trip. I
had no blisters and no sore feet.
The Pennsylvania trip I remember mostly for rocks. There were 2 days
when we were mostly hiking through rock fields. These rocks varied
in size from soft ball size to about twice the size of a basketball.
I found I could make the best time with the least effort by stepping
from rock to rock. The thick Vibram soles made a good platform on
the rocks. Then I got to sit down and rest while my son caught up
with me. We had no rain that trip but heavy dew every morning. This
left all the underbrush nearly as wet as rain would have. My feet
stayed dry and comfortable.
My last backpacking trip with the Zamberlans was in Pukasqua
National Park in Canada. This is about 100 miles (161 km) west of
Sault Ste Marie on the north shore of Lake Superior. We went the
third week in October, much later in the year than I wanted to be in
Canada. Our tent had been over-used and should have been replaced
before the trip. Other than that we thought we were prepared for
fall weather. The trail we followed was not marked in the forest at
all. It was just a path. Out on the rocks along the shore of Lake
Superior the route was marked with rock cairns. Sometimes we could
see from cairn to cairn and sometimes we had to search for the next
one. We were having a good time with a great hike. The third night
away from the car started with an incredible experience. We stood on
a rock (bigger than my car) and watched the northern lights for over
an hour, until my feet got too cold. Went to bed to get warm. We had
seen northern lights before but never a display that covered nearly
half the sky and lasted so long.
My son woke me hours later. It had been snowing and our tent was
starting to sag from the weight. We got up to clean the snow off the
tent and then had to shake it off again about every hour until dawn.
The tent zipper failed during the night. We were able to make it
work part time, not good for when it was snowing. We were well
prepared for cold and rainy weather - not snow! We woke to over a
foot (30 cm) of snow and a cold morning. Had to put on all the
clothes we had to keep warm enough to fix breakfast and pack up.
While doing this we discussed what to do. My son really wanted to
keep going. I did too but finally decided going back was more
sensible because our equipment just wasn't good enough for winter. I
was worried about two things, getting more snow and the hazards of
following the trail on the rocks along the lake. It did continue to
snow until about noon. We made the hike out in two days instead of
three.
I decided the Zamberlan boots were worth more than I had paid for
them. Hiking in snow is truly a test for leather boots. My feet did
not get wet, just damp from sweat. High water proof gaiters kept and
wet snow out of the tops of the boots.
The next trip I started getting my pack weight lower and switched to
trail runners for backpacking and most day hikes. For the last eight
years I have used the Zamberlans for day hikes in wet sloppy snow
or for bush whacking in rough terrain and heavy undergrowth.
My well worn Zamberlan boots
My well worn boots
Here is a picture of my Zamberlan boots as they look today.
Yes, they are due for leather treatment again. Depending on weather
and usage I usually treat the leather two or 3 times a year. I used
snowseal for several years and recently switched to Nikwax. I don't
see much difference. I always brush off (or hose off) the mud when I
get home if that is what I hiked in. Mostly I hike with these boots
in spring and fall when the snow is wet and not deep enough for
skiing. The lug soles are showing some wear and the leather is
getting a little scratched. If these boots ever wear out I will make
the trip to REI to get another pair, with the improvements of the
newer model.
Summary
The Zamberlan Ouray boots are well made sturdy hiking boots. They
have treated me much better than I have treated them. In the last 30
years I've owned at least 8 pairs of all leather hiking boots,
including three others that were Goretex lined. No other boot has
served me as well as these have.
Things I like:
1. These boots fit my feet.
2. Comfort - these are the most comfortable hiking boots I have
owned.
3. Waterproof - never had wet feet from the boots soaking through.
4. Dependable - any time I put them on to hike they feel good.
Things I don't like:
1. They are heavy - weigh twice as much as trail runners.
2. They are warm - too warm if the temperature is above 40 F (4 C).
3. Both boots squeak when I let the leather get too dry. In this
case, the squeaking boots get the grease.
------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~-->
Check out the new improvements in Yahoo! Groups email.
http://us.click.yahoo.com/6pRQfA/fOaOAA/yQLSAA/V4TolB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->
To read our reviews, please visit http://www.backpackgeartest.org/
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackpackGearTest/
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
BackpackGearTest-unsubscribe-***@public.gmane.org
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/