Zamberlan Men's 1023 Latemar NW RR Hiking Boot

These boots are pure quality. From the welt construction to the leather. I had planned a backpacking trip around Europe in the winter, and I was looking for an excuse to buy a great pair of backpacking boots to be used not only in a cold European winter, but also for any other backpacking trip I could come up with (with the exception of hardcore mountianeering that require actual mountaineering boots...though these boots can take a C1 crampon).At first I had purchased the Asolo TPS 520. Great boots in their own right. Gore-Tex liner, cushy, the TPS walking point system. That said, I always, always, had my eye on the new Zamberlan welt construction boots. (I mean, come on, they look awesome right? Totally old school). The Tophane (sp) was a little out of my price range, and I didn't really like that orange color. Then, I saw these guys on sale from 400 to 280!!! Purchased.As another review stated, I thought these boots were too big at first, and even ordered a half size smaller in a panic. I ended up keeping the original size once I discovered you really do need to break them in a bit to have them conform to your foot. This is not to say they do not feel great out of the box. They do, but a little breaking in, they feel amazing. These boots have plenty of toe box room. Also, another reviewer was right. The interior is lined with calf leather and feels great on your heel and ankle.A few things about this boot for gear guys. This boot does NOT have a Gore-tex liner underneath the outerlayer of leather. I believe this is a positive. Gore-tex, no matter how fancy, does not breath well. They say it does, it doesnt. Thus, your foot stays much cooler. Second, if you need that liner (and its just a liner, not some treatment to the leather), you can easily get a gore-tex liner sock that will perform the same function. For me, Id rather have the option of gore-tex than having my foot BAKE in a summer hike.If you have the cash, and want an incredible hiking boot with some old school style that you could actually wear around town and not look like a total goof, then I would highly consider these boots.

These boots are "Da Shizzle," as the kids of today say. You cannot purchase finer hiking boots. Not only that, I don't think you can purchase finer shoes. Period. I disagree with what others are saying about buying a size smaller or larger (or whatever), because these fit perfectly. In recent years I've started purchasing size 11.5 because 11 seemed a bit too small as I've gotten older and fatter. I recently bought a pair of Nike Air Max shoes in size 11.5, and they fit perfectly. After purchasing these boots on Amazon, and then reading the reviews about buying a smaller (or larger) size, I was worried that they would not fit properly, but they were actually perfect in every way. These boots are an example of "you get what you pay for."Update: I've worn these for a couple weeks now, and I'm continually blown away at their comfort. There's absolutely no break-in period, and they are the most comfortable pair of shoes I have ever worn in my life.There's one douche on this site who gave these a one-star review. Hey Douchey McDouche Face: Sorry to inform you, but you bought a cheap pair of Chinese knockoffs in Chinatown. Maybe next time buy your hiking boots from a reputable dealer. Either that or you're a complete liar. Doesn't matter. Either way you're still a Douchey McDouche Face.If you want to know why his story is a total lie and why it's completely impossible for his boots to have disintegrated in the fashion he describes, search YouTube for "Zamberlan Goodyear Welted Process 2015."[...]

These are excellent boots...and I have a number of similar pairs to compare them to. No glued up sole that separates and disintegrates after a few years. I have another pair of Zamberlans with the gore tex liner, that are more suitable for cooler climates. The Latemars, with the leather liner, are much cooler than Gore-tex, and will likely see much more wear here in Texas where it's not too cold most of the year. Tried to price shop these, but I seem to have gotten the last pair of 10s available online currently, so the $440.00 was the best I could do. Since they are re-soleable, I feel they are a decent value. Weight and durability are a trade off. My size 10s weigh 4.24 lbs., but don't feel heavy to me in use. The weight is good considering the construction. My feet and ankles are well protected encased in the thick, quality leather.

I hike maybe 25 weeks a year or so . . . serious hikes, over nights, week-longs . . . I really use boots up.Wanted to try something different, wasted some bucks on this pair, not very comfortable after break-in. Will not do for actual hiking, but okay around town boot.

I gave these boots 5 stars just on how well they are built. So far I really do not have anything negative say other than they do feel heavy in comparison to any Merrill I have bought the past several years. I see where several people say they don't require a break in period, well, not sure where that comes from. They do feel great out of the box but they are damn stiff and remind me of a pair of logging boots I bought back in the 70's. I am 55 years old, and do believe these boots will be in my closet the day I die, say around 90. :-) I have not hiked in them yet because yes, they require breaking them in. I have worn them to work several times, and had my feet in them for 10 hours or more without any comfort issues. I think once they are truly broke in, they will be a great boot.On the size... I normally wear a 11.5 and ordered a 12. They fit fine and plenty of space width wise. I have a wide foot and with wool socks on they fit fine. For summer wear I think a new insert might be required for thinner socks.