Review Date
October 9, 2007

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Mike(Unregistered User) ,  Day Hiker

Price Paid:  $180.00 at REI

Summary:
I've had my Civetta II's for about 6 years now. I've used them for everything from working around the yard to multi-day camping trips. They've seen rain, mud, dirt, rock, snow, ice, sand and most things inbetween. After 6 years I am seeing where the sole on one boot is starting to peel away from the boot in the area of the instep but I've glued it and all-in-all it seems to be holding up well. I agree with others about an odd fitment at first but with the addition of superfeet inserts they feel great.

Review Date
October 9, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: JamesS(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $189.00 at REI

Summary:
I've had my Civetta II's for about two years now. I've used them on extended trips into the Great Bear Wilderness Area, the Bob Marshall, the Mallard Larkins, and the Cabinets. I use them for scramble climbs, overnighters, day hikes. They fit my feet perfectly and have only caused blisters on one occasion (my fault - hiking in the rain without rain pants). They required little breakin as I recall. Essentially I wore em out of the store and started hiking. I think the hills we have in Washington/Idaho/Montana equal anything Palo Alto CA has to offer and these boots show no real wear other than cosmetic stuff after a couple thousand miles. I'd buy them again if REI still carried them.

Customer Service:
Never had to use. I take proper care of my boots and they keep on ticking.

Similar Products Used:
Vasque, Asolo

Review Date
December 25, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Ian Morrison(Unregistered User) ,  Day Hiker , from Wareham, UK

Price Paid:  $200.00 at Truro outdoor shop,

Summary:
Have a look at these if like me you are hard to fit - e.g. high insteps, broad feet. (I see a previous reviewer mentioned this.)

These boots tak a while to break in but are worth the trouble. Very comfortable, durable, tough and dry.

I've neglected mine so there is some cracking of the leather - but I'm going to buy another pair and really look after them, they're sure worth it.

The Civettas on sale in Europe are somewhat different from the US model (more rubber on the sides) but generally the same build, from what I can see.

The price quoted above is typical UK, about £130.

Review Date
July 12, 2002

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Hugh Stimson(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Guelph, Ontario, Canada

Price Paid:  $0.00 at MEC

Summary:
I have just finished wearing a pair of these boots into the ground, and still have all good things to say about them. As with absolutley any boot, the number one factor determining wether you will like them or not is wether or not they fit your feet. Everybody has different feet, every manufacture uses a different last. Therefore other people's comfort recomendations are pretty much useless. As far as quality of construcition: my biggest worry when I bought them was all the wacky stitching in behind the heel. As it turns out, it's never broken a stitch there. Instead the leather has worn down and cracked at the point where the boot bends with my toe. This is largely my fault - I hardly ever maintained them.

These boots walked many, many, many miles with me and I never had any complaints. I reccomend them, if you can still find them. The Civetta IIs are a large, more aggressive boot and I can't speak to them.

Similar Products Used:
Vasque Escapes

Review Date
June 17, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: WStan(Unregistered User) ,  Day Hiker

Price Paid:  $180.00 at REI

Summary:
Zamberlan Civetta II Gore-Tex

I bought these Zamberlans because I have pretty hard-to-fit feet, with a wide forefoot. Out of all of the currently available mid-weight backpacking boots I could find locally, these were the only ones that fit moderately well and seemed reasonably sturdy. I originally had a pair of ASOLO AFX 520 non-Gore-Tex boots that were a bit too big (marked an 11 but were actually a 12 - I thought I could get by with an extra insole, but unfortunately couldn't), but were as waterproof as any Gore-Tex boot and far more breathable. I also had a pair of $69 Cabela's Gore-Tex day hikers that were very comfortable for the first 18 months, but proved they had inadequate support for serious hiking up mountains when I took them to Vermont last year. I tried a pair of REI/Raichle Spirit II GTX Gore-Tex hikers that were great looking in olive leather with navy trim, but were too narrow. I also tried a pair of Dunham/New Balance Trail Triumph backpacking boots, which were comfortable as sneakers but did not have as much support and seemed like they would fall apart (if the very soft soles did not wear down smooth) after a year of moderate use.

The first pair of Civetta II's originally did not fit well in the heel, especially with Superfeet insoles, as they kept slipping and were too wide, but I tried a second pair at a second REI store and they were a bit better, so I thought, maybe they are sufficiently hand-made that they will have an individualized fit for each pair. It was a good idea, as the third pair fit much better than the the first two. If you like these but the fit isn't quite right, I'd try another pair in the same size.

I've only used these boots on day hikes (six two-four hour hikes on flat terrain, one three hour hike up hilly terrain, two five hour hikes in mountainous terrain), but they are very comfortable, secure and sturdy and aren't noticeably heavier than day hikers (although they clearly weigh a lot more and are much more supportive). I just got back from a trip to Vermont and after two half day hikes in the Green Mountains, can attest that they do a great job. In particular, I like the Vibram Bifida soles, which have an aggressive tread with several large round spikes and a durable, but semi-tacky rubber that grabs and grips terrifically, whether on ice or on wet rocks.

Similar Products Used:
Asolo AFX520, REI/Raichle Spirit II Gore-Tex, Dunham/New Balance Trail Triumph