Zamberlan Civetta: On a eight trip to the Dolimite Mountains, I was luckey enough to have a pair of these shoes. They were the most supportive and stable shoes, I've ever owned. My wife and I made several long trekks, the longest being 8 hours to summit 8,000 ft. We made several off-trail trekks, crossing streams, which my boots never leaked once and were stable over slippery rocks and scree. This are the best boots thus far, that I have owned.

Customer Service

The people at REI, College Park, MD were great and let me exchange the size from a 101/2 to a size 11. They realy add to the buying experience with expertise.

Similar Products Used:

Vasque Clarion Impact which has good ankle support, but the heel really sucks when making steep decents.

Having read the few other reviews posted here, I guess I got lucky as I have nothing but praise for these boots. Usually footwear does'nt fit so well ( I pronate, have narrow heels, bunion on on my larger foot and a tendency to blister) but these boots fit extremely well from the get-go with virtually no break-in period and have held up to some significant abuse. They were waterproofed with biwell upon purchase and have thus far 2 winters, 1 summer remained dry.

Similar Products Used:

None

In a months span these boots have been hiking in Moab Utah, over 3000 verticle to the twin sisters which are tarns over 12000 feet fed by a miniature glacier between Salida and Canon City Co, up 2 14ers (peaks over 14,000 feet for those of you from lower elevations) and other smaller hikes. All I can say is that I have happy feet. I tried on about 10 different brands before I settled on Zambarlan, they fit my feet the best in the store. I require a medium toe box with a narrow last. The only place they did not fit quite the way I wanted was the heel pocket, I would have prefered something a little more snug. So far I have experienced no hot spots and dismounting 14ers is about the best test for toe-jam, I had no problem there either. I stepped in streams with these boots and they stayed dry, it snowed 3 inches the day I climbed the 14ers and my feet stayed warm. Believe it or not the gore-tex seems to be breathing like it is supposed to. The negative reviews are disheartening. So far I have experienced no problems with the workmanship of these boots and I think it is safe to say I have already put them through quite a bit. Beside the comfort, I found the stability and traction of these boots to be excellent. I almost bought the Asolo AFX 535 V for 20$ cheaper which also fit well in the store but a side by side comparison at REI led me to by the Zambarlans and I have no regrets.

Similar Products Used:

None

I have had my boots about 11 months and think they are great. They do take a little time to break in but they were very comfortable from the beginning.

I bought a pair of Civettas in the summer and I loved them. They looked great and felt really good. My affection for them did not last long. After a 40km hike in the montains I developed the most painful pump bumps on my heels. It rained the whole way and the boots were extremely water proof. WARNING: Be very careful with your heel in these boots, take great time and cautin when breaking in or you will end up with painfull pump bumps like me and be forced to find new boots.

Customer Service

Thus far I have been unable to get ahold of anyone at Zamberlan, I am still trying however.

Of all the boots I tried on in the stores, these were by far the most comfortable -- and best looking! Anyway, wore them on a week-long, 50-mile trek in the Eagle Cap Wilderness in Northeastern Oregon a week after I bought them. Other than blisters on my heals (my fault for no break-in whatsoever), had absolutely no problems with the boots. They're extremely stable, and very water tight. Hiked through a number of small streams, and my feet stayed dry and warm. My girlfriend's worm a pair for two seasons now, and with minimal maintenance, they still look like new.

Customer Service

Purchased at REI -- it doesn't get any better.

Similar Products Used:

None

Excellent all 'round boot. Technical sole design that provides security on all kinds of difficult surfaces. All leather - so you do have to take care to waterproof them regularly, if you're through alot of water (as I am on the West Coast). Good support and comfortable straight from the box - first pair of boots that I've had where there was absolutely no break-in period. Don't dry as quickly as non-leather boots, but I've prioritized support and durability over quick drying time(s). Sole wear is about average - the soles will wear out before the uppers.

Similar Products Used:

None

I was impressed with the boot when trying them on, but after using them for the first time on a twelve mile snow shoe trip, I changed my mind. In only six miles the sole peeled away from the toe on one foot, and the gortex binded up into a nice wrinkle on the other, creating a very uncomfortable pressure point on the top of my foot. It is a shame because I really liked the boots otherwise excellent waterproofing and breathability. The boots were very comfortable before the gortex wrinkle formed. Oh well.

Customer Service

I got an instant refund from REI.

Similar Products Used:

None

Have I mentioned how TERRIBLE these boots are?
And to all those yahoos who call other folk IDIOTS... on message boards without any knowledge of them personally - would you really listen to what they have to say? Respect their opinions LOL

- Yeah I broke these crappy boots in for 3 months. Mondo Day hikes. Multiple 2 dayers Out & Back; then a coupla longer loops. If it wasn't for 2nd skin I'd a burned this butchers long ago before I finally gave up and wrapped them around a telephone wire on my street.
- Yeah I walked around the office in 'em for several weeks.
- Yeah I got a regular sized foot that fit's in this poor excuse for a boot. And you DO NOT have to walk around the store for an hour to fit boots! Nice guy stankin up a pair just to box 'em for the next unsuspecting fellah...
- Yeah I bought a per a La Sportiva's and haven't looked back since...

Customer Service

Their CS blows!

Similar Products Used:

2 pieces of balony wrapped around your feet with rubber bands are better then these boots!

I hate to part with my Civetta II's, as they still don't fit correctly after replacement footbeds and 50 miles of break-in (dayhikes and backpacking). They're durable, great on ascents, and appeal to my sense of style. Great stability on rough, loose terrain with the vibram soles, and absolutely waterproof.

The issue for me is that as wide as the toe box is reputed to be, it's still not wide enough. My feet measure 9.5 in the store, and these size Civettas fit OK (though a bit snug) up until about an hour or two on the trail, when my feet seem to expand a lot more. So on descents I got hotspots and consequent blisters on my little toes, and even one on a big toe. I don't plan to spend every moment in these boots with my toes wrapped in moleskin, and the 10's don't seem like they would be wide enough either.

So I got a pair of Vasque Sundowner MX2's in size 10W that seem to fit much better on the trail, though I don't care for the "ohio clay" brown color, or the plain-looking soles.

If Zamberlan ever made Civetta II's in 10W to fit my weird feet, I'd switch in a hot minute - they are way more butch than Sundowners, and REI marked them down $40 since I bought 'em. Yeah baby.

Similar Products Used:

Vasque Sundowner MX2