Zamberlan and Asolo are hiking/mountaineering boot brands that have become popular over the years. Their boots are made of the highest quality materials and provide a great experience for people who love the outdoors.
There has been debate over which of these brands is actually the best. Since prices for these brands tend to be comparable, we have decided to compare the quality and features.
In this Zamberlan vs Asolo comparison, we have selected two mountaineering boots of each of these brands. We have done this because it is difficult to compare the whole gamut of boots from each of these lines. That’s why we will be comparing the features that these brands have to offer overall.
Interested in getting robust hiking shoes? Then, check out our Asolo Fugitive GTX vs Salomon Quest 4d GTX review!
Zamberlan vs Asolo
What to look for in a boot hiking/mountaineering boot
To help you can understand what the key measures of quality are for the boots that we are about to compare, we decided to create a list of the features that we feel are important in a strong hiking/mountaineering boot.
Weight:
Generally speaking, the more robust a boot is, the heavier it will be. That’s why full-grain leather will weigh more because they offer more rigidity and ankle support. Boots can’t be as light as possible without compromising the support that it gives. It is not always a bad thing that a boot weighs more, as long as it gives enough support for the activity in question. That’s why the boots that we’ll be comparing here double as hiking and mountaineering boots.
Upper:
The upper material of a hiking/mountaineering boot should be made of abrasion-resistant leather. Leather can come in many different forms, such as full-grain leather and nubuck. Leather is generally heavier and sturdier than a synthetic trail.
Midsoles:
Hiking types of boots are often made with polyurethane midsoles. These reinforced midsoles assist the backpacker in multi-day hiking. If you’re going to be hiking for several days and carrying a heavy backpack, you need the extra support from your boot.
Outsoles:
The outsoles of these types of boots require deep, thick lugs that are specifically designed for good stability on terrain that may be uneven. The outsoles should also be made of rubber in order to provide the greatest traction.
Inner lining:
Often enough, there is a compromise between breathability and waterproofing. The more waterproof a boot is, the less breathable it is. As a result, if you’re going out in the rain, you may want to invest in a boot that has a gore-tex inner lining. The more used types of interlining provide the most waterproofing of all, in exchange for less breathability.
Comparing the Zamberlan vs Asolo
As said previously, comparing Zamberlan and Asolo in general terms will be difficult. But we have selected two popular models to compare so that you can see both brands’ commitment to quality.
The Vioz GT and the TPS 520 GV are both made for the same purpose. They are for those who want to do some rugged mountaineering, for several days of hiking. In addition, they both need to be very durable and provides plenty of support for those uneven terrains. They also need to be waterproof due to their heavy use. Let’s cover their features here, one by one.
Zamberlan Vioz GT Features
The Vioz GT is made for heavy usage in uneven terrain. It has thick lugs that are widely spaced for great traction and easy dirt removal. Zamberlan’s special Flex System ensures that even though the boot provides great stability, it remains flexible. This enhances the comfort of the boot.
For extra stability, the midsole is made of polyurethane. The midsole also has back stabilizers for increased stability. The full-grain leather upper ensures that the stability of the foot is adequate. Finally, the Vioz GT comes with a Gore-Tex lining to make this boot highly waterproof.
Pros
- Great traction
- Highly stable
- Great waterproofing
Cons
- Breathability is reduced due to high waterproofing with Gore-tex lining
Asolo TPS 520 GV Features
Asolo TPS 520 GV is very similar to the Zamberlan boot. It is also made for rugged usage for mountaineering and multi-day hiking. Because of this, it includes all of the same features. It has great stability due to its full-grain leather upper and its polyurethane midsole. It also has a Gore-Tex interlining to provide for great waterproofing.
The rubber lugs on the outsole are deep and thick provide for great traction. Asolo’s special sole design provides a set of three cylinders for better comfort when hitting the ground. The ankle area on the Asolo TPS 520 GV is not quite as high as the Zamberlan boot. It also weighs a little more than the Zamberlan.
Pros
- Great stability
- Reliable traction
- Great waterproofing
Cons
- Weighs more than the Zamberlan
- High waterproofing means less breathability
Zamberlan vs Asolo: Price Comparison
As Zamberlan and Asolo have many different boot models, it can be difficult to compare the prices directly. By following the links below, you’ll be able to see many of the prices at a glance for each of these brands.
The Verdict
As you can see, the Zamberlan and Asolo boots that we have compared are very similar in features and in quality. Anyone would be hard-pressed to make an argument for one of these brands better than the other. Furthermore, according to customer reviews, there is great difficulty in deciding which of these brands best.
The choice to make could depend on the price of the particular model you are looking for. All in all, both brands offer great quality for a reasonable price.
Purchased the Asolo several years ago (REI) and it was a very comfortable boot loved it. Took it out for one of my semi annual backpacking trips. on the second day of hiking the sole fell off. REI said that boots degrade if they are not used routinely and that this is expected. There is a soft foam intermediate material between the boot and the Sole. presumably this gives extra shock absorption while the sole takes the abrasion. This intermediate material degraded over time and simply fell apart without warning. I’ve heard several variations of the story why it was my fault for not wearing it often enough. But all of them seem like Asolo simply made a poor material selection.
I will replace these boots with Zamberlans for the following reasons. The Zamberlans are about the same price, just as comfortable and supporting, and a little lighter. They are constructed like the Asolo’s with a shock abgsorbing intermediary material but it is denser and I have not found any reports of the boots catestrophically failing. There are many reviews and reports about the Asolo’s describing soles falling off. Some in as short as 18 months.