Zamberlan Vioz GTX
+ full grain leather upper with minimal stitching; ankle cuff; sole lugs; stiffness
not a full rubber rand; not the lightest – A past winner of Best in Test, thanks to its great hillwalking features. The full-grain leather upper has minimal stitching for maximum durability and plenty of stiffness for foot support. There’s a Gore-Tex waterproof lining inside, but you don’t get any rubber rand on the outside. The ankle cuff is a good height for general walking, while the sole has well-spaced deep lugs along with good stiffness for general hillwalking. 4/5
Men’s sizes are 38-49 and 36-43 for women, with a close fit and a precise feel underfoot. The toe area is slightly more narrow than some others, so perhaps wider-footed people may prefer other models with more space in this area. A high and supportive ankle cuff flexes forwards slightly to allow easier walking. For a supportive boot, it fits well. 5/5
For such a stiff boot, this is extremely comfortable, although some others designs have a little more padding inside to soften contact points a little more. The ankle cuff has excellent lateral support, but is slightly firmer against the foot than others with more padding. Although the sole is very stiff, it still provides a good, rolling action thanks to its curvature and toe flex. 4/5
On rockier ground and scree the Vioz provides a very solid platform for every step thanks to its stiffness and those deep sole lugs. On softer moorland or muddy paths the toe flex allows a good natural walking action while the sole lugs and heel breast provide great grip. Those with a rubber rand will be more durable but this is durable enough for most hillwalkers. 5/5
The RRP has increased by £15 since last year, but because these boots are so good we reckon it's still a fair price. 3/5
It’s a perfect general hill and mountain boot for rockier ground, unless you need a rubber rand for even more 4.2/5 durability in regular use.