Zamber●a■ 1000 Baltoro GTX £250

■ Me■’s 38-48 ■ Wome■’s n/a ■ Weight 1828g (size 11)

IT'S GOOD

Zamberlan’s 1000 Baltoro competes well with other boots, particularly as the price is more tolerable than some and it’s also relatively low in weight. The upper is made from Hydrobloc Perwanger leather, with Cordura nylon around the tongue and the ankle cuff. Inside the boot there is a Gore-Tex waterproof lining. I like that there’s not too much stitching, and for even more durability there is a rubber rand at the toe and heel. Underfoot you get a Vibram sole unit with widely-spaced lugs and a heel breast. Get the boot on and the toe box is spacious, and the upper is quite stiff and supportive, so the result is a great boot for general hillwalking.

HOWEVER

While this feels good on the foot, it does not feel quite as neat and precise as some. Also the ankle cuff is not quite as well padded as others and doesn’t flex quite so smoothly forward when walking, so this area in general is just a little less comfortable than higher-priced boots. The sole unit is good but the outsole lugs are not quite as deep as others, so on snow without crampons the boot does not crunch into the surface and grip as well as others. If you want a boot for scrambling then those with a slightly narrower toe are better, as they offer more precise foot placement. There is no women’s option either.

VERDICT

For its price tag this boot is ideal for most hillwalkers who don’t need the best performance but do want to save some cash. Slightly more expensive boots offer extra benefits though.