The Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX hiking boots are simply awesome! I have owned these for just over two years, and have worn them almost everyday for my work. They have held up extremely well, and are without a doubt the best boots that I have ever bought. I can’t believe how much use and abuse these boots have taken, and nothing is falling apart.
Let me start by explaining that I use these boots mostly for my work. I own a landscape business that specializes in building and maintaining Koi Ponds and Water Gardens. I am in wet grass, mud, dirt, rock, gravel and pond muck just about everyday. These boots get wet a lot. I usually buy a light pair of hiking boots in the spring as the weather warms up, and I use them into the fall. At that time, my shoes are usually falling apart, and ready for the trash. I’ll throw them out, and buy a heavier pair of boots for the winter, colder months.
Since I purchased these boots two years ago, I have not had to buy a new pair. They have proven to me how well built these boots really are. Not a stich is coming apart, only some ware in the soles. They have been by far the best boots that I have ever worn. Worth every penny that I paid for them. The picture to the right shows what they look like now, after two years.
The Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX boots are designed as hiking boots. They have an aggressive sole, that is great for many different surfaces, including dirt, rock, and gravel. Perfect for mountain hikes. They are very comfortable, being designed more for hiking than mountaineering, they are more flexible. This allows for long hikes and treks.
I have to say that the boots are very waterproof. They have a GoreTex membrane that not only keeps my feet dry, even after two years, they breath very well. On hot summer days, my feet are not sweaty and stinky at the end of the day. I am very impressed by their breathability.
The outer material of this boot is a durable suede. It gets dirty easy, but it’s very strong, and dries quickly if it gets wet. Inside the boot, there is no insulation. If you’re going to be in cold conditions, these may noy be the best choice. They do have what Scarpa calls a sock fit, and a lacing system that is slightly asymmetrical. All designed for increased comfort.
There is also a rubber rand in the front and back to help protect the boot from abrasions. It is not a complete wrap around rand, but I have not had any issues with it at all. The soles are very well constructed, and have worn very well. I do wear mine a lot on hard surfaces like concrete and pavement. They have worn down, but not any more than I would expect. They can be resoled too if you wish.
The Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX boots are not cheap, but not overpriced compared to other similar products. Scarpa makes exceptionally well made products both for hiking and rugged mountaineering for all conditions. You get what you pay for. They will last you a long time, and take whatever abuse that you can throw at them.
A similar boot that Scarpa makes is the Zodiac Tech GTX. That is a stiffer boot designed for more mountaineering.
For more information about these and other Scarpa products, see my website https://meandmyjackets.com/
Also, check out my videos on my YouTube Channel about these boots.
I also own a pair of Scarpa Ribelle Tech 2.0 boots that I bought for the colder weather. I have reviews on those here on my website and YouTube Channel Too. They are awesome Too!
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