Scarpa Men's Zodiac GTX High Rise Hiking Boots

Product Information

Your Consent: SCARPA may disclose and use your personal information any time that you consent to such disclosure of use. For those venturing into more technical terrain, Scarpa hiking boots are the ultimate companion. These boots are specifically designed to withstand the rigors of demanding hikes, offering enhanced ankle support, rugged outsoles, and advanced waterproofing technologies. When it comes to performance-driven hiking boots, Scarpa is a brand that stands out. The Terra GTX combines rugged construction with the innovative Gore-Tex technology, ensuring your feet stay dry and comfortable even in wet conditions. This type of upper is most often found on tough, heavyweight boots. You’ll find one-piece leather uppers on high-end boots like the Zamberlan Vioz GTX, Asolo TPS 520 (not listed above), or in Danner’s boot collection. These designs are not light or as breathable, but are incredibly tough and water resistant. They do require some maintenance to keep the leather in good shape, but they’ll reward those cleaning efforts with a construction that is built to outlast everything else on the market. As an added bonus, some boots like the Danner Mountain Light can be re-soled, so you don’t need to replace the whole boot once you wear down the lugs. If you can see this amount of space then you are pretty much on the way to making sure that your boots are the correct size. This space between your toes and the end of the footbed ensures that you will not stub your toes on the inside of the boot when you descend. This can be excruciatingly painful. If you can’t see this amount of space then it’s a good bet that the boots will be too small.

The EVA in the midsole may eventually wear out. But with PU being part of the construction as well, the boot should be relatively long-lasting. When we think of Asolo, the first thing that comes to mind is a classic, leather hiking boot like their TPS 520 GV Evo. The sleeker and more modern Falcon GV, however, represents where hiking footwear clearly is headed: a little less weight and support than a traditional hiking boot, but with serious technical chops. We took the Falcon on and off trail over the course of a rugged trek in Patagonia and came away impressed. It's well built, extremely comfortable right out of the box, and can handle just about anything you can throw at it. Please note that certain state laws do not allow limitations on implied warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain damages. If you are a resident of such a state and these laws apply to you, some or all of the above disclaimers, exclusions, or limitations may not apply to you, and you may have additional rights. NOTE: The above table is only a guide. Manufactures don’t like tomake it easy as every single oneof them strays from the measurements above. Our take on waterproofing is that it’s best for most folks, and particularly those that venture out in mountainous regions where water on the trail or a rainstorm always are possibilities. The designs aren’t perfect, but a quality waterproof lining will keep you reasonably dry in all but the worst weather. And if you hike in the shoulder seasons, the extra layer adds some insulation from the cold. But hikers in uniquely hot and dry places like Arizona and Utah may be best served with a non-waterproof model, no matter how few options there are on the market. A few that we like are the Merrell Moab 3 Mid (a sibling of the Moab Mid WP on this list), Arc'teryx Aerios Aura, and Altra Lone Peak Hiker 2. For a deeper dive on the topic, see our article on waterproof hiking footwear. We've seen consistent performance out of boots with Gore-Tex liners BreathabilityAfter extensive testing, I’m confident in saying that the Zodiac Plus GTX will keep going mile after mile. As mentioned above, the uppers are constructed with durable Perwanger suede and reinforced with a rubber rand and rigid rubber heel box. In addition, given that the midsole is made with three layers of EVA and the longer-lasting PU, this boot is built to stand the test of time and maintain its support, protection, and comfort even after hundreds of miles on the trail. For tougher applications or when it’s a priority to isolate your feet from rough impacts, manufactures will use a PU or polyurethane midsole. This durable foam is far less cushy than midsoles with only EVA but will last longer and better handle a heavier load. In addition, they’ll keep their shape longer and won’t be prone to compressing like EVA. Boots like the Asolo TPS 520 Evo use a polyurethane insole, but the material’s popularity is expanding to mid-range options—despite the extra cost—with the Scarpa Zodiac Plus being a recent example. The Scarpa Zodiac Plus has a hybrid EVA and PU midsole design Outsoles and Traction

In general, a hiking boot is designed to be stable, which typically involves a piece of hard plastic inserted between the midsole and outsole, known as a shank. The length of the plastic can vary from just under the arch to the full-length of the boot, depending on intended use. The benefit of a stiff boot is that the heel will not drop on an ascent, which helps reduce calf fatigue. This is why the stiffness of a boot will increase along with its technical abilities, culminating in extremely unyielding mountaineering boots that can better handle long summit pushes. On the other end of the spectrum, some lightweight boots do not have this additional structure, instead resembling a tall, flexible hiking shoe. Crossing a stream in Nepal with the Salomon Quest 4 boots In the end, I was able to comfortably wear the Scarpa Zodiac Tech GTX for 8 to 10 hours of ascending and descending technical terrain without thinking about them, which truly is high praise. And I definitely appreciated the tough, burly build when clambering down steep shale and sliding into boulders. That said, if you don’t anticipate needing the mountaineering boot-like protection or semi-automatic crampon compatibility, you can shave considerable heft with a lighter-weight hiking boot like the Zodiac Plus or an even nimbler option like Salomon's running-inspired X Ultra 4 Mid GTX (1 lb. 14 oz.) For those looking for maximum underfoot support and comfort without the height of a full boot, the Zodiac is a perfect choice (provided it fits).

The majority of light and midweight hiking boots use EVA foam in the midsole. The cushy, soft material takes some of the sting out of your heel or midfoot impacts and is also extremely lightweight. Not all EVA should be treated equally, and the proprietary versions can vary from super soft to mildly stiff. For logging serious miles on tougher terrain, we prefer a firm and supportive midsole as opposed to too much cushioning. Those overly-soft midsoles also have a tendency to break down over time, much like a running shoe. In general, you pay more for an improved midsole design and a higher-quality EVA compound. La Sportiva's TX Hike combines a soft EVA midsole with a TPU insert for added stability However, even after the most rigorous assessment and testing, there is no better way to be absolutely sure than to have the boots on your feet for an extended period of time. We therefore offer our Home Trial Period which gives you the opportunity to wear the boots around your house to give you an indication of how they feel before you venture outside. We recommend that during the Home Trial Period that you wear the boots for as long as possible and at different times of the day, wear them up and down stairs, when moving around and when resting, you can even sleep in them if you want. You hereby irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, (a) any objection that you may now or hereafter have to such jurisdiction and venue and (b) any claim that any such arbitration proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Note that the preceding provision regarding venue may not apply if you are a consumer based in the European Union, however, in all cases, the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods shall not apply in any dispute arising out of or related to these Terms; The Zodiac is the ideal choice for someone wanting a boot feel on the lower half without the ankle support of a full boot, or for someone demanding a stiff and dependable approach shoe that'll last years of use and abuse. Stand on the A4 paper with your heel pressed firmly against the wall and your foot pointed forward with the edge of your big toe aligned with the edge of the paper.

Using Cocona's 37.5 technology, Scarpa have lined the inner of the Zodiac with this innovative material to enhance the breathability and to remove moisture around 25% faster. This also allows the inner of the shoe to dry 250% faster as the surface area is much denser; allowing less moisture to enter into the fabric. Additional information about how data is collected and processed by third-party analytics vendors is found at: We put the men’s Zodiac Tech GTX through its paces for this review, and Scarpa also offers a dedicated women’s design for the same price. The features and construction are nearly identical between the two boots, including a Gore-Tex liner, leather upper, EVA and PU midsole, semi-automatic crampon compatibility, and Vibram outsole (the women’s utilizes their Mulaz S compound). The women’s Zodiac Tech GTX is a little lighter at 2 pounds 5.4 ounces per pair and comes in a greenish blue colorway compared to the men’s orange design, but you can expect similar all-around performance between the two. Scarpa also caters to those seeking everyday comfort and style. Scarpa walking shoes are designed to deliver both functionality and fashion. Whether you're strolling through the city streets or exploring local trails, these shoes offer unparalleled comfort, support, and versatility. The iconic Scarpa Mojito is a popular choice among outdoor enthusiasts and urban explorers alike, providing a blend of casual style and performance-driven features. What we don’t: Runs narrow (although wide sizes are available) and only moderate levels of support and protection.If any provision in these Terms is held invalid or unenforceable under applicable law, the invalid or unenforceable provision will be modified to the minimum extent necessary and deemed superseded by a valid, enforceable provision that most closely matches the intent of the original provision and the remaining provisions of these Terms will continue in full force and effect.