Review: Zamberlan 1103 Storm GTX CF hunting and hiking boots

These Zamberlan Storm GTX CF boots are tough, all-round boots for most Australian conditions, a statement I can vouch for after two years of hunting and general farm use.

I stopped counting the distance they’d covered when it passed 300km recently, all of it in rough country away from flat footpaths, and they are maintaining their condition and comfort.

The Storms are fairly high-end boots, hand-made in Italy and retailing for just over $500 a pair, and they show every sign of living up to Zamberlan’s claims over the long term.

I’ve walked trails and virgin bush in these boots in all but the most extreme conditions, and a lot of the hunting has been in steep, gravelly, rocky or muddy terrain with a few creek crossings thrown in. The Storms have come up trumps — certainly one of the best pairs of boots I’ve ever had.

Their comfortable flexibility stands out, particularly in the Vibram Star Lite soles, which strike an excellent balance between hardness and malleability. They cushion your feet nicely, making them more comfortable over long distances, and they grip more dependably than harder soles.

You get better feel for the ground underneath you as you walk because of these soles, too, which improves your confidence when it’s uneven or traction is low.

The uppers are a suede called Perwanger combined with Cordura and lined with Gore-Tex. This creates a water resistant structure that’s made waterproof with the addition of Hydrobloc. If you keep up that treatment they’ll keep your feet dry.

Reaching just above ankle height, the Storms give you ample support when you mis-step — I’ve not once hurt my ankles when rolling them — and they don’t trap as much heat as taller boots.

Maybe it’s got something to do with my feet suiting the mould, but the Zamberlans have been supremely comfortable and wrap well around my feet to reduce movement in all directions. They prevent my toes sliding to the front on steep descents and hold onto my ankles when lifting off.

At just over 500 grams per boot, they’re respectably light. This was partly achieved by deleting the rand that protects the junction of sole and upper, but I see no sign of that being detrimental to longevity at this stage.

The protective rubber cup extending up on the base of the toe has been retained and serves an essential role in the boots’ integrity. It’s backed up by the tough Cordura applied over the rest of the toe and on the heel.

They’ve been a good investment, dealing with hard use and some abuse. Their comfort and performance are just what you expect of high-end boots and no comparison with what you get from cheapies.

The Zamberlans are not expensive, not when you consider their quality and strong construction.

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