But Scarpa doesn't stop at walking boots - their versatile range of footwear extends to other outdoor pursuits as well. If climbing is your passion, Scarpa climbing shoes are a must-have. With their ergonomic designs and durable construction, these climbing shoes provide the perfect blend of comfort and technical precision.

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. You should now be able to see approximately 2 cm (about an index fingers width) of the footbed poking out in front of your toes.Additional information about how data is collected and processed by third-party analytics vendors is found at: Now that your boots are done up properly stand up on your tiptoes and walk on the spot on the balls of your feet as if you are walking up a steep hill. If your heels lift more than approximately 5mm from the footbed you may need to pull the laces tighter, or the boots may just be the wrong shape for you. But let’s not dwell on what you don’t have, instead we shall teach you how to ascertain your size using some common household objects. 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 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. More questions? Here’s Task & Purpose’s additional brief. Q. How much do the SCARPA Zodiac Plus GTX hiking boots cost? I also dug the 1.8mm grey Suede Perwanger uppers and bright orange and yellow accents. More than just Italian flair, these colored areas in the boots’ soles indicated its four-density midsole. The grey in the heel is made from HD Polyurethane. The yellow in the heel is the LD EVA heel insert. The orange in the midfoot is MD EVA. And the yellow under the tow is HD EVA. If you don’t know, EVA is ethylene vinyl acetate, an elastomeric polymer material that is rubber-like in softness and flexibility. It is lighter than traditional leather and rubber boot construction without sacrificing support or cushioning. This is one of the reasons why the boots are so dang light.

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Editor’s note: the SCARPA Zodiac Plus GTX hiking boots also made Task & Purpose’s guide to the best hiking boots of the year.

After 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. 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. A. These boots come in EUR half sizes from 37 to 48 or US men’s size 5 and women’s size 6 to men’s size 14 and women’s size 15. Got questions? Comment below & talk with T&P’s editors A. Italia, baby, Italia! SCARPA has been making mountaineering boots in the foothills of the Dolomite Mountains since 1938. SCARPA, which stands for Societa Calzaturiera Asolana Riunita Pedemontana Anomia (Associated Shoe Manufacturing Company of the Asolo Mountain Area), was founded by Luigi Parisotto as a project to assemble the best shoemakers in the Asolo region to produce the best climbing footwear available. Q. What sizes do the SCARPA Zodiac Plus GTX hiking boots come in? SCARPA’s failure to enforce all or any part of these Terms or respond to a breach thereof by you or any other party shall not in any way be construed as a waiver or a relinquishment of any right granted SCARPA hereunder of the future performance of all or any part of these Terms, and your obligations set forth in these Terms shall continue in full force and effect.In our Hereford shop we offer a professional boot fitting service where we assess your feet, find a selection of boots that match you foot shape and most importantly we make sure that they are comfortable.This iseasy to do in the shop, where we have access tothe right tools, the option of letting you try on as many styles as you like and a knowledgeable member of staff that cancommunicate directly with you regarding your needs. Excellent combination of comfort, stability, and protection for high-mileage days and technical terrain. Gore-Tex build breathes decently well, but expect it to run warm in true summer conditions and at lower elevations. Underfoot padding is relatively thin and firm, giving the boot a noticeably stiff and unforgiving feel (although adding an insole helped considerably with overall comfort).

That said, after wearing the Zodiac Plus GTXs for ten solid days, I have to be honest: they look used. The suede upper has absorbed dust and grime, and the boots appear as though they have been through a demanding adventure or two. But the wear and tear is purely cosmetic: all stitching is intact, the rubber rand is holding solid, the metal eyelets and hooks used for the lacing system are secure, and the outsoles show only minor wear to the lugs. Nevertheless, this is one factor to consider and a potential downside of the suede. Gore-Tex liner does a great job sealing out moisture while still allowing the foot to breathe in more moderate temperatures. 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.) Durability. I haven’t owned the boots long enough to have formed an educated opinion on durability. I noticed no unusual wear or breakage during my evaluation. Of note, the Vibram Mont outsoles are also used on motorbike boots due to their reputation for extreme durability. 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.The extra height of this boot coupled with the bombproof (not literally) materials, a super grippy sole and Scarpa's technical knowledge mean the Zodiac is perfect for via ferrata, hill walking, scrambing and approach use.