A few years ago at Winter OR I stumbled across a boot company called Zamberlan. Honestly I can't remember if I had heard of them prior. May be in Europe some time but I simply don't remember now. Friend Jonathon Miller and fellow guides at the show really liked their Zamberlan bootsand tried in vain to get me hooked up with Zamberlan that winter,
As much as I really wanted to try the Zamberlan boots I simply couldn't get hold of a pair. Any pair that I wantedto climb in anyway. Hiking boots that hold no interest for me were easy. Alpine boots? Not happening back then.
Which was really too bad from my perspective. A quick inspection made me thinkthey wouldbe GREAT climbing boots. May be better than what I was in at the time. Since my originalefforts trying to get the boots (any of the 3 models I wanted) the La Sportiva Batura has gone through
three distinct models of the same boot!
http://www.zamberlanusa.com/catalog/?lang=en&pg=cat&idcat=1
Late last spring about in the middle of the traditionalAlaska Range climbing season I got my hands on all three of the Zamberlans I had been lusting over for years now. Technical boots all, the models listed her by warmth (warm to warmest) are The Paine GTX 3000, The Eiger 4000 and theirfull on double boot, the Denali 6000.(yes, detailed reviews on the Paine and Denali will follow shortly)
It was worth the wait."Some history? Zamberlan is a family run company that still makes it's boots in Italy after 80
years.
Giuseppe Zamberlan, the grandfather, started the activity right after the end of 1st World War From simple shoe repair he moved on to footwear production, driven both by necessity and by his
big passion for his local mountain range, the Piccole Dolomiti. He understood the poor performance of the early existing solesmade of leather with iron studs - and
he both shared and supported the revolutionary ideas of Vitale Bramani, founder of Vibram, who was studying and developing rubber soles at the time.
Fast forward....
Now it is the turn of the third generation. Marco and Maria now manage the family company.Like their forefathers, they too inherited the enduring love and enjoyment of the mountains and for their work, so closely related to that enjoyment, which takes them through all stages of designing, manufacturing, testing and distributing the most comfortable footwear for this purpose.
Zamberlan is still managed and run by the family."My take on all that? It is important or I wouldn't be writing about it. The Europeans don't take their own heritage lightly. The guys (and gals)building crampons, axes or boots now for generations (and I don''t mean time) but new generations of their own families actually care about the products with their names on them and the people that will eventually use them. When your Grandfather was an alpinist 50+ years ago and put his name on the Company, you take your responsibilities to the currentcommunity seriously.
At least that is my perspective for a limited experience.
What does all that mean to some hard charger in Canmore, Boulder, Chamonix or Seattle who is looking to buy a new boot to up his alpine game?
For me? That means the company is likely to be a little conservative. But when they do bring a new product to market it is likely well tested and well worn prior. Chances are you can bet on it delivering as promised.
So lets get on the the Zamberlan Eiger 4000.
As you might imagine the Eiger 4000 is pointed directly at the alpinist wanting to do technical routes on the 4000M peaks of Europe. The North Face of the Eiger as a perfect example of those goals.
First up? Might as well look at weight.
Batura 2.0 2# 2oz (current version)
Scarpa Phantom Ultra 2# 3.5oz (35.5oz) /
1006g
La Sportiva Batura 1st gen. 2# 7oz / 1106g
Zamberlan Paine 2#
7oz
Mammutt Extreme Nordwand 2# 7oz
Scarpa Phantom
Guide 2# 7.5oz / 1120g
Salewa Pro Gaiter 2# 8oz
Zamberlan Eiger 6000 2# 8ozLa Sportiva Batura 2nd gen. 2# 9oz / 1170g
Yep,it is within an ounce of the heaviest single fully gaitered boot I have used. And I climbed some the hardest mixed I have done recently in a heavier boot, the 1st gen Batura. The Eiger 8000 fits my feetmuch, much better today than any version of the Batura including the Batura 2.0. I'm happy to give up the 12oz per pair and the high tech advantages of the 2.0 for a better fit in the Eiger 6000. That is a decision only you can make. And only then if it makes any sense to you.
As I mentioned in the previous Mammut review weight is not the end all of picking out a boot. Fit is. I repeat it over and over again. Fit is what rules hereand out shines anything within reason for weight. If a extra pound on your feet kills your ambitions in the mountains it is time to train harder.
Knowing all too well just how important weight on your feet
really means. If you start comparing the level of support and warmthall these boots they are very similar yet distinct for how they fit my feet. Your fitwillmost likely vary from mine. It bears repeating...
The Eiger (Zamberlan in general I think) runs a narrow heel and a medium tight mid foot with a nice open box toe. Even on the Paine 3000, which is a low profile cold weather boot, uses the same last from what I can tell. It is a great last for my feet. Some where between the La Sportiva and a Scarpa last is my take on it. Both of which I think are on the narrow side.
But like anything as complicated as a boot there are other reasons why these boots fit me well. The lacing and ankle joint articulation here is exceptional imo. And they are simple.
Classic example of how to do a set of laces poorly is the Batura. Any Batura. What should have gotten betterover time has gotten worse IMO. Seems like who ever the designer is on that project has nothing similar to my feet in his test studies and focus groups. I have to simply skip the lock lace on the 2.0 to use it. Sad as I would climb in them more if they had a better (more simple) lace system.
Love the Batura, really dislike the lacing system. "Boots"..that design for me. Pun intended of course :)
My favorite boots like the Phantom Series have a simple lace system. And they fit. The Eiger does as well. Even better I like the 3 sets of lock lace in series on the upper cuff of the Eiger. The Phantom Series mimicsthe same lace design. I understand why but I don't like the nasty, sharp and narrow laces you need to use those same lock laces.
Good comparison I think with thePhantom Guide and the Ultra (one ofmy all time favorites) here with the Eiger 6000. Think of the Eiger as a very warm (more insulated gaiter) and more supportive fabric in the boot proper. (which is very obvious when comparing the Guide or Batura)
As a far as support it goes like this...stiff to soft. The Eiger is built like others in this groupusing SuperFabric for the boot itselfand a combination of SuperFabricand a fully breathable neoprene like material for thegaiter. The Eiger 6000 offers the most ankle support. The Phantom guide is in the middle and the Batura the least amount of ankle support. If you are doing a lot of really gymnastic mixed moved. may be the Batura... if they fit. Guide is in between. I've used them or their slightly lighter little brother the Phantom Ultraeverywhere I climb. Get the Eiger if you can use the extra support around the ankle.
The Eiger's extra support inthe ankleis the boot I wantto climb water fall and alpine ice with given a choice. It fits me well. I think it is a bump in warmth on the other boots just by the quality of the gaiter. But I wouldn'tbuy the Eiger just for that observation.
Nice rounded toe box with a closely cropped sole withthe huge RiRi zipper and velcro closure shown.
Detail for a additioanlgaiter hold down loop if it is ever required.
Draw cord close on the top of the longer than usual insulated integral gaiter.
Speaking of the gaiter...the big teeth in thezipper doesn't inspireconfidence to anyone who climbed in the original Batura. That huge RiRi Aqua zipper of similar style that lost teeth on a regular basis from YKK and theBatura. But this one may be different. Ifrankly don't know either way. But no worries. Zamberlan figuredout the rest and the best answer a while ago to solve a broken zipper. We (my climbing partners and I) figured it out in '75, Zippers are OK...just back them up with some thick sticky Velcro! La Sportiva finally caught on....but none too soon with the 2.0.
I suspect much of the6oz between the Batura 2.0 and the Eiger 6000 can be traced directly to thedifferences in gaiter. Eiger 6000 has a heavier zipper, heavier gaiter fabric, and the gaiteris insulated not just Goretex. More durable, and easier to usezipper flapno question and almost a full inch taller. All good things IMO.
The Batura 2.0 advantages include a good size wear patch on the inside of the boot's gaiter. I wouldn't kick it to the curb it it fits you. It is also a nice boot. Just an easy one to make comparisons with here.
Seriously it all boils down to fit. How the boot fits you.
Zamberlan also decided on a full depth lug sole. SameVibram the Mammut Eiger boot uses. No complaints on how this sole is closelytrimmed however. It is tight all the way around. Whichonly underlines for me how a boot's details can make it just that much better and easier to climb in.
How stiff is it?
If you look at the mid sole material I suspect it is the same as La Sportiva used in the original Nepal and Batura and still uses in the Trango Extreme. So it is stiff. Thatmid sole would eventually brake down iin theLa Sportiva versions. Which is why you see the move to a carbon mid sole these days by many of the boot makes. Remember I mentioned conservative? The Eiger has a solid synthetic mid sole and a proprietary toe and heelcrampon fixture. Which are well thought out. Some other brands are not IMO. Between the Vibram sole and the stiff mid sole is a EVA foam layer for cushion. Nice combo and a stiff (rigid) sole that is exceptional on steep ice and technical rock. As one would expect from this type of boot and the intendeduse.
Along those lines the crampon attachment is solid and easy to use. Lots of detailing here by Zamberlan that no one else has copied. Seems like a no brainier but also seems everyone has there own idea on how the toe and heel should be built to take a crampon. One wonders at times if the boot makes have actually ever seencrampons. Obviously Zamberlan's boot makershave.
Sizing? The boots come in Euro full sizes only. Which caused me some early issues in sizing. I typically wear a size 45 in everything. But ordering an unknown boot I tend to be conservative myself and go bigger since I am so close between a 45 and a 46. Generally either will work. I just wanted to see and review the boots. No clue if I would want to climb in a pair past that no matter how cool I thought they looked.
So the 46s show up in all three boots. Allfit well enough but all were just a little bigger than I would have preferred. So I sent two pair of the46s back anda new set of45s arrived shortly after.
Then prior to the follow up,life got in the way for several months. Back at it now with a new ice season just around the corner.
Checking boot fit again this week for the review, it's just asI had originally thought. The 46 is pretty big on me. Usable but bigger than I really like. The 45s are a tight 45 for my typically 45 foot. Bradat ProLite gear in Bozeman suggested a 46 for my 11.5/12 foot. And Isuspect he is correct in that thinking. Most won't want to climb ice in a thin sock and such a tight fit as I have with my pair ofEigers in a 45. But I like it. Enough so that I have been climbing in them simply because it is one of the better fitting boots I own.
My point here is that the Zamberlan is a viableoption to the typical Scarpa/La Spotive fit. And worth a try if they have a boot style you think appropriate for you. They have three alpine boots I really like :)
Unsual for me to list retailers but the only two online retail/brick and mortor stores that have an inventory of the Zamberland boots are below. I know the guys there and both helped me sourcing the Zamberland boots. So your are in good hands. Ask for Brad in Bozeman orEric and Jonathonin Telluride. I'll have reviews of the Zamberlan Paine and Denali up soon if you need warmer or lighter weight alpine boots. Both worth a look as well.
http://www.prolitegear.com/
http://www.jagged-edge-telluride.com/
{edited to add: There is now also a full review of this bicycle, written after 6 months of ownership}
The build is fairly classic, with long distance riding in mind. I will go into excruciating detail about all the components in a later post - but if you have a specific question, feel free to ask. Of course I know what some of you are thinking right about now: "Gee, couldn't she get that stem to extend any higher?" So I will explain that the giraffine stem extension is to get me used to the drop bars. Because I have a short torso, I am practically lying down across the top tube in order to keep my hands on the "hoods" of the handlebars unless I have the stem extended this high. I might need to think of a more elegant solution, but not sure what can be done. I do not like the look of the "dirt drop" stem, but perhaps I should rethink that.
This is a pretty accurate picture of the bicycle's proportions, as well as of its size in relation to my body. I am 5'7". The bicycle is a 52cm frame with 650B wheels. Other than the strained handlebar reach, it's a perfect fit.
The biggest challenge I anticipated with this bicycle was riding with drop bars. As I've mentioned before, I was determined to learn to ride with these handlebars "properly". In the picture above I have my hands on the "hoods" of the brake levers, which is a position that allows both a semi-upright posture and braking. The drop bar hand positions are like nothing I had tried before, and the dynamics are very foreign to me. Controlling the bicycle feels so different, that I do not even know how to describe the sensation. It is as if my very concept of "handlebars" had to be discarded. If you've ridden with drop bars all your life, you probably don't understand what the big deal is - but for someone new to it, holding these bars can feel counter-intuitive and scary.
Having said that, I was surprised at how quickly I grew comfortable with the drop bars in the course of the ride. After the first mile, I loosened my death grip on the hoods and began to trust that the brakes would work when pressed from the top. After the second mile, I began to move my hands around a bit by sliding them along the bars - never venturing too far from the brakes. A couple of miles later, I was able to change positions freely and to take my left hand off the bars entirely.
The one thing I still cannot do is shift. The bar end shifters are so far down, that I do not feel confident enough yet to reach there with my right hand while cycling. But next time, learning to shift will be my main task.
Once I grew used to the handlebars and relaxed, I was able to pay attention to the ride quality itself - and it was ...amazing. Where to start? First of, there was a miraculous lack of pressure on any specific part of my body. No feeling of pressure on the hands despite being leaned over, and not much pressure on the butt either. Where does the pressure go?.. Is it all on the feet and I was pedaling extra hard without knowing it? Or is it so well distributed between hands and butt that I feel it on neither? I wish I understood bicycle geometry better.
The other miraculous thing is that I can get full leg extension on this bicycle and still touch the ground with a toe when stopped. I am guessing that a combination of a semi-relaxed seat tube angle and low bottom bracket makes this possible. The geometry is perfect for someone like me, who wants to be able to touch the ground when stopped. Also perfect is the fact that it is impossible for my foot to hit the front wheel when turning on the Hillborne - something that happens on my Motobecane and other roadbikes I have tried.
