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. 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.

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. This test will tell you if the shape of the internal heel cup matches your heel to ensure it holds you securely, especially when ascending steep ground. We are trying to eliminate the dreaded heel blister.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). 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. Additional information about how data is collected and processed by third-party analytics vendors is found at: 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 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

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 Breathability 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. 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.

Should You Buy the Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX?

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.

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. Stiff, tough, and incredibly reliable, boot legends of the past were made in the heavyweight category. Classic models like the Zamberlan Vioz GTX remain popular for those wanting a full-leather design, but the shift towards lighter weights in boot construction has expanded the category to include models like the Salewa Mountain Trainer 2 Mid GTX (the heavier and more aggressive counterpart to the Mountain Trainer Lite included above). 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. 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. 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.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. 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.