Scarpa SL M3 Vs Zamberlan Vioz GT Vs Asolo GV 520

By alpinisto January 13, 2012

The winner? All three equally. Cop-out maybe, but let me explain myself.

Italians make the best backpacking/mountaineering boots. Period. Show me an exception, and I'd say that to be a very rare exception to this experience driven rule.

From the beginning I was torn on which boot to get first. They are all in a similar class. They are all Italian companies. Zamberlan and Scarpa manufacture their boots in Italy, however Asolo has their operation in Romania, an Eastern European neighbor. Asolo has always had their manufacturing operation in Romania (at the same factory), and it is my belief that they are of consistent quality (I own other Asolo footwear).

To the brass tacks -- all 3 have high quality semi-rigid leather uppers. Two are waterproof, and one is highly water resistant. The Vioz Gt and the GV 520 are built with a Gore-Tex liner making them 100% waterproof. The SL M3 utilizes silicone impregnated leather, and is highly water resistant (but this is an advantage in it's own right as I discuss below).

It is my opinion that the three different boots are the highest quality, highest utility, and highest durability in this rough class on the market today. So how the hell do you decide? Well, as we all know a boot is only as good as its fit on an individual foot. The SL M3 may be the best hiking/rock traversing boot ever made, but if it does not agree with your foot's profile it will undoubtedly be one of the worst. So before you buy, try them on. Try these three boots, and try three others. Get an idea of what meshes best with your foot's profile.

If they all seem to fit equally well then what?

Well, that's the issue I ran into. I finally went with the Zamberlan Vioz Gt because it was fully waterproof. I went with the Zam over Asolo's waterproof option for no other reason than the boot felt a hair better on my foot.

Skipping forward... I have acquired all three boots. I say acquired because each boot is an asset and investment in your outdoor and daily life. Over time the three boots have taken on different roles. They are each a different tool, and like tools in your garage, no one tool is better than another holding quality, craftsmenship, etc. constant. Different tools are utilized under different applications.

The application of my three different boots:

I wear a running shoe in a US 10.5 or about EU 44.

Zamberlan Vioz Gt (EU 44): I use these for blitz hikes and mountain running. I know it sounds crazy to run in these bad boys, but they perform wonderfully, and I can see no other footwear option that would equal its performance when I want to run me a mountain. I ran the the sand dunes in southern CO from campground to highest point in 30.15 minutes using these monsters --This boot runs true to size, and fits a mid profile foot. Its sole is rigid with a slight flex in the front ball. Break in period (short). My 44s fit perfectly snug.

Asolo GV 520 (EU 45 wide): I use as my in the middle "tool of all trades" boot. I love to wear them around in my daily life, and find them hard to take off at night. I hike, do heavy load summer mountaineering, puddle hopping, whatever in these. They perform exceptionally at everything I put them through. --This boot runs a tad skinny and a hair short. They fit a slimmer profiled foot. Its sole is rigid from front to back. Break in period (short to medium). My 45 EE's fit perfectly snug.

Scarpa SL M3 (EU 45): I live in the CO rockies and there's a lot of uneven and jagged granite to be had. I have found the the SL M3 to perform the best on intensive - granite rich hikes. Its super rigid soles keep my feet comfortable on the most unforgiving rock. Its overall rigid design keeps my ankles in line, when those rocks start moving unexpectedly. There's something about them that just excels on rock. They't don't have gore-tex so if you don't keep up on your waterproofing (take care of your boots guys) you can get quick moisture saturation, but this has never been an issue for me. All leather, and no gore- tex may seem like a disadvantage to some people, but it depends on your situation and use as I've explained. However, I love that it is an all leather upper with no liner. It really is a thing of beauty. The all leather feel is a pleasure like no other -- my feet always feel good in them. Get the SL M3's on your feet, and I don't think you'll care that they don't have Gore-Tex. --This boot runs a hair skinny and maybe a little short. They fit a slimmer profiled foot, but I have wide feet, and regular width is perfect. It's soles are extra rigid with little flex to be found. Break in period (medium to long). My 45's are perfectly snug.

Clarification: just because I use one boot for certain applications, and one for others, does not mean that I couldn't use any of these boots successfully in any of the applications I've described. They all perform equally well. In my particular case each boot has tended towards separate uses.

My advice to you if you're unsure of which boot to buy: brainstorm in detail what your actual use will be like. Consider what activities you do most, consider how much rigidity you desire, consider moisture environment, consider availability and access to water proofing products, consider weight, etc. As I said, get them on your feet. Get an idea of each boot's profile relative to your foot's profile, and consider if the FEEL of any one boot on your foot meshes with whatever uses you foresee yourself using them for (holding previously mentioned criteria in mind).

View Details: Scarpa SL M3 Backpacking Boot - Men's

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