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Scarpa
Zodiac Plus GTX Backpacking Boot - Men's

3.5 out of 5 stars
14 Reviews
$348.95
Color:Shark/Orange

Size:

Size Chart

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Why We Like The Zodiac Plus GTX Backpacking Boot

It's tough to enjoy the journey when we're focused on the slosh and squish that comes with every step. Designed with a waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX membrane, the Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTS Men's Backpacking Boot will keep our feet nice and dry if we take a slider hopping between mossy stones during shallow creek crossings or encounter soggy trail conditions after a rain storm. Scarpa designed the Zodiac Plus with a slightly softer flex than its more mountaineering-focused Zodiac Tech boot, but made this boot slightly more robust than its more trail-focused R-Evolution GTX—the result is a boot that's capable of handling long-haul trail excursions with a heavy backpack but is still flexible enough for peak-bagging missions across scree-covered alpine environments.


Details

  • A backpacking boot designed for on- and off-trail travel
  • Waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX Performance Comfort insert
  • Water-resistant Perwanger suede upper with rubber toe rand
  • Three-density midsole saves weight and maximizes cushioning
  • Sock-Fit construction reduces bulk and enhances fit
  • Scarpa has been designing mountain footwear for over 70 years
  • Item #SCR004L
Upper Material
Perwanger suede
Waterproofing
GORE-TEX
Lining
GORE-TEX Performance Comfort
Closure
lace
Last
BZ
Midsole
polyurethane, EVA
Sole
Vibram Drumlin
Claimed Weight
[single, size 42] 1lb 3.2oz
Manufacturer Warranty
1 year

Overall Rating

3.5 based on 14 ratings

Review Summary

1 Stars - 4 reviews
2 Stars - 0 reviews
3 Stars - 1 reviews
4 Stars - 3 reviews
5 Stars - 6 reviews

Fits Slightly Small

Screen reader users: the following list provides a visual scale to illustrate the product fit. Please refer to the heading above for the fit type in text.
Runs smallTrue to sizeRuns large

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5 out of 5 stars

March 10, 2024

Traction excellent

Familiarity:
I've used it several times
Size Bought:
44.5

I’ve been wearing one month they are stiffer than my previous boots and have better traction which was what I needed. Comfort has not been an issue

Tk68
5 out of 5 stars

December 2, 2021

Back for more

Familiarity:
I've put it through the wringer
Size Bought:
44.5
Weight:
155

This is my 2nd pair of these boots. Best scrambling boots I've owned...certainly would work well for trail use as well, but all of my outing with these have been off trail in the rocky steeps. They are fast, light and have the best "lockdown" for my foot shape of any boot I've tried. Durability has exceed my expectations as well, on the upper and soles/tread! For me, they absolutely fit true to size.

Ryan G
5 out of 5 stars

November 26, 2021

Good Boots So Far

Familiarity:
I've used it several times
Size Bought:
45.5
Height:
5' 9"
Weight:
190

I got these late 2020 for a trip around the White Cloud Peaks Trail in Sawtooth NF. I think we did 40 miles in 5 days, 45 lb pack. I was fine, no deteriorating soles like others have reported, and no foot issues. I recently did 6 days and probably 45-50 miles in the Sierras with a 45 lb pack, plus a one day trip up Banner Peak (just a summit pack, 10 hours though) in these, again no issues. I'm impressed how well suede holds up, and I was hopeful that the relatively few seams would mean these will last longer. I've only done two trips but so far so good. I got these in response to a pair of Asolo Drifters I have that tore at the seam near the ball of my foot. The Asolos fit well and were great out of the box but tore after 8 or 9 trips. I can't compare durability of the two yet, too little mileage on the Scarpa. The Asolo boots I've had fit great but I think the Scarpa are a touch wider at the ball of the foot, and therefore fit me a bit better. I'm not thrilled with the insoles in either boot, and imho the only way to remedy that is if you can try the boots on and try a boot/insoles combination in the store because insoles usually totally change the volume inside the boot. Having ordered by mail and not having that luxury with these Scarpas I address the thin stock insoles by wearing thicker socks, ymmv. In US sizes I wear a 11 wide or 11.5 regular width. I size up to 12 for backpacking boots. The Scarpas feel true to size. I have some LS Nepal Cubes and if La Sportiva boots are all similar then I can say if you're a La Sportiva fan fit-wise then the Scarpa and Asolo will likely be too wide at the ball of the foot. Boots are so sensitive to each persons foot shape, you really have to try them on to tell if they're right for you, but from my personal experience there is nothing wrong with these Zodiac+ boots and a lot right, especially the durability to weight ratio. Regarding the toe bang issues and other things I've read on some reviews, I've avoided those issues by sufficiently upsizing and changing the lacing patterns and tightness depending on if I'm ascending or descending. There are a lot of good videos about how to use your laces to help adress changing needs throughout an excursion. Backcountry has always been great letting me return boots if I couldn't get them to fit right and so long as i only tried them on inside and walked on carpet (so they can still sell them).

Tyson K
5 out of 5 stars

September 12, 2021

Superb Boot

Familiarity:
I've used it several times
Size Bought:
46
Height:
6' 4"
Weight:
205

I bought this boot last minute and only had four days to break them in before heading out to do the Mountaineer's Route on Mt Whitney. The boot I had planned on using I decided had too much wear. Shame on me for waiting on finding a better boot sooner but these boots felt fantastic right out of the box. They DO run small but I tried them on in store (didn't order on Backcountry) and found that a 46 fit well for me. I typically wear a 45.5 (size 11.5 US). These boots crushed it on Whitney. Zero hotspots, zero big toe pain, and no blisters. I'm sold on this boot.

Peter V
5 out of 5 stars

August 31, 2021

Great boot for my low-volume foot!

Familiarity:
I've used it several times
Size Bought:
45
Weight:
195

This is my third pair of Scarpa boots. I have a low-volume, flat foot with a wide forefoot. Their last fits me great! It either fits or doesn't fit. I'm an 11.5 - 12 in nike running shoes, and am a solid and consistent 45 in Scarpa. I replaces the inserts with some blue SuperFeet inserts. With that change, they are perfect! Boot fits me snugly with no heel motion. Has a very grippy sole that felt pretty secure on wet rock. I like the wrap around rubber bumpers on toe and heel, especially for rocky mountain terrain in New England. Comfortable enough for me right out of the box, and am looking forward to getting them thoroughly broken in. So far, just a few 4-6 mile hikes with around a 30# pack. No soreness or hot spots. A very nice heel to toe rocker. Looking forward to putting more miles on these! After hiking pretty rough, rocky trails, they look dusty, but not scuffed up. Also, I have not had any issues with the sole breaking down that some others have reported. I got these in June, '21 and think they must have gotten that sorted out. I also have the Zen Pro approach shoes. I wear a 45 in each, but feel the Zen Pro has a tighter toe box and a lower-volume fit. Blue superfeet in the Zodiac, but I can t fit them into the Zen Pro. I have to wear those with the original, thinner insert.

Kenneth D
1 out of 5 stars

August 8, 2021

Very Disappointed

Familiarity:
I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions
Size Bought:
43 1/2 (US 11)
Height:
5' 7"
Weight:
170

I really, really wanted these boots to do well since they had such high ratings as a semi-mountaineering boot / Hiking boot. I do a lot of scrambling and thought this boot would be perfect. I've been hiking/climbing for 40 years and have worn many brands/styles of boots and this is the first pair that I found to be so totally painful to wear. After wearing them, especially on descents I would get a stabbing pain on the balls of my feet - metatalsargia. This is caused by the toe box being too small. Inserted some insole with metatarsal pads but then my toes went numb due to the boot pressing down, blocking circulation. In order to complete the hike I had to re-lace the boots so that they wouldn't bear down on the top of the toes/in-steps, but this created a very sloppy fit over the instep. You shouldn't need to go through this much hassle. Finally, the narrow box caused my middle toe to bang into the front during down hikes; Big toe was fine so it was not a length problem; the front of the boot has too radical of a curve where it transitions to the side. I have a pair of Scarpa Ribelle's and they don't give me this problem. Be way of this boot and try it out fully before committing.

Christine
3 out of 5 stars

August 7, 2021

The boots fall short

Familiarity:
I've used it several times
Size Bought:
8
Height:
5' 5"
Weight:
120

I really appreciate the reviewer who pointed out heel lift problem. You have to be very sharp to notice it. I used $65 Currex insoles to make it work. But with crampons on I still feel the lack of snugness. The design is so bad. There is no cup at the heel part, the whole back wall is just straight up. Some cheap boots like Solomon have the same design (no cups), but they at least bend the shaft forward by narrowing the back side. To reduce heel lift problem you have to tight the boots to your bones. If Scarpa corrects this problem, Zodiac are very versatile. With this thing I can climb anything in front of me - Ice, snow, rocks. They are very good on rocks, Class 4 scrambling with confidence. I was about to buy Zodiac Tech, but because of this flaw I am holding out for now. Bottom rubber and wide toe box are first class. Feel like a soft version of La Sportiva Napal Cube GTX. Come on Scarpa designers! Come out and hike. Don't just sit in the lab and design stuff. Because of this problem, the boots feel like $150 worth.

Tim N
5 out of 5 stars

December 12, 2020

The Best

Familiarity:
I've used it several times
Size Bought:
10.5
Height:
5' 7"
Weight:
150

I have a rotation of 6 or 7 different pairs of boots at use and these have Become my number one. Fit is obviously an individual thing and I would say I have an average to average wide foot and these fit me perfectly. No break in required in my case...I threw them in and out them through the most grueling test possible on my first outing...no issues or hot spots. I have not tried these boots on trail, as I have others for that. These boots are a standout, for me, in the level of support and security they provide. I spend a good deal of my time hiking a 40 to 60? river bank/slope... either climbing, side hilling, or descending and it can be murder on feet. My feet simply do not slide around at all when descending or side-hilling in these. Lots of "structure" in the fore and in mid foot which provides unparalleled security when side-hilling.. Ankle support is pretty good as well for a mid-boot. If you are looking for a hardcore scrambling boot and this one fits your foot, it should be a winner. There isn't much built-in arch support, which is a plus for my preference... Just put in the insole of your choice and your good to go. I don't expect these to last as long as some of my burlier boots, but I don't care. As long as they don't fall apart after 15 outings I will be back for more; if they do, I will report back.

Ryan G
4 out of 5 stars

October 12, 2020

Great boots

Familiarity:
I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions
Size Bought:
45
Height:
5' 11"
Weight:
185

Best looking hiking boots, very firm. Wish I would've ordered up one size but I already worn them and past the 30 days. Just have to wear a bandaid on my heel. Other than that, I love them. They feel very protective.

Jorge N
1 out of 5 stars

October 4, 2020

sole defect-silent treatment from Scarpa

Familiarity:
I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

I wore these on one hike before the sole cracked at splintered at the heel. Tried contacting Scarpa twice, no response. I got one hike out of these for $269. I obviously got a lemon but what company has customer service like that? Just ignores problems? Buyer beware.

Dan K