The Zamberlan ExoTrail GTX are lightweight, moderately stiff hikers with solid underfoot support.
Overview: Zamberlan ExoTrail GTX
MSRP: $240 (on sale for $192)
Weight (per shoe): 12.7 ounces women’s, 14.5 ounces men’s
Lining: GORE-TEX
Outsole: Vibram Bayu with Megagrip
Stack Height: 34.7/24.7 for men’s and women’s shoes
Drop: 10 mm
About the ExoTrail GTX
Zamberlan’s new ExoTrail GTX are solid trail shoes with a firm sole under my feet. They’re lightweight and don’t weigh down my feet during miles on trail
The Helix lugs on the Vibram Bayu Megagrip outsole are deep enough to grip muddy trails while still providing good traction on rocks. And the lugs and outsole are good at shedding mud.
And as someone who has a perpetual black and blue big toe from stubbing it on rocks I especially appreciate the solid rubber toe rand that wraps over the front of the shoe because there’s a lot of protection there.
Zamberlan uses an EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) foam midsole, commonly used in trail runners and other athletic shoes, to absorb the pounding from rocky and rugged trails. I can feel the cushion when I’m hopping rock to rock.
The shoes’ uppers are breathable mesh with GORE-TEX water protection, and the inner membrane wraps comfortably around my feet. My feet stayed dry while intentionally testing the shoes in shallow water but I wasn’t able to give them a challenging test in a heavy rain.
Comfort
The ExtoTrail are best for wide feet, and Zamberlan has a size chart here. Zamberlan advises that it may be best to size down a half size for a good fit, but I found that a size 12 shoe was a good fit for my size 12 feet. Although the shoes were a bit loose on my feet, the fit wasn’t sloppy. I feel as though a size 11 ½ would be too tight.
There’s plenty of cushioning with a stack height of 34.7/24.7mm, and the 10mm heel-to-toe drop is what I need for my flat feet. Low-drop shoes don’t give me enough support for my flat feet.
The solid platform is stable on trail and my feet land solidly, without any play.
At 12.7 ounces per shoe, the ExoTrail are light enough that I can move easily on any kind of trail, especially rock hopping.
The uppers breathe well on warm days, even with GORE-TEX material.
After miles on the trail my feet feel good, with no hot spots or blisters.
Good to Know
Colors: Gray-denim, sepia/orange, black/orange
Sustainability: The mesh, laces, and footbeds use recycled material.
Replacement Insoles: Zamberlan sells replacement insoles for their shoes, found here.
The Zamberlan Story
Giuseppe and Maria Zamberlan started making shoes in Italy in 1929, and the company continues today under the guidance of brother and sister Marco and Maria, the third generation of the Zamberlan family.
Although some shoes are made overseas, the company makes its most traditional and prestigious models in Italy, in the same factory opened by Giuseppe Zamberlan nearly 90 years ago.
ExoTrail GTX Pros
Grip: Good performance on wet rocks and through mud.
Weight: Lightweight for a mid-cut shoe.
GORE-TEX: Good at keeping water out on slightly wet trails.
ExoTrail GTX Cons
GORE-TEX: Once water gets inside the Gore-Tex lining the inside doesn’t dry quickly.
Overall Value
The ExoTrail are on sale for $192, down 20 percent from their original cost of $240, making them an attractive purchase for a shoe made by a company with a reputation for quality and durable footwear.
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This product was donated for purpose of review.
