Zodiac Plus GTX Backpacking Boot - Men's
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Warning: California Proposition 65
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
Reviews
Q&A
Overall Rating
4.5 based on 9 ratings
Review Summary
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.View
Selecting an option will reload the available reviews on the pageOctober 28, 2024
Great boots*
- Familiarity:
- I've used it several times
I absolutely love these boots - they are perfect for summer-early fall PNW hiking/scrambling. They offer great traction on scree, rocks, mud, whatever terrain you find yourself on. They really hit that perfect niche for treks where a mountaineering boot is overkill (and uncomfortable) but trailrunners/traditional hikers would struggle. I'm an EU 42.5 in Scarpa and these fit true to size. Like many of their designs, it's a bit wider in the toebox. The only issue I have with these boots is the heel-lift. By the end of some hikes the backs of my ankles are raw. However, this can be avoided with a thicker sock or some moleskin.
Originally reviewed on Backcountry.com
March 10, 2024
Traction excellent
- Familiarity:
- I've used it several times
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
Originally reviewed on Backcountry.com
December 2, 2021
Back for more
- Familiarity:
- I've put it through the wringer
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.
Originally reviewed on Backcountry.com
September 12, 2021
Superb Boot
- Familiarity:
- I've used it several times
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.
Originally reviewed on Backcountry.com
August 31, 2021
Great boot for my low-volume foot!
- Familiarity:
- I've used it several times
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.
Originally reviewed on Backcountry.com
August 8, 2021
Very Disappointed
- Familiarity:
- I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions
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.
Originally reviewed on Backcountry.com
December 12, 2020
The Best
- Familiarity:
- I've used it several times
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.
Originally reviewed on Backcountry.com
October 12, 2020
Great boots
- Familiarity:
- I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions
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.
Originally reviewed on Backcountry.com
May 22, 2020
Very solid boots
- Familiarity:
- I've put it through the wringer
I used these boots on a full semester NOLS course. They took me deep into the wind river range in Wyoming, and through vast desert canyons in Utah. Not sure how many miles I?ve put on these things, but definitely in the hundreds. The boots are very sturdy and stiff, excellent for off-trail travel because you can dig the edge of the shoe in the dirt without much lateral flex in the sole. They?re stiff enough to take a serious beating from talus and scree, yet nimble and grippy enough to tiptoe up slabs, easy climbs, and through slot canyons. However, these shoes definitely lack the sensitivity and flex that make approach shoes so valuable, and they wouldn?t be my first choice for canyoneering or really scrambley ridges and peaks. The grip is quite good though, the climbing zone works well and the beefy lugs can really bite into mud and dirt. Im not blown away by the comfort. The sole feels very rigid and flat under your foot, and it feels weird because of how little it flexes when you?re standing sideways on a slope. I replaced the insole with a green superfeet insole and it helped, but the insole makes my heel feel a little too high in the shoe and it?s not perfect. Despite the raw feel of these boots, I was still happy to have them over any traditional backpacking boots because they are much more confidence inspiring for climbing and off-trail. So far they?ve held up well, some wear on the outsole but no damage to the lugs like others have experienced. The EVA midsole thing does seem to have weakened but it?s not noticable. No other damage so far, and they are still waterproof after traveling through lots of water and snow. I?ll continue to use these boots for long 14er hikes and whenever I need the waterproofing. Solid purchase overall. For reference I typically wear 10-10.5 US, 27.5 cm feet, and bought these in a 43.5 for a perfect, toes almost touch the front fit, and it was never a problem if laced well and allowed for really precise edging while climbing. I wear sportiva TX3s in 43 (also performance fit) and 10.5 Salomon running shoes.
Originally reviewed on Backcountry.com
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