Hunting involves a lot of walking, rough terrain, steep hills, and tired feet. Zamberlan Lynx hunting boots were designed to take on that nasty terrain, that 90° hill, and cradle those tired feet in quality Italian craftsmanship.
Or so they say.
If you searched “Zamberlan boots review” or “Zamberlan hunting boots review”, you probably want an experienced opinion on their Lynx hunting boots (or the lowest prices, and just between me and you, I slipped them in at the bottom).
I got the chance to test these boots out in two different countries, on several hunts, and through several different climates this year. I put them through the ringer for this Zamberlan boots review.
Snow, streams, steep slopes, and sloppy swamps, I took them everywhere. Here’s a few thoughts.
Comfort and Zamberlan Lynx Hunting Boots
When it was time for new hunting boots, I headed over to my favorite outdoor store, Camp Saver (check them out, it’s worth your time).
I wanted a high-quality hunting boot, Something that I could take to hell and back with my feet still feeling good. After checking out several boots, the guy recommended Zamberlan hunting boots. I’d never tried a pair before, but I liked them, and I bought em.
Turns out, they’re dang comfortable. Here’s a few thoughts on why:
#1: A Super Comfortable Midsole
The midsole is the cushioning that sits right underneath your feet. It’s the piece that keeps those feet from aching all day long.
The midsoles are made from 4mm of polyurethane, a material commonly used in hiking and mountaineering boots. The cushioning does it’s job well. It’s firm but when you’re on your feet you hardly notice. While scouting for spring black bears in Utah, I trekked some 15 miles through snow, over fallen trees, and up and down ridges. By the time I finished, my feet still felt great.
#2: Excellent Ankle Support
I’ve always been a big fan of hiking shoes. I just can’t handle high collared boots rubbing my legs, and I’d rather risk breaking an ankle.
But, Zamberlan Lynx boots have a super comfortable, padded ankle collar. It doesn’t rub, and I hardly notice it. The laces tighten nicely around your upper leg and the sides of the boot are stiff, ensuring I always have plenty of support around my ankles.
#3: The Zamberlan Boot’s Downward Rocker
The Zamberlan Lynx hunting boot features a slightly raised heel design.
This feels awkward to begin with, your toes keep randomly pointing down after you begin to lean forward. But, after some getting used to, it really helps you move fast and far.
This design helps you keep forward momentum and also helps with braking on downhill slopes. After 15+ miles of hiking, my feet feel great, and I can definitely see the difference it makes.
#4: They’re Wide But Your Toes Jam In The End
These boots are plenty wide. Occasionally I buy a shoe that really squeezes my foot, but from the beginning, these boots have felt great.
I can double up on socks if I need, and if you have really wide feet, these boots come in a wide variation.
The only problem, comfort wise, I’ve had with these boots is that my toes like to jam into the end. When coming down steep slopes, my toes tend to slide into the end of the boot, which can be irritating during a long day hunting.
Some Small Details About Zamberlan Lynx Hunting Boots
I like to include the little things when it comes to gear reviews. I mean, how many times have you bought an item, only to find something small that really bugs you.
They’re too tight.
The laces are the wrong color.
And these dang boots make your calves look small.
Seriously, you probably want to get every little detail from this Zamberlan hunting boots review before you pick up a pair. Here’s a few that I noticed.
#5: Easy To Lace Up
This boot easily laces up nice and tight. It features metal hooks, which cross the laces and tighten. I haven’t had any problems with the boots coming loose as I’m hiking and and they’ve held up well to months of use with only a small amount of fraying.
The only issue is figuring out where to put the extra lace. I’ve shoved them in the boot before but they usually fall out. Recently I’ve just let them hang down, as they are plenty short enough.
#6: They Lack Heel Tabs
Just like I said, nothing to pry on with your other foot. When you get home, you can’t loosen the laces, pop them off with the other foot and lay back. This is especially annoying when the boots are muddy.
#7: The Zamberlan Lynx Hunting Boot’s Colors
Zamberlan Lynx hunting boots come in one color, which is a brown/green camouflage. It blends in nicely with a wide variety of country, but after some use, the boots have faded to straight brown.
The laces also come in a brown, tan camouflage coloration.
The Practical Side Of These Zamberlan Boots
If you’ve worn hunting boots before, you probably don’t give a crap about the small details in this Zamberlan hunting boots review. You couldn’t care whether or not the boot has tabs on the heel or nice laces.
You know what you want.
Something that’s waterproof. That’s tough. That can take on all sorts of terrain and weather. You want to know about this boots practical side.
Well, here you go. A few thoughts on the practicality of these Zamberlan hunting boots.
#8: They’re Waterproof
These boots will do an amazing job keeping your feet dry. Equipped with Gore-Tex membranes, these boots have handled pretty much anything I’ve thrown at them.
Snowshoeing, no problem.
Puddle jumping, no problem.
The boots offer about 7 inches of waterproof protection, more than enough for crossing shallow streams, patches of snow, and boggy flats.
#9: Zamberlan Lynx Hunting Boots Are Durable
After using these boots for a few months, I’m convinced that they’re tough. The Vibram outsoles hold up great. After some abuse in rocky hills, the soles are barely worn down. Even if you do manage to destroy them, the boot is resolable, so there’s no need to buy a whole new pair.
The boot’s polyurethane midsole is known for its durability and longevity. The cushioning is made to last. The interior of my boots have very little wear after using them for several months.
The boot’s exterior is made of nubuck leather, which has a reputation for being tough. The majority of its seams are double stitched, especially around areas where splitting could occur (this is a nice feature as many of my previous boot’s seams split rather quickly).
My only complaint is that after several trips, the toe has really been scraped up, leaving lots of shallow gouges in the leather. The boot lacks a rubber coating around the toe like you’d find on a pair of Kenetreks (NOTE: A newer version of Zamberlan Lynx hunting boots now feature rubber around the toe).
#10: They’re Versatile
I’ve been using these boots since January now, and have been able to use them for every activity from snowshoeing, to hiking in New Zealand summer heat, to crossing countless streams and endless side-hilling while shed hunting.
However, these boots are not insulated, making them unsuitable for long exposure in cold weather. I have found, that even with heavy wool socks, sitting for too long results in cold feet (and don’t even get me started about putting them on during a cold morning).
#11: They’re Not Light
Weighing in at 3.3 pounds, these leather boots won’t make your feet feel like lead, but they are heavier than the majority of their synthetic cousins. Still, these boots feel excellent after a long day of hiking. And what they lack in the lightweight category, they gain with the durability of leather and the comfort of Zamberlan boots.
Concluding Thoughts On Zamberlan Lynx Hunting Boots
These boots are great despite a few minor problems.
I loved hunting in them, and they’ll be a favorite for any early-season scouting or hunts where the weather isn’t too cold.
They’re comfortable, they’re tough, and I trust them (and if you have something to say about them or this Zamberlan hunting boots review, let me know below).
I will be sure to keep using them in the future. And you should to.
