Full Support for Load-Bearing Adventures: Zamberlan Thunder Pro GTX Hiking Boot Review

Dust and loose rock slipped beneath my feet as I descended Scout Trail. It had been a dry summer in Colorado, and many of the western slope’s trails were getting sloppy like this one. I moved quickly downhill, though, confident in my boots’ ability to grip the terrain and support my ankles if I happened to misstep.

I’d been using a pair of Zamberlan Thunder Pro GTX boots for most of the summer, hiking, backpacking, and generally just wearing them around town. My previous pair of Zamberlans (the Vioz Lux) had been my favorite pair of boots for over 2 years.

I’d put so many hard days of use on them that they needed to be resoled — a service Zamberlan offers for many of its hiking boots. So I’d boxed them up and shipped them off to one of the brand’s U.S. cobblers.

In the meantime, while those were out of commission, I decided to give the new Thunder Pro GTX a shot. They’re one of Zamberlan’s latest additions to its footwear line, and they caught my eye for the full height and leather construction.

I’m a sucker for a boot that’s got great ankle support (I’ve rolled my ankles in too many hiking shoes and mid-height boots). Plus, they looked pretty fly, so I was sold. I called in a pair to test, and spent the rest of the summer getting to know this capable pair of kicks.

In short: The Zamberlan Thunder Pro GTX Boots ($390) are medium-weight, high-top hiking and backpacking boots. They’re durable, made with leather, nylon, and Vibram soles. They’re fully waterproofed with a GORE-TEX liner and Hydrobloc treatment on the outside. For medium-to-long hikes and backpacking trips where you’re carrying weight, these rugged boots offer a lot of stability, support, and grip on the trail.

Compare the Zamberlan Thunder Pro GTX Boots to those on GearJunkie’s guide to the Best Hiking Boots.

Zamberlan Thunder Pro GTX Hiking Boot Review

Zamberlan launched in the U.S. in 1992, but the Italian brand has been making boots since 1929. It’s coming up on 100 years in the footwear business, and you can tell from the quality of its hiking and hunting boots why its been around for so long.

The Thunder Pro GTX was my third pair of Zamberlans. All three have been full leather and full height, but this was the tallest and most supportive so far. As soon as I had them out of the box, I was excited to start using them.

Construction

I always prefer full leather hiking boots, so I was naturally attracted to the Perwanger leather Zamberlan used in the Thunder Pro GTX uppers. The insoles are nylon and have Zamberlan’s new Active Heel Pad (AHP) tech. The brand claims that this low-density PU insert transfers heel impact to the sole for “continuous cushioning.” Supposedly, this reduces wear on your joints.

The Thunder Pro GTX uses a recycled EVA wedge midsole and a Vibram Junko MEGAGRIP outsole. The toe and heel are protected with PU Rands that have proven very durable (so far).

Fit

Zamberlan used an “X-Active” fit, which is true-to-size (the brand notes not to size down). The technical fit is narrower than my Vioz Lux boots, but compared to truly low-volume boots, it still has adequate room for my wide feet.

However, I still avoid wearing bulky wool socks in favor of lower-profile, thinner hiking socks, which fit much better in these boots. If you like to have room for thicker hiking socks, you might want to try a different boot or size up.

Weight

Compared to my Vioz Lux hiking boots, the Thunder Pro GTX is absolutely lightweight. The Vioz Lux weighs 1 pound, 12 ounces per boot (3 pounds, 8 ounces for the pair). The Thunder Pro GTX weighs 1 pound, 4.5 ounces per boot (2 pounds, 9 ounces for the pair).

It might not sound like a lot, but a pound of weight makes a huge difference, especially over longer distances. According to research from the University of Colorado, for every 100 g of weight added to a shoe, runners (or hikers) can expect to move 1% slower.

A 440g difference means I can move 4.4% faster in the Thunder Pro GTX boots than I do in my Vioz Lux boots (on paper). While I can’t exactly quantify it, I can feel that difference on the trail. These boots are a great weight for such a bombproof high-top hiker.

In the Field

I took the Thunder Pro GTX boots on several multi-night backpacking trips in the Rockies and on numerous hikes in Colorado and Utah. I wore them while doing landscaping chores and wore them around town, in airports, and generally during my day-to-day.

Durability-wise, these boots have held up very well to everyday use and abuse. The leather upper is still in great shape, despite having kicked through scree fields above treeline on numerous hikes and getting covered in dirt during chorework. They cleaned off easily and show barely a scratch so far. Likewise, the toe and heel rands are holding up well, too.

Having come off a significantly heavier boot, the Thunder Pro GTXs felt very light to me. But they’re about on par with most hiking boots in their category. Take a look at the boots on GearJunkie’s guide to the Best Hiking Boots. Compared with other full leather hiking boots, these land pretty squarely in the middle of the pack for weight.

I really liked the stiffness of these boots, as well. The flex point allowed me to push off my toes with every step, propelling me forward. In some stiffer boots, I don’t get that same springy feeling.

That extra forward power was particularly welcome when I was carrying a 35-pound pack up above treeline near Marble, Colo. The AHP PU insert may also contribute to that, but I had no way of truly telling by how much.

The tall height of the Thunder Pro GTX is one of my favorite elements of Zamberlan’s design. It has the height of a hunting boot, with the weight and flexibility of a hiker. For backpacking trips when I was carrying weight, that was an added level of protection. They stabilized my ankles, preventing them from twisting or rolling on more than one occasion.

A GORE-TEX liner and Hydrobloc treatment on the outside of the boot provided reliable waterproofing. I didn’t spend a ton of time stomping around marshy or wet areas, but on the few occasions when I crossed creeks or walked through really dewy grass, they repelled water, no problem.

Room for Improvement

My biggest issue with the Thunder Pro GTX boots is the speed hooks. Zamberlan used eyelets made from somewhat pliable steel, and I’ve already bent a few of them. They’re easy enough to bend back into their original shape. However, I’m worried that over time, if they’re bent and rebent too many times, they could break. I’d have to send these boots back to Zamberlan to make that repair.

The only other gripe I have is very minimal and kind of personal. But I’m not a huge fan of the neon green and orange accents on an otherwise classic leather hiking boot. Not everyone will agree with that, and that’s fine. But I really wish Zamberlan offered a color option without neon accents.

A Note on Price

No matter how you slice it, $390 is a lot of money for a pair of hiking boots. You could get two pairs of Keen Targhees for that price, or almost three pairs of the Merrell Moab Mid Waterproof boots. If I’m spending that much on a pair of boots, I need to know that they’re going to last me for years.

I can confidently say that the Thunder Pro GTXs’ durability and quality of construction are top-notch. If you take care of them, they should last at least several seasons of hiking — possibly many more. Zamberlan’s resoling program also makes it possible to stretch the life of a pair of boots even further. However, resoling costs between $80 and $150.

The Thunder Pro GTXs are an investment, no doubt. Some of that cost comes from the fact that they’re made in Italy and are imported. But if you’re a serious hiker who backpacks a lot and needs a reliable, durable, and high-quality boot, the cost here is worth it — if steep.

Zamberlan Thunder Pro GTX Hiking Boots: Who Are They For?

Backpackers and long-distance hikers who prefer full hiking boots to shoes or trail runners will love the Thunder Pro GTX boots. Their height offers solid ankle protection, they’re fully waterproofed, and they have great flexion — all in a lightweight package. For carrying heavy loads or covering long distances comfortably, these boots are a great companion.

If you want more nimble and even lighter footwear, GearJunkie’s Guide to the Best Hiking Boots has a few options that might better serve you. But if you’re like me and prefer the durability, stability, and protection offered by full boots, you’ll appreciate what Zamberlan has done with the Thunder Pro GTX.

I have no plans to stop wearing these boots, even after my Vioz Lux comes back from the cobbler, resoled and ready for action. The Thunder Pro GTX boots are perfect for the hikes and backpacking trips I normally do. They’ll be great boots for the rest of the fall hiking season, into winter, and beyond.