What's the difference between trekking and hiking? The two terms are often used as synonyms, but they shouldn't be. Trekking comes from the English verb to trek, meaning "to make a long journey", while hiking comes from to hike — to walk. The first, therefore, better describes multi-day mountain trips, usually fairly demanding ones; the second refers to day hikes or shorter outings. In short, it's a distinction of duration. In either case, one of the fundamental rules is to choose and wear the right footwear — hiking or trekking.
It's usually in hiking that the benefits of proper footwear are most underestimated: people end up wearing unsuitable shoes — casual or fitness footwear without appropriate soles. That can be a significant risk, especially on uneven and/or steep terrain.
Zamberlan®, a maker of mountain footwear for almost 90 years, has developed a dedicated line to fully meet the needs of hiking enthusiasts too. High-cut or low-cut hiking shoes, light and comfortable, with versatility as their strong point, guaranteeing excellent grip and stability on every type of terrain thanks to Vibram® soles. And that's not all: the GORE-TEX lining featured on most models makes them waterproof — suited to changing weather conditions.
The hiking shoes in the Zamberlan® range
320 NEW TRAIL LITE EVO GTXHiking boots that combine design and total comfort, suited to walks on mixed terrain and in variable conditions. This model is highly versatile: it works on typical countryside gravel roads as well as on rougher mountain trails. The 320 NEW TRAIL LITE EVO GTX is available for both MEN and WOMEN in several colourways. Soft, flexible footwear defined by premium technical details, such as the Hydrobloc® treatment of the upper — made from a single piece of Nubuck leather — which adds water repellency on top of the waterproofing and breathability of the GORE-TEX lining. The Vibram® Pillow sole, with triangular lugs, guarantees grip even in mud, while the EVA midsole delivers excellent cushioning and shock absorption.
982 QUAZAR GTX
If your outing takes you to higher altitudes and rougher terrain, these mountain boots are the right choice. The perfect blend of a young, appealing look and first-rate technical features, such as the Zamberlan® Vibram® 3D sole, engineered to prevent slips and ensure stability on every surface. These hiking boots keep the foot dry and ventilated thanks to the GORE-TEX Performance Comfort membrane, a barrier against water and snow that also guarantees excellent breathability. The upper is a perfect combination of Nubuck leather and Cordura® fabric. Thanks to its pronounced heel, the 982 QUAZAR GTX delivers high-level performance, making braking on steep descents safe and controlled. To prevent cuts and scratches from sharp rocks, it features additional PU protection at the heel and toe..
900 ROLLE EVO GTX
For a short hike with a light-to-medium load on your shoulders, the 900 ROLLE EVO GTX is one of the best solutions on the market. These boots are light and flexible and can be used on various terrain types with excellent grip thanks to the Vibram® Curcuma sole. They are waterproof boots that keep water and snow out even in adverse weather: the GORE-TEX Performance Comfort lining ensures dry feet and an excellent internal microclimate. What's more, the slightly lowered rear profile of the collar makes the fit more comfortable, easing pressure on the Achilles tendon when walking downhill. A PU toe cap adds safety and protection, while the FLEX-SYSTEM ankle joint — a Zamberlan® patented technical detail — assists ankle flexion through the stride. Available for MEN and WOMEN in several colours.
491 TRACKMASTER GTX
The 491 TRACKMASTER GTX hiking shoes combine Made-in-Italy quality with extraordinary lightness, ideal for easy-to-moderate walks. The upper is crafted from a single piece of Perwanger® leather with Hydrobloc® treatment for water repellency, plus a GORE-TEX Performance Comfort membrane guaranteeing total waterproofing against water and snow. Safety isn't overlooked either, with a protective toe cap against sharp rocks. One of its defining traits is the outstanding comfort delivered by the softness of the leather and the fabric collar at the ankle. The Zamberlan® Vibram® StarLite sole means excellent grip on wet and muddy terrain, plus comfort and cushioning thanks to the EVA midsole.
104 HIKE LITE GTX RR
Low-cut hiking shoes, comfortable and light, designed for packed gravel trails or everyday (even urban) use. They feature a suede upper with Hydrobloc® treatment for improved water repellency, combined with a GORE-TEX lining for waterproofing and breathability, plus a fabric collar and inserts to further aid ventilation. With a rubber toe cap for extra protection, the 104 HIKE LITE GTX RR is equipped with the Vibram® Pillow sole, guaranteeing fantastic traction even on wet surfaces, while the EVA midsole adds lightness, flexibility and cushioning. Available for MEN and WOMEN in several colours. Given this shoe's great success, Zamberlan® also created the 103 HIKE LITE RR — the difference? The 103 has a fabric lining (i.e. without the GORE-TEX membrane).