Gear Review: Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX Hiking Boot

The Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX is a longtime favorite of mine from the Scarpa range. It manages to take the technical rock scrambling capabilities of an approach shoe and blend it with the all round performance and ankle support of a hiking boot. I’ve owned these boots for 4 years and being from Aotearoa (New Zealand), they have been truly tested to their limits in the rugged South Island back-country. Overall, they have been an amazing pair of boots and after all this time only the laces have given out!

There are several features of the Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX that really made them a good experience for me. Beginning with the midsole, the design is a lot stiffer than your average hiking boot. Scarpa incorporates both EVA and PU in their midsole blend. The three layers of EVA give a light and cushioned feeling, whilst the PU (Polyurethane) provides durability and stiffness. The result is that the shoe is stiff enough to excel on steep rocky terrain and scree, whilst still being comfortable enough to walk in all day long. In fact, the sole was stiff enough that I often coupled the Zodiac Plus with a pair of universal crampons to take on low grade snow slopes and found them to be perfectly capable. The sole also features a specific edging zone on the front of the boot, for those smaller, tricky footholds when scrambling.

The Zodiacs crushing on the NW ridge of Tititea (Mount Aspiring National Park, NZ)

Another great feature of the Zodiac Plus GTX is the Gore-Tex Performance Comfort lining. This is some of the best waterproofing I have experienced on a boot, and I was surprised to see how well the waterproofing lasted over the years of use. The lining noticeably kept water at bay while walking through small streams and prevented snow from soaking through the boots on long snowy slogs. (Obviously this only works until you reach a stream that goes over the ankle of the boot). The bomber waterproofing is aided by the sock-fit technology Scarpa uses instead of a traditional hiking boot tongue system. This sock style keeps rocks, dirt and water from getting in at the flex point of boot. After getting used to it, this was definitely one of my favorite features of the Zodiac Plus.

The Gore-Tex lining in action (Lake Erskine, Fiordland, NZ)

The weight of the boot is also worth noting. Weight often goes unnoticed with hiking boots, but given that you're going to be dragging them around mountains attached to your feet, it’s always worth having a lightweight boot! The exact weight will of course depend on what size shoe you get, but the Zodiac Plus is definitely on the lighter end of the scale when it comes to technical hiking boots. For those who are used to wearing more traditional, heavy style hiking boots, the Zodiac Plus will have you feeling noticeably lighter on your feet, which can also help prevent injury.

The Zodiacs can even take on some low-grade snow slopes (although a stiffer mountaineering boot would be better) (Aoraki National Park, NZ)

Only a few problems have cropped up in my experience with the Zodiacs. The main struggle I had was with getting used to the extra stiffness of the sole. While it was fantastic on the rocky terrain that I spent most of my time on, the shoe became distinctly uncomfortable when used for extended periods of time on mostly flat terrain. Again, this shoe wasn’t designed for use on flat terrain so it’s understandable that this would happen - but it is something to be aware of if you often have to do long approaches on flat road or gravel. The other drawback of the extra stiffness is when it comes to steep vegetation and tree roots, the Zodiacs won’t provide as much purchase as a more flexible and grippy boot. I was more than happy to make this trade-off however, as I was spending far more time rock scrambling than bush-walking.

Overall, I highly recommend the Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX to those looking to ride the line between a hiking boot and mountaineering boot. They offer a lightweight experience with minimal drawbacks and are sure to make your investment worthwhile as they have the durability to withstand the test of time. Lastly, always try on hiking boots before you buy them!

Be wary of long flat approaches - trail runners could be a better option (Aoraki, NZ)