AKU Zenith Leather

Bought these boots for a camping trip to the Rockies last week, and wore them every day no matter what we were doing. Probably logged 150 km's on them, and I don't have a single blister. Made a few stream crossings and my feet were bone dry. The soles gripped even the slippery rocks. I love them and I hope they last me many years.

Update: June 18, 2009

I am updating the previous review, which I wrote last August. I have now had the boots 10 months so have a bit more experience with them.

I still love them. They have held up extraordinarily well and still look almost new, though I wear them on regular day hikes. This past New Year's Day, I wore them to hike along the frozen river at the bottom of Maligne Canyon in Jasper National Park. Though I went without ice cleats, I did not slip once. My feet were comfortably warm the entire hike (though I admit that may have something to do with the merino wool socks I was wearing!)

I used water-proofing on the boots before wearing them the first time, that I think everyone is expected to do before wearing leather boots. It is even recommended on the box. I've worn them during rainstorms and for river crossings, and my feet have stayed bone dry. I think I have resprayed them once as well, and will do so again before our next big hike (10 days!!!) in July.

This model is discontinued, I can't find them anywhere. Very comfortable.

Updated 6/2018: I bought mine for $130 on Sierra Trading Post. I have crossed streams etc. after reading the negative reviews here, and had no waterproof issues. I never put anything on them either. Maybe Akus manufacturing is inconsistent.

I love the leather interior lining, because it doesn't pick up burrs or other organic splintery things like fabrics do. The outsole is made more like a cross/runner, and seems to wear fast. I would prefer some substantial lugs on the sole.

The regular price is a bit much for how long they lasted me. But I wore them almost daily for a year. They are rather lightweight, comfortable. I wear them all day at work/construction and after. I want to get them resoled, but AKU may not be supported well in the United States.

Just bought a pair of AKU ZENUTH II LTR (March 25 2011).

I pick those because they were leather, didn't want GoreTex (too hot for me).

Have only walk 5km, but I think I will love them. I have a pair of ASOLO TPS 535 and I really try to break them, but the weight is my problem.

Well, will give these AKU a good try because I'm going to Guatemala in July and need a good pair of boots, will write more after a few more km around 50km+.

Bought this boot for wet weather, had walked less than 1 mile and my feet were soaking. Returned them to the shop, and was given a bottle of Nikwax.

I e-mailed AKU direct and once it was established I was in Scotland they did not return my e-mails, even after I said I would write to every blog I could.

I am disgusted, the boots are useless to me.

Same thing happened to me: after 30 minutes of rain my feet were swimming in them even though the boots were impregnated with water resistant spray before.