Zamberlan 217 Free Blast Suede
Reviewed by
Jimmy LaFratta
+72
June 24, 2024
A bit pricey and not as originally advertised. Be mindful of the excessively long break-in period.
Pros
- A good looking shoe with an outer sole that provides protection from stones and rocks.
Cons
- The original advertisement claimed the shoe was not Gore-Tex lined, but the shoes are conspicuously labeled as such. It also took a very long time to break in these shoes.
I bought these in November 2023 as a warm weather alternative to my Danner Explorers. The original ad on their website claimed these were not Gore-Tex lined. However, when I received the shoes they seemed obviously the lined variant. After returning the unworn pair and speaking with their return department, the service representative claimed that “although the shoes say Gore-Tex, they really aren’t.” 🤔 I blame myself for believing this ridiculous claim.
I then reordered the shoes and foolishly removed the tag and wore them outside AFTER wearing them inside to facilitate the break-in period. On my first short 2-3 mile walk, at roughly the halfway point, I began to feel pain in the outside of my left foot. I kept trying to break in the shoes incrementally but frequently had to switch to another pair after a few hours.
Now finally in June 2024 I can wear them on a 2-mile hike without pain, but still nowhere closer to finding the warm weather non-Gore-Tex lined hiking shoes I wanted in the first place. 😞
Background
First, and likely last, pair I will purchase from this brand.
Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $219
