Zamberlan 4039 Expert Ibex GTX RR

I am a dyed in wool Galibier Super Guide man! That being said I purchased a pair of these Zamberlan Ibex boots for winter / snow use. What a boot! The Ibex has room in the toe box for wider feet and so far have been excellent in the wet snow of Eastern Oregon.

When I needed to have a warm winter boot I have in the past worn PAC type boots, but they never gave me the stability that I needed. I have also used my Galibiers with full coverage gaiters but this was to much a lot of the time so after many years I have stepped out of my box/comfort zone.

The first thing I looked into was how was the fit of the toe box on many different boots in the same class. After about exhausting my options a friend in Austria recommended either the Ibex by Zamberlan or the Omega by Hanwag.

I liked both boots as they were both leather, both low keyed colors, and both had toe room. My choice in the Ibex was due to the heel fit just a bit better than the Hanwag and was about $100 cheaper neither of which is a deal breaker but the choice was right on.

In reading the few reviews I could find on the Ibex I kept seeing the same reoccurring statement that said to size down one complete size. I contacted the Zamberlan company in their US office in Boise Idaho and asked they questioned me quite in depth asking about the type of socks, type of use, terrain, size, body type, basic foot shape, and other questions. 

I have not received this type of help in this country in 25 years from a manufacture of any outdoor gear. In talking to them I sized down by one half size from a 42.5 or 9.5 to a 9. I use Smartwool Expeditions with a liner sock in the winter so I fill a boot quite full and in this boot the fit is real good with no hot spots or numb areas.

I have about 4 months in them so far and the only problem I have found so far is the insole is junk as in all boots so was replaced with Superfeet Orange, and they are a little hot when the temp goes up past 25 or 30 but then that is the territory of my Galibiers so not a big deal. Crampon fit and use with these boots has been good.

I am a hard sell when it comes to boots as I am in them every day of the week unless I am horseback and these boot have no equal that I have found for winter climbing and every day use. I will update when I get more time and miles in them but if it dos'nt get colder you will have to wait a while.