Sometimes the greatest gear flies under the radar and is our special little discovery. Not so with Garmont’s Zenith Mid GTX—these puppies just keep getting accolades. How does a 2011 Outside Gear of the Year for light hiker sound? Promising too much? No—an award like that seems just about right.
We had the chance to check out the Zeniths shortly after they won Outside’s award, and let me tell you they are well deserving. Mids are a kind of hybrid between the traditional tall and stable hiking boot and the more recent phenomenon of low-cut hiking shoes. They’re more stable than the lighter shoe but far lighter than boots.
I’ve often found that products that try to split the difference between two purposes usually fail at excelling at both, but the Zenith Mids don’t fall into that category. They feel light on your feet yet exceptionally stable, and though we didn’t put in a through-hike’s worth of abuse in them, I see no signs of troubling wear or deterioration.
Perhaps most telling about the Zenith was that I had no break-in period. I was comfortable from the first hike, and I remained comfortable in a variety of hiking conditions. From a sudden warm spell this fall to colder weather, the Zeniths kept my feet breathing well and free of hot spots.
Garmont chose a Vibram Marlin outsole for the Zenith, and they chose wisely. The Zeniths have amazing traction wet or dry as well as good flexibility. The upper is incredibly supportive, and I love how easily the laces both cinch up tightly and then unlace and pull open easily when the day is done. Despite their breathability, the Zeniths have Gore-Tex to keep your feet dry, though we didn’t have a chance to really put this to the test.
Garmont’s award-winning Zenith is available online through some great retailers for a MSRP of $160. For hikes ranging from a day’s romp to a multi-day outing where weight is a premium but so is stability and comfort, the Zenith delivers outstanding versatility in a light hiker. Go check them out!
