Care and Repair

Having bought or considering buying a pair of Zamberlan boots we thought that a little knowledge about what they are made from and how to look after them would be useful

Leather Boots

All Zamberlan Leather boots are still made in Italy in their factory situated in Pieve di Torrebelvicino near Schio in the foothills of the "mini" Dolomites.

Some Background on Leather


After treatment and splitting the hide is reduced as shown below. The outer is left in a natural conditionn with just a slight buffing to remove imperfections and called full grain leather Nubuk is the same with a slight buffing to produce a velvet effect. The epidermis or dermis is what makes leather "Waterproof".
The underside of the leather is then used to create splits or suede. Splits or suede do not have the epidermis or dermis and so are not naturally waterproof. Summary

The upper part of the hide contains the Epidermis which is a compacted layer that provides the natural waterproofing for the hide. The upper makes full grain leather or full grain nubuk The lower part is split from the upper and used to make splits and "suede"; it is more porous and fibrous and has all the skins natural pathways used to sweat in the living world.

Fit

Anything that is hand made has the variances that "Hand Made" means and the boots should always be tried on and fitted at a good Independent Outdoor Shop. You should try the boots with various socks until you get the correct fit. Everyone's feet vary and neither is exactly the same size or shape.

Zamberlan boots are made on special lasts designed for British feet and they are about the median of width fitting, not too narrow and not too wide. You should expect to go one size up from your street shoe size if wearing thick socks.

The most important point is to buy your boots from an independent outdoor shop that specializes in boot fitting. That way you can be sure of boots that fit correctly. As you use the boots they will "break-in" and take the shape of your feet and consequently hold your feet in position when going downhill and avoid movement within the boots.

Movement creates friction and friction causes blisters. If the boots fit correctly they do not move, do not cause friction and do not cause blisters. Correct fitting is paramount. Having bought the correct size we move to care.

Care

Leather is actually dead skin! Look in any Chemist, Department Store or Airport "Duty Free" and you will see companies enticing you to spend serious money in buying skin care products. The manufacturers spend millions advertising their products and this is for living skin.

Having spent a serious amount of money buying a pair of Leather boots made from "Dead Skin" it makes sense to spend a few pounds buying HYDROBLOC CREAM or HYDROBLOC CONDITIONER to look after your boots and protect your investment.

When you get home clean the mud and rubbish off the boots, if possible with a hose pipe, and allow the boots to dry naturally away from the sun or direct heat Then if they are full grain leather treat them to a modest dose of HYDROBLOC CREAM or if they are Nubuk or fabric use HYDROBLOC CONDITIONER. Boots are hand made from natural materials and when storing you should keep the boots well aired and in a dry atmosphere.

Repair and Garauntees

Zamberlan boots are guaranteed for 12months from the point of sale to the original owner. Should the boots need repairing the official repair centre is:-

Feet First have all the correct soles and fittings and the correct tools to fit them.
In the unlikely case of complaint the boots should in the first instance be returned to Feet First who will assess the boots and recommend a course of action. Zamberlan UK will always follow the decision of Feet First!