Zamberlan Brenva RR GTX, tested and reviewed

In terms of design, the Zamberlan Brenva RR GTX is very much a classic, Alpine-style mountaineering boot. It provides a stiff, stable and supportive platform for negotiating tricky terrain, with a stiffened midsole and a heel welt that means it's compatible with C2 semi-automatic crampons.

Unlike Zamberlan’s more traditional full-grain leather boots, the Brenva is made from modern materials. Uppers are constructed from synthetic microfibre fabric, with a wraparound rand that includes a double-layer toecap and an extended heel counter.

They’re lined with a Gore-Tex insulated comfort membrane for reliable waterproof performance and added warmth in cold conditions. This makes the Brenva an excellent choice for winter adventures.

You get a fully gusseted tongue and a high-cut yet flexible ankle cuff, both of which are extremely well-padded for comfortable support. Low-profile lacing extends almost to the toe, with locking lace hooks for a secure and close fit.

Meanwhile, underfoot traction is supplied by a Vibram Mulaz Evo sole unit, an older but well-proven lug pattern with a sharply undercut heel brake for downhill grip and a forward climbing zone, combined with blocky treads and star-shaped studs.

Overall fit is medium to narrow in terms of width and volume. This may not suit all users, but it does result in a precise feel that isn’t clumpy or ungainly – though this isn’t the lightest boot around.

The Brenva also has a firm feel underfoot, typical of a B2 boot. There’s a little cushioning from the dual-density layer of PU foam rubber, but you still might want to add an aftermarket insole and wear thick, full-cushion socks for a plusher feel.

Design and features

Italian brand Zamberlan is best known for its traditional full-grain leather boots, most notably the much loved 996 Vioz. But it also makes some excellent modern mountain boots for alpine and winter adventures. The Brenvas are a case in point.

They are warm and waterproof, thanks to thick synthetic microfibre uppers, which soak up virtually no water. They’re backed with a Gore-Tex insulated comfort liner, suitable for extended wear in low temperatures. A fully gusseted tongue and a high-cut yet flexible ankle cuff also ensure a good flood height, which makes the Brenvas a great boot for cold, wet, boggy or snowy conditions.

A wraparound rand adds protection and durability, which includes a double-layer toecap and a chunky heel counter. The low-profile lacing extends almost to the toe, climbing-style, but the lower webbing lace loops mean there is very little exposed hardware.

This makes for a neat and streamlined look, which also ensures it’s easy to jam the toe of the boot into smaller pockets and cracks when scrambling or climbing. At the base of the ankle, there’s a locking lace hook, with two sets of upper lace hooks, all metal riveted to the uppers.

It feels like an extremely well-built package, as you would expect of a premium Italian-made boot. The adjustable lacing also enables you to pull everything in tight for a close, foot-hugging fit. We got no discernible heel slip on test.

Underfoot, a double-density PU midsole with an embedded shank plus a heel welt provides suitability for C2 semi-automatic crampons. In terms of stiffness, they feel like a classic B2 boot, offering a secure and stable platform without the board-like rigidity of a full-shank mountaineering boot.

The sole profile has a slight rocker to encourage a rolling gait and a bit more spring on toe-off, yet it isn’t too pronounced, which means you can still get a good fit with a range of 10 and 12-point crampons.

If you’re not wearing spikes, traction comes from a Vibram Mulaz Evo sole unit. This is a well-proven lug pattern for mountain boots that has proven to be one of the most popular and enduring choices for technical footwear.

On test, it proved to be as dependable as ever across a range of surfaces, with contact grip supplied by a forward climbing zone under the toe and blocky treads at the outside edges of the sole. When things got sloppier and more slippery, the sharply undercut heel breast was easy to dig into soft slopes.

Widely spaced lugs clear mud and snow effectively, without clogging. The rubber compound also feels fairly hard, so although it isn’t the tackiest, it should wear well.

Performance and comfort

The Brenva boot is built on Zamberlan’s special technical fit last. This has a slim heel and midfoot to hold the foot securely, with a medium forefoot and a tapered toebox. It’s certainly not the most generous or forgiving shape in terms of width or volume overall, so it may not suit broader feet.

As ever, try before you buy if you can. If it does fit you well, however, you end up with a boot that feels very neat and precise, without the vague, clumpy sensation of many bigger, chunkier B2s.

Having said that, this still isn’t the lightest boot around – at least, not by modern standards. In fact, it was the second-heaviest boot in our 2024 crampon-compatible winter boots group test.

Only the seriously sturdy Salewa Ortles Ascent Mid GTX was heavier. Though the scales don’t lie, we found this a little surprising, since the Zamberlan Brenva doesn’t feel overly heavy, and the synthetic uppers ought to save a fair few grams compared to suede, nubuck or full-grain leather rivals. However, the full rand, ample padding and chunky sole unit all add weight.

On the plus side, this ensures the Brenvas feel very protective and stable. They’re also nice and warm for winter use in frozen terrain, and proved reliably waterproof in boggy and snowy Scottish hills. There’s plenty of padding around the ankle and across the top of the foot too, which is great if you have bony ankles or tend to get pressure points and hotspots in these areas.

Underfoot, they feel supportive and stable. Cushioning isn’t the plushest, as is usually the case with B1/B2 winter boots. If you’re not used to wearing stiffer four-season footwear, you’ll probably want to wear your thickest, full-cushion walking socks, and perhaps add an aftermarket insole too.

Sustainability

Zamberlan’s mission statement is to “create exceptionally well-made, beautiful and long-lasting products”. As that suggests, their primary commitment to sustainability is therefore through longevity – making boots that are fit for purpose and built to last.

The Zamberlan factory is still family owned after more than 90 years, and based in the very same town where the company was founded in 1929. The overwhelming majority of footwear produced by Zamberlan is resolable, which includes 100% of the brand’s Italian-made product lines (which is 95% of the company sales volume and includes the Brenva).

This further extends their effective lifespan. Since the Brenvas are fully synthetic, they are vegan-friendly, with no leather components. However, they do no makes use of recycled materials, and also contain an ePFTE-based Gore-Tex liner.

Price and competition

At time of writing, the UK RRP of the Brenva RR GTX boot was £310, which puts them in a similar price range as numerous rivals, including popular mountain/alpine boots like the La Sportiva Trango and Aequilibrium series, the Scarpa Zodiac Tech and Ribelle HD, the AKU Tengu GTX and the Hanwag Makra Pro. However, they can currently be found for just £93 at UK retailer Tiso.

In terms of pure performance, the Brenva is on about the same level as the La Sportiva Trango Tech and AKU Tengu, and slightly superior to the others listed here. It feels slightly warmer, more protective and more durable than any of these rivals but is a fair bit heavier too.

We’d say the Scarpa and Hanwag models would be better choices if you’re primarily looking for a four-season hillwalking boot that prioritises all-day walking comfort over steep ground performance, as would La Sportiva’s excellent Aequilibrium ST or LT models.

The Brenva is a good choice if you prefer a classic crampon-compatible B2 boot but want to avoid leather uppers (either for ethical reasons or just because you want an easy-care, no fuss option).

Alternatively, there’s AKU’s Viaz and Croda DFS GTX models, which are both lighter than the Brenva, but also significantly more expensive. You could also look at another classic, the Scarpa Charmoz HD, which is probably the most similar model to the Brenva on the market when it comes to design, build quality and construction – but again, it’s more expensive at £350.

Verdict

The Zamberlan Brenva RR GTX classic B2 mountain boot offers solid performance and winter warmth, with a protective feel. But the narrower fit and firmer feel underfoot won’t suit everyone.

About the author

Matt Jones is a freelance journalist based in the heart of Snowdonia National Park, he’s a vastly experienced gear tester and self-confessed outdoor kit geek.

Matt’s been one of our main gear testers for the last couple of years and is the first person we call with any complicated kit queries that need in-depth and forensic analysis.

Don't forget to subscribe to the Live For The Outdoors newsletter to get expert advice and outdoor inspiration delivered to your inbox!