Zamberlan "Sarate Trek GT RR RECCO" Review: "From the door to the top of the ridge" There's a reason why I was able to walk lightly all the way. A lightweight fast trekking shoe that combines technology and craftsmanship.
Written by Yasushi Hisatomi
Generally speaking, lighter and softer shoes are easier to walk in, but that's only true if you're not carrying a load on flat ground. If you want to walk (and stop) safely with a decent load on uneven ground, such as unstable and slippery rocks or steep ups and downs, you need shoes that provide sufficient protection and stability on uneven terrain.
However, there tends to be a trade-off between ease of walking and stability on rocky terrain, so in that sense, for someone like me who wants to be able to run through rugged mountainous areas like Japan without losing my agility, if there was a shoe that would allow me to walk comfortably on both gentle trails and rugged rocky terrain, it would be the ideal pair.
The Zamberlan Sarate Trek GT RR RECCO we are introducing this time may be one of the boots that comes closest to being ideal for such advanced hikers.
These high-cut, lightweight fast trekking shoes are said to offer comfort when walking without sacrificing stability and durability on rocky terrain. I spent about a month walking in them, on everything from low mountain hikes to rocky ridges and muddy forest areas, so I'd like to share my review with you.
table of contents
- Key Features of the Zamberlan Salate Trek GT RR RECCO
- Main Specifications and ratings
- Detailed review
- Protection & Durability: Durable upper with suede leather and rand rubber perimeter reinforcement for impact and abrasion resistance
- Fit and comfort: Excellent fit that holds the entire foot firmly from the toes
- Performance: Excellent grip and waterproofing, with just the right amount of cushioning to withstand prolonged use.
- Summary: "All-terrain fast trekking shoes" that you can wear all the way from home to the peaks of the Alps
- Zamberlan "Sarate Trek GT RR RECCO" details and purchase information
Key Features of the Zamberlan Salate Trek GT RR RECCO
The Zamberlan Salathé Trek GT RR RECCO is a versatile, lightweight, fast trekking shoe that can be used on any terrain, from flat trails to high alpine ridges.
The suede leather becomes more flexible with wear, and the wraparound fit structure with laces that extend to the toe holds the entire foot in place, providing a superior fit. The soft cushioning material around the ankle feels comfortable against the skin, providing both protection and mobility, reducing the risk of slipping on rough, uneven terrain. The outsole uses VIBRAM MEGAGRIP compound, known for its reliability in preventing slipping on wet rocks, and the lug pattern with a climbing zone in the toe area provides excellent braking performance and grip even on tricky terrain.
Weighing less than 500 grams per shoe (EUR42 size), the shoe boasts a robust upper construction and is built with over 90 years of craftsmanship, ensuring long-lasting durability. The GORE-TEX liner provides excellent waterproof and breathable performance, while the RECCO rescue system minimizes the risks of mountaineering (although the RECCO system is only used in limited rescue operations in Japan). The Sarate Trek GT RR RECCO combines the dexterity of an approach shoe with the comfort of a trekking shoe, making it the perfect choice for those looking to enjoy light hiking or treks across rocky and rugged terrain.
Recommended points
- High durability against friction and impact
- The upper structure provides excellent holding power and a comfortable fit, tightening the entire foot from the toes
- Comfortable ankle support with excellent mobility
- The VIBRAM MEGAGRIP compound prevents slipping even on wet rocks, and the toe climbing zone on the outsole makes it safe to use on rocky terrain.
- Surprisingly light for its durability
- Careful craftsmanship and high quality
Points that interest me
- The sole area that comes into contact with the ground is not large, so in terms of stability when walking, they are inferior to regular hiking shoes.
- Leather and resin uppers have limited breathability
Main Specifications and ratings
| item | Zamberlan Salathe Trek GT RR RECCO |
|---|---|
| Official weight | Approximately 480g (EUR42 standard size) |
| upper |
|
| Midsole |
|
| Outsole | Vibram Pepe (VIBRAM MEGAGRIP) |
| Waterproof and moisture-permeable | GORE-TEX Extended Comfort |
| Women's model | Unisex |
| Sales price including tax (as of September 4, 2025) | 39,600 yen (tax included) |
| Outdoor Gearzine Review | |
| Fit & Comfort | ★★★★☆ |
| weight | ★★★☆☆ |
| Protection & Durability | ★★★★★ |
| grip | ★★★★★ |
| Cushioning | ★★★☆☆ |
| Climbing (rock climbing) suitability | ★★★★☆ |
Detailed review
Protection & Durability: Durable upper with suede leather and rand rubber perimeter reinforcement for impact and abrasion resistance
The Sarate Trek GT RR RECCO (hereinafter referred to as Sarate Trek) is broadly classified as a hiking shoe for walking off the trail to the base of a rock climbing wall, or what are known as "approach shoes," and its overall design is based on the brand's standard approach shoe, the Sarate.
For this reason, looking at the upper fabric, we can see that it is made Hydroblock suede leather is used on almost the entire surface, including the sides and tongue. Furthermore, the shoe is covered 360 degrees around the outside with a durable rubber rand, making it extremely robust (the sides and heel are made lighter with foam rubber). Its durability against impact and friction is comparable to that of full-fledged hiking boots.
The sturdy exterior is almost entirely covered in durable leather and rubber.
The land rubber covers 360 degrees and is tall enough.
In fact, even after walking with them for the past month, I never had to worry about them getting scratched or torn, and when I walked on rocky terrain, they didn't even budge, even when they were constantly scraped against the hard, rough granite.
Despite this, the weight of these boots is surprisingly only about 480g per pair, which is about the same as a lightweight mid-cut hiking shoe. The design and color are beautiful, and the leather develops a unique character and becomes more comfortable the more you wear it, which really appeals to mountaineers.
Fit and comfort: Excellent fit that holds the entire foot firmly from the toes
While not uncommon for approach shoes, these boots also feature a wrap-around upper design where the laces extend all the way to the toes, providing a firm hold and fit that is essential for precise hold and getting into position. They are designed to ensure a stable step without wobbling even on slightly rocky terrain.
The shoelaces extend to the tips of your toes, providing a firm hold on your feet.
What I personally found particularly impressive was the attention to detail in the construction around the ankle (and beyond). The high-cut collar is raised high enough to prevent sprains, and is made of soft, padded cushioning material that maintains just the right amount of tension, feels good against the skin, and is comfortable even when walking for long periods of time.
There is moderate padding around the ankles and the lining is smooth and comfortable against the skin.
Furthermore, the shoe is chock-full of little touches to reduce stress while walking, such as a slightly recessed shape in the Achilles tendon area that ensures backward ankle mobility when walking, a slit design that enhances forward mobility, and a cut-out in the center of the upper that reduces pressure when the instep bends. Other small touches I like include the limited number of holes above the laces near the ankle so as not to interfere too much with ankle flexion, and the position of the hooks slightly inward from the side, which makes them less likely to get caught (see photo below).
(From top left to bottom right) A slightly concave shape for the Achilles tendon, a slit design that enhances forward flex, a notch in the center of the upper, and shoelace hooks offset slightly forward.
In addition, the one-piece tongue connected to the upper prevents pebbles and other debris from entering and improves water resistance, and the connecting part is made of breathable and stretchy synthetic fiber, providing an excellent fit (photo below).
The connecting part of the shoe tongue is made entirely of stretch material, providing an excellent fit.
The soft, stress-free walking feel that you wouldn't expect from the sturdy leather upper is the result of these meticulous adjustments. Everyone will be amazed at how natural and comfortable walking can be in a shoe based on an approach shoe.
The insole has moderate cushioning and arch support, and fine perforations are designed to minimize the loss of breathability.
However, the trade-off is that with such a large area of leather, the shoes are not particularly breathable, and it is impossible to completely avoid stuffiness inside the shoes, especially when trekking all day in the middle of summer.
In addition, the last shape is not particularly friendly to wide feet, and the design that tightens the entire shoe from the sides makes it difficult to create any "play" in the forefoot that would allow your toes to move around inside the shoe. While you can loosen it to a certain extent if you want, it is designed to be "tightly fastened" rather than worn tightly, so those who like hiking shoes with room to move their toes should be careful. In any case, when choosing a size, it is important to actually try them on and see how they fit, and since the swelling of your feet can change slightly while you are wearing them, adjusting the tightness as needed will help you maintain comfort while walking (although that doesn't mean you'll be doing that multiple times a day).
Performance: Excellent grip and waterproofing, with just the right amount of cushioning to withstand prolonged use.
I tried them out on several day hikes that covered a variety of terrain, including forests, muddy trails in the rain, and rocky ridges, and what I found most outstanding about them was their reliable grip.
That's because the rubber compound used in the outsole is VIBRAM MEGAGRIP, which has been extremely reliable for over five years for its reliability on wet rocks. It's such a reliable material that I've never come across a shoe made with this rubber that was slippery.
Furthermore, the lug design on the outsole employs a lug pattern (proven in the Sarate) that balances mud shedding with slip resistance. The flat climbing zone at the toe, which is important for approach shoes, has an asymmetrical design with a wider interior, which more efficiently increases friction with the ground, and as expected, I was able to place my feet without much worry even on slippery rocky surfaces. There is a similar flat part on the heel, which acts as a brake when landing, increasing stability (see photo below).
The toe has an asymmetrical flat climbing zone (photo left), and the heel has a lug pattern designed to prevent slipping when landing.
In addition to its excellent grip on uneven terrain, including rocky ridges, the midsole's exquisite flexibility also seems to contribute greatly to its all-around ease of walking. The midsole uses EVA of two different densities, with the softer parts providing shock absorption that won't wear out even over time, while the harder parts provide ample rigidity against twisting and bending.
The midsole is made of a mix of EVA of different densities. The white part is soft and has excellent shock absorption, while the black part is hard and has excellent rigidity.
The sole is much harder than that of hiking shoes, but it is soft enough that it bends naturally when you stand on your toes and put your weight on it, so the ease of walking is not compromised, including the flexibility of the upper (see photo below). In that sense, you obviously cannot stand in them like you can with heavy hiking boots with shanks, so I felt that they were not very suitable for carrying heavy loads.
The soleplate is moderately stiff, yet soft enough to allow natural flexion when walking.
This makes the shoes flexible and easy to walk on flat ground and gentle trails, and provides an easy-to-step-on surface when you need a flat footing on uneven surfaces, so the shoes support your walking properly on any surface. The high ankle mobility means you can move your feet easily even on rocky areas with large steps without worrying about slipping, making walking on rocky ridges with open views even more enjoyable than usual.
The GORE-TEX liner and integrated shoe tongue ensure waterproofing all the way down to the ankle, so you don't have to worry about wading through streams or lingering snow. The water-repellent leather also repels a certain amount of water, helping to minimize wetness and dirt (see photo below).
The highly water-repellent Hydroblock suede leather repels even large amounts of water, so it doesn't get wet easily. Of course, the GORE-TEX liner prevents water from seeping inside.
Summary: "All-terrain fast trekking shoes" that you can wear all the way from home to the peaks of the Alps
The Zamberlan Sarate Trek GT RR RECCO achieves a high level of balance between stability on rocky terrain and comfort on trails, two aspects that have previously been more or less a trade-off, and if we had to describe it in one word, it would be an all-terrain fast trekking shoe.If such a category existed, this hiking boot would be the perfect example.
In addition to the grip and comfort that allow you to walk safely on everything from forest trails to rocky ridges in the mountains, the lightweight construction is also a big attraction of these shoes. They are so light that you can wear them all the way from home to the top of the peak and back down, and they are comfortable to wear in your daily life as well. These are truly "all-terrain" shoes, including for walking around town.
Of course, no piece of gear is perfect, and even if they are tough and easy to walk in, they are not ideal for long periods of walking with a heavy load, such as on a full-scale, long-term mountain hike. If you are going to wear these boots, the best way to enjoy them is to move around lightly with a medium-capacity or smaller backpack, and you will be able to fully enjoy your trip.
This is a pair of shoes that we highly recommend to anyone looking for "tough shoes for walking" that go beyond light hikes in low mountains and enjoy trekking above the tree line, or that are suitable for approaching rock walls and canyons deep in the backcountry.
Zamberlan "Sarate Trek GT RR RECCO" details and purchase information
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