La Sportiva Trango Tech vs. Scarpa Zodiac Tech

So, I'm in the market for a stiff waterproof hiking boot that can take a semi-automatic crampon, and I've narrowed it down to these two. The problem is that neither of them are distributed to the continent I currently live on, so I have to order them all the way from the US and can't try them on. To that end: can anyone give advice as to the difference in fit between the two?

I have used both enough to feel the differences betwixt them. The zodiac is based on a hiking boot last whereas the trango is based on a mountaineering boot last. So the zodiac has a wide open toebox with lots of space and more room verically so it doesnt really press down on your foot all that much. The trango is much narrower with a pointier more technical toebox and is really low across the top of the ball of your feet, this made it feel very secure when climbing but definitely didnt feel as comfy as the zodiac when hiking. Both boots definitely have a mountaineering boot style midsole, they both definitely felt much more harsh than a hiking boot but are still much better than most mountaineering boots.
I have narrow feet so I tended to like the trango better, but the zodiac felt just fine to me. I found the extra room in the zodiac was nice for long days of hiking but I felt like they weren't as precise as the trango when climbing.
Also you mentioned that you are looking for a hiking boot, if thats the case I would 100% not reccomend either of these boots as they are still mountaineering boots without barely any cushion. any decent hiking boot is infinitely more comfortable over long distances than these two due to the softer padding in the midsole which is way more forgiving on feet without sacrificing support, and most backpacking and heavy dayhiking boots are compatible with strap crampons.
Anyway thats just my 2 cents

Just get the salomons I told you about. 

Why a semi-auto crampon?  If you are ok with full strap on crampons then it would expand your options a bit.  I've been using Trango Techs with full strap Petzl Leopards for mellow glacier walking and easy alpineering (Eldorado, Baker, Ruth, the Tooth, etc) and am very happy with the combo.  If my priority was hiking then I'd probably have gone for a different boot.

that guy named seb wrote: Just get the salomons I told you about. 

They're intriguing I will admit, but the Sense8 inner looks a little too minimalist/fragile to use as an extended approach shoe.

Ryan Mac wrote:

They're intriguing I will admit, but the Sense8 inner looks a little too minimalist/fragile to use as an extended approach shoe.

The lighter the shoe the better for long approaches, ankle support for walking is a myth. I've done plenty of approach and scrambling in my sense 7sg, they're better than any boot. 

that guy named seb wrote:

The lighter the shoe the better for long approaches, ankle support for walking is a myth. 

That might be true if your ankles are "normal", but 100% is not if you have had ankle problems and especially ligament issues, especially surgery. 

coldfinger wrote:

That might be true if your ankles are "normal", but 100% is not if you have had ankle problems and especially ligament issues, especially surgery. 

Non of this has been specified by the poster therfore it's safe to assume it's not the case. 

I don't have ankle issues, I'd just like slightly more sole than a running flat on my approach shoe.

Ryan Mac wrote: I don't have ankle issues, I'd just like slightly more sole than a running flat on my approach shoe.

Have you ever worn a mountaineering boot before? 

Ryan Mac wrote: I don't have ankle issues, I'd just like slightly more sole than a running flat on my approach shoe.

Using mountaineering boots as approach shoes is some high level masochism. Get approach shoes if thats what you want.

Just bought the trango tech leather and I'm very happy with them

I’ve tried both and went with the Zodiac for summer alpinism, it’s a wider fit, much stiffer and much more durable, it’s also lighter. I found the trango much narrower in the toe, and the sole is more built up with a higher drop. The midsole is noticeably softer too. The Trango is very flexible, and might be limited on steeper ground with crampons. The trango felt more like a hiking shoe with a heel bail whereas the Zodiac is more of a light mountaineering boot. I have durability concerns with the trango, the sides are very thin and there are several reviews showing holes in the side, the Zodiac is solid. Fit will probably be the main decider though.

I love this style of light summer Alpine boot. Don’t rule out Salewa Crow and Raven. 

Surprised no one has mentioned the ribelle tech yet. 

that guy named seb wrote: Surprised no one has mentioned the ribelle tech yet. 

I was really interested in the Ribelle Tech but the cost was prohibitive for me for a boot that I couldn't try on before buying.  The cost of the Trango Tech was easier to accept a loss on if the fit didn't work out but I have enough other LaSpo boots that I could make a well educated guess at the size.  I think I probably got lucky on my first try though.