Customer Reviews

Garmont Men's Nagevi Hiking Shoe,Asphalt,10.5 M US

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is my 3rd pair of Nagevi's. I wore the first pair out hiking on volcanic ash. I'm working on the 2nd pair now with my third pair, the pair I'm reviewing, in reserve.

I have a large foot (US size 14, Eur size 48), with narrower heels and wider toes than usual. I use these shoes mostly for backpacking with some daily wear for variety.

My first two pair of Navevi's were identical. This pair is different.
- The new sole is marked Vibram.
- There is a little more plastic or rubber on the top of the toe and the EVA padding from the ball of the foot forward is not covered in plastic.
- The new pair weighs a little over 4 ounces more
- There isn't as much room in the toe box of the new pair. The extra plastic seems to squeeze the lining down.
- The new pair is smaller. I can easily touch the end of the shoes with my toes. I'd go up a size but it is hard enough to find size 14's; I'm not even sure that Garmont makes a size 15.
- The old model was very loose, they relied on your foot for strength. The fit always reminded me of a glove more than a shoe. This is great for walking on dirt, not so good for concrete.
- The new pair seems a little stiffer and more padded; it's more like a typical running shoe.
- Instead of ribbons to thread the laces through, there are plastic eyelets.
- Several other changes that appear to be purely cosmetic

I'll like this pair well enough not to send them back, but my next pair will be likely be something else. Like with running shoes, once you find a model that works for you, stock up on them before they change the design.

Why do they have to modify their designs? I got great mileage and comfort from my first pair of Garmonts. This pair is on the way back to Amazon. My feet complained within minutes of waering them around the house. I wear size 8.5 and ordered size 9...they were tight around the toe and offered poor arch support. I'm going to try the Eclipse next. Don't bother with these if you're planning any sort of day hiking.

I have also had a pair of these in the old style and they are great. Unfortunately Garmont's new design resulted in poorly made, fitting and uncomfortable shoes. You will be disappointed. I returned mine.

I like this shoe. I know some reviews have discounted these models as being cheap, but I don't agree. I have worn this shoe in rainstorms, deserts, and on an 8 hour hike through a flooded canyon and have no problems. The only drawback in the long run is that the side gripper pieces on the sole eventually start to tear. I have glued them back with shoe goo and this prolongs the life of the sole until the rest of the shoe disintegrates. I am on my second pair.