These are my go-to boots
“How often do you look at a man’s shoes” - Red from The Shawshank Redemption
It turns out that when you have a quality pair of shoes, people pay attention.
After wearing The Garmont Nemesis 4.1 GTX Boots for two months straight, I got a real sense of the quality and comfort of the design and materials.
It didn’t take long to feel comfortable in the boots. Their break-in period felt like a few days before I felt like I was slipping on something familiar.
This is a boot that holds up to daily use and all the recreation you can throw at them - and with a little effort, they look good too.
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The Design
The Nemesis 4.1 Boots are built on a Vibram sole. You may remember that name from the weird-looking natural running shoes with individual toes from years ago. Thank goodness those went away.
But the Vibram sole gives you incredible traction both on the trail and on the road. So if you’re planning on a day on the trails or need to move quickly down the street, you’ll have a comfortable trip.
Moving up the boot you have a Lenzi Perspair top with a Gortex lining making the boots both breathable and waterproof.
In addition to comfort, the design of the mesh top makes your boots incredibly resistant to abrasions, scuffs, and marks, Most can be easily cleaned off with some water and a rag or by throwing them in the washing machine (maybe not when your wife is around).
Two small but important highlights
First - the laces
I hate it when laces come undone while you’re in the middle of something. I don’t go on hikes to look at the ground all day tying my boots over and over again.
These are soft, durable, and stay tied.
Second- the insoles
Incredibly comfortable - but good to know, when yours begin to break down (and they will) you can replace your insoles from Garmont directly instead of having to replace your entire boot.
When I buy an almost $200 boot, I expect some long-lasting durability, but this definitely extends the lifespan of your Nemesis 4.1 - or at least eliminates the stink after 6 months.
Daily Use
Let’s be honest, most of you are going to wear these as daily boots more than you will in combat scenarios.
As an everyday shoe, you’re going to have incredible arch and ankle support. If you’re standing on concrete floors or moving a lot for hours on end, your feet are really going to thank you for investing in a pair.
Even if you’re walking through a garage with spilled water or oil, these are not going to slip on you or lose your footing easily.
And did I mention that they’re going to turn heads? You are going to have people asking about your boots, I promise you that.
As I was finishing my first month of wearing the Nemesis 4.1 Boots, I left the office wearing them on Friday, participated in an 8-hour 3-gun competition on Saturday wearing them, and finished the weekend by wiping them down and wearing them to church.
On The Trail
My wife and I are avid hikers and we made our way to central Ohio to enjoy some trails at Salt Fork State Park.
Most of the trails are dirt, but well-maintained. We had a few spots that got wet and muddy, but nothing you can't handle in a good pair of boots and a backpack.
We spent several hours on the trails, breaking for lunch and a few photos; but for the most part, we enjoyed the time in the park.
You can feel the change in the terrain as you hike, getting great feedback about your footing, but you’re not going to feel poked and prodded with every rock or stick you step on. The lightweight of the boot makes them relatively effortless to maneuver in.
My High Points
The boots give great support and are in the top 3 hiking boots I’ve ever worn. The support is great in the arch of your foot (I have, what I’m told, normal arches) and on the ankle.
As I mentioned earlier, the laces are comfortable and stay tied.
But like many higher ankle boots, they can be a bit tight to put on - that’s where the loop on the back comes in. It’s easy to grab and gives you more than enough leverage to easily and comfortably put your boot on both sitting and standing.
My Low Points
It’s hard to have a shoe of any type that’s perfect for everything. The ankle height on these is not ideal for me (although comfortable). This makes driving in The Nemesis 4.1 Boots a bit of a pain. The point your ankle needs to flex is hindered because of the way it’s designed to support you while walking.
Also, don’t make the mistake of wearing low-cut athletic socks. You’re going to be mad at yourself and the boots going to rub.
TLDR / To Wrap It Up
Overall, the Garmont Nemesis 4.1 GTX Boots are an incredible tactical boot. Whether you’re camping, hiking, hunting, or shooting, or you like the look and feel of a quality boot for daily wear, these are worth every penny and are going to hold up and last you for years to come.
And if you aren’t convinced, Garmont backs up all their boots with an incredible 1-year warranty.
