Garmont Eclipse XCR Hiking Shoe - Men's - 2006 BCS

My first Garmont shoes. I will be considering them again in the future for all other sorts of shoes. The Eclipse XCRs are great shoes so far. Garmont has gone to great lengths to make these the most anatomically correct shoes you can buy. Check out their web site, "a.d.d." it's pretty cool stuff. Anyway, these shoes fit great, walk very comfortably, and are waterproof without the swampfoot (thanks XCR!). They seem to be very thoughtfully and well constructed. And the Vibram G3 +2 soles are a great mix of soft and conforming with firm and grippy.

The Garmont Eclipse XCR Hiking Shoe is my favorite hiking shoe ever. Last summer I hiked and backpacked over three hundred miles with these shoes, primarily in the mountains of New Hampshire. They double as my only pair of everyday shoes. They are comfortable, durable, and battle tested. As a bonus, they look good too.

Just got these shoes after trying on many competitor brands and they are very comfortable and stout in comparison; hands down. Tongue is soft as cotton. Shoes are not tight like others. Prior, I tried two sizes of the Garmont Nagevi XCR because they were oddly too tight before finally trying the Eclipse which has more liberated fit allowing me to wear normal or even heavier socks as needed. Needed XCR because I spend a lot of time in the backwoods of N MN and don't need cold wet feet. I need one good shoe for a multitude of outdoor activities from hiking, hunting, cutting wood, canoe trips, etc and these are it.

I haven't put heavy miles on them so far, but they strike me as pretty good shoes.

They didn't blow me away with comfort or features, but they haven't caused me any trouble, either. The lugs are a nice depth, and show no signs of wear so far. I haven't developed any discomfort or chafing from the shoes.

When I got them the laces were too long, but a quick switch to ladder-style lacing (http://www.shoelaceknot.com/shoelace/ladderlacing.htm) brought the length down to what was needed, and made them more comfortable for me.

I bought these last Christmas. This hiking shoe is impressive in relationship to style as everyone commented on how they looked. However that was not why I bought them. I expected them to be comfortable. The problem was with the tongue irritated my foot to the point I could not ware them. I tried in vain to break them in and the more I tried the worst it got, to the point I could not ware any shoe. On top of that, the soles began to separate on both shoes. I have had hiking shoes that I have worn for years and they at least stayed together. Out of frustration I just gave them away.