REVIEW: GARMONT Nemesis 6.1 GTX Tactical Boots

As is so often the case in life, this manufacturer also leads a double life. Those who enjoy the outdoors, in the mountains, or climbing, know that GARMONT has excellent shoes for civilian use. The quality manufacturer also has a small, fine tactical line, which is quite unknown, even though it can be seen at trade shows and is slowly emerging in Germany. GARMONT TACTICAL is available at RECON COMPANY. The most unusual shoe in their range is the Nemesis GTX tactical boot. There are several versions of it, which differ in shaft height: 4.1 is 15 centimeters high...

...and this is the Nemesis 6.1 GTX. It has an additional shaft with padding at the top, resulting in a shaft height of 18 centimeters.

This is what the great piece looks like from the side view. The Nemesis is unusual and shows very nicely how great the impulses are that a high-quality civilian manufacturer can incorporate into a new tactical boot.

For those who prefer fabric shoes - Palladium or Converse - and miss that light feeling in tactical boots, they will be as excited about this shoe as we are. While other manufacturers - such as the very popular Salomon Forces - have gone the route of sports shoes, GARMONT TACTICAL has done something very unique and good.

Let's start from the top inside. That's the tag for our boot. Although GARMONT is from Italy, it is manufactured in Vietnam.

Looking inside the shaft, you can immediately notice a stylish pseudo camo pattern.

This is the insole in the shoe, which can be removed and replaced.

The other side is bright blue. A solid insole, no gimmicks.

On the inside, you can see the sole area and very nice and precise stitching. The Nemesis is a GTX, meaning Gore-Tex ensures that the foot stays dry during use.

The heel tab is pulled up high for a great fit of the foot in the shoe.

The padding on the 6.1 Nemesis extends beyond the ankle and is cut to maintain maximum flexibility. Without these padding, like the 4.1 version, the Nemesis is even lighter. Our pair weighs just under a kilogram.

Super practical and slightly asymmetrically offset: a loop to help you slip into the shoe.

The Nemesis is laced up and the lace area is quite large. This ensures a great fit. Someone said it's "like a second sock." Not quite, but it does fit like a fabric shoe that hugs the foot snugly and provides great support despite its lightness.

Of course, there are lots of laces, with some left over. Lazy people leave them hanging casually.

But GARMONT TACTICAL has also designed a lace garage on the tongue.

That way everything is neatly tucked away. This also makes sense, especially when trekking through bushes and terrain, so you don't get caught on anything.

Here you can see the quick lace eyelets in the upper part of the shoe, which help with fast lacing. Gore-Tex also shows its presence there. However, the special feature of the Nemesis is this fabric that we see here in detail. It's called Lenzi Perspair, an abrasion-resistant fabric. The special thing about it is that it's not only highly abrasion-resistant but also cut-resistant. This means that the foot in this lightweight shoe is really well protected - and combined with Gore-Tex, it stays dry.

What's also exciting is that the upper part is woven from one piece. It's funny that GARMONT TACTICAL on its website provides a very simple explanation for the fabric that is sufficient for us: "A super-abrasive yarn woven into an extremely resistant fabric yields a mechanically exceptionally powerful material." We can confirm this after wearing it for a long time (see the lack of abrasion on the shoe). For those who like it more scientific, you can enjoy the shoe description at RECON COMPANY.

And in closed use, this fabric gives the fabric shoe feeling that the Nemesis brings, where he is thicker because laminate is added and a soft layer.

The manufacturer states that the Nemesis is a 3-season shoe. Like all lightweight shoes, it reaches its limits in the winter, slightly due to insufficient insulation, making it cold in the shoe, although using it for driving and some outdoor activities is not a problem.

The toes are protected with a discreet toe cap. This can also be read in the name of the manufacturer. Completely without "tactical." It is also interesting that there is no civilian, colorful brother of this shoe to be found on the "normal" GARMONT site.

For the sole, GARMONT TACTICAL relies on VIBRAM as a quality manufacturer. Some things just can't be done better. The manufacturer talks about a double damping system: The midsole consists of a two-part system that provides superior shock absorption. The long midsole cushions the impact on the sole, while the inner half damper cushions the impact on the heel. The combined result is improved cushioning and less fatigue. For us after wearing them, this means: the shoe has just as much cushioning as we like, just enough for what we need.

These triangular studs make contact with the ground. The pattern is irregularly designed to improve grip. It has proven very useful for us, even on different surfaces.

And following the old VW motto: "It runs and runs and runs..." we have carried the Nemesis 6.1 GTX through the city and into the terrain. Moisy and wet conditions are quite liked by it.

In the mud, he leaves his traces and shows clear tread marks.

Gravel and asphalt ground are his natural habitat, so to speak.

By the stream, he is just as good, with moist ground, sleek blades of grass don't bother him...

... as he sneaks through grassy landscapes.

Oooops, got stuck in the puddle... No worries, Gore-Tex keeps everything dry, but also doesn't make the foot hot because everything is a lightweight construction. Even dewy meadows in the evenings or mornings are barely noticeable.

Forest floor, here it goes up between the trees - with good grip and fit.

CONCLUSION: The Nemesis 6.1 GTX from GARMONT in the tactical edition is an exceptional shoe. A lightweight tactical boot, but with laminate. It enjoys fast and sporty movements, efficiently protects the foot, and has the grip of a (light) mountaineering boot. This combination is very rare overall.

Moreover, the Nemesis looks very stylish (in our opinion). For us, it is also the European answer to the Altamas, which are otherwise very popular with us. But GARMONT TACTICAL is so quietly understated that the Nemesis has remained a secret tip so far. Truly a shame for this tactical boot, which is surely even more comfortable to wear in everyday life in the low version.

The GARMONT Nemesis 6.1 GTX tactical boot is available in Coyote and Black at RECON COMPANY for 194.91 euros.

GARMONT TACTICAL on the web: tactical.garmont.com

RECON COMPANY on the web: www.recon-company.com

The Nemesis and its little brother, here an Altama Amphibian Low. From lightweight to solid with just a few adjustments. The low Nemesis 4.1 is certainly a good everyday shoe that easily surpasses the classic Altama Mid in comfort and performance. And good style...