Verdict from 1 expert and 6 user reviews
5 reasons to buy
- Some users ecstatically praised the mesmerizing overall design of the Santiago Low GTX.
- This Garmont hiker runs true to size, according to a few patrons.
- Less than a handful of wearers found the shoe’s level of comfort pretty laudable.
- An owner greatly admired the Santiago Low GTX’s impressively stable midsole.
- Its amazing grip performance was commended by a reviewer.
2 reasons not to buy
- A consumer was utterly disappointed with the footwear’s ineffective waterproofing.
- The shoe’s ho-hum footbed was criticized by a tester.
Bottom line
Creating a shoe that both looks good and feels good is a real testament to Garmont's ingenuity. They even made the hiker quite precise in the fit department. Unfortunately, the shoe is allegedly not 100% waterproof. Overall, the Santiago Low GTX is a great vision realized thanks to all of its hiker-friendly qualities working in great harmony. That said, those who frequent wet and rainy environments should consider getting a more reliable gear in terms of waterproofing.
Tip: see the best hiking shoes.
Good to know
- The Garmont Santiago Low GTX is engineered sleek and light to help adventurers tackle trails and pavements with enhanced mobility. It is built with the Anatomically Directed Design technology (or a.d.d.), giving the user enhanced performance through improved stability and shock absorption by creating the shoe’s ankle cuff and tongue with asymmetry in mind.
- An overlay called Heel Lock adds extra support to the shoe’s rear section. This feature prevents blisters and slippage by strengthening the footwear’s ankle pockets.
The Santiago Low GTX from Garmont is a generally true-to-size, hiking shoe for men and women. Its sizing options include full and half sizes. It comes in standard width. Since it is classified as a Performance shoe, its instep and forefoot zones are more spacious. Allowing users to get a precise and secure lockdown is the shoe’s closure system. It works in conjunction with the footgear’s Heel Lock in keeping the foot snugly in place. Its Extended Lacing feature allows the user to adjust the fit width-wise.
What prevents wearers from slipping and skidding on the trail, be it wet or dry, is the hiker’s Vibram S1381 outsole. Scattered all over its surface are deep enough lugs, engineered in different angles for multi-directional grip. During transitions, this sticky layer sheds off mud, thanks to the adequate spacing between its lugs.
This proprietary outsole encroaches a portion of the footwear’s toe box. This coverage (about less than an inch in size) reinforces the shoe further and serves as a protective toe guard.
The Garmont Santiago Low GTX can cushion and support the foot while tackling most types of terrain hazards with its dual-density EVA midsole. It comes equipped with an anti-torsional shank for added stability. The level of underfoot comfort this component provides is also improved by the gear’s default footbed.
Enclosing the foot is the Santiago Low GTX’s below-the-ankle upper. It is made of 1.6-millimeter suede leather and nylon mesh. Its walls are imbued with a Gore-Tex membrane called Extended Comfort, enabling the shoe to withstand the changing weather with sufficient breathability.
The shoe’s asymmetrical cuff, differential ankle pads, anatomical tongue are among Garmont’s exclusive a.d.d. tech. These key players work together to deliver stability, security, and comfort on the trail. Precision lacing and natural flex, which are also part of this technology, create a right-out-of-the-box comfort by allowing this hiker to flex like the foot.
How Santiago Low GTX compares
