This post contains affiliate links.
Naglev, which stands for Natural Glocal Evolution, is a family owned and founded shoe company located in Montebelluna, Italy. The Morlin family has six generations of experience designing and building footwear for mountain sports. They use natural products and sustainable technologies to create footwear tailored to the consumer and the environment.
They currently have three different styles of shoes. The Unico, Combat, and Vulcano. The Unico and Combat incorporate a similar design style and construction; kevlar shell, wool lining, leather & coconut foot bed, and natural rubber outsole. The Vulcano is a newer design with impressive new technology and features for a shoe. While I have yet to purchase a pair of the Vulcanos, in this post I’ll run through my thoughts on the Unico and Combat styles.
The Unico
The Unico is meant to be a multi-sport shoe, suited for hiking, running, and anything in between. It has good support, comfort and traction for the trails and is also waterproof. It can be a little difficult to get on and off due to the Kevlar shell, but I do not find this a big drawback. Due to the texture of the Kevlar, the material can get dirty pretty easily and don’t keep the sleek black look for long. The wool lining fits really well and does not make your foot too hot. I have worn these shoes all year round (with wool socks as well) and never had my feet overheat. They are fine for the winter too, but the sole of the shoe is too thin in my opinion to offer much insulation from the cold ground. The footbed is made from leather and coconut fiber, making the shoe more comfortable over time as they are broken in. The outer sole is constructed from natural rubber and almost has a cleat like look and feel to it. The design of the sole allows for good traction, while preventing mud, rocks, or other debris from sticking to the bottom of the shoe.
I like the rigidity and structure of the shoe and it is comfortable for all day wear, especially if you are on your feet for most of the day. My biggest gripe with shoe is that some debris can get between the wool lining and the Kevlar. I have only had wood shavings, from working in barns, do this so it may not be a big issue for others. It is important to note for female shoppers that the Unico is currently the only shoe they offer in a specific women’s sizing.
The Combat
The Combat comes in two styles, Waterproof and Desert. The construction of the Combat Waterproof is identical to the Unico, but with full ankle support and a thick elastic band at the top for closure. I love these boots and use them for hiking and work around the farm. The Combat Desert differs slightly form the Waterproof as it has a polyester mesh lining rather than wool for more comfort in hotter climates. The Desert also has an OrthLite footbed which will mold to your foot over time. I don’t have personal experience with this model, but I’d expect they would be just as comfortable.
The Vulcano
The Vulcano is Naglev’s newest addition to their product line, and they looks amazing. I have yet to try a pair of these, but I anticipate I will really like them and plan to try them at some point. They are designed to have reduced production steps as well to reduce the environmental impact.
Conclusion
One of my favorite things about buying from this company is that the user has the ability to replace any of the natural components when they become damaged from wear. When I ripped the sole of my first pair, I reached out to the company and they were able to send me new soles to replace the ripped and old pair. Disclaimer: I am not sure how this process will apply to the Vulcano as it might be more difficult to replace individual components of the shoe. Overall, Naglev makes high quality shoes that can withstand almost anything. I look forward to following future innovations that this brand comes out with!
