Nike Air Monarch IV Training Sneaker Black/Black

I’ve recently got myself a pair of these monarchs and I must say, these are the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever purchased for myself. The sole is very soft and it makes it so comfortable to walk in. I wore these in the city, I walked for about 7 hours and my feet did not hurt with these. They also go very well with anything. These are straight up my style and definitely has the comfort fit I look for in shoes. An even better plus is that these give you an inch height boost lol, they’re pretty thick so that’s why. The bottom grip is also good for wet floors and the material in general is awesome. These are meant to last.

Comfortable with a caveat

Pretty basic Nikes nothing super fancy. They fit nicely and are comfortable which has become a more difficult combination to find. One shoe does make noise when my heel comes down and the shoe compress. Sounds like air escaping. A little hiss with each step. In a moderately noisy environment, it's mostly covered up by the ambient noise. In a quiet area I won't be sneaking up on anyone or quietly walking through the office. It's a bit discerning but I need the shoes and they are in good shape and show know defect, they just hiss when my right foot hits the ground. Otherwise they are just what I needed.

Despite the incessant squeaking

Seems like everyone has the same problem with the squeaking, which appears to only get worse with use. HOWEVER, these shoes are so comfortable and they're available in 4E which is slowly helping me correct my bunion (among with other therapies); I typically wear a 13 but I was able to fit perfectly in the 12EEEE, so they may run slightly large. I work 12 hour shifts and am on my feet for most of the day, but I can honestly say there is no difference in how comfortable these are compared to my Hokas, and those are $170! I put these babies on with a nice pair of high ankle socks and people at home depot are bypassing employees to ask ME where the impact drivers are. People might clown you for wearing these, but just tell them it's part of you "Fatherhood Collection" ... MoreSeems like everyone has the same problem with the squeaking, which appears to only get worse with use. HOWEVER, these shoes are so comfortable and they're available in 4E which is slowly helping me correct my bunion (among with other therapies); I typically wear a 13 but I was able to fit perfectly in the 12EEEE, so they may run slightly large. I work 12 hour shifts and am on my feet for most of the day, but I can honestly say there is no difference in how comfortable these are compared to my Hokas, and those are $170! I put these babies on with a nice pair of high ankle socks and people at home depot are bypassing employees to ask ME where the impact drivers are. People might clown you for wearing these, but just tell them it's part of you "Fatherhood Collection" it comes off as more stylish and acceptable. These are overall extremely comfortable, versatile, and well worth the price, assuming you have poor hearing and/or are not annoyed by the squeaks.

Manufacturing quality gone

I have 6 pairs of these shoes because I love the color scheme and fit. I've noticed on a more recent pair I've started wearing that the squeak badly. Bending or pressing down on the shoes cause a lot of noise. There's apparently a layers separation issue hidden in the shoe that is causing this. Perhaps a glue failure or something. In any case, the prior 3-4 pairs I have already worn through did not have this problem at all, ever. This is unlikely a fluke because I've heard the same complaint about this shoe from others.

Nike Monarch Squeakers

Bought these for my Husband, He's worn Nike Monarch's for years. Unfortunately, it appears that Nike's quality has depleted! His last pair squeaked terribly, we thought it was a fluke, he wore them just to work outside. This new pair Squeaks worse than the previous product. What is Nike doing? Why are their quality/products getting so bad? We always thought Nike took pride in their products, apparently not! I would Love to return these, however, Not sure how Kohl's return policy is on shoes that have been worn & it's been about a month or so since purchased.

Nike air monarch

Ive worn Nike Air Monarchs for the last 12 yrs. I wear them a lot for work because they are pretty lightweight and comfortable to wear. Usually about every three months i replace them because they are worn pretty bad and they develope a squeeking noise. The problem I have with this particular pair is that from day one they were making all these noises, but I figured it was because they were new. I didnt try to return them because i had worn them, thinking the noises would stop, but instead they have gotten worse. These shoes are generally very good for me but not this time. I must have just gotten a below par pair. I will buy them again, but if they squeek and make noises from the start they will be returned. Worn these for over two weeks and with all the noises ... MoreIve worn Nike Air Monarchs for the last 12 yrs. I wear them a lot for work because they are pretty lightweight and comfortable to wear. Usually about every three months i replace them because they are worn pretty bad and they develope a squeeking noise. The problem I have with this particular pair is that from day one they were making all these noises, but I figured it was because they were new. I didnt try to return them because i had worn them, thinking the noises would stop, but instead they have gotten worse. These shoes are generally very good for me but not this time. I must have just gotten a below par pair. I will buy them again, but if they squeek and make noises from the start they will be returned. Worn these for over two weeks and with all the noises everyone can here it. Has gotten no better.

They are missing the heel counter cushioning

I have been wearing Nike cross training shoes ever since 1989 and I have worn all generations of the Nike Monarch. I have older pairs of the Monarch IV with manufacture dates of 2014 and 2019. I buy new ones before the old ones are completely trashed and keep the old ones as backups. I just bought a pair manufactured in 2024 and am very disappointed to see that the cushioning on the inside of the heel counter is completely gone. It is just thin fabric glued directly to the plastic heel counter. It's bad enough that you can tap on the heel counter with your fingernail and you'll hear the sound of solid plastic, where my older ones that sound was muted due to the nice cushioning they had.I decided to do some research and went to a store and found that not only ... MoreI have been wearing Nike cross training shoes ever since 1989 and I have worn all generations of the Nike Monarch. I have older pairs of the Monarch IV with manufacture dates of 2014 and 2019. I buy new ones before the old ones are completely trashed and keep the old ones as backups. I just bought a pair manufactured in 2024 and am very disappointed to see that the cushioning on the inside of the heel counter is completely gone. It is just thin fabric glued directly to the plastic heel counter. It's bad enough that you can tap on the heel counter with your fingernail and you'll hear the sound of solid plastic, where my older ones that sound was muted due to the nice cushioning they had.I decided to do some research and went to a store and found that not only Monarch IV shoes, but other ones like Air Force 1 lows have this same issue. Is it a defect? Or has Nike just decided starting with 2024 to do away with the padding on the heel counter?I am also disappointed that the overall heel structure is now higher by about half a centimeter than on my previous shoes. My 2014 and 2019 pairs were made in China, this 2024 model was made in Vietnam. Not sure if that is the difference, but I sure wish I could get the older ones that have the heel counter padding and also the lower cut height on the heel itself, which allows for better gait while walking since the back of the shoe isn't pressing into my Achilles tendon as much.I also notice that the various cuts of leather around the heel exterior aren't sewn as nicely as on my older China-made pairs. Some of the leather is not stretched flat before it was sewn, it's really just poor quality control. A real shame, these Monarch IVs have been in production for more than a decade now.I wish I could find one that was made in 2023 or earlier with the heel counter cushioning. Or better yet, a China-made version (not sure what year they switched to Vietnam).

[Rewarded Review] Excellent Shoe.. Well Made.. Comfortable...

I've been buying these Monarchs for years. I wear them 90% of the time, and I get a good 15 months out of a pair typically. I especially like all leather as you can wipe them clean with a gentle soap and they still look good (where the other styles have nylon which just doesn't easily clean up. I wash these leather shoes in the washer with an old white towel and this is how they come out (note that this pair is 14 months old so they're nearing end-of-life as bottom treads are starting to thin). These probably have another two months left. One thing about washing is give them a full week to air dry (lift the inner portion out so it thoroughly dries). Only thing about these shoes I don't like is that some pair really squeak when new. Not the rubber tread against the ... MoreI've been buying these Monarchs for years. I wear them 90% of the time, and I get a good 15 months out of a pair typically. I especially like all leather as you can wipe them clean with a gentle soap and they still look good (where the other styles have nylon which just doesn't easily clean up. I wash these leather shoes in the washer with an old white towel and this is how they come out (note that this pair is 14 months old so they're nearing end-of-life as bottom treads are starting to thin). These probably have another two months left. One thing about washing is give them a full week to air dry (lift the inner portion out so it thoroughly dries). Only thing about these shoes I don't like is that some pair really squeak when new. Not the rubber tread against the floor, the the leather and insole sound like darn "clown shoes". I found that lifting the insole out some and thoroughly flooding the new shoe with foot powder gets in to the seams and minimizes that. After washing the squeak comes back.. so often more foot powder in the shoe is needed.

[Rewarded Review] Excellent for comfort and durability.. but...

Great comfort, shoe lasts a long time, and these look good. I've been buying the Monarch for years and really like ALMOST everything about it.. except one thing. These develop a "clown shoe squeak". Yes.. I have four different pair.. and every single one squeaks like clown shoes. I've removed the inside/bottom portion and added foot powder, but that lasts about a day. Not sure WHY these do this, but they do. Maybe I inadvertently bought "Squeakers" instead of "Sneakers"??? I notified Nike a couple of years ago, but as expected.. no response.

[Rewarded Review] The Best Overall Training Shoe

I wear these shoes for work as a delivery driver. I put a lot of miles on shoes, have flat feet that are hard on shoes, and need stable support in a shoe. I’ve tried many different shoes over the years and keep coming back to these. They have the best cushioned comfort combined with very good arch area/inside support of any shoe I’ve tried. I have LOTS of experience with these shoes. Seriously I’ve bought probably 20 pairs of them. With some the rubber on the bottom will start to separate after a few months. Super glue will fix that. The squeak usually occurs after a few months or harsh conditions such as walking in a lot of wet areas. The squeak is caused by the air chambers working loose and moving around. They definitely last about six months of everyday work, ... MoreI wear these shoes for work as a delivery driver. I put a lot of miles on shoes, have flat feet that are hard on shoes, and need stable support in a shoe. I’ve tried many different shoes over the years and keep coming back to these. They have the best cushioned comfort combined with very good arch area/inside support of any shoe I’ve tried. I have LOTS of experience with these shoes. Seriously I’ve bought probably 20 pairs of them. With some the rubber on the bottom will start to separate after a few months. Super glue will fix that. The squeak usually occurs after a few months or harsh conditions such as walking in a lot of wet areas. The squeak is caused by the air chambers working loose and moving around. They definitely last about six months of everyday work, but any shoe is truly worn out after that time regardless of appearance as the support will be gone and cause knee or foot problems. I’ve searched all over and these are still the best out there for all around comfort and support for everyday walking.