Crit Garen - Slightly Different Take on Our Demacian Friend
I play Garen probably more than I should and I'm not a top tier player but I've been trying out something different and it seems to be working out pretty well. This is for those games when the enemy team doesn't have anyone tanky and dangerous (top/jg tank). I've been using Crit Marks with the usual tank runes and masteries. I still go for a tank item first (Sunfire/Deadmans/Thornmail) but I've been getting Static Shiv second. Follow it up with another defensive item. From there I'll either pick up another defensive item or Cleaver followed by Infinity Edge depending on how well the game is going.
I've notice that I haven't sacrificed much in the way of tankiness but now I do a lot more damage with 38% crit strike and towers come down easier with that extra attack speed. Late game still gives you a tanky armor shredding beast but now you can too shot half the enemy team.
Definitely not a build for every game but I want to know what your thoughts are.

is probably a more reliable build.