Hanwag

Hanwag – top quality hiking and mountaineering boots

Over one hundred years ago, the brand Hanwag was established in Bavaria, Germany by Hans Wagner – a third-generation shoemaker, and his nephew, Josef Wagner. They started making boots and shoes in 1921 in Vierkirchen (near Munich) where the production took place on site. This remains the case until this day.

Innovative Hanwag boots

What makes Hanwag so special is the fact that the brand's footwear designers and developers work with experienced top athletes to create innovative footwear for outdoor use that is worked out to the finest and smallest details. Thanks to their exceptional hand craftmanship and experience, the boots are created using one of three techniques: double-stitched construction, cementing or revolutionary direct injection technology (where the sole is attached directly). Consequently, Hanwag offers a wide range of footwear, from a robust leather boot to a lightweight and flexible footwear .

Double stitching

In order to make the boots feel firm and solid while worn, the insole is first stitched out and linked to the last. After that, the first row of stitching joining the leather upper and lining to the insole. The top is flipped outward when this first row of stitching is finished. The leather upper is then bent and positioned at a particular angle to create a ridge that will enhance the shoe's structure. A second row of stitching is then used to attach the leather top to the midsole after which both components are joined.

Cemented construction

Most of Hanwag’s footwear uses the cemented method – the cemented construction process involves stretching and molding the upper (the part that covers the foot) over the last (the solid form around which a shoe is made) and joining it to the insole to create the structure of the boot. The insole and upper are then firmly adhered together using adhesives. The midsole and outsole are then attached. By using this technique, the Hanwag boots' longevity is increased, and the footwear preserves its shape creating the perfect long-lasting boots.

Direct-injection technology

The direct-injection technique results in exceptionally lightweight boots with outstanding comfortability owing to the unique midsole by injecting it with polyurethane between the outsole and the shaft of the boot.

Other than the three above-mentioned techniques, Hanwag also ensures a better and more individual fit corresponding to the shape of the foot. The brand provides six different types of fits, so chances are that your fit is among them. Do you prefer an Alpine wider fit like the Hanwag Makra Combi GTX ? Or rather a boot that provides you with more space specially tailored for hikers with hallux valgus like the Hanwag Tatra II GTX? Check out our Hanwag hiker- and mountaineering footwear collection.

Sustainability

Sustainability and ensuring the environmentally friendly production of their products are of utmost significance for Hanwag, and that is evident in the way they operate: Hanwag recycles materials, collaborates closely with local (EU) suppliers, keeps transportation routes short, and ensures that all their raw materials are of top quality and are utilized in the most ecologically friendly way possible. For instance, their Hanwag Alaska boots , are made from sustainable leather that come from accredited organic farms which use minimal resources and energy. Additionally, the Hanwag Tatra and Banks models' laces are made entirely of recycled polyester, adding yet another element of social responsibility to the production of this innovative footwear.

When considering the production of Hanwag's Alpine and trekking boots, it is significant to note that the Leather Work Group has approved the company's supply chain, which is entirely based in Europe.

Alltricks believes that Hanwag makes one of the best hikers- and mountaineering boots and chooses to focus on shoes made of Gore-TEX, a waterproof and breathable fabric layer, as it provides more comfort for the feet during active hiking or climbing mountains and always ensures dry feet even in the most extreme weather conditions.