The history of Hanwag

Bavarian hiking and mountaineering boot manufacturer Hanwag is not the typical modern commercial manufacturer characterized by exponential growth and quick profits.

100 years. In the outdoor industry with its changing trends - that's a long time. However, the main question for Hanwag has always been - what exactly makes hiking boots really good?

This question has helped shape Hanwag from the beginning. This has transformed it and made it a globally recognized brand. From Hanwag's beginnings in a small workshop. Hanwag has grown slowly, steadily and consistently.

Haste and rapid development has never been HANWAG's way. Not with his boots, not with his employees, not with the company's philosophy. In the first 83 years of its existence, Hanwag has had only two directors: the company's founder, Hans Wagner, who was a third-generation shoemaker, and his nephew Josef Wagner. The company has now grown far from a small workshop, but is still a real, experienced shoemaker.

Finding the right path

Franz Kreutner joined the company as a refugee shortly after World War II and stayed for 47 years. He worked with the two directors of the company, “Hans and Sep”, as he calls them. And since he went from an unskilled worker to a department manager, he knows almost every HANWAG employee from 1947 to 1994 and has many entertaining stories about trips to the mountains or beer festivals.

Adam Weger worked at HANWAG from 1968 to 2015. As a long-time head of research and development, he personally wore and tested every shoe the company produced on the mountains. Joseph Wagner called him "a perfectionist of functional and technical details".

Among other things, HANWAG used to make ski boots, which were exported in large quantities to the USA in the 1960s. HANWAG climbing shoes hit the market a little too early for the climbing boom. HANWAG has also produced boots for paragliding designed to help ensure a soft landing. During all these events, HANWAG quietly continued to improve its core competencies: to produce long-lasting, durable, yet comfortable mountain and hiking boots. Boots that will not only withstand Munich's ›steep‹ city streets, but are also built for high-altitude mountaineering around the world, remote jungle expeditions and long hikes. Boots for forest trails, country hikes and also for exploring the city. And it continued on this path for decade after decade. Thus, sustainability has always been a key factor in the company's long-term approach. Long before the era of greenwashing .

Production only in Europe

Long-term thinking and quality work also mean that a good pair of hiking boots costs a couple of hundred euros, but still generates much less profit than sneakers that cost half the price. Especially when no scrimmage has been made in the more than 100 parts that go into making the boot, from the high-quality Vibram sole to the timeless full-grain leather upper or the tough, deep-pull lacing. In order to maintain the highest quality standards for its relatively modest collections, HANWAG manufactures only in European factories. For example, its factory in Hungary. Is a family boot company in Croatia that has been working exclusively for HANWAG for over 30 years. And HANWAG still makes boots at its company headquarters in Wierkirchen, no longer a small village but now connected to Munich by a fast urban rail link.

However, the challenge of longevity has always been to move with the times while learning from the past. In 2004, when HANWAG had no one to take the helm, the director of the family business, Josef Wagner, decided to sell the company. He chose the Fenix ​​​​group from Sweden, known for the brands Fjällräven, Tierra, and Royal Robbins, because he wants HANWAG to continue its path as a premium brand. Under new ownership, the collection might have changed slightly in terms of color and design; the areas of application may have expanded, but at the heart of HANWAG is still a high-quality shoemaker from a small village in Bavaria who sells boots all over the world.

So what makes a good boot? Josef Wagner has said, "In truth, a good boot is never quite finished." His words could also apply to the next hundred years.

Mountaineering and outdoor shoe brand with the largest range of shoes

HANWAG shoes have been close to the foot since 1921. When Hans Wagner founded the company, the world and the shoe industry were very different from today. But some things never change, and Hanwag's fit remains legendary. More than a hundred years of experience, excellent craftsmanship, selected materials and sophisticated production methods explain why.

Hanwag shoe press

A boot always has its own shape in the factory: it is determined by the mold. Basically, a trowel is a model of a wooden or plastic foot. The boot is formed around a mold and as a result the boot takes its shape. For example, a narrower instep makes a narrower boot. The tread is very important for a perfect fit of hiking or mountain boots. Insoles suitable for feet prevent problems during hiking or mountaineering, such as blisters or pressure points.

However, Hanwag does not only use molds for different sizes. Instead, Hanwag has anatomically shaped lancets for men and women. In addition to standard insoles, Hanwag uses special insoles for different foot shapes and shoe categories. Many Hanwag shoe models have versions with a different tread. The name of the shoes indicates whether they are made with special insoles and what type - for example, Alaska Wide GTX.

For many people, shoes that fit perfectly are very important. But few of us realize how complicated this aspect is. The fit is invisible and becomes visible only when complaints arise. And there is no ONE perfect fit either. The fit of boots is as individual as the wearer and is a great challenge for shoemakers. Since fit is all about foot shape and no two feet are the same, finding the best boots for your feet is no easy task. But Hanwag makes this task easier by offering many options.

Standard ladle

The Hanwag standard strainer is built on more than 100 years of experience and is suitable for most people. Standard stirrups are designed anatomically suitable for women and men.

Wide ladle

Do your shoes usually push you sideways? Have you ever experienced a burning sensation on the bottom of your feet while hiking? If the answer is yes, then you have a wide foot.

The Wide Last is wider in the forefoot and in the "pads" part of the foot.

Narrow funnel

Do you often feel that the shoes do not provide enough support, most shoes seem wide and the foot slides too much inside, you have a narrow foot.

Hanwag alpine wide lieste for mountaineering shoes

Mountaineering shoes are usually narrower in order to be able to place the foot precisely when climbing. However, shoes that are too tight tend to cause problems if you wear thicker socks and climb in the cold. A shoe that is too narrow puts pressure on the foot, restricts blood circulation and makes the feet cold.

The Hanwag alpine wide last shoes have a larger last overall and more room for the toes.

Hanwag shoe linings

Hanwag mountain and trekking shoes are made from a wide range of different materials. Hanwag carefully selects each of them and uses them for a specific purpose. Choosing the right shoe lining means more comfort and the best possible wear climate for your feet. The linings are made of leather GORE-TEX® or special fabrics - they all have different properties.

Hanwag cares about the quality and structure of the materials used, as well as their performance down to the smallest detail. This applies to the acquisition of raw materials, product development and production. Many customers ask us which lining material is best: leather, GORE-TEX® or fabric? How is it really? We always find that when hiking in the mountains, our feet sweat, creating moisture in our shoes. It is important to transport this moisture away from the foot as quickly as possible. Why? Because moisture means blisters . Most people don't know that blisters are caused by moisture (from sweat, rain, puddles, etc.). First, wet skin is softer and more vulnerable. Second, wet socks cause more friction and chafing. Therefore, it is important to choose moisture-wicking socks, but the best way to ensure comfort and keep your feet dry is to wear shoes with a breathable lining. Also, the longer the hike - especially if it's several days - the more important it is that the shoes are waterproof.

Finally, the combination of the upper fabric and the inner lining plays an important role. For example, the durable 2.4mm to 2.6mm impregnated nubuck used by Hanwag in the TATRA boot model provides good water resistance. Combined with the leather lining, it is more breathable and provides more comfort.