Hanwag (ive had better)

[Travis Hobbs]

I have ran a variety of boots from scarpa, cabelas, lowa, kenetrek, crispi, danner, la sportiva, schnees, whites and others. I feel like you name a manufacturer and I’ve probably tried a boot they make. For the most part, I have really great feet that are happy and comfortable in almost any boot. I prefer some over others, stiffer the better (ankle injury years ago) but for the most part, boots are boots and I’m happy if they last me a year.

After a few scarpas that I really loved, I was in the market and was on Black Ovis looking for another pair and saw the Hanwag Makra. I hadn’t really heard of Hanwag and after seeing some reviews I thought I’ll give them a shot.

I intended to use them for summer scouting, fishing, early season hunting, shed hunting, cutting firewood, messin with my mules, etc. basically I wear them almost daily for some amount of time. I also admit, I’m horrible with any type of maintenance. About a year of use is normal, if I get more I’m happy.

I received the boots in March, Fit was EPIC!! I loved them. Brake in was as expected, maybe some of the most comfortable boots I have owned.

About a month in, I was fishing a small stream in super wet grass and some fresh snow and my feet got quite damp. I remember wondering if they were leaking, but my pants also got quite damp and I thought I had a moisture transfer issue.

Few weeks later, in damp grass again, damp socks.... again. And it got worse from there. By June, I could walk in my pasture for ten minutes after a rainstorm and both feet would be damp. It was unreal. They leaked no doubt.

I was out tonight, pulling a few trail cams in a good rainstorm and I’m officially retiring my 5 1/2 month old Hanwag Makras. My socks were soaked! Possibly the worst boot I have ever owned. they are shot, I really haven’t seen any bad reviews on Hanwag, but I thought I’d post up and see if I anyone else has ever had trouble?

I’ve owned plenty of leaky boots but these are unreal. For the price, I expected better. I think It’s the last pair of Hanwags I’ll own.

 

[5MilesBack]

Well, those aren't a full-leather boot. I wouldn't expect the GTX liner alone to keep your feet dry.

 

[MThuntr]

I think those are those are basically the Keen shoe of Hanwag boots...fake leather, mesh fabric, no rand, soft sole rubber. I'm not defending them as it looks like they went real cheap which is BS but that style of boot almost regardless of brand rarely keep any waterproofness.

If you had bought their leather boots you may have a better opinion

 

[Travis Hobbs]

Yes, leather would be way better as far as waterproof goes! No doubt. And I do not expect them to be on the same level as a leather boot.

But.... comparing them to other synthetic gore tex boots I have had, these things are horrible. My feet would have been as dry wearing a pair of crocks. 5.5 months old, $320+ I expect more.

My scarpas stayed waterproof for over a year. La Sportivas, same thing. Similar design and construction.

 

[5MilesBack]

$320+

Ouch! They look like a $100 pair of hiking boots even brand new.

 

[Travis Hobbs]

Ouch! They look like a $100 pair of hiking boots even brand new.

Yeah, I expected more after reading reviews and that price.

 

[Block]

I posted a review about them a few months ago.. I got ~6 Months out of them b4 the toes caved in/shrunk,, and were about to wear holes right thru them. Granted I put ALOT of miles on them. Like you said,, very comfy to start.. NOT very durable... 2 pairs in a row like that for me... surprised sum1 like Snyder who hikes a lot speaks so highly of them...

 

[Travis Hobbs]

I posted a review about them a few months ago.. I got ~6 Months out of them b4 the toes caved in/shrunk,, and were about to wear holes right thru them. Granted I put ALOT of miles on them. Like you said,, very comfy to start.. NOT very durable... 2 pairs in a row like that for me... surprised sum1 like Snyder who hikes a lot speaks so highly of them...

I wish I would have read your review before I bought them!! Lol

Yeah, they are quite possibly the worst boots I have owned. Now we know

 

[oregonhuntr]

My Scarpas stayed waterproof for over a year. La Sportivas, same thing. Similar design and construction.

@ntrlbrnhunter what Scarpas and Las Sportivas have you had good luck with?

I really like the Scarpa Zodiac GTX for a warm season boot, very comfortable for my feet. But I found out they are not waterproof as Scarpa states.

 

[Travis Hobbs]

@ntrlbrnhunter what Scarpas and Las Sportivas have you had good luck with?

I really like the Scarpa Zodiac GTX for a warm season boot, very comfortable for my feet. But I found out they are not waterproof as Scarpa states.

So the (3) boots I have ran from Scarpa was the Charmoz Pro Gtx (I don’t think it’s available anymore) it was unreal. Maybe the longest lasting pair of boots I have ever ran. I also have ran the Rebel k Gtx (available through Kuiu) and the grand dru. They were all awesome. The only thing I disliked was the break in period for me was quite long.

On the La Sportiva side I first ran the Glacier, then later the glacier WLF while I was fighting fire. They were a backup pair of boots at first, then I fell in love and I hunted in them frequently as well as digging line and operating dozer on fire line. They lasted me multiple seasons and kept my feet super comfortable. I also bought a pair of the Karakoram (sp?) and really loved them. Maybe to much and wore them almost daily at work

 

[PredatorX]

I posted a review about them a few months ago.. I got ~6 Months out of them b4 the toes caved in/shrunk,, and were about to wear holes right thru them. Granted I put ALOT of miles on them. Like you said,, very comfy to start.. NOT very durable... 2 pairs in a row like that for me... surprised sum1 like Snyder who hikes a lot speaks so highly of them...

I'm guessing he did not have that many miles on them...I mean he probably has so many pairs that he rotates through.

When I first saw them I knew they would t hold up just by looking at the lace eyelets.

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[GrosVentre]

I've owned one pair of Hanwag and won't buy another pair. Not long after breaking them in the threads started to rip/unravel. Plus, they just weren't very comfortable. Much better boots out there in that price range in my opinion.

Not sure leather boots are anymore waterproof than synthetic. Yes, you can add waterproofing to leather but you can do the same with synthetics. The liner/booty is what makes the foot stay dry. Leather also gets much heavier when wet compared to synthetics.

 

[sneaky]

I've owned one pair of Hanwag and won't buy another pair. Not long after breaking them in the threads started to rip/unravel. Plus, they just weren't very comfortable. Much better boots out there in that price range in my opinion.

Not sure leather boots are anymore waterproof than synthetic. Yes, you can add waterproofing to leather but you can do the same with synthetics. The liner/booty is what makes the foot stay dry. Leather also gets much heavier when wet compared to synthetics.

Say what? A good, conditioned pair of leather boots will be infinitely more waterproof than the best pair of synthetics. I've had synthetic boots get way more water logged than any all leather boot that I've owned.

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[Huntfun]

I used to wear HanWag Alaskan GTX many years ago and really like them a lot. They were well made and provided great support. Their toe bed was just too small for my feet so I finally switch to Zamberlan and have not looked back.

 

[GrosVentre]

Say what? A good, conditioned pair of leather boots will be infinitely more waterproof than the best pair of synthetics. I've had synthetic boots get way more water logged than any all leather boot that I've owned.

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Maybe someone needs to do some more research, or buy a better synthetic boot. Leather absorbs water....fact. You can condition them, same as you can synthetic, but it only last a short period of time. Plus, once leather gets wet it becomes much heavier than synthetic material. Let's not forget its the "booty" inside the boot that keeps your feet dry not the outerwear of the boot. Now if we were talking durability, I may side with you.

 

[sneaky]

Maybe someone needs to do some more research, or buy a better synthetic boot. Leather absorbs water....fact. You can condition them, same as you can synthetic, but it only last a short period of time. Plus, once leather gets wet it becomes much heavier than synthetic material. Let's not forget its the "booty" inside the boot that keeps your feet dry not the outerwear of the boot. Now if we were talking durability, I may side with you.

Maybe if someone wants to make snide remarks they can come right out and say it. You can have your synthetic boots, and I've never had any of my pairs of leather boots absorb as much water as my synthetics. Take your smart ass comments somewhere else.

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[GrosVentre]

Maybe if someone wants to make snide remarks they can come right out and say it. You can have your synthetic boots, and I've never had any of my pairs of leather boots absorb as much water as my synthetics. Take your smart ass comments somewhere else.

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Haha didn't mean to hurt your feelings just responding back to your post. Guess you shouldn't wear your feelings on your sleeve when someone disagrees with you. Per your last sentence maybe you should take your own advice.

 

[Nick Muche]

The Hanwag Alaskans are fantastic boots and if you keep them well oiled you'll have no issues.

 

[Fins_N_Tines]

I've owned one pair of Hanwag and won't buy another pair. Not long after breaking them in the threads started to rip/unravel. Plus, they just weren't very comfortable. Much better boots out there in that price range in my opinion.

Not sure leather boots are anymore waterproof than synthetic. Yes, you can add waterproofing to leather but you can do the same with synthetics. The liner/booty is what makes the foot stay dry. Leather also gets much heavier when wet compared to synt

I've owned one pair of Hanwag and won't buy another pair. Not long after breaking them in the threads started to rip/unravel. Plus, they just weren't very comfortable. Much better boots out there in that price range in my opinion.

Not sure leather boots are anymore waterproof than synthetic. Yes, you can add waterproofing to leather but you can do the same with synthetics. The liner/booty is what makes the foot stay dry. Leather also gets much heavier when wet compared to synthetics.

I completely agree with this. I have also used both leather and synthetic and combo leather/synthetic. Leather generally are more durable (type of leather dependent) but leather does not breathe as well. Leather holds water much more and tends to get heavier the more water it’s exposed to. The fact of the matter the actual waterproofing comes from the Gore-Tex bootie in the boot. It’s more a function on the construction of the boot and how well that boot protects the membrane bootie. So I agree leather will protect the outside from stickers and such usually better than synthetic, but that does nothing for protecting the inside of the boot. Any well made synthetic boot should hold up just as well waterproof wise. Just for the record I like both.

 

[ScottinPA]

I bought a pair of Hanwag Alaskans off ebay 2 wks before my elk hunt this September. Wore them on one training hike without issue and wore them 2-3 days when my Salomon Quest boots got waterlogged in a creek crossing/flop. No issues and are one of the better boots I've owned.