Why we stock Hanwag at Crib Goch Outdoor
Hanwag represents a different philosophy to most of the footwear we stock. Where Hoka prioritises maximalist cushioning, Merrell requires no break-in time, and Salomon brings trail running technology to hiking, Hanwag starts from traditional leather construction that has been refined over a century of making boots for serious mountain environments. A Hanwag boot is built to be resoled when the outsole wears, repaired when a component fails, and to outlast synthetic alternatives significantly when properly maintained. That longevity and repairability is increasingly rare in outdoor footwear and it is the reason we stock the brand alongside more modern alternatives.
The backstory that connects Hanwag to another brand we stock is worth knowing. Lowa and Hanwag were founded by two brothers. Hans Wagner founded Hanwag in 1921 and his brother Lorenz Wagner founded LOWA in 1923, both in the same small Bavarian village of Jetzendorf. Both brands are now owned by the Fenix Outdoor Group and describe each other as brother companies in friendly competition. When you stand in our store in Llanberis with a pair of Hanwag and a pair of LOWA side by side, you are looking at the result of over two centuries of combined German bootmaking heritage and friendly competition from within the same family.
What we stock and why we chose it
The Tatra II Wide GTX is the cornerstone of the Hanwag range we stock, available in men's and women's versions. Full grain leather construction, Gore-Tex waterproofing, and the wide last that defines the Tatra series and makes it the right choice for anyone who has found conventional hiking boots too narrow. The Tatra Top Wide GTX is the higher-cut version for more demanding terrain and extended load carrying. The Alaska Wide GTX is a serious mountain boot for technical hiking and demanding winter conditions, a heavier, stiffer construction suited to crampons and technical use. The Trapper Top Gore-Tex is the most traditional boot in the range: a full height leather boot with a classic alpine construction. The Bergler is a non-waterproof leather hiking boot for drier conditions where breathability matters more than weather resistance. For women, the Alta Bunion II GTX and Banks Low Bunion Lady GTX provide Gore-Tex options specifically designed around bunion anatomy, a fit consideration that most brands do not address at all. The Klarsby Low Bunion GTX and Belorado II Mid Bunion GTX cover additional bunion-specific options across heights. The Rotpunkt Light Low Lady GTX and the Rotpunkt Light Low GTX are lighter, lower-cut options for warmer conditions and less demanding terrain. We also stock Hanwag boot wax, care sponge, waterproofing spray, and replacement laces, which are essential for maintaining leather boots and extending their life considerably.
Not sure which Hanwag boot suits your use, or deciding between Hanwag and LOWA? Come in to our stores in Llanberis or Beddgelert and we will fit you properly and talk you through both ranges.
Hanwag Hiking Boots FAQs
Is Hanwag a good brand? +
Yes, and one of the most respected traditional bootmakers in Europe. Hanwag has been making boots in Bavaria since 1921 using construction methods developed over a century of producing footwear for alpinists and mountain guides. The brand is known for quality leather construction, precise fit, and boots that can be resoled and repaired rather than simply replaced. They are not the lightest or the most affordable boots on the market, but they represent a long-term investment in footwear that is built to last. We stock Hanwag because our customers who walk regularly and want boots that will still be performing in ten years consistently come back to this brand.
Where is the Hanwag brand from and are they German? +
Yes, Hanwag is German. The brand was founded in 1921 by Hans Wagner in the small Bavarian village of Vierkirchen, near Munich, and the headquarters and manufacturing remain in Bavaria today. The brand is now owned by the Swedish Fenix Outdoor Group, which also owns Fjällräven and Primus among others, but production and design remain rooted in Germany. The name Hanwag comes from the founder's name: Hans Wagner. The story has an interesting connection to LOWA, which we also stock: LOWA was founded by Hans's brother Lorenz in the same Bavarian village in 1923. The two brands are now genuine brother companies under the same parent group.
Are Hanwag boots worn by the military? +
Hanwag does produce a dedicated Special Forces and military boot range used for tactical and military duties, which is built to the same German construction standards as the hiking range. We stock the civilian hiking and mountain boot range rather than the military models, but the engineering standards, leather quality, and construction methods are shared across both. The military heritage reinforces the quality credentials of the boots we stock: a brand trusted to make footwear for military and special forces applications is applying the same standards to a hiking boot for Snowdonia.
Are Hanwag boots handmade? +
Partly. Hanwag boots use a combination of skilled handcraft and modern manufacturing. The double stitching construction that joins the shaft to the sole, a method that makes the boot both waterproof and extremely robust by connecting from below and from the side, involves skilled assembly rather than purely automated production. The cutting of the leather, the lasting process, and the finishing involve human skill rather than simply machine output. Hanwag describes their process as traditional handcrafted workmanship combined with technical innovation, which is an accurate summary: not fully handmade in the traditional custom boot sense, but significantly more craft-intensive than most mainstream hiking boot production.
Do Hanwag boots run small and how should they fit? +
Hanwag sizing is generally true to size but the fit varies meaningfully between lasts. The Tatra and Alaska ranges are built on a wide last that suits broader feet and those who have found conventional hiking boots too narrow. The bunion-specific models in the women's range, including the Alta Bunion II, Banks Low Bunion, and Klarsby Low Bunion, have an adapted toe box specifically to accommodate bunion anatomy without pressure points. For leather boots it is always worth trying before buying, as leather moulds to the foot over time and the break-in period means the initial fit should be snug without causing immediate pressure. We can fit Hanwag boots properly in store in Llanberis or Beddgelert and advise on sizing for your specific foot shape.
What is the difference between Hanwag and LOWA? +
Both are Bavarian German bootmakers founded by brothers in the same village in the 1920s and both are now owned by the Fenix Outdoor Group. They describe each other as brother companies in friendly competition, which is the most honest summary available. In practice, Hanwag tends to lean more toward traditional construction and the upper end of the technical hiking and mountaineering market, with models like the Alaska GTX and Trapper Top that suit serious alpine use. LOWA covers a broader range from entry-level walking boots through to high-altitude mountaineering, and the Tibet and Cevedale ranges are widely used by mountain professionals and guides. Both brands produce exceptional quality and the choice between them often comes down to fit, last shape, and which specific model suits your planned use. We stock both and fitting them side by side in store is the best way to decide.
Can I try Hanwag boots in store in North Wales? +
Yes. We stock Hanwag across our stores in Llanberis and Beddgelert. For leather hiking boots in particular, trying before buying is essential. The break-in period for leather boots means the initial fit needs to be right before you invest in a pair, and last shape, volume, and toe box width are all things that vary enough between people that a size guide alone is insufficient. Come in and we will fit you properly, compare Hanwag and LOWA side by side if you are deciding between them, and ensure you leave with boots that suit your foot and your planned walking in Eryri and beyond.