After-purchase information and tips for HANWAG boots, including lacing, cleaning and care, and resoling.
LACING TIPS & TRICKS
The fit of course is paramount, but lacing can play a major role in enhancing fit and comfort. Surf the internet for lacing tips and it's amazing what you'll find. Most of the information has to do with appearance. But there are some very effective tips too. Here are three lacing tricks which we think are helpful. And they make lacing your shoes child's play.
FOR EXTRA ANKLE SUPPORT
All HANWAG footwear is fitted with very high-quality, anatomically-shaped heel counter (this is where many manufacturers like to cut corners where it's difficult to spot, but we don't). Therefore, we would like to claim that good ankle support is one of our strengths.
For a more compact fit you can use a lock lacing technique. Thread your laces directly under the two lowest lace hooks, but don't cross them over. Then guide the opposite end through the lace that connects the two lace hooks. As a result the heel will sit better in the shoe.
TO ALLEVIATE PRESSURE AT THE INSTEP
Many people have an uneven instep or even bumps or ganglions on the top of their feet. If your boot rubs uncomfortably on these areas, simply thread the laces through two eyelets on the same side at the pressure point instead of crossing them over. This alleviates pressure and leaves more room for any unevenness
TWO ZONE LACING
There is a simple trick to set different lacing tensions at the different sections of the foot.
First, tighten the laces as required at the lower forefoot section. Then, simply cross the laces over one another and pull tight so that they cannot work loose. This allows you to lace the next section of the foot at a different tension.
We recommend altering lacing tension for ascents and descents. For ascents, only lace the bottom half of the shaft so that the heel sits perfectly in the boot. Then leave the upper somewhat looser so that the shaft doesn't hit your shins. On descents, lace both areas up tightly to stop the foot from sliding forward in the boot. This is also why our more rigid alpine and trekking boots have an integrated clamp hook.
CLEANING & CARE
Good boots don't come cheap. However, at HANWAG we've deliberately chosen more costly manufacturing procedures so that all our footwear can be resoled. By correctly caring for the leather and other uppers, you will have footwear that can last a life long.
There are a few key things to remember if you want to care for footwear properly:
1. CLEANINGRemove insoles and the laces too if they are very dirty. Outside: Brush off any dirt every time you've worn the footwear. If the dirt is hard to remove, rinse the footwear under running water. Special leather cleaners should be applied if nothing else helps. Soap damages the impregnation and most types of leather. Inside: Leather and textile linings (as in most GORE-TEX®boots) are best cleaned with a sponge or a soft brush and fresh water. Do not use hot water. Drying: Thoroughly dry your boots after cleaning in a well-aired, dry and shady place with their tongues wide open. If really wet, stuff leather-lined footwear with paper and exchange it several times. The same applies to GORE-TEX ®boots which dry faster and more effectively with paper (toilet or kitchen paper - never newspaper). Also here it is important to exchange the paper at least once every half an hour. Please note: Never keep wet or damp shoes in non-aired and humid places like plastic bags, car boots, basements etc. Never dry boots near an oven or over fire or any other source of heat. The leather will burn, turn brittle, dry and crack. Another downside is that the entire shoe can lose its shape. |
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2. IMPREGNATION (water-proofing)Regularly apply impregnation sprays (also on new footwear). Spray on the dry footwear after cleaning. The impregnation achieves its full effect after 24 hours. Spray carefully and keep about 30 cm distance. Don't forget the shoelaces and the inaccessible corners on the tongue. Flybubble tip: Even Hanwag boots need waterproofing from time to time! We use "Nikwax Nubuck & Suede Proof" to keep our Hanwag boots waterproof. The older they get, and the more you use them, the more they (and you) will benefit from doing this. |
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3. LEATHER CAREDry leather needs moisturizing. Use special wax (no grease or oil). Massage a thin coat of wax into the dry leather. Please note: With each wax application, the rough surface of nubuck, suede or any other split leather will darken slightly and become smoother. If you don't like this effect you can roughen up the leather again with a special suede brush and remove any excess wax. |
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4. FURTHER TIPSOnly store your boots upright with no pressure in a dry and well-aired place. Tip: Use a shoetree. Don't let your footwear come into contact with oil, diesel, petroleum or slurry. If this happens clean your footwear immediately. After a longer period of storage, roughen the tread on the sole a little bit, using a wire brush or fine sandpaper. Brush off your boots every time you've worn them. |
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RESOLING
ALL HANWAG AIR MODELS CAN BE RESOLED
If a boot or shoe is in a reasonable condition but the sole is worn it may benefit from a resole.
At HANWAG we make all our footwear using the cemented construction method, apart from our double-stitched boots. Cemented construction is a traditional and complex shoemaking technique, where the shaft is worked over the insole on a last before the outsole is attached with adhesive (cement) directly to the lasted upper. It requires a lot of craftsmanship and experience. The result is a very durable boot or shoe with outstanding stability and a long-lasting fit.
Cement-lasted footwear also has the advantage that it can be resoled over and over again. To do this the old sole is completely removed. This means that, if required, the full rubber rand can also be renewed. The new sole is then attached (cemented) directly to the upper.
WHAT CAN I DO IF THE SOLE IS WORN OR COMING AWAY FROM MY BOOT OR SHOE?
If your footwear is still in a good condition apart from this problem, all HANWAG footwear can be resoled. You can either consult a reputable shoemaker or take your footwear to an approved HANWAG dealer, who can then send it to us to be resoled. We only charge factory cost price for this service.
THE SOLES DON'T HAVE AS MUCH GRIP AS BEFORE, WHY?
With a new boot or shoe, it could be that there is impregnating agent residue on the sole. This will rub away in a short time as you walk. If you have not used your shoes for a long period of time it is possible that the surface of the sole has hardened and therefore become more slippery. This is normal. The soles of all HANWAG boots and shoes contain natural rubber (an expensive natural material in comparison to cheaper PU soles). Simply take a wire brush or fine sandpaper and lightly roughen up the surface, or try going for a walk on a tarred road.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I FIND A DEFECT WITH MY HANWAG BOOTS OR SHOES?
Take them back to the HANWAG dealer where you bought them. The HANWAG dealer will check the defect and decide if it is a justified complaint. In this case, they will be returned to HANWAG and repaired free of charge or you will receive a replacement pair.
CAN I HAVE MY DOUBLE-STITCHED BOOTS RESOLED?
Yes. All genuine double-stitched HANWAG boots can be resoled.