Don't Buy Hanwags if you're looking for new boots

[fish_e_o]

i received these brand new hanwag boots in august 2017 after one trip i had lugs falling off and chunking off in september i contacted them for warranty. they said
"that the chunks are coming of due to hydrolysis, this is the degradation of the sole and is purportedly accelerated if you don't wear your shoes regularly or that have been sitting in the box for a couple of years."
they were willing to replace them, so i sent them back.

today i'm told that they can't replace them with the same model and if i want a new model i need to pay around $300...

great boots i just bought...

BEWARE HANWAG!!!

[artie]

I was thinking of getting Hanwag but I guess not. Seems like they might have sold you old stock. who knows. I would suggest resoling but then the uppers might also go on you.

[calgarychef]

Yup, seems like old stock doesn't it? That's not your fault and if you still have. The receipt they should stand by their product.

[BackPackHunter]

I love my hanwags
They don’t make the sole , it’s a vibram sole.
I’ve never seen anything like your pics. I put probably close to 1000 miles on my 1st pair, then I tried to fast dry them by a fire, it went bad.
I bet I’m close to 1000 on the 2nd pair, and they are holding up nice.
I would guess I’ll get another 1000 miles .

Suck when your the guy that gets a bad pair, but I’ve not seen very many bad reviews,

[BackPackHunter]

This is what mine look like & 1000miles would be the minimum they had on them.

[Bub]

Pretty much exact same thing happened to my friend. His were 300 and some dollars Zamberlan though. He went on a over 200 km backpacking trip and came back with no rubber on his boots 10 days later. They took it back in mec, however, and issued a full refund.

Edit: and I have the exact same model of Zamberlans bought a couple years prior and they are just great

[HunterDave]

Is sending them $300 for new boots your only option? What about a refund for an obviously defective product?

[fish_e_o]

Originally Posted by HunterDave

Is sending them $300 for new boots your only option? What about a refund for an obviously defective product?

i just asked them to ship me the boots back. i'll order in new vibram soles and have them resoled at a local shoe repair place.

[Arty]

First of all, that's a high-volume molded sole boot, probably rebranded (i.e. the cheap stuff). My guess is they're not even re-soleable, sort of like buying a cheap car with tires & wheels factory-welded to the brake drums. Those are nothing like double-stitched Hanwag boots. A better title would be 'Dont buy molded sole boots for demanding use'.

High-end manufacturers of all products, from cars to boats to beer to electronics and boots, are always looking for ways to down-market some product lines when customers go for cheaper price points.

'Made in Croatia' - they possibly sourced a cheaper line of vibram soles which look like they are either fused to the boot during molding or maybe even created during the molding process.

Had a pair of Meindl boots once made the same way. One day the whole bottom just separated from the tops and I had to walk around like wearing a pair of flip-flop thongs until I found some duct tape. Tossed them like an empty BIC lighter before I got home.

Just take the hit, and then go for a good pair of double-stitched Hanwag or Viberg boots.
https://www.hanwagboots.ca/grunten.html
https://www.hanwagboots.ca/bergler.html
https://workboot.com/products/viberg...sulated-hunter

[fish_e_o]

Originally Posted by chuck

So they are offering $357 towards a new pair?

290 so i would need to pony up some cash to get a replacement

Originally Posted by Arty

First of all, that's a high-volume molded sole boot, probably rebranded (i.e. the cheap stuff). My guess is they're not even re-soleable, sort of like buying a cheap car with tires & wheels factory-welded to the brake drums. Those are nothing like double-stitched Hanwag boots. A better title would be 'Dont buy molded sole boots for demanding use'.

High-end manufacturers of all products, from cars to boats to beer to electronics and boots, are always looking for ways to down-market some product lines when customers go for cheaper price points.

'Made in Croatia' - they possibly sourced a cheaper line of vibram soles which look like they are either fused to the boot during molding or maybe even created during the molding process.

Had a pair of Meindl boots once made the same way. One day the whole bottom just separated from the tops and I had to walk around like wearing a pair of flip-flop thongs until I found some duct tape. Tossed them like an empty BIC lighter before I got home.

Just take the hit, and then go for a good pair of double-stitched Hanwag or Viberg boots.
https://www.hanwagboots.ca/grunten.html
https://www.hanwagboots.ca/bergler.html
https://workboot.com/products/viberg...sulated-hunter

lol these are hanwags!!

[Arty]

Originally Posted by fish_e_o

[...]
lol these are hanwags!!

Yeah, of a different model of boots. What's your point?

[fish_e_o]

Originally Posted by Arty

Yeah, of a different model of boots. What's your point?

ah i see. i thought you were saying i should buy hanwags because they're better boots lol

so that style is better?

[Arty]

Originally Posted by fish_e_o

ah i see. i thought you were saying i should buy hanwags because they're better boots lol

so that style is better?

Way better. Just like some other kinds manufactured product, the double-stitched version happens to be better design, more attention to detail, repairable, made stronger. And in this case, happens to be a more traditional (and slightly more expensive) hand-built process.

[denied access]

Originally Posted by Arty

First of all, that's a high-volume molded sole boot, probably rebranded (i.e. the cheap stuff). My guess is they're not even re-soleable, sort of like buying a cheap car with tires & wheels factory-welded to the brake drums. Those are nothing like double-stitched Hanwag boots. A better title would be 'Dont buy molded sole boots for demanding use'.

High-end manufacturers of all products, from cars to boats to beer to electronics and boots, are always looking for ways to down-market some product lines when customers go for cheaper price points.

'Made in Croatia' - they possibly sourced a cheaper line of vibram soles which look like they are either fused to the boot during molding or maybe even created during the molding process.

Had a pair of Meindl boots once made the same way. One day the whole bottom just separated from the tops and I had to walk around like wearing a pair of flip-flop thongs until I found some duct tape. Tossed them like an empty BIC lighter before I got home.

Just take the hit, and then go for a good pair of double-stitched Hanwag or Viberg boots.
https://www.hanwagboots.ca/grunten.html
https://www.hanwagboots.ca/bergler.html
https://workboot.com/products/viberg...sulated-hunter

All that is very true but when Hanwag put their name on them they should stand behind them a bit better and at least offer a refund or a new pair. Hanwag was certainly there to collect the profit or royalties from selling non hanwag hanwags. I to fell for the Meindles but the store I bought them from gave me a refund.

[DExplorer]

That must be so annoying. Thanks for the heads up.

[MinMoose]

This is not good to hear. I've had my Hanwags for about 25 years and they've been a fantastic boot but I've been considering getting them replaced. Hearing stories like this makes me wonder whether their customer support is lacking.

[Acesneights]

I love my hanwags. I own two pairs. A buddy of mine put 1000s of miles on his and the sole started coming off so he sent them back and they resoled them at no cost so I believe if it was a Hanwag issue they would’ve done something about it. I can’t speak highly enough about mine