My old Meindl's finally gave up the ghost after 15 years and I've been wearing various pairs of boots I've had kicking about but none of them in the same league as my favourites so decided to buy some new ones. I've read too many posts about how the new Meindl's are not as good quality as the old ones so I thought I would try to find something European made from a brand that was well respected in the backpacking market.
Various people on SD have mentioned HanWag as being very good, a brand I had never heard of and normally wouldn't consider as it sounds very Far East, but after a bit of research discovered it is the result of the two brother who ran Lowa falling out and one of them launching HanWag. Lowa are very good and the brother who launched HanWag set out to make a better product which boded well. More reviews read online and no one seems to have a bad word to say about them, most people evangelical about how comfortable and well made they are. So I thought I would give them a go.
I bought the Tatra Top. A number of reports said they fitted a little narrow so I managed to find a wide fit. I usually take a 9.5 UK and the 9.5 wide fit was perfect for me. I got them from GearFreakUK, which oddly enough turned out to be a Danish company. They had them discounted from the usual £280 to £210 with UK VAT and Duty paid so I gave them a go. They took 9 days to get here but to be honest that's what they said at checkout and thats exactly what they did so can't complain even if it's not what we are used to these days.
Wore them last night for the first time in anger. Walked about 7km in all, mainly on tracks and stubble with a few steep inclines. Felt like slippers first time on. As comfortable as my old Meindl's, which is saying something. They do look very well made, the grip is excellent certainly much better than 15 year old Meindl's - couldn't comment on whether they are better than new Meindl's as I can't remember!
Time will tell whether they last as long. First impressions are very good indeed.
Various people on SD have mentioned HanWag as being very good, a brand I had never heard of and normally wouldn't consider as it sounds very Far East, but after a bit of research discovered it is the result of the two brother who ran Lowa falling out and one of them launching HanWag. Lowa are very good and the brother who launched HanWag set out to make a better product which boded well. More reviews read online and no one seems to have a bad word to say about them, most people evangelical about how comfortable and well made they are. So I thought I would give them a go.
I bought the Tatra Top. A number of reports said they fitted a little narrow so I managed to find a wide fit. I usually take a 9.5 UK and the 9.5 wide fit was perfect for me. I got them from GearFreakUK, which oddly enough turned out to be a Danish company. They had them discounted from the usual £280 to £210 with UK VAT and Duty paid so I gave them a go. They took 9 days to get here but to be honest that's what they said at checkout and thats exactly what they did so can't complain even if it's not what we are used to these days.
Wore them last night for the first time in anger. Walked about 7km in all, mainly on tracks and stubble with a few steep inclines. Felt like slippers first time on. As comfortable as my old Meindl's, which is saying something. They do look very well made, the grip is excellent certainly much better than 15 year old Meindl's - couldn't comment on whether they are better than new Meindl's as I can't remember!
Time will tell whether they last as long. First impressions are very good indeed.
