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HANWAG – 104 Years of Hiking Footwear Craftsmanship
[Factory Tour]
[Factory Tour]
Our introduction to Hanwag came not through flashy campaigns or mass-market visibility, but through the quiet resonance of thoughtful collaborations for the last few years — with creative forces like Unownedspaces, Eye_C, and Beinghunted. These partnerships marked the brand’s subtle emergence on our radar, suggesting a deeper story behind the rugged silhouettes and precise craftsmanship.
What we soon discovered, however, is that Hanwag is far from a new player.
What we soon discovered, however, is that Hanwag is far from a new player.
With over a century of experience — 104 years, to be exact — in the shoemaking craft, the brand stands as a quiet but steadfast pillar in the world of outdoor footwear.
Founded in a small Bavarian village northwest of Munich, Hanwag has eschewed the typical growth trajectory of modern commercial giants. Its evolution has been deliberate, grounded in the pursuit of a single guiding question: What truly makes a great outdoor boot? This inquiry has shaped its identity across generations — blending traditional European shoemaking techniques with a willingness to adapt, innovate, and respond to the changing demands of the outdoor industry. Intrigued by this philosophy of slow, considered progress, we traveled to Hanwag’s headquarters to see for ourselves how heritage, craftsmanship, and forward-thinking coexist under one roof.
Our factory tour report follows.
Founded in a small Bavarian village northwest of Munich, Hanwag has eschewed the typical growth trajectory of modern commercial giants. Its evolution has been deliberate, grounded in the pursuit of a single guiding question: What truly makes a great outdoor boot? This inquiry has shaped its identity across generations — blending traditional European shoemaking techniques with a willingness to adapt, innovate, and respond to the changing demands of the outdoor industry. Intrigued by this philosophy of slow, considered progress, we traveled to Hanwag’s headquarters to see for ourselves how heritage, craftsmanship, and forward-thinking coexist under one roof.
Our factory tour report follows.
Rushing has never been part of Hanwag’s DNA — not in product development, not in company culture, and certainly not in its philosophy of craftsmanship.
For the first 83 years of its existence, only two directors led the company: founder Hans Wagner, a third-generation shoemaker, and his nephew Josef Wagner. Such continuity shaped a culture where quality and purpose came before profit and speed.
Today, Hanwag is no longer a modest workshop, yet it remains a true shoemaker at heart — where employees, past and present, speak with conviction about the company’s enduring question: What makes great footwear?
This long-term mindset is embodied by figures like Franz Kreutner, who joined Hanwag as a refugee after World War II and stayed for 47 years. He rose from unskilled laborer to head of department, working under both “Hans and Sepp,” as he affectionately called them. Or Adam Weger, Head of R&D from 1968 to 2015, who personally tested every shoe in real alpine environments. He was known as a “perfectionist for functional and technical details,” and his ethos remains embedded in the company’s DNA.
For the first 83 years of its existence, only two directors led the company: founder Hans Wagner, a third-generation shoemaker, and his nephew Josef Wagner. Such continuity shaped a culture where quality and purpose came before profit and speed.
Today, Hanwag is no longer a modest workshop, yet it remains a true shoemaker at heart — where employees, past and present, speak with conviction about the company’s enduring question: What makes great footwear?
This long-term mindset is embodied by figures like Franz Kreutner, who joined Hanwag as a refugee after World War II and stayed for 47 years. He rose from unskilled laborer to head of department, working under both “Hans and Sepp,” as he affectionately called them. Or Adam Weger, Head of R&D from 1968 to 2015, who personally tested every shoe in real alpine environments. He was known as a “perfectionist for functional and technical details,” and his ethos remains embedded in the company’s DNA.
Over the decades, Hanwag has ventured into ski boots, climbing shoes, even paragliding-specific designs — sometimes ahead of market demand — yet its core remained constant: building durable, comfortable boots capable of traversing alpine summits, dense jungles, or simply Munich’s cobbled streets. The company was sustainable long before it became a branding buzzword — valuing longevity and repairability over disposability.
That commitment is reflected in every layer of Hanwag’s European-based production model. With over 100 components in each pair — from Vibram soles to full-grain leathers and time-tested lacing systems — Hanwag’s boots demand precision and care. Its factories in Hungary, Croatia, and Bavaria uphold high standards over high volumes, choosing quality over scalability. Even as market forces shifted, Hanwag stayed true to its roots. In 2004, faced with the challenge of leadership succession, Josef Wagner sold the company to Sweden’s Fenix Group — chosen not for its money, but for its promise to protect the brand’s integrity. Since then, styles have subtly evolved, colors diversified, and use cases expanded. But at its core, Hanwag remains what it has always been: a premium Bavarian bootmaker with a global reach and a belief that a truly good boot — like the one we saw in the factory, repaired 12 times since 1976 — is never really finished.
That commitment is reflected in every layer of Hanwag’s European-based production model. With over 100 components in each pair — from Vibram soles to full-grain leathers and time-tested lacing systems — Hanwag’s boots demand precision and care. Its factories in Hungary, Croatia, and Bavaria uphold high standards over high volumes, choosing quality over scalability. Even as market forces shifted, Hanwag stayed true to its roots. In 2004, faced with the challenge of leadership succession, Josef Wagner sold the company to Sweden’s Fenix Group — chosen not for its money, but for its promise to protect the brand’s integrity. Since then, styles have subtly evolved, colors diversified, and use cases expanded. But at its core, Hanwag remains what it has always been: a premium Bavarian bootmaker with a global reach and a belief that a truly good boot — like the one we saw in the factory, repaired 12 times since 1976 — is never really finished.
Following an eye-opening day at the factory and a relaxed evening over hearty Bavarian fare, we returned the next morning expecting a slow start — but instead, were greeted with a hands-on workshop and the unveiling of Hanwag’s latest innovation: the Kaduro.
This new silhouette represents a bold step for the brand — one that acknowledges a growing trend in the hiking community while staying true to Hanwag’s principles of durability and safety. In recent years, many hikers have gravitated toward trail-running shoes for their lightweight feel and agility. However, those gains often come at the expense of stability and long-term wear. Kaduro is Hanwag’s answer to that dilemma: a hybrid that blends the best elements of trail-runners and traditional hiking boots into one all-terrain solution.
The Kaduro Light GTX is the embodiment of this new approach. Designed as a multifunctional hiking boot, it prioritizes comfort, responsiveness, and longevity in equal measure. At its core lies HANWAG’s proprietary Bead technology — a midsole innovation co-developed with BASF that uses eTPU particles to provide exceptional energy return, durability, and cushioning.
This new silhouette represents a bold step for the brand — one that acknowledges a growing trend in the hiking community while staying true to Hanwag’s principles of durability and safety. In recent years, many hikers have gravitated toward trail-running shoes for their lightweight feel and agility. However, those gains often come at the expense of stability and long-term wear. Kaduro is Hanwag’s answer to that dilemma: a hybrid that blends the best elements of trail-runners and traditional hiking boots into one all-terrain solution.
The Kaduro Light GTX is the embodiment of this new approach. Designed as a multifunctional hiking boot, it prioritizes comfort, responsiveness, and longevity in equal measure. At its core lies HANWAG’s proprietary Bead technology — a midsole innovation co-developed with BASF that uses eTPU particles to provide exceptional energy return, durability, and cushioning.
The boot absorbs the impact of each step and channels that energy forward, making long-distance hikes feel noticeably lighter underfoot. Reinforced by a custom-developed outsole designed for superior grip across diverse terrain, and encased in a waterproof yet breathable GORE-TEX Invisible Fit membrane, the Kaduro Light GTX strikes an impressive balance: minimal weight without compromising on resilience or protection. True to Hanwag’s values, it’s made entirely in Europe, using materials chosen not just for performance but for longevity — a nod to sustainability that goes beyond marketing claims.
After delving deep into the technology and design philosophy behind Kaduro, we laced up our pairs and set off into the Bavarian countryside. The trail wove through fields, skirted alpine rivers, and gradually ascended toward the foothills of the Alps. As we moved through varied terrain — gravel paths, muddy banks, and forest trails — the shoe’s performance aligned with its promise. Lightweight yet grounded, it kept pace with every step while letting us forget we were testing a technical product at all. It felt like a fitting way to understand Kaduro: not just through specs and materials, but through the rhythm of movement, in the place where Hanwag’s story began.
After delving deep into the technology and design philosophy behind Kaduro, we laced up our pairs and set off into the Bavarian countryside. The trail wove through fields, skirted alpine rivers, and gradually ascended toward the foothills of the Alps. As we moved through varied terrain — gravel paths, muddy banks, and forest trails — the shoe’s performance aligned with its promise. Lightweight yet grounded, it kept pace with every step while letting us forget we were testing a technical product at all. It felt like a fitting way to understand Kaduro: not just through specs and materials, but through the rhythm of movement, in the place where Hanwag’s story began.
Our visit to Hanwag offered a rare and inspiring look into the art of hiking boot making shaped by 104 years of experience. From the precision and passion behind each step of production to the warm Bavarian hospitality we received, it was clear that this is a brand driven by purpose, not trends. The new Kaduro silhouette, blending tradition with innovation, is a perfect example of that philosophy — and it’s already available now on Hanwag’s official website.
Big thanks to Hanwag family for the great hospitality!
Big thanks to Hanwag family for the great hospitality!
Article and images prepared by TECHUNTER Magazine.*
Words, photography: Alexander Zabelin [THM].
Special thanks to AKKVRAT, Deru Social.
*All images above, as well as those on every page of this website, are the property of TECHUNTER Media and may not be used, reproduced, or distributed without explicit permission from the source.
Check out our other factory & HQ tours via the links below.
Words, photography: Alexander Zabelin [THM].
Special thanks to AKKVRAT, Deru Social.
*All images above, as well as those on every page of this website, are the property of TECHUNTER Media and may not be used, reproduced, or distributed without explicit permission from the source.
Check out our other factory & HQ tours via the links below.
