Hanwag

Tatra II GTX Hiking Boot - Men's

The Best Hiking Boots I've Ever Owned

I've gone through some pretty well reviewed boots that I made do with because few boots fit my very narrow heel and wide instep, so it's hard to be harsh when a boot holds up well, but doesn't fit my feet. Almost five years in, these boots fit my feet so well I've bought other Hanwag shoes and boots with nearly equal satisfaction. The lacing locks for the lower section allows me to leave those a little snug, while snugging the uppers a bit tighter. I'm cautious in my choice of words because I don't need to tighten the laces so much as snug them into place for all day comfort, which is the opposite of what I did for over 20 years trying to lock my heel into place. I replaced the stock insole with my preferred Superfeet Trail insert, and while this is not the cushiest example of boot and insert, it's the most supportive and that means more to me. Other Hanwag I own: Vason (heavy sneaker-looking shoe that's so comfortable I resoled them last year when the first soles wore out); Arnside which I swap out with the Vason for daily office wear; Banks Low, which I've backpacked in but they don't quite fit like the others, especially the Tatra, for all day comfort.

Best c category shoe on the market

I bought these 4 years ago, in the wide version, fits like a glove, durable and reliable shoes for demanding treks and hikes, in my opinion the best c category on the market. Would buy again. I maintain mine with bees wax now and then and after all these years they are still waterproof.

Most comfortable boots I have ever worn....

I have been wearing hiking boots for years from Pivettas, to Danners, Merrils, Asolos, Columbia, and Vasque. My Tatra GTX boots are the most comfortable boots I have ever worn by far. They are also extremely tough. I don't do as much backpacking as I used to. Now, I go on day hikes cross-country in the Colorado and Wyoming Rockies. Walking cross-country is really hard on boots. They are up to the challenge. My first pair lasted four years (by my calculations that is more than 100 hikes, one every week from mid-April to the end of October and sometimes into November) I have just started using my second pair and I expect to get the same from my new pair. One feature that I really like is the rubber toe cap. I hate getting gouges on the toes of my boots. A small thing but important to me.

Best Boot You've Never Heard Of

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

Size Bought:

10.5

Height:

5' 8"

Weight:

165

My search for well fitting boots has been complicated by a narrow heel and wide instep; feet almost impossibly between just about all manufacturer's sizes (10.3? 43.6? no one makes these); and then, a few years ago, plantar fasciitis, which I think was in part brought on by the new crop of shoes with almost no insole structure, combined with my search for light weight boots. Lightweight, by the by, seems to be partially accomplished by slicing weight by slicing the outsole, which means some amount of the structure is sliced away as well. I tried low top boots, and a variety of high top light weight boots, and at the end of the day, day pack or weekend pack, my feet were pretty sore. Sure, my Asolo 520 GTX boots, with all that weight, would protect my feet, but I was trying to get away from that weight, hence my foray into the world of light weight and reduced support. The third outsoles are still in good shape on those 520s, but the stitching needed to be redone and I figured, time for new boots. Heavy boots. Over-the-ankle boots. But, the reviews on the new version of the 520s were pretty poor so I needed to look elsewhere. My search came up with Hanwag. I'd seen a few ads in Backpacker for the Hanwag Tatra and pointed them out to my wife, born and raised hiking and skiing in the Tatra Mountains of southern Poland, so when they turned up on my search--narrow heel wide instep--I was more than amused I was intrigued. And bought them 2 years ago. The lace locks are a vital touch; being able to easily isolate lacing from top to bottom is better accomplished with this simple thing, and it allows a looser lower to stay looser from the snugger upper. The padded collar is supremely comfortable, and the almost weird outsole shape provides stability and comfort for long days on all kinds of trails. They're not light--I gave up on light, even if I didn't embrace foot weights--but they prove the old adage that if really comfortable and easy to articulate on a tough trail, the weight won't be noticed. And it's not. I pulled and tossed the insoles. The only shoe or boot I've bought in 30 years that had really keepable insoles have been Oboz, and everything else, no matter the price, gets my Superfeet insoles. They transform good to great and great to superb. If any shoe or boot fits your feet, I'm happy for you. That's not the case for me, so when something this good comes along I think other people looking for the same thing should know about it. I've spent easily $1,000 dollars over the past 8 years trying to find a light weight hiking boot that worked for me, and I have to say it was a foolish--and pricey--adventure. These boots have proven themselves so well to me, I just bought a pair of Hanwag Vason shoes (from another company), and am already very impressed with the supreme comfort and support they provide over most other shoes I own or have tried. They have more than my vote, they have my money.

This would be a five star boot if it wasn’t for one issue

The boot is a 5 star boot on comfort. They’re so comfortable I hate to take them off. That said I’ve been using ultra thin medical tape to try and stop the noise. The side hooks on the boots tabs rub and squeak. I solved that problem with a bit of tape. The tongue material and the tan leather collar don’t like each other those squeak. I solved that problem with tape. Still when I flex my foot upward the squeal kind of sounds like leaning forward in ski boots.I couldn’t imagine the noise could be that bad from a hiking boot. I feel like I’m becoming a leather scientist trying to knock out the squeak. They’re so perfect in every other way I’d never return them. I’ll keep working the issue. Just seems like this shouldn’t be necessary. To understand it I’d say imagine buying your dream car. It’s so perfect,you get in it’s everything you expected,then you go to hit the brakes and the car squeals like a triaxle dump truck. Still 4 stars most comfortable boots ever.