WHAT IS A LAST?

In the workshop, each boot or shoe is given its own, specific form – this is defined by the last. A last is a model rather like an artificial foot. It’s made either from a meticulously designed piece of wood or plastic and the footwear is fashioned around it. The last used should correspond to the shape of your foot, otherwise your footwear will never fit properly, no matter how many uncomfortable kilometres you hike trying to break it in. 

PERFECT FIT IS PIVOTAL TO GOOD FOOTWEAR

The Hanwag fit is a legend in itself. Over nine decades of experience, superb craftsmanship, the best materials and sophisticated production techniques explain why. And this is further confirmed by regular feedback from customers and industry design awards. All Hanwag boots and shoes are made specifically for men and women, for a designated category or area of activity, using special lasts that have been continually optimised over the years.

If you have a Hanwag shoe in a particular size, it is not the case that all Hanwag footwear in that size will fit you. This is because we use particular lasts for particular types of activity. For example, our TREK category footwear is made using a more comfortable last than our ALPINE category footwear, where optimal grip is the first priority. Tip: Men with very narrow feet should also try the women’s sizes (available up to size 9).

OUR SPECIAL LASTS

No two feet are the same. This is why not every last and shoe shape will fit every hiker or mountaineer. To ensure a better, more individual fit, we started developing our own special lasts many years back. If you always have problems finding the right footwear, if your boots have always been “too wide”, “too narrow” or only offer “poor grip”, then you need our Hanwag special lasts.

WIDE

Goodbye pressure points at the sides of the feet. Our Wide Last has a standard heel section, but is wider at the forefoot and ball of the foot. Our wide models are for people who find standard models too narrow.