NEW LIFE FOR OLD BOOTS
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Just because the sole is worn down, it doesn’t have to mean a new pair. Most Hanwag mountain and hiking boots can be resoled. This service supports sustainability – and benefits customers.
Resource-depleting, throwaway fast fashion is also an issue when it comes to footwear. Last year in Germany alone, over 380 million pairs of shoes were thrown away. That’s five pairs per person. Overconsumption places an enormous strain on the environment. Production of an average pair of sneakers generates around 13.5 kilograms of CO2 – that’s equivalent to driving some 110 kilometres in an economic petrol car. Leather used by Hanwag is a by-product of the food industry. However, mountain and hiking boots also take a certain amount of energy and resources.
And once they’ve been used, there is the problem of how to dispose of them. Boots are made of different materials, such as leather, plastics, and metal. This makes them difficult to recycle. As such, once worn out, most shoes end up in the dustbin, as household waste to be incinerated.
RESOLING INSTEAD OF REPURCHASING: THE BENEFITS FOR FEET
In the face of all these facts, Hanwag is offering a sustainable alternative – and not following a trend. For Hanwag founder Hans Wagner, it was essential to make long-lasting footwear. His customers could rarely afford to buy new boots. And so, over 100 years ago, you could have your Hanwag boots resoled to prolong their service life. Today, it’s also possible to resole most Hanwag models if the sole has worn out. Resoling not only reduces the environmental footprint, it also saves resources and reduces waste.
In addition, the boot upper generally remains in good condition, it’s only the lower section of the boot that needs replacing. With a resoled boot, customers keep the unique fit of their well-worn-in shoe – only with renewed grip and traction for hiking or mountaineering.
CUSTOMER SERVICE HANWAG: 20,000 RESOLES A YEAR
“We currently resole 20,000 pairs of boots a year in Germany alone and the number is increasing. We offer this service in other countries too,” explains Florian Kern, Head of Service at Hanwag. “Nearly 90% of our collection is made with a double-stitched or cemented construction that can be resoled.”
It normally costs 110 euros to have boots resoled by Hanwag. Crampon-compatible mountaineering boots cost 160 euros, and double-stitched models 170 euros. “During resoling, we renew the whole sole unit,” explains Florian Kern. “In addition to the outsole, this also includes the shock absorber and the rubber rand. And we fit a new set of laces and footbeds.” Resoling is a skilled, handcrafted service carried out by expert bootmakers at the Hanwag headquarters in Vierkirchen, Bavaria or by service partners abroad.
SIMPLE TO ARRANGE VIA RETAILER OR DIRECTLY WITH HANWAG
Customers have two ways to get their Hanwag boots and shoes resoled:
- Either take them to a specialist retailer to organize resoling.
- Or send them with a service form directly to Hanwag.
Hanwag provides all the information regarding resoling and the service forms on its website.
Watch the video: Resoling by Hanwag (English subtitles available)
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
With its resoling service, Hanwag is sending a strong signal to promote more sustainability in the footwear industry. Ever greater numbers in of customers are recognizing the benefits of having a longer service life. Appropriately, Hanwag Stories has plenty of great examples, such as Dr Adelbert Niemeyer, the geologist who had his Hanwag boots resoled twelve times.
Read the article at HANWAG STORIES.
