“My HANWAG boots were resoled 12 times”
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In 1976, Adelbert Niemeyer was a young geology student when he purchased his HANWAG Expedition boots in a shop in Innsbruck, Austria. “They were the only boots that fitted comfortably on my heel, despite my ganglion,” recalls 72-year-old Adelbert today. “They were incredibly comfortable and sturdy in the first place.” But back then, Adelbert couldn’t have foreseen that his boots would join him on all his adventures for almost 30 years.
Adelbert’s first research trips took him to the Dolomites in South Tyrol, where he collected rock samples. “In such steep terrain, boots must provide good grip and perfect support. My HANWAGs did the job in both respects.” Later, he braved the Hintertux Glacier in Tirol’s icy conditions with crampons on his boots and always had dry feet. And emphasises that “I always took good care of the leather. And no water got in.” Adelbert lugged the heavy rock samples in his backpack down the valley for lab analyses.
After graduating, he embarked on a career with a chemicals company. For geological research, he travelled to far-flung corners of the Earth, from Argentina to Korea. “Once, I spent 12 weeks in Kurdistan and slept in a tent, sometimes in the freezing cold. Afterwards, I’d grown a beard and lost 12 kilos,” he recalls with a grin. But Adelbert was just as tough as his double-stitched leather boots.
“I never wanted to be parted from my boots. And it’s also more sustainable if you use products as long as possible.”
Dr Adelbert Niemeyer, geologist
However, his boot soles repeatedly wore out following the many expeditions in rugged terrain. As the rubber tread bore witness to. Luckily, most HANWAG footwear could be resoled once the tread had worn down. This is still the case today. The same goes for Adelbert’s boots. They’re no longer in the HANWAG range but still fit him like a glove. “I never wanted to part with my boots unless absolutely necessary,” he comments. “And it’s also more sustainable if you use products for as long as possible.”
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How to resole hiking boots and why it’s worth it
If footwear is worn a lot, the tread on any outsole will wear down over time. HANWAG’s resoling method involves removing the old sole and replacing it with a new one. The upper is retained. As a result, well-worn-in footwear lasts almost indefinitely and soles with renewed grip enable new adventures.
Why resole footwear?
- It’s safer: once the tread has worn down, the sole loses its grip. When people are hiking or mountaineering, traction is a must, otherwise they slip.
- It’s comfortable: Worn-in footwear keeps its fit. Which is crucial to comfort.
- It’s longer lasting: well-worn-in boots with new soles are ready to set off on new adventures again.
- It’s sustainable: instead of buying new ones, resoling boots makes them last longer. This resource friendly approach cuts waste and therefore plays a big role in the sustainability of hiking and mountain boots.
You can have footwear resoled by authorised retailers or HANWAG itself.
For more information on resoling, click on our service page.
Resoling boots became routine for Adelbert. “My boots were resoled 12 times in all. The last time I took them to a shoe repair shop was in Cologne in western Germany in 2001, where I was working as an environmental auditor.” In his free time, he often wore the boots when mountaineering with his wife, for example in Ticino (Switzerland), on the Ortler (Italy) or in the Stubai Alps (Austria).
In 2002, Adelbert moved to the south German town of Landshut in Bavaria where he got to know the manager of an outdoor shop called Alpenstrand. “I brought her some rock crystals as decor.” In 2003, after decades of loyal service, he finally had to retire his boots for good. The leather had gotten too soft to manage challenging terrain.
Adelbert gave his boots to the Alpenstrand boss as eye-catchers for her shop window. When the business closed in 2023, his loyal companions found their way back to HANWAG headquarters in Vierkirchen, Bavaria. They still have pride of place there today.
“I’ve now bought HANWAG boots again. And I’m relieved that I can always get them resoled.”
Dr Adelbert Niemeyer, geologist“But bidding my much-loved boots farewell was hard, of course. They were so wonderfully comfortable and incredibly sturdy,” says Adelbert. “However, four years ago, I purchased new HANWAG boots, which equally fit me very well. And I’m relieved that I can always have them resoled. Therefore, I hope that my new HANWAG mountain boots will last me for many years to come.”
Watch the video: resoling HANWAG boots – the expert way (English subtitles available)
Ingo Wilhelm
You’ll find him hiking, mountain biking or ski touring. Mainly in the Alps. Favourite destination: Iceland.
