Despite high-quality materials and outstanding workmanship, intensive use can take its toll over time even on high-quality footwear and lead to signs of wear. For your own safety, it’s important to make sure your footwear is in good condition. If the tread is worn down, then it’s worth thinking about getting your boots or shoes resoled. We generally recommend that you have our products inspected by us or a Hanwag specialist retailer after six years of service.

Does your shoe need a new sole or other repair? Please contact one of our Preferred Cobblers in North America. There information can be found here. 

If the midsole material in your boots has hardened and starts to crumble, or even worse, the outsole comes loose, what is going on? The answer – hydrolysis of the midsole. Learn more about how midsoles can age here.

If your boots or shoes are brand new, there could still be impregnating agent residue on the soles. This will rub off in a short time as you break them in. If you have not used your shoes for a long period of time, the surface of the soles can harden and feel more slippery. This is normal. The soles of all Hanwag boots and shoes contain natural rubber (an expensive natural material in comparison to cheaper PU soles). Simply take a wire brush or fine sandpaper, and lightly roughen up the surface of the lugs. Or go for a walk on an asphalt road.