HANWAG MOUNTAIN LIGHT GTX BOOTS

[jbeaumont21]

I'm thinking of getting these boots and would like to know what others think if them. Anyone have a pair that they can comment on, good, bad, etc? Do they fit narrow or wide?  Are they true to size?  Is it worth the extra money for the custom fit and the synergy footbeds?   Thanks for the info!

http://www.lathropandsons.com/hanwag-boots/mountain-light-gtx-hanwag-boots.html

[couesbitten]

I have the Hanwag Alaska boots w/synergy insoles and absolutely love them, comfortable from day one.  If you haven't spoken with the guys and L&S, give them a call, very helpful and friendly, they'll take good care of you. 

[lostbackpacker]

not to add confusion to your search.  i went with the kennetrek mountain extremes over the hanwags... dont remember why, its been a year or so

[jbeaumont21]

not to add confusion to your search.  i went with the kennetrek mountain extremes over the hanwags... dont remember why, its been a year or so

Thanks for the suggestion.  I had a pair of Kenetrek Mountain Extremes and although a great boot they did not work for me. I am mostly just curious in these particular Hanwags.

[ellensburgpo]

I have a pair of mountain lights, best boots I've ever had. They take a long time to break in and the synergy foot beds are worth the extra coin IMO. I didn't pay for the fitting as I have standard feet. They run a hair narrow to me buts that's really subjective. Buy once cry once.

[JLS]

Buy once cry once.

.... and then cry again when you get them too close to the fire 

[ellensburgpo]

Buy once cry once.

.... and then cry again when you get them too close to the fire 

Haha....I'm normally too dehydrated to cry up there...

[scottcrb]

I have the Alaska gtx and the synergy footbeds. Both are great I.have a wider foot and still fit great. The staff at lathrop and sons are great call and talk to.them and they can help ya out. I didn't get the custom fit either to spendy for me on top of $350 boots. But the footbeds are worth the money ,tookme about 20 miles to get fully broken in . Not too bad .

[Forks]

Talk to Steve at Lathrop & Sons as mentioned. He talked me out of them because Hanwag would not stand behind some quality issues.

[jbeaumont21]

Talk to Steve at Lathrop & Sons as mentioned. He talked me out of them because Hanwag would not stand behind some quality issues.

What kind of issues were they having?

[JLS]

What did they recommend instead?   The new Lowa boot they carry looks very nice.

[RadSav]

Talk to Steve at Lathrop & Sons as mentioned. He talked me out of them because Hanwag would not stand behind some quality issues.

What kind of issues were they having?

I did a lot of research and thought the Hanwag would be the last boot I'd ever buy.  And while the fit and function is great, especially the sole, I've had nearly every upper eyelet replaced.  When I spend 3 to 4 bills for a pair of boots I don't expect to add more expense in constant repairs.  Really a shame because if not for that they would be my favorite boot bar none.

The folks at Lathrop & Sons have been great!  They even gave me a free set of Trappers while they repaired the other.  But as much as I like the Hanwag boot, the next time I get a pair it will have the Lowa/Kennetrek type of hardware.  Too bad Lowa nor Kenntrek have a decent match to the Hanwag Mountain GTX.

I did not want to risk something going wrong while on my NWT sheep hunt so I ended up with the uber ugly La Sportiva Trango Evo ALP GTX with the Lathrop foot bed to replace the Mountain GTX.  Stiffer, harder sole and took forever to break in but it performed great!  I was surprised when two other guys in sheep camp had the same nasty ugly boot!  Just wish I could have gotten them from the fine folks at Lathrop!

[Forks]

The issue Steve told me about was that stitches were failing on some pairs and Hanwag was not standing behind their product. I ended up going with the Lowa Khumbu 2 for a early season boot.

[atfulldraw]

I got a pair of Lowa boots from those guys, you won't regret buying anything from Lathrop and Sons.

[RadSav]

The issue Steve told me about was that stitches were failing on some pairs and Hanwag was not standing behind their product.

Wow!  I haven't had that problem.  Was that just in the Mountain GTX?  How do you like the Khumbu II?  I might need to look at those once my Trango's wear our.  Looks like those are 1/2 the price!

[GurrCentral]

I have the Hanwag Alaska boots w/synergy insoles and absolutely love them, comfortable from day one.  If you haven't spoken with the guys and L&S, give them a call, very helpful and friendly, they'll take good care of you. 

I second this!! I too have the Alaska's and they are awesome! Thinking about looking onto the mountian lights or the cheyanne's...let me know how you like them! I use superfeet insoles, and have no problem with slip ect.. And.....Lathrop&sons have great customer service!

[Forks]

The issue Steve told me about was that stitches were failing on some pairs and Hanwag was not standing behind their product.

Wow!  I haven't had that problem.  Was that just in the Mountain GTX?  How do you like the Khumbu II?  I might need to look at those once my Trango's wear our.  Looks like those are 1/2 the price!

According to Steve it was only in the Mountain Lights. I almost went against his advise because they seem like the perfect boot. The Khumbu 2 worked well for archery and muzzy elk. I also used them 12-15 days chasing birds when it was dry. Aron Snyder from Rokslide said he would shred a pair in a year, so if they last me three or four I would be happy.

[jbeaumont21]

Thanks guys for all the feedback.  I'm really surprised to hear the issues with the eyelets and the stitching and that Hanwag wouldn't stand by their product. Every other review I have read raves about how awesome the Mountain Lights are and how much they love them.  Like Forks said I am still tempted to go against the advice and still get them.  It s a lot of money so I will do as everyone suggests and give Lathrop & Sons a call first.  Maybe they have made improvements on the boots.

[RadSav]

Thanks guys for all the feedback.  I'm really surprised to hear the issues with the eyelets and the stitching and that Hanwag wouldn't stand by their product. Every other review I have read raves about how awesome the Mountain Lights are and how much they love them.  Like Forks said I am still tempted to go against the advice and still get them.  It s a lot of money so I will do as everyone suggests and give Lathrop & Sons a call first.  Maybe they have made improvements on the boots.

In my experience Lathrop has stood behind everything!  Communications have been good, service has been good and they have made every attempt to make things right with me.  I even tried to pay them for the extra pair of boots and they wouldn't take my payment information.  The service was so good I felt guilty getting anything for free.  And BTW I now have their foot beds in every single pair of hunting boots I own...they are GREAT!  I will never waste my money on Super-Feet ever again.

I've worn my Mountain Lights quite a bit here in Washington.  And the area I hunt for elk is pretty dang steep with a lot of slash piles to stumble through coming out in the dark.  Not a single stitch problem yet!  It's just those darn eyelets without the separate rivet.  Unfortunately if I was to have them replaced with a Kennetrek type of eyelet the Goretex would be damaged.  At least that's what my cobbler tells me.  I will have that done once the Gore-Tex fails and they start to leak.  Then I will have about the finest dry weather boots ever!

[jbeaumont21]

Talked with Steve and ended up going with the Lathrop & Sons Lowa Cevedale GTX Tech-Light Hunter. I had him custom fit the synergy foot beds too.  Hopefully my feet will love me for it. I'm planning to do a St. Helens hike in June so should give them a good test.

I think I may have gotten the last size 11 he has until October when the next shipment comes in.  Guess these things have been very popular and are flying off the shelf. 

Also learned more about the Hanwag's.  I guess the company was recently sold and like any other large corporation they care more about how much profit they can make versus providing a good quality product.  I was dead set on getting the Hanwags until talking with Steve.  I think I will be very happy with the choice I made.  I'll let you all know how the Lowa's work out.

Jesse

[JLS]

Man those look like a nice boot!  Those will work great for St. Helens.  I've used mine with crampons a lot.