The Hanwag Alverstone II GTX is a B/C shoe with a high shaft for longer trips with a heavy backpack. Read the review.
Hanwag Alverstone II GTX Fit
The fit of the Hanwag Alverstone II GTX is for narrow to normal feet. The ladies version has a narrower heel.
Construction
The Hanwag Alverstone II GTX has an upper that consists of a combination of soft nubuck leather, a stretch nylon around the shaft and a kind of solid Keprotec reinforcements around the ankles. The transition between sole and upper is equipped with a wide rubber bumper that runs strongly upwards at the heel. The inside of the shoe has a waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex lining. All eyelets are made of metal. The Hanwag Alverstone II GTX stands on a Vibram Integral Light sole. The sole construction is very stiff. The shoe is resoleable.
Putting on
With a weight of 1460 grams, the Hanwag is neatly on weight. Putting it on is easy; the shaft may be high, but because the tongue can be opened far, it’s easy to get in. The laces run smoothly through the metal eyelets – some with bullets – and thanks to blocking eyes you can control the tension on the instep and the shaft independently. Behind the shaft there’s also a pulling loop. The flat laces tend to loosen quickly: a double knot is recommended. A hook in the middle of the tongue prevents sinking obliquely.
Practice
The Alverstone II GTX fits like a glove. Thanks to the soft padding of the shaft and tongue, they fit comfortably. Despite the stiff sole construction, the Hanwags are easy to walk because the sole has a light banana shape. However, they are shoes that require a short run-in period. The toes are well protected by the sturdy bumper. The high shaft and tongue protect the ankles and shins. The sole has a heel with a ‘hook’ that works like a good brake, especially when descending. The shoes are sturdy enough to be used on longer trips with a sturdy backpack. The breathable Gore-Tex membrane does its job well under normal – not too warm – conditions. During the test it proved to be waterproof. Because of the height of the shoe and the waterproof layer, you have a wading height of no less than 14 cm.
Verdict
The Hanwag Alverstone II GTX is a B/C hiking shoe. Despite its solid appearance, the shoe wears very lightly. The low weight – for such a shoe – also plays a role. Its high shank ensures that it provides a lot of support for the ankles and that rock passages over unstable surfaces can be easily carried off. The sole is a bit stiff, but the round shape makes it easy to walk on. The fact that the lace tension on the forefoot and the shaft can be regulated independently is an advantage. The outsole offers a lot of grip and is resoleable. The Hanwag Alverstone II GTX is a great mountain hiking shoe for heavier tours with a sturdy backpack. The price of € 279,- is a bit steep. I rate it at 9,3 out of 10 points total.
- Price: € 279,00
- Weight: L 761.1 gr R 746.0 gr (size 7.5)
- Category: B/C
- Upper: Suede/Synthetic
- Membrane: Gore-Tex
- Outsole: Vibram Integral Light
- Resoleable: Yes
- Fit: Narrow to normal feet
- Sizes: 6-13
- Women’s model: Hanwag Alverstone II Lady GTX
Information: www.hanwag.nl
