Hanwag trapper top gtx product feedback

[Ron.C]

I wanted to provide some feedback feedback on the Hanwag Trapper Tops.


Had these boots for about 18 months now and no issues with fit. Did several hunts with them, no stretch, still very comfortable. Did a 15km weighted training hike up a local mtn a week ago in snotty wet weather and my feet felt really good and were dry when the boots came off.


They are great in snow, mud, skree. BUT>>>>>The soles on the trapper tops are crap on wet rock. I don't mean a little bit, but unacceptably crappy. I have taken several tumbles as a result(most recently on my big hike a week ago) and it's just a matter of time before injure myself. I'm all for avoiding risk but the way I hunt I simply cannot avoid traversing wet rock no matter where I hunt so this just isn't acceptable.


I contacted Hanwag and they say the soles when unused for a period of time can get hard and recommends lightly sanding the sole to add more traction on hard wet surfaces like rocks. I honestly questioned this but gave it a go. As i suspected, no difference.


The Alaska GTX sole in comparison is very good in all terrain and is extremely durable (had them resoled twice in 10+ years of extremely hard use). I just found them way too cold in mid-late season hunts and my feet froze while glassing.


I called the cobbler in VANCOUVER who are recommended by Hanwag (who resoled my old Alaskas), they informed me the sole on the Trapper Top is infact a different (much harder) sole than the the Alaskan sole and will be more slippery. Hanwag Alaskans are Vibram Foura soles (they beleive that the Trapper boots have Vibram 1012 soles that are significantly harder.)


Cobbler said no issues re-soleing trapper tops with the Alaska GTX soles. Should make a perfect mid-late season boot for any terrian.


Anyhow, just thought I'd share this incase anyone is considering the trapper tops.

[one-shot-wonder]

Good post Ron. I have 4 pairs of Wags. 3 are Alaskan in various condition from almost new to well used. My 4th pair are Trapper tops. Really like them, a bit warm for early season hunts but I suspect they will shine in mid to late season hunts, especially in snow with higher tops.
I have been very impressed with all pairs, only negative point would be the most recent pair of Alaskan GTX are quite squeaky, frankly they are noisy and annoying. I thought with break in and grease it would go away, not the case... hoping others have a suggestion to reduce or remove the squeaking noise.

[Blacktail 270]

Nothing worse than a squeaking boot. Try taking 80grit sandpaper to the inside of the boot and the tongue. Then oil them up. Worked for me on a pair of hikers that squeaked

[Arctic Lake]

Ron ! Would you mind sharing what contact information you have for Hanwag as I’m looking for a certain boot and having a hell of time finding it ?
Thank You !
Arctic Lake
I wanted to provide some feedback feedback on the Hanwag Trapper Tops.


Had these boots for about 18 months now and no issues with fit. Did several hunts with them, no stretch, still very comfortable. Did a 15km weighted training hike up a local mtn a week ago in snotty wet weather and my feet felt really good and were dry when the boots came off.


They are great in snow, mud, skree. BUT>>>>>The soles on the trapper tops are crap on wet rock. I don't mean a little bit, but unacceptably crappy. I have taken several tumbles as a result(most recently on my big hike a week ago) and it's just a matter of time before injure myself. I'm all for avoiding risk but the way I hunt I simply cannot avoid traversing wet rock no matter where I hunt so this just isn't acceptable.


I contacted Hanwag and they say the soles when unused for a period of time can get hard and recommends lightly sanding the sole to add more traction on hard wet surfaces like rocks. I honestly questioned this but gave it a go. As i suspected, no difference.


The Alaska GTX sole in comparison is very good in all terrain and is extremely durable (had them resoled twice in 10+ years of extremely hard use). I just found them way too cold in mid-late season hunts and my feet froze while glassing.


I called the cobbler in VANCOUVER who are recommended by Hanwag (who resoled my old Alaskas), they informed me the sole on the Trapper Top is infact a different (much harder) sole than the the Alaskan sole and will be more slippery. Hanwag Alaskans are Vibram Foura soles (they beleive that the Trapper boots have Vibram 1012 soles that are significantly harder.)


Cobbler said no issues re-soleing trapper tops with the Alaska GTX soles. Should make a perfect mid-late season boot for any terrian.


Anyhow, just thought I'd share this incase anyone is considering the trapper tops.

[Ron.C]

Hanwag Canada website and use the contact info there

[Arctic Lake]

Thank You !
Arctic Lake
log onto the Hanwag Canada website and use the contact info there

[sako79]

Fishers hardware in Vernon sells the alaska gtx for $349.99 ask for Larry


https://www.homehardware.ca/en/store/54512?gclid=CjwKCAjw6IiiBhAOEiwALNqnceOi1jx9NDs8Y-QdwqMVoFPNGvx0xQU4M9sfAH24lpReLDJH6q12BBoCnroQAvD_ BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

[Elkaholic]

I too have had the Trapper top GTX for going on 4-5 seasons now, great boot, love them except the soles of these boots mangle my feet. If I wear them all day, by the end of the day my feet are in such pain. I have debated replacing the insoles to something better but just have not go around to trying that to see if it will alleviate my issues. But other than that they have been great, oh and the metal boot hooks will bend out on you, I have had mine bend out multiple time and have used pliers to bend them back. Hanwag said no support for those little buggers. - Needless to say my next boot will not be a Hanwag boot, service and quality have slipped off in recent years it seems

[bcsteve]

I have two seasons on Trapper Tops so far. Great boot, very satisfied. I have not noticed the slippery soles but I don't hunt in super rocky terrain. Have you had yours resoled yet?

[Ron.C]

I have two seasons on Trapper Tops so far. Great boot, very satisfied. I have not noticed the slippery soles but I don't hunt in super rocky terrain. Have you had yours resoled yet?

They are at the cobbers now

[bcsteve]

Post a photo when you get them back if you can. You got me curious now!

[one-shot-wonder]

Nothing worse than a squeaking boot. Try taking 80grit sandpaper to the inside of the boot and the tongue. Then oil them up. Worked for me on a pair of hikers that squeaked

Thanks for the idea, will try it. I think the squeak comes from the inside tongue and upper heel material, it's a synthetic of some sort.

[Ron.C]

Bit of feedback. Got my Trapper Tops back yesterday. Was up a 3am this morning, through on the headlamp shouldered my pack and put in a good hike before work. Hiked a local steep trail (Mt Finlayson) with long sections of small broken rock, steep smooth flat dusty slabs and sidehilling. (the same one I did the last time I wore these boots and took a nasty slip)What a difference. They feel great, soles are softer and grippy as $%^&. The footbed is about 75% as stiff as it was but still a bit stiffer than my Alaska's. After I was off the mountain I hit the creek and climbed up on and off large rounds river rocks and did a bit of tiptoeing in the bush. Better grip with just the forefoot making contact on a wet river rock then the entire length of the original soles, better feel underfoot and I can most certainly move quieter. These were not cheap boots to begin with but is was well worth the money to have the soles changed now.

I'm sure between the Trapper Tops and my new Alaskas (that I use for my local training hikes, and on warmer weather hunts) I will be set for more than a decade. (my last pair of Alaskas had multiple respoles and lasted me a little over 10 before they started to leak)

With the amount of walking I do, I get around 4 years out of my Alaskas before I need resole (and that's a ton of walking per year). The Trapper Tops won't get used quite as much so should expect at least 6 years with the new Vibram Foura sole (same sole as that is the Alaskas).

FWIW, I chose the Quick Cobbler in Vancouver. Very helpful when I was trying to figure out what to do with these boots. Top notch work!



http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/20230630_172223.jpg

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/20230630_172123.jpg

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/20230630_172059.jpg

[bcsteve]

Thanks for the update. The heel seems to have a wider footprint than the original sole.