Sturdy, supportive, solid at the toe and with a bit of heft, the Hanwag Makra Trek GTX is a proper boot made for tough terrain. From my experience, it’s fine-tuned for rocky trails, boulder-hopping and scree slopes, and yet, despite that robustness, Hanwag has also managed to make it something that’s comfortable to walk in over big mileage. It’s got a cushioned midsole, a fit and feel that was fine to wear right out of the box and a toe volume and design that strikes the right balance between precision and comfort over distances. 

This is the kind of walking boot that I’d want to wear for something like the Alta Via 2 which is a rocky, scrambly, high alpine trail through the Dolomites. In the UK, I think it’s overkill for any summer long-distance hiking – too heavy for me – but I think it’d be a great choice for those big days out in Scotland where you’re facing rocky Munros with the inevitable bit of bog too. 

Construction

The upper is made from a mix of leather and synthetics. It has a Gore-tex waterproof membrane and a gusseted tongue which means that water can only enter through the very top of the boot. It has a removable insole, a PU-midsole with a lightweight shank that runs from the heel to the midsole, a heel counter and aggressive lugs made from a versatile compound that grips well on a range of surfaces. 

Interestingly, the lacing is designed to give a two-stage fit. This means that, with the help of a little plastic toggle, you can lock in the lacing from the toe to the mid foot and then get a nice precise fit at the ankle too. It’s useful and it serves its purpose well to enable you to get a close and comfortable fit. What I’m a little bit concerned about, however, is that the toggle feels a little flimsy. You’ve got a super tough boot that’s built to last but then a bit of plastic that just doesn’t mirror the quality. I’m concerned that there’s a risk of the internal springs rusting or the plastic breaking. I’ll report back here if any issues do arise over time. 

Flex

These feel fairly stiff, but they’ve still got a bit of flex to them. That means they’re precise and solid enough for grade 1 scrambles and also comfortable enough for the long walk in and out. They’re not stiff enough for crampons – it’s worth looking at the Hanwag Ferrata II GTX if you want a trekking shoe with crampon compatibility.