Hanwag Active Winter: waterproof, breathable and green
Dedicated to city walks or weekends out of town, the shoes of the Active Winter line of the Bavarian manufactory Hanwag are a perfect ally for the winter season. Versatile and functional, provide maximum protection from the wet. All models are also equipped with the new Eco-Shell footwear membrane, patented by Hanwag. In addition to ensuring maximum waterproofing and breathability, this membrane is also a winning choice in terms of sustainability. It is made of polyurethane without the use of PTFE and its DWR (durable Water Reppelent) treatment is 100% free of PFC.
“PFCs have characteristics that can damage people, animals and the environment. They are extraordinarily persistent and short-chain variants are found in the water and air of the most remote places on our planet”, says Andreas Settele, R&D director of Hanwag, “With Eco-Shell footwear, we want to take a first step towards eliminating dangerous chemicals as much as possible from production and supply in the future.”
The models of the Active Winter line are equipped with a warm padding made of 100% recycled polyester and are made of precious leather from European tanneries. They are produced exclusively in Europe. They are also made with the glued assembly technique, the flagship of Hanwag production, and can be matched if necessary, for a longer life.
The Eco-Shell footwear membrane is used inside a three-layer foil. Unlike, for example, Gore-Tex, it has no pores and works through a chemical-physical process of transport of molecules: the membrane in PU (polyurethane) is hydrophilic, so she loves water; its molecular structure is arranged in such a way as to absorb the moisture of the water vapour which is formed in the shoe and evaporates to the outside.
This process is accelerated in part because the heated air occupies a greater volume, partly because the absorption of the humidity increases with the increase of the temperature. In this way, an excess of pressure is generated inside the shoe with respect to the surrounding environment, and the moisture and sweat are conveyed to the outer layer by the molecules of steam.
