I’ve bought four pairs of Waldläufer H-Lana trainers. Yes, four! And before you start wondering whether I’ve developed a trainer-collecting habit, there’s a very good reason.
I bought my first pair in navy about three years ago, and I loved them so much that I went back for another three pairs in white, black and mustard. The colours were a bonus, really. What mattered was finding a pair of trainers that felt comfortable on my troublesome feet from the moment I put them on.
If you’ve ever struggled to find shoes that are wide enough at the front without slipping at the heel, you’ll understand why I was so pleased with them.
The H-Lana has a generous H-width fitting, beautifully supple deerskin leather, a reasonably deep toe box and a padded heel collar that keeps my heels snug. There’s also a side zip alongside the laces, which is particularly handy when my feet are swollen.
And here’s something I didn’t expect when I bought that first navy pair: three years later, despite being the pair I’ve worn most often, they’re still looking remarkably good.
So, are the Waldläufer H-Lana trainers worth the money? Here’s what I’ve discovered from actually living in them — well, not literally. I do take them off occasionally!
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The Deerskin Leather: Soft, Supple and Surprisingly Durable
One of the things I love most about my Waldläufer H-Lana trainers is the deerskin leather. It’s beautifully soft and supple, with enough give to accommodate my feet comfortably, but it doesn’t stretch excessively and lose its shape.
There’s a big difference between leather that gives a little where you need it and leather that eventually looks as though it’s grown two sizes too big!
The quality is lovely, too. All four of my pairs are made from deerskin leather, although the mustard ones have some contrasting, velvety leather detailing, including across the front of the toes.
The trainers are also leather-lined, which adds to that lovely feeling when you put them on. There’s even a lightly cushioned lining across the roof of the toe box, something you might not notice until you realise how comfortable the tops of your toes feel.
And the durability? My original navy pair is now three years old. I’ve worn those far more than the other three pairs, yet they still look remarkably good.
At this rate, I suspect I’ll get fed up with the colour long before I manage to wear them out!
H-Width Fitting: Plenty of Toe Room Without Slipping Heels
One of the biggest problems I’ve found with wide-fitting shoes is getting the balance right. You need enough room at the front for your toes, but that doesn’t mean you want your heels wandering around inside your shoes!
The Waldläufer H-Lana trainers have an H-width fitting, which gives my feet plenty of room across the toes. The toe box also has a reasonable amount of depth, although it’s nowhere near as deep as the toe boxes you find in some Cosyfeet shoes.
If you’re confused by all the different shoe width letters, I’ve explained what they mean in my guide to wide shoe widths.
For me, that’s a good balance. I get the extra space I need without feeling as though I’m wearing something enormous.
What I particularly like is the fit around the heel. Despite the generous width at the front, my heels feel snug and secure.
There are two little padded cushions built into the heel collar, one on either side, which help hold my heels comfortably in place. It’s a small detail, but one that makes a real difference when I’m walking.
And there’s another bonus: I didn’t have to break these trainers in. My first pair was comfortable from the word go, with no rubbing or blisters.
Of course, everyone’s feet are different, and what fits mine beautifully won’t necessarily suit everybody. But I’ve never had any rubbing or blisters from my Lana trainers, even when they were brand new. That’s quite something for me!
Side Zip and Laces: Handy When My Feet Are Swollen
One of my favourite features of the Waldläufer H-Lana trainers is having both laces and a side zip.
When I first put them on, I adjust the laces until I’ve got a comfortable fit. After that, I generally leave them alone and use the zip to get the trainers on and off.
It’s quick, easy and saves having to fiddle about with the laces every time.
But having both fastenings really comes into its own when my feet are particularly swollen. On those days, I can loosen the laces as well as open the zip to give myself more room.
The Lana also has removable insoles, so I can take out the originals and replace them with my own orthotics. Mine are rather bulky, but fortunately there’s enough depth inside these trainers to accommodate them comfortably. My orthotics are only half-length, so my toes rest directly on the exposed footbed once I’ve removed the original insoles. Even so, it’s still lovely and comfortable under my toes.
If you wear orthotics or need extra support, you might also find my guide to the best insoles for flat feet helpful.
I like having that flexibility. My feet don’t always behave themselves, and it’s useful to have trainers that I can adjust rather than having to put up with a fit that isn’t quite right.
Rocker-Style Soles: Comfortable Walking Without Feeling Strange
Another feature I particularly like about the Waldläufer H-Lana trainers is the shape of the soles.
They have a gentle rocker-style front, which encourages your foot to roll forwards as you walk. I’ve tried other shoes with rocker soles and found some of them very strange to walk in, almost as though I had to think about every step. The Lana is completely different. The movement feels natural, and I don’t even notice the rocker shape when I’m walking.
There’s another benefit that I really appreciate. The front of the sole curves upwards enough to keep the leather at the toe away from the ground, helping to prevent scuffing.
If you’re anything like me, you’ll know how annoying it is to buy a lovely pair of leather shoes only to discover you’ve scraped the toes before they’ve even had a chance to look worn!
Considering how much I’ve worn my original navy pair over the past three years, I think the design has certainly helped keep them looking good.
It’s one of those little details that might not seem particularly important when you’re buying shoes, but you come to appreciate it over time.
Three Years Later: How Well Have My Lana Trainers Worn?
My original navy Lana trainers are now three years old, and they’re still looking remarkably good. They’ve had far more wear than my white, black or mustard pairs, so they’ve certainly had plenty of opportunity to show their age.
The leather has held up beautifully, and I honestly can’t see myself wearing them out anytime soon.
And I must mention how smart they look. The navy and white combination is particularly lovely, as is the black and white. They’re genuinely stylish trainers, and you’d never guess they were an H-width fitting just by looking at them. They don’t have that bulky appearance you sometimes get with wide-fitting shoes. It’s lovely to find something that’s kind to my feet without looking as though I’ve given up on fashion!
As for things I don’t like, I’m struggling to come up with anything!
If I’m being really picky, I think I might have preferred darker-coloured soles on the navy and black pairs. The lighter soles give them a slightly summery appearance, whereas darker ones might have made them look a little more suitable for year-round wear.
But that’s purely a matter of personal taste, and it certainly hasn’t stopped me wearing them.
After all, I’ve bought four pairs. I think that probably says more than anything else!
Are Waldläufer H-Lana Trainers Worth the Money?
I paid £110 for my first pair of Waldläufer H-Lana trainers, so they’re certainly not cheap. But I’ve always believed there’s a difference between something being expensive and something being good value.
For me, the quality of the deerskin leather, the comfort and the way they’ve lasted make them worth the money.
My oldest navy pair is now three years old and still looks lovely, despite having had far more wear than the others.
I’ve bought cheaper shoes in the past that haven’t worked out nearly as well. Sometimes a bargain isn’t much of a bargain if you end up leaving it in the wardrobe!
The Bottom Line
I’ve tried plenty of wide-fitting shoes over the years, but the Waldläufer H-Lana trainers are among my favourites.
They tick so many boxes for me. The deerskin leather is beautifully soft and supple, there’s plenty of room for my toes, and the padded heel cushions keep my heels snug without slipping. I can wear my rather bulky orthotics comfortably, and having both laces and a side zip is especially useful when my feet are swollen.
I also love the fact that they don’t look like wide-fitting trainers. They’re smart, stylish and comfortable straight out of the box, without that awkward breaking-in period I’ve experienced with other shoes.
My original navy pair is now three years old and still looks remarkably good, despite being worn far more than the others.
Would I recommend them? Based on my own experience, absolutely, although everyone’s feet are different, and what works for mine might not suit yours.
Would I buy another pair?
Well, I’ve already bought four. I think I’d better give my bank account a rest! 😂
Frequently Asked Questions About Waldläufer H-Lana Trainers
Are Waldläufer H-Lana trainers suitable for wide feet?
Yes, the H-Lana has an H-width fitting, with plenty of room across the toes. I find the toe box reasonably deep, too, although it’s not as deep as those in some Cosyfeet shoes. Despite the extra width, my heels stay snug thanks to the padded heel cushions.
Do Waldläufer H-Lana trainers need breaking in?
Mine didn’t. My first pair was comfortable from the moment I put them on, with no rubbing or blisters. The supple deerskin leather has enough give to accommodate my feet without stretching excessively. Of course, everyone’s feet are different.
Can you wear orthotics in Waldläufer H-Lana trainers?
Yes, the original insoles are removable. I wear rather bulky half-length orthotics, and there’s enough depth to accommodate them comfortably. Even with the original insoles removed, the exposed footbed feels comfortable beneath my toes.
Are Waldläufer H-Lana trainers easy to put on when your feet are swollen?
I find them very practical because they have both laces and a side zip. Normally, I adjust the laces once and use the zip, but when my feet are particularly swollen, I loosen the laces as well.
Are Waldläufer H-Lana trainers worth the money?
I paid £110 for my first pair, and I consider them good value. My navy trainers are now three years old, have had more wear than my other pairs, and still look remarkably good. I’ve since bought three more pairs, which probably tells you how pleased I am with them!