altberg boots

[Mike8472]

My meindl mountain boots have worn out after 10 years so I am now looking at a new pair of boots.

I quite fancy a pair of altbergs. I have narrowed my choice down to 4 possibilities:- warrior/ field&fell/defender/sneeker.

Does anyone have experience of these three models and can help steer my choice.

 

[Macaroon]

I've had two pairs of field and fell. one pair lasted ten years, the other pair are still going after eight; but they have the skywalk sole and that makes them a no-no for me, they are very slippery and hard but extremely hard wearing. The F&F's are very sturdy and quite heavy but offer great protection and support especially when carrying a load, and mine remained totally waterproof all the time. Go a half size bigger with these..............

I now wear a pair of MOD spec. warriors without the waterproof lining, had 'em about six weeks now and am very pleased.
These are much lighter and have a Vibram Tsavo sole, a vast improvement on the skywalk and with the Ledergris used as recommended I haven't had even slightly damp feet despite walking a minimum of ten miles daily in very wet woodland conditions, I bought these a half size bigger but with hindsight would get the normal size if buying again.

I got the Warriors from John Bull Clothing (no connection) for £100 including delivery, and they arrived next day; that's a really big saving because they're Olive Green and the MOD are only issuing brown so these are surplus (unissued).
I think they've been selling very quickly and they may have sold out on popular sizes..............

 

[Bluffer]

There is little difference between the Warrior and Defender and they make good 3-season mountain boots in my opinion.

The Bergen boots remind me of Scarpas, personally I prefer Meindl for heavy winter or 3-4 season boots.

I'd stay away from Sneekers as they are designed for running, they can wear down quickly in hard use on mountains.

To add one more suggestion into the mix - have you considered the Altberg Yan Tan boot as well?

 

[Mike8472]

Just looked at them now. Im not a fan I prefer leather boots to fabricy ones.

I think the warriors are sounding pretty good at the moment.

Do altbergs suffer from "lace bite" ? The tongues don't look very padded on the pictures

 

[Macaroon]

Just looked at them now. Im not a fan I prefer leather boots to fabricy ones.

I think the warriors are sounding pretty good at the moment.

Do altbergs suffer from "lace bite" ? The tongues don't look very padded on the pictures

Not in my three pairs.

 

[woof]

I wore the field & fells for nearly 14yrs, while working as a dog handler, mine also had the heavier skywalk sole, which would last me approx a year, of hard "urban" wear.
Now i've retired, i have a pair of the new defenders in brown, with the lightweight sole, oh joy ! they are are so light on the feet, i agree with Mac about the fact that they now come up as a normal size, not requiring you to go a half size bigger.
I now work as a gardener, so i think i'll get another pair to wear for work, but will go for the skywalk sole again, as the work will suit the heavier boot.

Altbergs ? i love them !

Rob

 

[Bluffer]

I find the tongues are OK and I've had a few pairs of Defender/Warrior over the years.

The tongue on the Sneeker is not full leather and lets in water easily.

 

[ozzy1977]

No complaints at all with my Defenders, only had them a month but they are great, mine were issued but only paid £35 delivered for them

 

[ged]

I've had two pairs of Alt-Bergs for well over ten years. Both have Skywalk soles.

One pair is (I think!) the Peacekeeper. The other is a motorcycle boot which you won't be interested in, except that they are Goretex lined and that makes my feet stink so I have to keep spraying them with stuff that I get from, er, Boots.

I've had both pairs refurbished once. The after sales service at Alt-Berg is second to absolutely none.

No problems with lace bite on the Peacekeepers.

The skywalk soles aren't everyone's cup of tea, and I do sometimes find a lack of grip on surfaces like mossy rock which can be a bit of a challenge. But I like that they're hard wearing, I know when I give the boots grief I don't have to worry about the soles.

 

[Mike8472]

Well I've Had a trip down to the altberg factory today and had a fitting session. I found after an hour of trying on every combination of boot, width and insole; my feet are too wide for altbergs.
It was a shame because I was nearly taking home a pair of norways and a pair of warriors.

In the end I got home and ordered a pair of lowa combat gtx.

I cant fault the service at altberg the guy in the shop was a top guy; very patient, good insight and knowlege.

 

[John Fenna]

Well I've Had a trip down to the altberg factory today and had a fitting session. I found after an hour of trying on every combination of boot, width and insole; my feet are too wide for altbergs.
It was a shame because I was nearly taking home a pair of norways and a pair of warriors.

In the end I got home and ordered a pair of lowa combat gtx.

I cant fault the service at altberg the guy in the shop was a top guy; very patient, good insight and knowlege.

My wife has the weirdest feet known to humanity and cannot but footwear that actually fits (4x narrowest known fitting plus her big toes tilt up to act like chisels - she buys narrow fashion shoes OK - laced ones usually and racks them in on the laces and fills them out with insole just to get the length right-ish!) I had Altberg custom make her some hiking boots (cost about twice the money of a "Standard" pair of the boots in that style) and these are still going strong ... though they will need new soles soon. OK she does not do the walking she used to do (dammit - she is semiretired and is entitled to a Bus Pass!) but those boots were bought about 20 years ago! Skywalk soles ...
These were the second pair of custom boots I had made for her and lasted (as well as being lasted) much better than the others.
Sometimes custom is the only way to go
I love Altberg boots!

 

[cranmere]

I had Altberg make a last for me many years ago because I have small, very wide feet with a high instep. It cost a fortune but was worth every penny to get boots that fitted well and of course subsequent pairs are not much more than off the shelf.