After all of the chat on this forum about two years ago regarding how good the ex-army boots are, I bought a set of the Alltberg Defenders as back-up pair to my usual ones. I didn’t know which to buy, Haix or Alltberg, so I plumped for the ones that I thought looked nicer. In the two years since I’ve worn down the soles to the extent that it was time for either a resole or a new pair, and since they’re so cheap this time I bought a set of Haix hi-liability ones. Since there are many boot questions generally and questions about these boots in particular, I thought that I’d write a post about my impressions and someone may find it useful.
My “good” boots, which I wear for the majority of my stalking and hill walking, are a set of Meindl Burma Pro and I really like them. The ex-army boots are worn for general messing around outside, gardening, rabbit shooting, etc.
Cost
I got the Alltbergs direct from http://www.britishmilitarysurplus.co.uk/, grade 1, for £50. They had been worn but obviously not much, and they were in very good condition. The Haix boots came from an ebay shop which turned out to be http://www.fieldtextiles.co.uk/; these cost me only £30 and were unworn. Bargain!
Fit
I take a size 10.5 shoe and always wear an 11 boot. Both of these boots fit me perfectly in a size 11. The Haix boots come in two width fittings – normal and wide. I got the normal and despite having relatively broad feet across the forefoot this width fitting is fine. Straight out of the box I found the Haix a better fit – the Alltbergs were not completely comfortable where the leather creases across the toe box, but as the leather softened they became more comfortable. I find the Haix boots slightly stiffer and feel that they provide much better support.
Lacing System
I only mention this because the Haix system is different to any other boots I’ve worn. Usually boots have eyelets for the first few holes up from the toes and then toggles thereafter (the Alltbergs only have three toggles and I would find it better if they had more, much like Meindl boots). The Haix boots have speed-lacing eyelets all of the way up, but half way up the eyelets lock down so that once you have tightened the first few holes they don’t loosen again until you unlock those eyelets. I didn’t think that I’d like it but I really do; getting the boots on in a hurry is easy, and I prefer the Haix lacing system to the Alltberg.
Aesthetics
I think the Alltbergs look better and actually find the Haix boots a bit ugly, but I prefer function over form so it doesn’t bother me much. It’s the fact that the laces start so high up that I think makes the Haix boots harder on the eye – the big toe box make them look a bit like clown shoes, especially in the larger sizes, but having the laces start so high up probably also means that leakages are less likely. The Haix boots have a brown rubber rand right around the boots are partially over the toe caps, so wading through stubble fields or heather doesn’t wreck the toes to the same extent.
Waterproofing
I have no problems with either, although the Alltbergs get slightly damp if they’re sodden for a long time. I had my doubts about the Haix because they are partially fabric, but so far they have been great (wading through puddles that come almost to the top of the boot).
Overall
As a cheap second pair of boots you can’t really go wrong with either of these but I prefer the Haix boots. I would have never worn the Alltbergs out hill stalking for reds because I didn’t feel that they provided enough support but I would wear the Haix. Yes, they’re not the prettiest but that doesn’t bother me and I’m really happy with the Haix boots so far.
My “good” boots, which I wear for the majority of my stalking and hill walking, are a set of Meindl Burma Pro and I really like them. The ex-army boots are worn for general messing around outside, gardening, rabbit shooting, etc.
Cost
I got the Alltbergs direct from http://www.britishmilitarysurplus.co.uk/, grade 1, for £50. They had been worn but obviously not much, and they were in very good condition. The Haix boots came from an ebay shop which turned out to be http://www.fieldtextiles.co.uk/; these cost me only £30 and were unworn. Bargain!
Fit
I take a size 10.5 shoe and always wear an 11 boot. Both of these boots fit me perfectly in a size 11. The Haix boots come in two width fittings – normal and wide. I got the normal and despite having relatively broad feet across the forefoot this width fitting is fine. Straight out of the box I found the Haix a better fit – the Alltbergs were not completely comfortable where the leather creases across the toe box, but as the leather softened they became more comfortable. I find the Haix boots slightly stiffer and feel that they provide much better support.
Lacing System
I only mention this because the Haix system is different to any other boots I’ve worn. Usually boots have eyelets for the first few holes up from the toes and then toggles thereafter (the Alltbergs only have three toggles and I would find it better if they had more, much like Meindl boots). The Haix boots have speed-lacing eyelets all of the way up, but half way up the eyelets lock down so that once you have tightened the first few holes they don’t loosen again until you unlock those eyelets. I didn’t think that I’d like it but I really do; getting the boots on in a hurry is easy, and I prefer the Haix lacing system to the Alltberg.
Aesthetics
I think the Alltbergs look better and actually find the Haix boots a bit ugly, but I prefer function over form so it doesn’t bother me much. It’s the fact that the laces start so high up that I think makes the Haix boots harder on the eye – the big toe box make them look a bit like clown shoes, especially in the larger sizes, but having the laces start so high up probably also means that leakages are less likely. The Haix boots have a brown rubber rand right around the boots are partially over the toe caps, so wading through stubble fields or heather doesn’t wreck the toes to the same extent.
Waterproofing
I have no problems with either, although the Alltbergs get slightly damp if they’re sodden for a long time. I had my doubts about the Haix because they are partially fabric, but so far they have been great (wading through puddles that come almost to the top of the boot).
Overall
As a cheap second pair of boots you can’t really go wrong with either of these but I prefer the Haix boots. I would have never worn the Alltbergs out hill stalking for reds because I didn’t feel that they provided enough support but I would wear the Haix. Yes, they’re not the prettiest but that doesn’t bother me and I’m really happy with the Haix boots so far.
