Altberg V Lowa

[Oly]

Just wondering if anyone has had experience of both of these boots?

I've had a pair Lowa's before, literally done 1000's of miles in them - but always welcome a change and they are a little heavy. I'm not keen on high leg boots and like flexibility in the sole for crouching/kneeling shots.

I've tried the Altberg Tethera - great boot but too stiff for me.

So I've whittled it down to:

Altberg Warrior Aqua Microlite MkII - Altberg Bootmakers - Richmond, North Yorkshire

or Lowa Mountain GTX - LOWA Mountain GTX

but possibly the Sepia version, but have a few doubts about Nubuck?? - LOWA Mountain Sepia GTX

The Lowa's can be found for about £40 cheaper too...

 

[Dovebob]

Oly,

I have no experience of Lowa's, but bought a pair of Altberg Velthags following a recommendation from one of the ex forces guys on here. I've had them for two seasons now and have been delighted with them. They feel as light and comfortable as my old pair of Brasher's, but are higher and more supportive.

I don't think you'll go wrong with a pair of Altbergs.

Cheers,

Bob

 

[Paul 600]

You can get your Altbergs tailor made for free! Love mine had Altbergs for about 15 years!

 

[digger9523]

I haven't used or seen the models you've mentioned mate, but i tried: Issued, Danner, Lowa, Lundhag, Scarpa and Alt-Bergs over 14 years in the forces. The last 8 years of that time i wore Nothing but Alt-Berg. I still use them, Defender microlites mainly, but my Desert boots are great in the summer. I didn't touch Gore-Tex lined boots while i was in. They keep water out until it spills over the top during a deep puddle crossing, then does a fantastic job of holding it inside the boot while your feet stew on a long tab. But nowadays, I'd probably have it. I've got 4 pairs of them in total, and can't see anybody convincing me that there's a better option. They do half sizes and something like 5 different widths at the toe. Plus, if you have issues with your feet, i.e. one bigger than the other, they'll build you a pair of boots from the ground up to accommodate your personal dimensions. All of their boots are re-soleable and they can also repair damaged ones, so it's not always the end for your favourite, comfy walking/stalking boots if you split the leather or pierce the lining.

 

[Daz2381]

I have used both boots and I didn't get on with the Altbergs in fact I think I still have them somewhere I used them for a week or two and went back to my Lowes I did find though Hanwags a great boot maybe a nice alternative. I have just check the cupboard and the Altbergs I have are the peacekeepers and have no wear on them and still quite stiff!!

If you can go to the Altberg factory and try them on or have a set made to your feet (maybe I would have found them better)

 

[flytie]

Altberg's can be resoled, I have found to my cost that not many other makes of boot can be.

I rate Lundhags, wore them for years. In the cold and wet there is no finer boot, not so good in the warm.

Lowa and Hanwag produce good boots at reasonable prices.

Simon

 

[slack chamber]

Lowa by a mile, like slippers no need to break them in

 

[jamross65]

I have used both. Lowa is by far the better boot. They can also be re-soled. Never used for stalking though but my current pair of Lowa's are now 4 years old and the leather still looks new after worn almost daily. You will get far more mileage from them over the Altberg's.

 

[BuckarooUK]

Altbergs **** over every other boot you care to mention. I've either worn or seen practically every 'gucci' boot, all have had their flaws and practically all will fail long before you need to re-sole the Altbergs. The short 'in-service' guys may have joined with others, but soon ordered the same.

If you are prepared to wait, take the oppertunity to get them measured for your feet.

The only other boot i would recommend without reservation are Lundhags but being a 'wet' boot, they are a different animal entirely.

 

[liongeorge]

I splashed on a pair of Altberg GK highmoor boots £200.
Top of the range, wanted to buy british.
Spoke to them as I have wide feet they recommended these. They were still too narrow and gave me painfull bunnions, as for the sympatex premium grade waterproof lining forget it , dewy grass for 100 yards would see you with wet feet. The sole was very hard which was both stiff and noisy. Wore them for a few months kept on persavering but they got no better, gave them away to a sculpturer mate who wears them for work, he's chuffed to bits with them. My miendls are waterproof, wide enough and quiet/flexible.


Just to say try them first before you buy or make sure you can send back if not enirely satisfied,

 

[nemo]

i have a pair of altberg velthags,their very comfortable but leak like hell no matter what waxes or magic leather treatment i use.that said i use them as a summer boot and have meindl and lundhags for more extreme use

 

[ash243]

You can get your Altbergs tailor made for free! Love mine had Altbergs for about 15 years!

+1
well +3 As the kids have them too

 

[jamross65]

Have those commenting tried out several pairs of both these boots?

Don't listen to what is being said about Altbergs bettering everything else. 75% of the guys and girls I work with wear Altbergs (because they were cheaper) and they all wear out and are replaced long before a pair of Lowa's which many are now swapping to. Altbergs are soft by comparison and offer nowhere near the same ankle support. I think they are still a very good boot, but simply nowhere near as robust as the Lowa's. Lowa's also have a gore-tex lining (still the best in my opinion).

I have walked more miles than I care to remember over the years in both these makes of boots. Lowa's every time.

 

[purdeydog]

I have used the altberg defender and the Lowe mountain boots for years. I have been up and down too many mountains in all weather in them and they are good boots. People seem to expect too much from a boot, it's boot after all. I use sorbothane insoles in both boots, so use a boot half size bigger. * The lowa boots I have found to be waterproof, even crossing rivers, the only problem with the lowa gortex boots is once they do get wet inside they will not dry out because of the gortex till you get home. Neither boot need breaking in. *The lowa are a little heavy and have a huge soul on them so good for very rough terrain. I wear my altbergs when out stalking. There's not much in them to be honest. Some people get boots for hundreds of pounds and still can't walk up a mountain with out moaning, others get a cheap *pair and are fine.*

 

[bogtrotter]

depends on what you want from a boot, what type of stalking you do etc, some say they like a flexible boot thats fine for low ground for the hill a rigid soled boot is better probably with a steel shank.

Can't comment on Altberg never had a pair, did have a pair of Lowa mountain boots good boots but as others have said
once they get wet inside thats it, also did not last as long as I would have hoped wore them out in two seasons on the hill.

Now have a pair of Raichle made in Switzerland proper mountain boot, will take crampons or yeti gaiters if required
not goretex lined just leather but 100% waterproof, can't remember exactly how long Ive had them but will be five or six seasons.

A serious boot probably not what you would want for woodland stalking but as a hill boot perfect.

 

[Herne]

I'm with Bogtrotter on this one, Raichle, (now made by Mammut but the same boot on the same lasts) are the best boots I have ever owned and I have gone through many pairs.

Probably not a boot for the woods, but a great hill boot. Mine are now 3 seasons old and the mid-sole is starting to wear but I think this is acceptable. I thin the model was Mountain trail gtx it has a full toe rubber rand good for rocks and scree.

H.

 

[@theroedeerguy]

Lowa Mountain GTX are fantastic, yes you can have the Altberg tailor made as such but the Lowas have a far superior insulated sole providing a superior performance in cold conditions.
Lowa don't need broken in and their only weak point is the insoles which are a bit basic, this is an easy fix though with a pair of your choice if need be but mine still have the originals.
As good as the Lowas are though they would not be my first choice for the hill.
Meindl are still my first choice for the hill but choosing between Lowa and Altberg, I would always go for the Lowa.

Regards

BP

 

[flyingfisherman]

My Altbergs didnt need breaking in and are comfortable, waterproof and dry. I got a pair of gamekeepers. Ive walked through burns and wet silage fields without getting any water inside them. I cant comment on Lowas but altbergs are the best boots ive ever had to date. The fitting service and chance to resole them is definitely a perk with this manufacturer.

 

[25-06 Rem]

I always had Lowa's whilst in the forces, outstanding boot. Never used the Altbergs so cant comment.

Meindl are worth a punt. The Borneo & Burma are both good boots.

 

[pete evans]

I have used hunter, bestard, and now lowa boots. The hunter and bestard were not very durable and only lasted a season. The hunter boots were really sloppy fit and the bestard were quite narrow lasted. the current lowa boots (supercamp) are very comfortable and dry. probably a little heavy duty if you mainly woodland stalk but certainly very well made. i have never tried alt bergs