Boot choice

Boarboy

Well-Known Member
I’ve been looking at the military leather lace boots, seem good value? Can’t decide between the Haix or the Altberg? Any experiences welcome
 
A lot of people on our shoot seem to be getting Italian Dedito boots, they all speak highly of them though I don't own a pair yet as I still have the Meindl and they got a bit life in them. yet.
 
A lot of people on our shoot seem to be getting Italian Dedito boots, they all speak highly of them though I don't own a pair yet as I still have the Meindl and they got a bit life in them. yet.
Thanks, I’ll have a look
 
I've had a pair of the Haix mil surplus boots for a while now but have never tried the surplus Altbergs, though I do have the Altberg Mallerstangs. They are perfectly good boots and I've a mate that wears them as his main boots. I find them a bit soft in the sole for me as I spend a lot of time on pretty soft moorland and like very stiff boots. They maybe require a bit more breaking in than the commercial boots. The sole is very quiet and the ones I have are quite wide fitting and while I used to wear wide boots it seems like my feet are getting more narrow or something as I'm moving away from them in terms of fit. For the money I can't find anything wrong with them and think they are well worth a punt.
 
John norris have some Harkila and some jack pyke ones on half price sale now. Both look like decent boots and if I hadn't already got a new pair on stock (ready for the current ones to be worn out) I would have a pir to try. Harkila were £150 or so and the JP ones 120 I think.
 
My son was issued he likes them. But they don’t quite suit my feet.
I literally live in Altberg boots. Peacekeepers (police issue steel toe) for work. Defenders for just about everything else. I don’t think I wear anything else expect the odd time. I even have a pair of made to measure boots from a local cobbler which get little use.
The whole reason there’s more than one issue boot is so you can find the right one for you. You might find one better than the other. They are cheap enough to try if you shop around.
 
Ive had Altberg defenders for years now and love them, comfortable and though no goretex liner, waterproof when treated with ledergris, (I always wear sealskin knee length socks anyway to ensure against wet feet.) always found them hard wearing and comfortable, my only slight criticism is the rubber rand doesn't extend up the toe and on beating days you can get a fair bit of wear on the leather direct. To that end I bought a pair of Haix mil issue goretex, but although great build quality these ones are a bit narrow for my feet, and the goretex lining takes longer to dry out so I'll personally stick with Altbergs I reckon. depends on your feet size/fit but they are both excellent boots at a brilliant price (around £75), to me its a total waste of money spending hundreds on named brands that often dont work as well or worse.
 
Altberg boots are issued to me at work and spend 8 to 10 hours in them every day,never get wet feet and they last me about 2 years before wearing out.
Also have a pair of the Albert gamekeeper boot which were made to measure,excellent service up at the factory and interesting place to visit.
Won't wear anything else.
 
Altbergs for me too....worn them for years, got a pair of Field & Fell that are 8 years old, fit like a glove and still waterproof too !
 
+1 on the Altberg defenders. Got a grade A pair used off eBay for £25. Apply ledergis and good to go. £200 on a pair of outdoor boots just cos they’re marketed as ‘stalking’ boots?! My only criticism is that mine have developed a slight ‘creak’ when I walk. Don’t mean to hijack but any advice on eliminating it? I think it comes from the upper behind the leg and above the heel.
 
+1 on the Altberg defenders. Got a grade A pair used off eBay for £25. Apply ledergis and good to go. £200 on a pair of outdoor boots just cos they’re marketed as ‘stalking’ boots?! My only criticism is that mine have developed a slight ‘creak’ when I walk. Don’t mean to hijack but any advice on eliminating it? I think it comes from the upper behind the leg and above the heel.

Have you taken the laces out and cleaned them into the gusset. Sometimes it is that area causing the creak. You can try different lacing patterns too. As it can give a better fit or take pressure off the bit making the noise.
 
I found Harkila boots totally useless, had two pairs fail within the guarantee period.
Now replaced by Italian Grisport 10" high boots, top quality Italian leather for half the price of Harkilas and far better. On their fourth year now with no problems.
 
Altberg or Haix are equally good, well worth the money. I would recommend army extreme cold weather boots for the winter (and of the three makes is very good). I like my feet warm. No point spending £200 plus on stalking boots.
 
The Haix are fine. They have a cleat system so you can tension the lower foot with the laces and cleat them off. Them pull the ends of the laces nd the rest tightens up to whatever you need. Its a pretty quick system.
TBH you would be fine with either, and army surplus is pretty cheap too!
 
Having tried surplus stuff I could not find a decent fit so got Zamberlan hunting boots at a price I have to say but so far they have been every bit as good as my old Miendle boots that lasted about 10 years and still waterproof even with the heal pealing of the uppers.
 
Check out Brandecosse, they are in Scotland but import some great boots from Italy. I got mine from them, 11 inch Diemme boots I think they are. Not cheap but comfortable, waterproof and really hard wearing.
 
I'm a huge fan of Ariat boots. I have a pair of Ariat Conquest. Quilted inside is a comfy and warm fit. Absolutely waterproof outside and good quality, hard-wearing leather with a reliable grip and nice ankle support. I would recommend them
 
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