Boot choice

[bradleyhardacre]

I'm now going to put some Altberg gortex high-leg military/professional boots in the classified sales... if you're interested.

 

[Danny Fireblade]

Altberg for me, have loads of military friends who say the Hiax are pants. Ive worn Altbergs for about the last 15 years, brilliant boots.
The creak will come from the tongue as previously mentioned, remove laces, clean and loads of ledergris.
Best thing about altbergs is when the soles wear out just send them back and they will resole for you.

 

[Swedish]

Altbergs all day for me too. If you can, try and book a factory fitting, well worth it. With all the sizes and width fittings they're probably the closest you'll get to dedicated tailor made boots. They'll even supply in odd sizes if your feet are different sizes.

 

[Dawnrazor]

I saw a pair of Zamberlan Kodiak and the new Miendle Kibo today, the Kibo's look much better in the flesh than the pictures online, I really liked the Zamberlans, a good wide fit for an Italian (?) boot.

 

[caorach]

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.

What sort of use are you putting the Brandecosse to, would they be up to fairly hard moorland use and at least 100 days per year? Also how stiff are they? I have the Altberg Mallerstangs and am not at all impressed by them, they've been relatively comfortable but the sole wears in no time, the leather quality isn't fantastic, and due to a completely insane design feature they chew laces at the rate of a pair in a week or so. I was looking at the options, ideally I'd like to go back to the old Scarpa SLs but they aren't made any more and their replacement seems to be a case of "more "features," more money, less quality" so I'm kind of stuck and thought the Brandecosse might work for me.

 

[Swedish]

I have the Altberg Mallerstangs and am not at all impressed by them, they've been relatively comfortable but the sole wears in no time, the leather quality isn't fantastic, and due to a completely insane design feature they chew laces at the rate of a pair in a week or so.

Blimey, that's an astonishing wear rate. What seems to be the issue?

 

[Dawnrazor]

Blimey, that's an astonishing wear rate. What seems to be the issue?

The Mallerstang looks to have the same lacing system as the Gunnerside/Stark Extreme, I've two pairs of the Gunnerside boot and have had no problems with laces being worn.

 

[caorach]

Blimey, that's an astonishing wear rate. What seems to be the issue?

It is really simple, and almost unbelievably stupid - the bottom set of "eyes" for the laces (I'm sure there's a technical name for them but you get the idea) instead of being round in section, as with every other boots I've ever owned, are rectangular in section meaning that they have, in effect, a sharp edge. Walking in heather and often with the hook of gaiters around them means that on some occasions a set of laces don't last a day. Also the eyes were treated in some way, maybe anodized or something to blacken them, and as they wore this "coating" wore off in places leaving further sharp edges to the coating and for a time this accelerated lace wear. I use good quality Scarpa laces, and have just taken delivery of 4 more pairs.

Just to put this in perspective I have about 7 pairs of boots at the minute, some still in active use on hill and moor and some retired to daily use at work or about town, and replacing laces is not a regular thing for me. I'm currently sitting in a pair of Scarpas as I type and they are probably 11 - 12 years old and I only ever remember changing laces on them once, I'm sure it is probably more than once but suffice to say it happens so rarely I simply don't remember doing it other than the once. These Scarpas were, in their day, used harder than the Altbergs ever have been and are now retired to "about town" sort of use. As I mostly walk on the hill or moor where the ground is soft my boots generally don't suffer much sole wear until they are retired and start getting used on footpaths and I started using the Altbergs in 2015 and would estimate that the current wear on their soles is similar to the wear on my 11 - 12 year old Scarpas that retired to walk about the town about 2015.

 

[Swedish]

Thanks Caorach, that's interesting, I'll check mine. I have a pair of Fremington for general wear and a pair of Raby boots that I use exclusively for stalking, I've not experienced this issue but my stalking is mainly woodland with some small upland areas so I'm not pounding for miles like a Scottish Stalker. Something to keep an eye on though.

 

[caorach]

Thanks Caorach, that's interesting, I'll check mine. I have a pair of Fremington for general wear and a pair of Raby boots that I use exclusively for stalking, I've not experienced this issue but my stalking is mainly woodland with some small upland areas so I'm not pounding for miles like a Scottish Stalker. Something to keep an eye on though.

It is a while ago but as I recall mine were relatively OK for a week or two until the coating, anodizing, whatever, started to wear. However I just can't believe that they are continuing to produce them with this problem so I hope yours are OK. On a positive note they are relatively comfortable and I believe that Altberg will re-sole them though I'm not sure if this will be worth the money in my case as it might make more sense to just spend it on a new pair.

 

[Scotty99]

What sort of use are you putting the Brandecosse to, would they be up to fairly hard moorland use and at least 100 days per year? Also how stiff are they? I have the Altberg Mallerstangs and am not at all impressed by them, they've been relatively comfortable but the sole wears in no time, the leather quality isn't fantastic, and due to a completely insane design feature they chew laces at the rate of a pair in a week or so. I was looking at the options, ideally I'd like to go back to the old Scarpa SLs but they aren't made any more and their replacement seems to be a case of "more "features," more money, less quality" so I'm kind of stuck and thought the Brandecosse might work for me.

I use mine for stalking, beating and goose / duck shooting and hill walking. I don't do 100 days a year more like 50. They are wearing well both soles and uppers. The leather is what I would describe as quite firm not stiff but definitely not what you would describe as soft. As a result they benefit from a bit of breaking in and treating regularly with polish and or leather cream. If you are interested, call them up at Brandecosse and they can advise you what would suit your needs best from their range, they are very approachable and helpful.

 

[caorach]

I use mine for stalking, beating and goose / duck shooting and hill walking.

Thanks for the review, it is useful to cast around for opinions and I had heard that the Brandecosse folks were very helpful. The Altbergs are my current "general use" boots and it looks like they will be coming up for replacement pretty soon so it is time to start looking at the options.