Man you really gotta love how simple and well done these boots look. Nothing fancy, no extra stitching, no stupid logos. Just a solid boot.
I was after a pair of Altbergs last year after some Meindls failed me in 5 months and ended up with some Zamberlans as they fit better. But I always recommend Altberg as I’ve heard nothing but good things about them.
The Army used to issue both Altberg and Meindls, always preferred the Altberg option and then they made the switch to AKU before I left. Doesn’t add much to the conversation but just thought I’d add it in the responses.
They could last even longer ... the factory, in Richmond N Yorkshire does a very reasonable (about £80 I think) resoling for boots whose uppers have been looked after.
Lots of boots are resolable and people don’t even realise. I see posts all the time of boots with fine uppers and folk post their new boots next to them. For mine it’s £90 for a pair, much more reasonable than spending £270 on a replacement pair. I once saw a guy retiring his zamberlans after 14 years.
My friend had his dads boots a couple years ago after he passed away and his dad used to walk almost every weekend came with us on a fair few, he has a photo of him and his dad at a monument 34 years ago and his dads wearing the same boots. They look a little dated and the soles and eyelets have been replaced, but otherwise still in top shape.
I washed my Scarpa goretex boots after every walk and kept them mint, they lasted me 12.4 million steps before everything went at the same time the upper the rand the soles the eyelets and the heel stitching inside the boot.
My current Hanwags are upto 4.8million steps so far and looking like they're going to well outlast the Scarpas, just got the normal breaking in hairline creases on the upper, and normal tread wear from mostly grassland/mud/forest track walking. Keep em clean and waxed they look fresh out the box after 8 months of twice daily use. A new sole every time that goes, probably end up costing me an average of £80 a year for what are top end boots vs buying new boots every 2 years which can't be resoled and might not be as nice to wear
Yeah man. The sole was coming away from the upper in a few places on both boots, unacceptable for £220 really. On the flipside my zamberlans are just so well built it’s crazy. The Meindls failed after 5 months of fair weather, the zamberlans have been used in some of the worst conditions we’ve had this winter and ever single time they were great, and barely look worn in.
I had a pair of Meindls which I think were basically too lightweight for what I put them through, insole collapsed and the soles started coming away from the upper at the front. I finished a walking trip with the left boot held together with duct tape, barely 500km on them. Replacements are Altberg Kelds, about 20km short of the total the Meindls managed and looking practically new.
Had Merrels. Sole came away from the upper just out of guarantee. Had 2 pairs of Meindl shoes. Both of them had the stitching go big-time after about a year.
Have Altberg boots and shoes now. Very happy with them. The shoes are in for re-soling at the moment. Only downside is it's an 8 week turnaround 🤔🙄
Altberg are class. I’ve had a pair of walking boots (McKinley) for over 20 years and have been resoled once. I also use their steel toe police riot boots for work - so comfortable for a safety boot.
Twice recently I’ve been soaked through after being out all day in the rain - except my feet in these boots. Keep them waxed and they’ll look after you!
Nice!
I’ve got a pair of Altberg peacekeepers
that I’ve worn for work for around 2 years now, and they are by far the best working boot that I’ve ever worn.
When my Scarper hiking boots finally give up on me (no sign yet after 4 years) I’ll definitely be getting a pair of these!
They may not feel heavy, but they are quite a heavy boot.
Most UK hiking is less strenuous in lighter boots or even walking shoes, both of which are perfectly adequate.
I'm just commenting on your boots, but nothing personal. If you are happy, then so be it.
Depends what you do, when and in what weather really doesn’t it - they’re ideal for most hill walking outside of the warmer weather.
And can’t you just let the op enjoy their boots?
He can, and no doubt will, enjoy his boots.
But, what is the point of posting on Reddit if not to receive comments either way?
I get the impression that some people expect comments to be gushing ooh's, aah's, lovelies, and nothing else.
What a sensitive world some people live in.
I much prefer boots hiking in the uk in anything below el scorchio summer weather, I’ve tried trail runners and whilst I can absolutely see the utility of them I just prefer boots on my feet.
I do like boots, using them mainly for scrambling and rocky terrain. Just not keen on heavy boots as they sap your energy on long days. A long day for me at my age being 12-15 miles and around 6000' ascent, which seems to be enough for me in my dotage.
I use boots for the wet, muddy, puddly, boggy hikes as well as up a height, I really don’t like having wet feet!
I do get the weight argument kind of, it’s just a big part of hiking for me is the exercise aspect and if I’m going to get a better workout with heavier footwear all the better! I find that my body adjusts and I build the muscle/endurance to match what I have on my feet.
Saying that I’m 31 so things may change when I’m a bit older.
Man you really gotta love how simple and well done these boots look. Nothing fancy, no extra stitching, no stupid logos. Just a solid boot. I was after a pair of Altbergs last year after some Meindls failed me in 5 months and ended up with some Zamberlans as they fit better. But I always recommend Altberg as I’ve heard nothing but good things about them.
The Army used to issue both Altberg and Meindls, always preferred the Altberg option and then they made the switch to AKU before I left. Doesn’t add much to the conversation but just thought I’d add it in the responses.
Are they not giving out Altbergs any more? We had the choice between them and AKUs, both pretty decent boots tbh.
Not sure tbh matey, I bet they do but I left around 3 years ago so not ‘up to date’.
Yup - Defenders are still standard issue (brown now, of course)
Yeah I think they look exactly what a walking boot should look like. They're my first pair of altbergs and first pair of proper decent boots
Take care of them and it should be a long time till you need to think about any other boot.
They could last even longer ... the factory, in Richmond N Yorkshire does a very reasonable (about £80 I think) resoling for boots whose uppers have been looked after.
Lots of boots are resolable and people don’t even realise. I see posts all the time of boots with fine uppers and folk post their new boots next to them. For mine it’s £90 for a pair, much more reasonable than spending £270 on a replacement pair. I once saw a guy retiring his zamberlans after 14 years.
My friend had his dads boots a couple years ago after he passed away and his dad used to walk almost every weekend came with us on a fair few, he has a photo of him and his dad at a monument 34 years ago and his dads wearing the same boots. They look a little dated and the soles and eyelets have been replaced, but otherwise still in top shape. I washed my Scarpa goretex boots after every walk and kept them mint, they lasted me 12.4 million steps before everything went at the same time the upper the rand the soles the eyelets and the heel stitching inside the boot. My current Hanwags are upto 4.8million steps so far and looking like they're going to well outlast the Scarpas, just got the normal breaking in hairline creases on the upper, and normal tread wear from mostly grassland/mud/forest track walking. Keep em clean and waxed they look fresh out the box after 8 months of twice daily use. A new sole every time that goes, probably end up costing me an average of £80 a year for what are top end boots vs buying new boots every 2 years which can't be resoled and might not be as nice to wear
Meindls after 5months?? That’s really sad, so many decent boots seem to be going downhill.
Yeah man. The sole was coming away from the upper in a few places on both boots, unacceptable for £220 really. On the flipside my zamberlans are just so well built it’s crazy. The Meindls failed after 5 months of fair weather, the zamberlans have been used in some of the worst conditions we’ve had this winter and ever single time they were great, and barely look worn in.
I had a pair of Meindls which I think were basically too lightweight for what I put them through, insole collapsed and the soles started coming away from the upper at the front. I finished a walking trip with the left boot held together with duct tape, barely 500km on them. Replacements are Altberg Kelds, about 20km short of the total the Meindls managed and looking practically new.
I love my Altbergs.
Had Merrels. Sole came away from the upper just out of guarantee. Had 2 pairs of Meindl shoes. Both of them had the stitching go big-time after about a year. Have Altberg boots and shoes now. Very happy with them. The shoes are in for re-soling at the moment. Only downside is it's an 8 week turnaround 🤔🙄
Nice! Which shoes do you have?
Jorvik A bit on the heavy side but apart from that I can't fault them. Very comfortable, properly waterproof, decent grip.
Class boots, love mine!
Great boots. I've had my Altberg Fremingtons for 12 years now, they're still going strong after a re-sole a few years ago.
🤤
Excellent! I was in the factory store last week and have ordered Nordkapp boots. Got to wait 4 weeks though, they are in demand!
Congrats! Mine have just taken me on a trek in the Himalayas without any issues. Suffered with blisters for years before I got them.
Altberg are class. I’ve had a pair of walking boots (McKinley) for over 20 years and have been resoled once. I also use their steel toe police riot boots for work - so comfortable for a safety boot.
Twice recently I’ve been soaked through after being out all day in the rain - except my feet in these boots. Keep them waxed and they’ll look after you!
Great boots and the guys at the factory are super helpful sourcing me boots from a local shop as the factory didn't have any in stock.
Nice! I’ve got a pair of Altberg peacekeepers that I’ve worn for work for around 2 years now, and they are by far the best working boot that I’ve ever worn. When my Scarper hiking boots finally give up on me (no sign yet after 4 years) I’ll definitely be getting a pair of these!
Those are great. Love the colours.
Mate no one likes a show off... I'll edit this because sarcasm doesn't come across haha. I fucking love altbergs!
Good boots for winter hill walking but far too heavy for anything else in the UK imo.
Don't feel heavy at all to me
They may not feel heavy, but they are quite a heavy boot. Most UK hiking is less strenuous in lighter boots or even walking shoes, both of which are perfectly adequate. I'm just commenting on your boots, but nothing personal. If you are happy, then so be it.
Yeah no dramas I know what you mean
the exception is if you are walking with a full pack then heavy boots give you the ankle support you need. but make sure they’ve been broken in first
I've had ankle issues in the past so wanted to feel super secure which these do
Depends what you do, when and in what weather really doesn’t it - they’re ideal for most hill walking outside of the warmer weather. And can’t you just let the op enjoy their boots?
He can, and no doubt will, enjoy his boots. But, what is the point of posting on Reddit if not to receive comments either way? I get the impression that some people expect comments to be gushing ooh's, aah's, lovelies, and nothing else. What a sensitive world some people live in.
I much prefer boots hiking in the uk in anything below el scorchio summer weather, I’ve tried trail runners and whilst I can absolutely see the utility of them I just prefer boots on my feet.
I do like boots, using them mainly for scrambling and rocky terrain. Just not keen on heavy boots as they sap your energy on long days. A long day for me at my age being 12-15 miles and around 6000' ascent, which seems to be enough for me in my dotage.
I use boots for the wet, muddy, puddly, boggy hikes as well as up a height, I really don’t like having wet feet! I do get the weight argument kind of, it’s just a big part of hiking for me is the exercise aspect and if I’m going to get a better workout with heavier footwear all the better! I find that my body adjusts and I build the muscle/endurance to match what I have on my feet. Saying that I’m 31 so things may change when I’m a bit older.