Altberg defender boot review.
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- Опубліковано 10 вер 2024
- This is a review of the altberg defender boot. I have owned and used these boots for about a year. These are my go to boots for wet muddy conditions. A full description and specification of the boots can be found on the altberg website
www.altberg.co...
Camera equipment used.
Nikon D3200
18-55 nikkor lens
Tackstar SGC-598 mic
Velbon EF 61 tripod
Vivitar DVR 944hd action cam
Flawless, after being disappointed with expensive hiking boots that always had problems within 6 months i opted for a 2nd hand pair of defenders. Best boots ive ever had
Yea great boots. Hadn't used mine for some time as been using more lightweight boots. But now I'm taking part in airsoft skirmishes The altbergs are back in regular use. Had a lot of guy ask about them while playing too.
Just found your site while researching Altberg defender boots. I really liked the fact you don’t do useless ‘out of the box’ reviews. Your review here was excellent and I’m ordering a pair now and have subscribed to your site. Thank you for this!!
Thanks for the kind words. Really appreciate your support. I dont do a lot of reviews but will only review after using an item and really getting to know how it performs. I agree these unboxing out if box reviews are of little use.
Atb Steve
Best pair of boots I’ve ever bought, even better than my previous Meindl Burmas.
Yes they are a good boot.
Took the plunge and treated myself to some Grade 1 used Defenders and so far I’m impressed. I watched 4 or 5 different videos and read a couple of reviews before hitting the buy button. The uppers are perfect with hardly a scratch or scuff, they’ll get plenty of Brown Leder Gris over the next few weeks to keep them in good shape. There’s a bit of wear on the soles but I'll certainly get this Winter out of them. There’s a Vibram “Diamond Partner” Cobbler in the next village who’ll re-sole them when needed and make them new (and grippy) again.
They are quite small for the stated size, I went for size 11 (med) boots up a size from my normal 10’s. I tend to wear a pair of thicker socks over thin socks through Autumn-Winter and this soaks up some of the volume whilst thankfully still being comfortable in the quite narrow toe box. I even fixed the dreaded heel lift with a “surgeon’s knot” in the lacing, which I read about in one of the video comments. Every day’s a school day!
Got some inexpensive DeWalt insoles to put some spring back into my step and some black/brown replacement laces (210cm) off Ebay so that my feet look a little more Country Inn than in-country. Highly recommended.
Glad you're happy with your boots. I've had a few different military issues boots over the years but these are definitely the best. I agree with your findings over size they are quote narrow especially compared to the German para boots I had before these. I've had mine a few years now and are still going strong.
Thanks for watching and commenting.
Steve
Hi Steve, I'm on my third pair of Altbergs over a period of about 15 years and I can't fault them! Comfortable straight out of the box, though they don't soften up for about 100 miles , so stick with it. Not hot weather gear, but definitely good for three season wear here in the UK!
Yea really like mine. Had them a couple of years now and still look like new.
Thanks for watching and commenting.
ATB Steve
The jungle microlites are excellent in warmer weather. Standard issue where I am.
Wear a good sock mate, they're then good in summer months... I use a bridgedale.
To friends I walk with have altberg defenders have iturri cold weather boots for Norway I will be getting altbergs for general use and keep the iturri for extreme winter weather
You shouldn't wrap the laces around your ankles, simply tie them off at the front. Wax the laces with Leder Gris and thy're less likely to come undone.
I've always wrapped the laces around ankle on boots like this. Otherwise there I a lot of lace hanging when tied..Is there a specific reason not to do this?
@@steveoutdoors5964 Just what the bloke on the AltBerg vidoes says and he makes the boots.
Ive had them for years even worth getting a carefully selected second hand, warm solid and dry. Love them on long walks or short. Done long mountain walks in poor boots and learned my lesson the hard way. Feel like the equivalent of a rolls royce on my feet with these. The only fault I found is grip level on slippery rocks.
Thanks for the review. It was really useful to see you prove their waterproofness.
Your welcome. Been a very popular video this one.
Thanks for directing me to this vid its just what i was looking for. I now own a pair
As long as you look after them they can last 10-15yrs. Can even be re-soled too.
I wear nothing but Altberg boots. I wear Defender boots whilst at work (a job which involves a lot of walking) and Tethera boots off-duty. At work I walk between 8 and 10 miles a day, and get on average around 2 years service out of the boot before I send them back for resoling/rebuilding around £80 a time.
The only thing I find disappointing is that the new Defender boots have replaced the speed-lacing with loops, which I think is a step backwards (hence, I keep getting older boots rebuilt)
Didn't realise they changed the lacing. I'm still using this pair...... Great boots.
Awesome, thank you. An honest and in depth review.
Thank you appreciate your kind comment. Boots are still going strong and are my go to boots for airsoft.
Love mine, grade2 ebay. still excellent just re waxed and good to go.
Great boots mate mine still going strong.
Awesome boots, loved mine. Great video thanks for sharing
Yea agreed great boots. Thus pair still going strong. Use them mainly for airsoft now
I've always been a tad hesitant about buying boots that someone else has been wearing, but I've watched a few videos about these pre owned Altberg Defenders, and as yet I haven't read a single negative comment about them, then I came across this video, (a good review BTW) and that made me decide to buy a pair, so I've just ordered a pair of Army surplus grade 1, at £45, fingers crossed they send me a good pair, and hopefully haven't been used by someone with foot issues, but if I'm happy with them I'll give the insides a good blast with an anti bacterial spray and order some leder gris wax.
Glad you found my review of the boots helpful in your decision to buy a pair. I think most grade 1 boots will be pretty good with little sign use. Hope you get a hood pair.
I recently bought a pair of Defenders in used condition. I needed the extra ankle support over my faithful Berghauses because of some fairly heavy ankle surgery that left me very aware of potential fragility in that area! I replaced the original footbed and spacer with an orthotic high-instep insole, gave them a pasting with the Leder Gris waxoil, and quite honestly these are the most comfortable boots I've ever had (I'm 63, I've had a few). I bought (holding my breath) size 12 wide. My Bergauses are 11s and a little narrow but they became comfy quite quickly; my Scarpa shoes are size 13 for god's sake and still sometimes a little narrow depending on socks. What DID Scarpa do to their fittings?!? Not only am I 63, I tend to block out the sun a bit, so I have the heft not to mind the Defenders being a touch on the heavier side and I find I can wear them all day and actually not want to take them off! They are genuinely a second hand gift to boot wearers (as I believe are Alt-Berg's other offerings, and I'm now looking at moving the Berghauses on and getting more A-Bs for warmer weather wear). They have a factory shop at Richmond (the proper Richmond in the North) that I suspect is mandatory for a visit.
Glad to here your liking the boots. Still have mine all these years later although only come out in winter month's.
Had my le chameau boots about 4 year great
Got a pair of these and have been using them for almost two years now. I'm impressed with mine, they give great support and can take a good beating as well as being fine for winter. Not a boot for summer though if you're doing a lot of fast tabbing.
All in though, compared to the garbage I was issued with back in the day these are leagues beyond anything prior.
Yea really like these boots, don't use them in summer though. Had them over 2 years now and still going strong.
Thanks for watching.
ATB Steve
The jungle microlites are excellent for warmer weather. Standard issue where I am.
They are a good boot, should do you well for a long time, as you mentioned as long as they are looked after. cheers. thanks for sharing.
LFH02 yea look after your boots and they'll look after you. Will be doing a follow up video showing my method of cleaning and waxing using leder gris.
Thanks for watching and commenting.
ATB Steve
Hello, I'm looking for help. My foot length is 275mm and I generally wear a size 10US or 44.5EU. What would be the UK size at Altberg as I can't find a size chart on their site ? Thank you in advance.
So sorry I can't really help with this..Are there no size charts on the altberg website?
I've just put into Google 44.5eu to uk and found a chart..From what it says 45.5 is size 11 us and size 10 uk.
An excellent, proper review. Thank you!
Thank you this has been a very popular video fur my humble little channel. Thanks for watching
.
Really helpful review doing some outdoor fieldwork so these will be pretty good! Thanks.
Thanks glad the info was of use.
Thanks. Pleased you found the video useful.
Hi. I've always wore trainers, looking to get a pair of these. Just wondering, what's the wax for, and what would happen if I used a baby wipe to occasionally wipe off a little dirt? I'd be wearing them casually when it's wet outside, so not fussed about keeping them tip-top condition.. Thanks!
Also, are they suitable for a 5 minute jog, without getting blisters/sores? I'd imagine they would be..
The wax is used to condition the leather and keep the waterproof and supple. For cleaning I just use a cloth and warm water then re apply some wax. I use my boots for muddy conditions when out in the woods. Not ideal for jogging but suppose you could if needed, but not my first choice for jogging.
Hey Steve, bought a pair a few days ago for 32 quid I'm happy with straight out the bag. Wish I'd bought them sooner.
Bearded Bushcrafter great boots. In hindsight I should of gone for the wider fit, but as I said in the video these have now given in and fit well. I highly recommend the leder gris for proofing them, I use it on my wife's hi-tech walking boots too. Thanks for watching and commenting.
ATB Steve
Some is on order, Atb, Trev
Hello I’m looking to get a pair of these, how do they come up for size?
@@louisfranklin4501 Hi Loius? Always go for a size up from what you are naturally. I'm a size 9 unusually go size 10 and they fit snug. I've had my boots as long as this video has been out two years and they are still as good as the day I got them . Get some leder Grease for them too.
Yes I thought that! Perfect thank you! Just ok eBay ordering now! I had been looking at meindl boots all morning but didn’t want to pay all that money so think these will do the job! They look nice in black but they charge double the price even on eBay for them in black so I’ll stick to the brown! Thanks for your response! And yes I’ll get some of that too!
Hi mate good review not had mine long brand new on full of blisters but a great pair of alt-berg boots I need to break them in properly thanks for sharing atb Jimmy 😎😎
Lundy's Wildcamp/Bushcraft yea mine were nearly new when I got them. Still need a little breaking in to be honest but not been out a lot since I got them. A good soaking in the recent snow helped. Thanks for watching and commenting.
ATB Steve
Hi, does anybody know how I can purchase a pair of Altberg Defender boots. The Defender are lighter and have better all terrain sole which I am after for the nature of my career. Please help.
Many thanks.
I purchased mine through an army surplus store on eBay. If your in the UK you have lots of eBay seller's and army surplus stores online selling them. Not sure on getting a pair in other countries though.
Hope this helps.
Thanks for watching and commenting.
ATB Steve.
@@steveoutdoors5964 Hi Steve, thank you for your response. Hope all is well. Many respects.
I bought mine brand new from ebay managed to get 2 pairs as they were going for good prices. I also got a pair of black altberg bergen boots which are absolutely fantastic build quality. If your a size 9 medium I'd sell you a brand new pair but not sure how to contact you through UA-cam.
Hi mate, what is the sizing like? Do u recommend getting the size I wear in runners or dress shoes? I am a size 9 in Nike and size 8.5 in dress shoes.
Hard to say. All brands of shoes fit different. Generally I take an 8 but have found I need a 9 in sime brands or styles. When I got these I did find them to be a narrower fit compared too some other boots but there fine now. I would recommend trying a pair on if you can.
@@steveoutdoors5964 They do them in standard or wide fit.
My defenders (3x pairs) have from brand new issue to me, my main operational/best/spare boot isn't waterproof and isn't designed to be... Ingress comes from underfoot.
Well I am still using this same pair for airsoft days and have not had any water get inside. Worn them for games throughout the winter when the site was a mudbath. Never had wet feet in them. Same goes for a lot of the lads I know who use the same boots. Exactly where is the water getting in? Only time I've come close to getting wet feet in them is when stepping into something too deep and getting water or slurry in the top..
@@steveoutdoors5964
Nice to see you also do airsoft too, the ingress comes through the sole on mine. Unless they're been used too hard lol.
What primary/loadout do you run on your kit. You a AEG, HPA or Gas player?
@@OverlandTT My primary is a KWA EVE 9 and I also have a G&G cm16 both AEG. My secondary is an AAP01 Gas pistol.
How do these compare to haix cold weather?
I can't say not had a pair of those.
Great video mate. Have you considered doing a follow up to see how these went?
No but I could do. Still got the same pair and there still mint condition. Thanks for watching.
Where did you buy them from for that price?
It was an army surplus website. Unfortunately can't remember the actual site as it was a few years ago now.
How did you get them so cheap?
Army surplus website. Can't remember the name though, been a few years. Boots still going strong get regular use at airsoft games.
can you get different width sizes in theses boots
Stephen - Homeless Truth Seeker yes there is a medium and wide fit. There's also a spacer in the footbed for further adjustment. Check out the altberg website there is a sizing chart on there explaining widths.
Thanks for watching and commenting.
ATB Steve
A lot of people at work choose to wear Altbergs. Some Lowas and some Magnums (which appear to wear away after 6 months, never seen anybody happy with the Magnums after a few months of owning them!) I think I will opt for a pair of Altbergs next, ridiculous value for £35. Do you know if they do a black version? Not allowed brown boots at work!
Exploring Bushcraft hi Mark. There is a version in black (check out the altberg website) but not sure if you will find a cheap pair
Mine are army surplus so got them at a really good price. You may have to do a little searching online to find a black pair as I don't think there issued to troops.
I have been wondering about these for some time, however, I don't think the Army version is the same quality as the ones made in Alt-bergs British and Italian factories as they are around £185 a pair and the Army won't pay anywhere near that price, I think they are subcontracted out, the Leder-Gris is fine but don't use this if you want shiny boots, it won't Bull, I also wanted some of their other boots (Bergen boots) and they said six weeks after going to Richmond to be measured so I bought "Han Wag" instead.
Maybe the civilian version is a higher quality. But when your only paying £30-£50 for a good pair getting really good value for money. As for the leder gris I understand that here is also a gloss version for those who need a nice shine,
Thanks for watching and commenting.
ATB Steve.
OH! sorry mate, I was not knocking them, they look a smashing boot, I tried to get the German Para boot but good old ones are rare, Yes I found the Leder- gloss, they never had that when I got the leder-gris but I have always used plain kiwi, old habits and that.
So for £30-£50 that is a cracking Boot (not literally) I hope they serve you well and just a point, I do not buy Gortex boots if possible, Gortex/sympatex doesn't last more than six months in a boot, keep em clean and polished and they do just as well. Regards mate, Bob.
@@robertkirk4387 I know you wernt k licking them I'm sure the materials in the civilian versions are of a higher grade, as you said the mod are going to have a limit on what they will pay. Had this pair about 2years now and still going strong unlike me old German para boots. I've use these mainly through the Autumn/winter, combined with a pair of good warm socks my feet have remained warm and dry. I do also have a pair of Salomon gortex boots I use through the summer.
ATB Steve
steve,
Yeah I had a pair of Saloman fell runners (don' t know why as I don't run anymore) they were a little tight across the forefoot but so are My Han-wags and they were £200 nearly five years ago, so sizing is a problem if you are buying online but what do you do when you cannot get shops to stock this kind of thing, though I got a pair of Karrimor's and they are a Brilliant boot for £50 brand new, so you can get lucky, I had a mate in the Army who was 6'8" who couldn't get boots to fit him for love nor money !!!, So two years for a £35 boots is as good as you can expect, you should have bought Two pairs, ATB BOB
Are defenders any good as hot weather boots, I'm planning on going traveling around the South East Pacific you see.
Iv had them for a while now and they've served me well throughout the British Spring, Summer, Autumn and winter seasons but will they be any good in extreme heat or will my feet melt? 😂
Comrade Phil Unfortunately I've not had the privilege to travel to anywhere with a hot climate. I think the altberg defender's are great for our British weather although I do personally use my lightweight Salomon Authentic GTX boots in summer for walking. I think the defender's would be a little uncomfortable in really hot conditions although being leather with no gortex other waterproof lining means there a fairly breathable boot. For the trip your planning I'd take a look at other military boots that are used in hotter climates.
Thanks for watching and your comment.
ATB Steve
Steves Outdoors NE Iv looked into jungle boots, probably going to get a pair of Altberg Jungle Microlite in MOD Brown, they look like the Jungle equivalent of the defender.
Unfortunately you can only get them at full price and not say £60 for a brand new pair (Which was the price of my defenders), guess ill wait for a bit.
Here's the boots incase anyone else is interested.
www.altberg.co.uk/product/jungle-microlite-mod-brown/
Comrade Phil Yea the jungle or desert boots look better your trip. But unlike the defender's your going to have top pay full price. I think the reason defender's are so cheap is due to the high volume in use by the mod keeping prices down. Very little demand for the jungle version so unlikely to find even a good used pair like you do with the defender's. Have you looked at boots used by the U.S. military????
Steves Outdoors NE Yeah, Iv found a pair of desert combat boots, there a miltec copy.
Iv also found considerably cheaper desert altberg jobies.
Steves Outdoors NE I'm planning on getting them later on so ill see if I have the cash to spare (As I'm going to budgeting for the traveling).
How do you compare these to the German para boots? Pros and cons?
The German para boots were a great boot but a dated design. The altbergs are more like a high leg hiking boot. They seem to offer better support and have a far better sole shape. They do seem to be narrower fitting but that's just my opinion from the boots I've owned.
Thanks for watching and commenting.
Atb Steve
@@steveoutdoors5964 Yh, I was in the army cadets around 10 years ago. The most popular boots was the German Para and Magnum.... I ending up getting a Magnum style boot from Viper... I've always wonder what the Para boots was like to use, but I guess they are now outdated over what you can get nowadays. I got myself the Alt-Berg Defender a few years ago for walk to wight, but ended up using them for when it has snowed, and for the IOW festival. Even though they are in my size, I do fine them a bit wide... But then again, it could be I need to tighten the laces, which I find a pain to do. I'm also in the middle of trying to join my local army reserve unit. So I'm looking forward to trying out the other boots the army uses
And wheres the other vidoes about using leder gris etc how to clean them etc?
When I was looking at getting these boots there were loads of articles and videos on boot care. It's a subject that's well covered by lots of youtube channel and websites.
@@steveoutdoors5964 don't you have a video yourself on it mate?
@@fijiarc2090 No I'm afraid I don't. Shortly after doing this video I started doing more photography stuff then mountain biking vids. It's a video I could do in future though.
Hello excellent review have you worn these boots hiking around rocky and stoney trails? If so how did they feel. Thanks
not stony trails exactly, but i have recently spent a few afternoons on the Durham heritage coast. This is the area of coast between Teeside and Wearside. This area has a lot of rocky and gravel terrain and steep climbs up and down cliffs. The boots felt good gave good grip and support.
Thanks for watching and commenting, if you have further questions i will do my best to answer.
ATB Steve.
@@steveoutdoors5964 thanks for the info very much appreciated I'm going to defo get a pair as they're similar to the warrior boots that are built for many terrains including rocky trails. Based on your experience and review they're a solid boot. Wanted a change from the usual hiking boots. That's again. Best regards
The lack of any shock absorbing material inside is the only downside,hard as a rock.Absolutely demand really good sorbothane or similar.First time on a 15 miler with rucksack,killed my feet,rocky ground.Issue insoles fit for slippers.
Can any one tell me if these boots are steel toe cap
No steel toe cap in these boots
How do I break them in?
Ideally if you buy used/issued boots they will already be broken in. They still will need breaking in to yiur feet though. Just like any shoe or boot they will breakbin over time as you use them. I'm sure there will be videos showing methods to speed up the process.
@@steveoutdoors5964 great cheers mate, what do you mean by remove spacer to give a wider fit? Mine feel a bit tight on the width
If you remove the insole there is a second perforated spacer insole that can be taken out.
@@steveoutdoors5964 do all come with a spacer? I don't think I have one
Пишут что у них подошва ,сыплется,...спустя какое - то время использования..😮
Still have this pair and use them most weeks for airsoft. Still solid with no issue's.
Vibram soles are USELESS on wet rock/tarmac/night-club dancefloors. The old assualt boots have far superior grip.
Mika 900 had a couple pairs of the old assault boots. First pair was great lasted years. Second pair the sole crumbled after about 6 months. I then got a pair of German para boots that were good but the tread was rubbish. These are far better but I appreciate all sole pattern have their limitations.
Thanks for watching and commenting.
ATB Steve
Yeah, I've had both British Assault boot soles AND German Para soles crumble and disintegrate on me in the past couple of months - the para boots were brand new! I think as others have maybe said that the shelf life of these boots is rapidly coming to an end and even if you find new pairs, the soles are finished. If they haven't been worn or have been kept in storage for ages they're not gonna last. At £50 a pop for German paras (which have been my favourite boot for over 30 years) I guess it's time to relegate them to past, sadly. I would recommend PSNI boots by Jolly - quadruple kevlar stitching, steel toes and indestructible soles. Not too pretty but very sturdy. Thanks for the great vids and chanel.
@@TheMIKA900 Just looking through these comments again as I edit together a video of my old German para points. It will be uploaded in the next few hours. Check it out you will see the state my German boots ended up in.
Been using them since my military days and i have about 10 pairs of them 💪🇬🇧🫡
I picked up a pair recently for £25.. BARGAIN!!!!
Nice.. I'm sure they will serve you well.
Great vid mate av just subbed ya get ya sel over n check mine marra
DAZ D Cheers Daz. I'll check out your vids too.
ATB Steve