They are good. I have the Warrors too which are almost identical, but have hooks for the laces and they make them in half sizes and different width fittings. Only downside is you can't get them at surplus prices, which is a shame.
Boot instruction never changes , when I joined up, it was DMS with putties in 79 It was just polishing instructions, and for best boots, it was bees waxing we had the first issue of the NI patrol boots a one off issue waterproofed with neats oil, then boots combat high , boots assault both were rubbish but we were given a pair of Gortex Pro boots issued in 89 waterproofed with neats oil our CO was Irish Guards officer who went ballistic because we had no shine on our boots we were deployed to Middletown co. Armagh at the time my section cam in off a 4 day patrol we were well a bit ruff and ready camcream, mud on our boots ect we were all charged for not polishing boots that were thick with neats oil , But I have had those boots resoled and I am still wearing them on walks with my dog,discharged in 02, 23 glorious years Not issues altbergs but might invest in a pair, seen the toe caps bulled wich considering the boots is pointless. But as they say bullshit baffles brains I was home service Royal Irish and home service UDR all to gether on op banner from 1976 to 03. A long time to be daft. FAB
DMS I had as a cadet, I was issued Boots Combat High as a cadet force adult volunteer and I can concur, bloody awful! I think boots is one area the military has come a long way in. I've got Altberg and Haix and both are as good as anything you will see on the civilian market. Jeez though, 23 years is a long time for a pair of boots, that is impressive!
I can't say I am an expert on that but you should be ok. Just make sure to regularly apply leader gris and that should stop them from drying out. If they do look like they are drying out the occasional dose of leader gris extreme which contains more oil should help
@@bob4bob3bob2bob I'm no expert, so do at your own risk, but I believe you'll be OK. The military use them for hours at a time inside and outside of vehicles. But I guess it depends on how hot your demist is, I imagine it would have to be quite hot to affect the glue. There is a video of the chap from Altberg setting fire to a pair of his boots online somewhere.
Hello, I've recently bought a pair of Iturri patrol/combat boots and the right tongue keeps moving round the the right of my shin. Have you ever come across this and how do I fix it. A bit random I know but it's annoying me and hurting my shin.??
On some boots there is a ring, or just a slit in the tongue that you can thread the lace through to hold the tongue on place. Not familiar with those boots though.
Laces? Yes correct, I didn't envisage anybody 'in' would need this as it's all covered in training, was aiming at non military users, but you are right to point that out just in case.
They will probably already be waterproof, but I like to get a couple of layers of wax on any new shoes for three reasons: 1. The oils can help soften the leather a bit, particularly if they are a bit dry and stiff after being in storage for a while which can help break them in. 2. It gives you a bit of a sacrificial layer which can help prevent them getting scuffed up. 3. If you have a layer of wax on they are easier to clean, you can usually just run them under an outside tap and any mud just slides off.
I can't comment on the mark 1 as never had them, but I do have warriors which are very similar with open hooks and I can tell you they do allow to to tension the laces much easier. I prefer them for comfort.
There's a science to everything, even just down to cleaning your boots, but the boots you were cleaning, are they the Altberg Defenders?? if they are what do you make of them, I'm curious as I've just bought a pair of Army surplus grade 1 and they're in excellent condition, clean inside and out and with plenty of wear left in the soles
Yes, they were defenders. Compared to the old DMS I was issued with they are light years ahead and to be fair, they compare well or better than boots costing £200 plus. I prefer them to my Meindl Bhutans by a country mile. They are perfect in some situations. Quite lightweight for a full leather boot, very waterproof, if you treat them with leder gris they tend not to wet out like the bhutans do. The ankle ankle protection could be better though. I've not had an injury in mine but have rolled to the point I've stumbled. The Haix issue boot is better for that but considerably heavier and naturally stiffer. I tend to wear mine for longer distance on fairly even terrain, although I have had them out in the Cairngorm mountains too without any problems. Really good boot to be fair and used in supergrade or grade 1 they are an absolute bargain. I bought a pair for my eldest for air cadets too like that for £35 and they were near perfect condition. Not going to get anything like approaching that quality this side of £150 new.
@@dogdadoutdoors excellent, thank's for the detailed reply, but I haven't had mine out yet, even though they're in good nick and have been looked after, I'm going to clean and wax them first before anything. Thank's
These particular boots are leather only, no gortex. They are Altberg defenders made from 'Anfibio' leather which is very highly water resistant. You don't really need a waterproof liner with Anfibio made by a good boot maker like Altberg. Just give a bit of leder-gris every couple of weeks if wearing regularly is enough. You can get almost the same boot with a waterproof liner though from the Altberg store though. The only thing to be aware of is make sure you use a soft cloth and be a bit gentle when cleaning the inside. Try not to get the inside too wet as they do tend to take longer to dry out with a waterproof liner. www.altberg.co.uk/boots/combat-boots11/warrior-aqua1
@@dogdadoutdoors Is 'Anfibio' leather silicone-treated or something, and if not, what is it? It looks extremely hydrophobic, and also very matte and flat, which I've seen with silicone leathers - though might that also be from the leder gris? Also, mind me asking how old this pair is? Thanks.
I will very rarely do the inside. I will take the inner soles out and hand wash those to make sure any grit is out and dry those separately. When I have had to clean the inside I try and make do with with a wipe with a wet cloth and some anti-bacterial spray. You can flush them through under a running tap if you really had to, but bear in mind if you do that you should dry them very slowly and it will take a while.
Almost. Warriors are the original, made to altberg specs including lace hooks and altbergs sizing system, 5 widths and half sizes. Defenders are made to Ministery of Defence specs, closed eyelets and standard nato sizing. Other than that and a marginal difference in height, they are more or less the same. Fwiw, I prefer the warriors as I can get the perfect fit. The defenders are great IF the standard sizes fit you and you can pick them up at half the price new.
@@dogdadoutdoors hello .. Thanks for the info very helpful and much appreciated.... Managed to get a new pair from ebay for a really good price brand new.... The warriors are dam expensive but nice boots.. I'm glad the defenders are almost the same... Thanks again....
For cleaning? If so for Green kit just three brushes, one clean, one polish on and one polish off. For parade shoes you want a separate set of brushes, (for Black rather than MoD Brown Polish) and for getting to that bulled look there are few extra tools. A Svelte cloth is good but takes a bit of practice to get right, an alternative are those Yellow soft cleaning clothes, can't remember the name and a tub of elbow grease mark 1. There are a ton of videos out there, look at 'how to bull boots' or 'how to bull parade shoes'. I was a Sgt in the ACF and later the RAF Air Cadets since about 2011, recently handed in my stripes and re-applying as a civilian instructor. They will have the best time, the more they put in, the more they get out but if you have a good squadron the opportunities are amazing. A couple of years back my eldest did a Loop-the-loop in a plane they were flying over Stonehenge, how often do you get a chance to do that? :)
@@dogdadoutdoors I hope you meant flying over Stonehenge , not firing ! Lol . I had great fun in the CCF in my younger days . 303s , Bren's , Dartmoor , Brecon Beacons , responsibility , the list is endless .
I use a brush that has a bit of firmness to it but isn't too stiff or hard that it could scratch the leather. I use exact same type of brush for both, I haven't looked into it too much, just what was available form my local store.
Ha! Thanks. Too many seem to think you need to bawl people out while there is a time and a place for that, when its not it just lead to cadets panicking and shutting down. The more progressive approach is mentoring. Its important you don't create an environment where people are too afraid to act without being given specific insructions in case they get things wrong! It makes life easier for everybody.
Altberg Defender..amazing boots. Best Ive ever owned.
They are good. I have the Warrors too which are almost identical, but have hooks for the laces and they make them in half sizes and different width fittings. Only downside is you can't get them at surplus prices, which is a shame.
Brilliant video mate thanks 👏
No problem 👍 Glad you enjoyed it.
Sending this to my JS
Thanks for making this video
Any time!
Boot instruction never changes , when I joined up, it was DMS with putties in 79
It was just polishing instructions, and for best boots, it was bees waxing we had the first issue of the NI patrol boots a one off issue waterproofed with neats oil, then boots combat high , boots assault both were rubbish but we were given a pair of Gortex Pro boots issued in 89 waterproofed with neats oil our CO was Irish Guards officer who went ballistic because we had no shine on our boots we were deployed to Middletown co. Armagh at the time my section cam in off a 4 day patrol we were well a bit ruff and ready camcream, mud on our boots ect we were all charged for not polishing boots that were thick with neats oil ,
But I have had those boots resoled and I am still wearing them on walks with my dog,discharged in 02, 23 glorious years
Not issues altbergs but might invest in a pair, seen the toe caps bulled wich considering the boots is pointless.
But as they say bullshit baffles brains
I was home service Royal Irish and home service UDR all to gether on op banner from 1976 to 03. A long time to be daft.
FAB
DMS I had as a cadet, I was issued Boots Combat High as a cadet force adult volunteer and I can concur, bloody awful! I think boots is one area the military has come a long way in. I've got Altberg and Haix and both are as good as anything you will see on the civilian market. Jeez though, 23 years is a long time for a pair of boots, that is impressive!
@@harry9392 Dads army 😂
Very good, practical and commonsense advice
Thank you.
Hi. Struggling to find the products you mentioned. How do you spell them. I may be mis hearing your pronunciation. Thanks.
Leder gris, that is the oil wax I use to reproof.
Use Leder Gris or Leder Bök. Or Leder Glos for a higher shine.
Your Alt-bergs look very well cared for ! I recommend rinsing the laces with cold water to remove the soap residue. Best regards from America.
Yes, good call.
Hi, can I wear dry Altberg boots in the car with the demist heat on for hours
?
I can't say I am an expert on that but you should be ok. Just make sure to regularly apply leader gris and that should stop them from drying out. If they do look like they are drying out the occasional dose of leader gris extreme which contains more oil should help
So the glue won't come unstuck in heat, if the boots dry? Is that right? Thank you
@@bob4bob3bob2bob I'm no expert, so do at your own risk, but I believe you'll be OK. The military use them for hours at a time inside and outside of vehicles. But I guess it depends on how hot your demist is, I imagine it would have to be quite hot to affect the glue. There is a video of the chap from Altberg setting fire to a pair of his boots online somewhere.
Hello, I've recently bought a pair of Iturri patrol/combat boots and the right tongue keeps moving round the the right of my shin. Have you ever come across this and how do I fix it. A bit random I know but it's annoying me and hurting my shin.??
On some boots there is a ring, or just a slit in the tongue that you can thread the lace through to hold the tongue on place. Not familiar with those boots though.
I wore them as a civi as well I was a custody officer for immigration,
Guys, Do NOT put them in the washer as the machine detergent contains an optical brighter that will make stand out on IR.
Laces? Yes correct, I didn't envisage anybody 'in' would need this as it's all covered in training, was aiming at non military users, but you are right to point that out just in case.
Calm down Captain Mainwaring 😂
Hi,
No experience at all but, I was wondering if this video will be followed by another one about types of socks and feet care.
That's a cracking idea, I will add it to the list. Thank you!
Should you waterproof brand new leather boots before you actually use them?
They will probably already be waterproof, but I like to get a couple of layers of wax on any new shoes for three reasons:
1. The oils can help soften the leather a bit, particularly if they are a bit dry and stiff after being in storage for a while which can help break them in.
2. It gives you a bit of a sacrificial layer which can help prevent them getting scuffed up.
3. If you have a layer of wax on they are easier to clean, you can usually just run them under an outside tap and any mud just slides off.
Is there any difference in comfort and lacing between Defenders Mk1 (with open 4 hooks) and Mk2 (with closed 3 hooks) ?
I can't comment on the mark 1 as never had them, but I do have warriors which are very similar with open hooks and I can tell you they do allow to to tension the laces much easier. I prefer them for comfort.
There's a science to everything, even just down to cleaning your boots, but the boots you were cleaning, are they the Altberg Defenders?? if they are what do you make of them, I'm curious as I've just bought a pair of Army surplus grade 1 and they're in excellent condition, clean inside and out and with plenty of wear left in the soles
Yes, they were defenders. Compared to the old DMS I was issued with they are light years ahead and to be fair, they compare well or better than boots costing £200 plus. I prefer them to my Meindl Bhutans by a country mile. They are perfect in some situations. Quite lightweight for a full leather boot, very waterproof, if you treat them with leder gris they tend not to wet out like the bhutans do. The ankle ankle protection could be better though. I've not had an injury in mine but have rolled to the point I've stumbled. The Haix issue boot is better for that but considerably heavier and naturally stiffer. I tend to wear mine for longer distance on fairly even terrain, although I have had them out in the Cairngorm mountains too without any problems. Really good boot to be fair and used in supergrade or grade 1 they are an absolute bargain. I bought a pair for my eldest for air cadets too like that for £35 and they were near perfect condition. Not going to get anything like approaching that quality this side of £150 new.
@@dogdadoutdoors excellent, thank's for the detailed reply, but I haven't had mine out yet, even though they're in good nick and have been looked after, I'm going to clean and wax them first before anything. Thank's
Are these just leather or gore tex and leather ?
These particular boots are leather only, no gortex. They are Altberg defenders made from 'Anfibio' leather which is very highly water resistant. You don't really need a waterproof liner with Anfibio made by a good boot maker like Altberg. Just give a bit of leder-gris every couple of weeks if wearing regularly is enough. You can get almost the same boot with a waterproof liner though from the Altberg store though. The only thing to be aware of is make sure you use a soft cloth and be a bit gentle when cleaning the inside. Try not to get the inside too wet as they do tend to take longer to dry out with a waterproof liner. www.altberg.co.uk/boots/combat-boots11/warrior-aqua1
@@dogdadoutdoors Is 'Anfibio' leather silicone-treated or something, and if not, what is it? It looks extremely hydrophobic, and also very matte and flat, which I've seen with silicone leathers - though might that also be from the leder gris? Also, mind me asking how old this pair is? Thanks.
Hi, how do you wash the inside?
Thanks
I will very rarely do the inside. I will take the inner soles out and hand wash those to make sure any grit is out and dry those separately. When I have had to clean the inside I try and make do with with a wipe with a wet cloth and some anti-bacterial spray. You can flush them through under a running tap if you really had to, but bear in mind if you do that you should dry them very slowly and it will take a while.
Are the warriors and defenders the same boots....
Almost. Warriors are the original, made to altberg specs including lace hooks and altbergs sizing system, 5 widths and half sizes. Defenders are made to Ministery of Defence specs, closed eyelets and standard nato sizing. Other than that and a marginal difference in height, they are more or less the same.
Fwiw, I prefer the warriors as I can get the perfect fit. The defenders are great IF the standard sizes fit you and you can pick them up at half the price new.
@@dogdadoutdoors hello
.. Thanks for the info very helpful and much appreciated.... Managed to get a new pair from ebay for a really good price brand new.... The warriors are dam expensive but nice boots.. I'm glad the defenders are almost the same... Thanks again....
Cold water clean
Finger the polish
Off brush assemble
Gucci knickers
It would be nice if show products you are using
My kid just join RAF cadets and we learning best ways to clean boots
For cleaning? If so for Green kit just three brushes, one clean, one polish on and one polish off.
For parade shoes you want a separate set of brushes, (for Black rather than MoD Brown Polish) and for getting to that bulled look there are few extra tools. A Svelte cloth is good but takes a bit of practice to get right, an alternative are those Yellow soft cleaning clothes, can't remember the name and a tub of elbow grease mark 1. There are a ton of videos out there, look at 'how to bull boots' or 'how to bull parade shoes'.
I was a Sgt in the ACF and later the RAF Air Cadets since about 2011, recently handed in my stripes and re-applying as a civilian instructor. They will have the best time, the more they put in, the more they get out but if you have a good squadron the opportunities are amazing. A couple of years back my eldest did a Loop-the-loop in a plane they were flying over Stonehenge, how often do you get a chance to do that? :)
@@dogdadoutdoors I hope you meant flying over Stonehenge , not firing ! Lol .
I had great fun in the CCF in my younger days . 303s , Bren's , Dartmoor , Brecon Beacons , responsibility , the list is endless .
@@davidyendoll5903 Whoops yes! Flying, not firing!
In your video you use one brush for cleaning and then one for waxing. Should they be stiff or soft brushes?
I use a brush that has a bit of firmness to it but isn't too stiff or hard that it could scratch the leather. I use exact same type of brush for both, I haven't looked into it too much, just what was available form my local store.
Thanks mate, I overthink things🤣
@@Jonathan-iw5ic You aren't the only one, me too quite often!
God I wish my sergeants were half as nice as you
Ha! Thanks. Too many seem to think you need to bawl people out while there is a time and a place for that, when its not it just lead to cadets panicking and shutting down. The more progressive approach is mentoring. Its important you don't create an environment where people are too afraid to act without being given specific insructions in case they get things wrong! It makes life easier for everybody.
leder gree it’s pronounced,it’s only for Anfibio, Dubbin for ordinary leather, or Grangers G wax.Nikwax is crap
Thanks for the correction.