COMBAT BOOTS
Danny P gets his feet into three pairs of boots suitable for the UK climate
ALTBERG BERGEN BOOTS £179.99
The Altberg Bergen is new to the Altberg range of boots, so how could I say know when I was asked to review them?
The boots arrived just in time for some of the poor weather we have had, and also some training that I was planning on doing up in
the hills. The boots are of leather construction and come with a Vibram sole. Where the sole has been attached it has been covered by a
flexible piece of rubber to help protect the lower part of the boot and aid in waterproofing.
The tongue is one-piece and is stitched all the way to the top to stop bits of debris getting in and to aid in water resistance. The lacing
system is a combination of D-rings and hooks. These boots also have a Sympatex Premium Grade waterproof lining and are very light –
indeed Altberg has said they are the most lightweight boot in their category.
I wore the boots around for a few days, breaking them in and getting my feet used to them, and although they felt stiff to start with
they didn’t take long to become moulded to my feet. Then it was off to do some serious yomping and see how they performed on uneven
terrain and in some pretty poor weather conditions.
I wasn’t surprised – though I was pleased – with how well these boots performed. I have owned a number of Altberg boots and these
didn’t disappoint. They gave great ankle support and I had no issues whatsoever with rubbing in the ankle area. There were a few minor
issues but nothing that shouldn’t be expected with a new pair of boots.
On the whole these are a really good boot for use in cold and wet conditions. The lining kept my feet warm and dry but was also quick to
dry out when I took an unexpected dip in a deep puddle.
Altberg, 01748 850615, www.altberg.co.uk
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February 2012