GEAR ON TEST
ALTBERG BOOTS
As well as providing useful information from the shooting and tactical communities Hutchy is very much a user of gear , and knows what he likes and why , and this time he lets us in on his go-to boot model from UK bootmaker Altberg .
If you haven ’ t heard of Altberg in Richmond , North Yorkshire as a boot manufacturer then you must ’ ve been hiding under a rock ! The old Richmond shoe factory closed in 1989 , 320 people were made redundant … it was a sad day . For the previous ten years it had been constantly on the news that ’ Globalisation ’ was the new way forward , and their type of ’ low tech ’ manufacturing was considered to be no longer desirable in England . The owners whole working life had been making shoes , and he had always enjoyed ‘ making things ’… so that ’ s how in 1989 Altberg was started , as a company is so passionate about their boots that it ’ s a testament to craftsmanship .
Now the founder said when he was 70-years-old why he wasn ’ t retiring , that he still hadn ’ t “ made my best boot yet ”, and to me that shows something very special !
The boots have a particular Altberg design and various styles such as the hot weather or cold weather boot , military style etcetera but I think the key element is the fact that this is one of the most established manufacturers in boots for over 30 years and yet they ’ ve never employed to salesperson !
But they haven ’ t sat on the morals , always look to advancing materials , they have always listened to their customers constructive feedback to alter the length of the ankle and or introduce quick drying materials , Gore-Tex , full waterproof seems , but have never slipped on quality .
Altberg ’ s legendary Sneeker Microlite is possibly the most lightweight , all leather military boot ever made . Developed in 1997 with input and help of serving soldiers based in Catterick
Garrison and other military bases around the UK , the input from many of the NCO ’ s involved in training and developing the skills and endurance of young recruits drove this development . As bootmakers Altberg listened and tried to interpret their requirements .
The requirement was for a leather boot that was shock absorbing , lightweight with minimal moisture absorption , as on many tasks it was inevitable that they would get wet inside , so minimal weight gain when wet and fast drying were key requirements . The Sneeker Microlite has a high unlined leg and after more than 20 years it is still the first choice of many soldiers for training and everyday use .
Altberg recently introduced a new last as well ; this is a foot mould / shape with a new design to help the heel grip and provide enhanced comfort along with a new material that prevents moisture retention further , which I have to say is ingenious ! For me though their ability to listen to all constructive criticism is what makes Altberg my bootmaker of choice !
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