Altberg Defender boots ,any users on here?
I got a pair last year ,these are new ,but not the goretex lined versions ,if your after a great pair of strong boots ,that are warm and comfortable, completely waterproof especially if you use the fantastic 'leder gris ' ,get on them ...
You can also by grade 1 ,which have been worn in at 50 % of the price
They good ..
I got a pair last year ,these are new ,but not the goretex lined versions ,if your after a great pair of strong boots ,that are warm and comfortable, completely waterproof especially if you use the fantastic 'leder gris ' ,get on them ...
You can also by grade 1 ,which have been worn in at 50 % of the price
They good ..
In reply to Post #1
yes i sourced a couple of pairs of ebay before i got a good pair
yes i sourced a couple of pairs of ebay before i got a good pair
In reply to Post #2
Have you tried that 'leder gris' ?
It's what Altberg recommended, I thought it a sprat to catch a mackerel, but no what a fantastic protective polish that is ,..you can walk through dense mud etc ,the debris won't stay on yr boots ,you can use it on any boot ,it's brilliant stuff
If Gerry was still about it'd be a link poo,for sure
Have you tried that 'leder gris' ?
It's what Altberg recommended, I thought it a sprat to catch a mackerel, but no what a fantastic protective polish that is ,..you can walk through dense mud etc ,the debris won't stay on yr boots ,you can use it on any boot ,it's brilliant stuff
If Gerry was still about it'd be a link poo,for sure
I've got their Raby boots, and yes I use leder gris on them and my other boots. 
In reply to Post #4
Alright Ged ,yes it's very,very good stuff...
I take all the laces off my boots every 2nd use ,'gris ' the boots AND the laces ,and put a stop overhand knot at the end of each lace ,for speed and ease if use..
Mine are Anfibio,I think or similar ,no liner just leather inside ,great to wear ..
Alright Ged ,yes it's very,very good stuff...
I take all the laces off my boots every 2nd use ,'gris ' the boots AND the laces ,and put a stop overhand knot at the end of each lace ,for speed and ease if use..
Mine are Anfibio,I think or similar ,no liner just leather inside ,great to wear ..
Haix cold and wet weather boots, strong leather and goretex lined.
I also use leder gris on them.
I also use leder gris on them.
In reply to Post #6
My local shop has got a load of those Haix boots in.,gonna get a pair for me self also ..
My local shop has got a load of those Haix boots in.,gonna get a pair for me self also ..
In reply to Post #7
Look for the wide option, and 1 size up. You can lace tighter if needed, and space for winter socks if required.
Look for the wide option, and 1 size up. You can lace tighter if needed, and space for winter socks if required.
In reply to Post #8
Will do,
Defenders I have also wide,come with 2x special insoles..I bought new,next purchase will be 2nd time around ,as ones I've seen both Haix and Altberg lots of life left in them.
Did you know,Altberg will re sole yr boots if needed,I believe Altberg, the only true British manufacturer for boots left ,re the forces, or it was when I genned up on it last yr..
Will do,
Defenders I have also wide,come with 2x special insoles..I bought new,next purchase will be 2nd time around ,as ones I've seen both Haix and Altberg lots of life left in them.
Did you know,Altberg will re sole yr boots if needed,I believe Altberg, the only true British manufacturer for boots left ,re the forces, or it was when I genned up on it last yr..
In reply to Post #9
They will resole but its not cheap . I get mine altbergs brand new from ebay and big savings.
They will resole but its not cheap . I get mine altbergs brand new from ebay and big savings.
In reply to Post #3
no i havent
i just used good quality brown boot polish
for harsher and wetter conditions i have a goretex army boot which i am not sure of the make or brand
no i havent
i just used good quality brown boot polish
for harsher and wetter conditions i have a goretex army boot which i am not sure of the make or brand
In reply to Post #11
Try and get some Shimmer ,I'm not kidding its the best stuff is 'leder gris'...it feeds the leather in the boots better than other makes..
It's good,very good..
Try and get some Shimmer ,I'm not kidding its the best stuff is 'leder gris'...it feeds the leather in the boots better than other makes..
It's good,very good..
In reply to Post #12
On the subject of resoling if anyone's in the Cheshire area I can recommend Cheshire Shoe Repairs. I had my Meindl (German military boot supplier) boots done by them and they're like new, cost a bit over £80.
In reply to Post #12
Ace stuff is Leder Gris.
Ace stuff is Leder Gris.
In reply to Post #1
Good timing this post.
Im in for a set for hiking and only hear good stuff about these.
I have large clown wide feet (size 13) so a mare to get decent fitting boots.
Would anyone recommend buying used, off shelf or fitted?
Good timing this post.
Im in for a set for hiking and only hear good stuff about these.
I have large clown wide feet (size 13) so a mare to get decent fitting boots.
Would anyone recommend buying used, off shelf or fitted?
In reply to Post #16
Altberg offer a fitting service at their factory, though I needed a size larger than suggested, and would guess it's a bit far for you to travel. Maybe a phone call to the factory would give you some options.
Altberg offer a fitting service at their factory, though I needed a size larger than suggested, and would guess it's a bit far for you to travel. Maybe a phone call to the factory would give you some options.
In reply to Post #16
Gentleman I know has bought used, they were nearly new ,not properly worn in.
Mine were new,but only as my local shop didn't have my size ,used. Mine took a few walks to wear in..
When the time comes,I'd have no problem buying used as local shop have some great used examples at 50% off compared to brand new.
Gentleman I know has bought used, they were nearly new ,not properly worn in.
Mine were new,but only as my local shop didn't have my size ,used. Mine took a few walks to wear in..
When the time comes,I'd have no problem buying used as local shop have some great used examples at 50% off compared to brand new.
In reply to Post #16
I have had both if you can find a military supplies and go and see them in the flesh you can bag some great bargains. I too am 13 wide !!
I have had both if you can find a military supplies and go and see them in the flesh you can bag some great bargains. I too am 13 wide !!
In reply to Post #16
I'd be wary of buying without trying personally.
I'm a 11 wide but I also have quite a deep foot. I bought my boots a long time ago, theyre on a second resole at the mo and only splitting on the stress points may make them redundant. I can't put a liner in, or wear thick socks in mine due to the tightness of the fit, I'll probably go custom fitting when these give up the ghost.
It's always rec to go half size up due to your feet swelling, perhaps more if wearing layered socks, worth keeping in mind.
I'd be wary of buying without trying personally.
I'm a 11 wide but I also have quite a deep foot. I bought my boots a long time ago, theyre on a second resole at the mo and only splitting on the stress points may make them redundant. I can't put a liner in, or wear thick socks in mine due to the tightness of the fit, I'll probably go custom fitting when these give up the ghost.
It's always rec to go half size up due to your feet swelling, perhaps more if wearing layered socks, worth keeping in mind.
In reply to Post #19
We can start a circus mate lol
We can start a circus mate lol
In reply to Post #8
For the defenders, would you say 1/2, a size up on your shoe size, or the same?
For the defenders, would you say 1/2, a size up on your shoe size, or the same?
In reply to Post #22
My comment in post 8 was about haix, but I'd imagine it's also true of altbergs.
If constantly marching then you wouldn't want your foot slopping around in a big boot, but you can always wear a bigger sock and lace tighter for fishing.
If boots are tighter your feet soon become cold when you are more static when fishing!
My comment in post 8 was about haix, but I'd imagine it's also true of altbergs.
If constantly marching then you wouldn't want your foot slopping around in a big boot, but you can always wear a bigger sock and lace tighter for fishing.
If boots are tighter your feet soon become cold when you are more static when fishing!
In reply to Post #23
Apologies I replied to the wrong post, doh.
Apologies I replied to the wrong post, doh.
How are you all cleaning your boots? I want to apply some Gris to mine but there's so much conflicting advice on cleaning boots.
I generally rinse off any chunks of mud daily, end of the week clean off with a damp cloth.
Brought some saddle soap but seen arguments for and against using that, really just want to get them clean enough to proof them. All saddle soap I've seen including the one I have also treat them a bit which I don't want, just want them cleaned.
I got some Altberg Tethera and went half a size up as recommended for wide boots and they are too big for me, might be OK with a super thick pair of socks but they slip around the heel.
Felt fine walking around home in them but not when walking, and was too late to return by then!
I generally rinse off any chunks of mud daily, end of the week clean off with a damp cloth.
Brought some saddle soap but seen arguments for and against using that, really just want to get them clean enough to proof them. All saddle soap I've seen including the one I have also treat them a bit which I don't want, just want them cleaned.
I got some Altberg Tethera and went half a size up as recommended for wide boots and they are too big for me, might be OK with a super thick pair of socks but they slip around the heel.
Felt fine walking around home in them but not when walking, and was too late to return by then!
In reply to Post #25
Altberg themselves do a video on cleaning, it might be stand alone or in the Gris video, I can't quite remember but it's there.
Altberg themselves do a video on cleaning, it might be stand alone or in the Gris video, I can't quite remember but it's there.
In reply to Post #25
All I do is ,wash the crud ,muck off of them .there's a huge puddle on the way home from walking ,so I wash em in that ,but....I have had a tap installed by my front door that's mainly what i wash my boots under ,plus my porter wheel and other bits..
Then....when nearly dry ,I take all the laces out ,I use a stop knot at the end of ALL ,my boots and shoes .anyway..I have a put on brush and a buff off brush .
The put on brush is smaller and stiffer ,I really work the Gris ,into all the leather ,especially the walk crease on the toe area,and the stitching holes ,leave for 20 mins maybe buff up,,relace,job done ..
Mine are Anfibio ,ie ,no goretex lining ,no leaks at all
I have an open fire,and never dry my boots near it ,only at room temp
You can get a insole ,that makes the altbergs fit better,I'm a 9 and it's fine for me..
Don't forget to phone pic or memorise the lacing pattern,I only take laces off every third use,otherwise I just gris and go !
Hope that helps .. its hard being anal !
All I do is ,wash the crud ,muck off of them .there's a huge puddle on the way home from walking ,so I wash em in that ,but....I have had a tap installed by my front door that's mainly what i wash my boots under ,plus my porter wheel and other bits..
Then....when nearly dry ,I take all the laces out ,I use a stop knot at the end of ALL ,my boots and shoes .anyway..I have a put on brush and a buff off brush .
The put on brush is smaller and stiffer ,I really work the Gris ,into all the leather ,especially the walk crease on the toe area,and the stitching holes ,leave for 20 mins maybe buff up,,relace,job done ..
Mine are Anfibio ,ie ,no goretex lining ,no leaks at all
I have an open fire,and never dry my boots near it ,only at room temp
You can get a insole ,that makes the altbergs fit better,I'm a 9 and it's fine for me..
Don't forget to phone pic or memorise the lacing pattern,I only take laces off every third use,otherwise I just gris and go !
Hope that helps .. its hard being anal !
In reply to Post #27
Helpful thanks 👍🏽
Going to gris mine this weekend, I rinsed them and wiped with a cloth before putting away the other day and they are 90% clean and mud free but just don't know how to get them 100% clean in order to treat them? They just have a tiny sheen of mud in a few areas and feel like I shouldn't be treating over the top of that
Svartz are the insoles you speak of for the Altbergs?
Helpful thanks 👍🏽
Going to gris mine this weekend, I rinsed them and wiped with a cloth before putting away the other day and they are 90% clean and mud free but just don't know how to get them 100% clean in order to treat them? They just have a tiny sheen of mud in a few areas and feel like I shouldn't be treating over the top of that
Svartz are the insoles you speak of for the Altbergs?
I have some warriors bought from the factory, custom fit, made to measure then delivered to the house. Cracking boots with a reputation to match, tough and last. In the corner of the shop was a fair old pile of boots waiting for resoling, tells you something that
To be fair mine took a bit of breaking in, use them for walking not fishing, took them back to the factory and they softened one up for me, after that, like slippers. Leader Gris is the way forward, they do a few different types too.
Popular with the armed forces and police. From what I have seen you can get some good bargains on EBay if anybody is after a pair. Had all sorts over the years, Mendl, last two pairs, good boots but the sole came off on Scafell pike on some air revolution lights. Stick with the Altberg for now, gave them quite a few layers of polish before wearing them, super water repellent too with the leader Gris
To be fair mine took a bit of breaking in, use them for walking not fishing, took them back to the factory and they softened one up for me, after that, like slippers. Leader Gris is the way forward, they do a few different types too.
Popular with the armed forces and police. From what I have seen you can get some good bargains on EBay if anybody is after a pair. Had all sorts over the years, Mendl, last two pairs, good boots but the sole came off on Scafell pike on some air revolution lights. Stick with the Altberg for now, gave them quite a few layers of polish before wearing them, super water repellent too with the leader Gris
In reply to Post #29
Out of interest what do you use to clean yours to the point you can treat them?
Out of interest what do you use to clean yours to the point you can treat them?
In reply to Post #30
Hi mate ,do you mean clean or brush them off before the Gris ?
If so ,I just literally wash em under me tap ,let them dry naturally, never put them nr a heat source to force dry...anyway I gris mine when slightly damp ,that's what I do ..I built up so many layers ,no crud or water stays on the boots anyway ..
Mine are just about worn in ,...I like em..
BTW,there's a shop in Wadebridge, called Bunker,not to be confused with Bait Bunker,anyway they sell quality worn in Haix and Altberg..plus have an ebay shop I'm told
Hope that helps
Hi mate ,do you mean clean or brush them off before the Gris ?
If so ,I just literally wash em under me tap ,let them dry naturally, never put them nr a heat source to force dry...anyway I gris mine when slightly damp ,that's what I do ..I built up so many layers ,no crud or water stays on the boots anyway ..
Mine are just about worn in ,...I like em..
BTW,there's a shop in Wadebridge, called Bunker,not to be confused with Bait Bunker,anyway they sell quality worn in Haix and Altberg..plus have an ebay shop I'm told
Hope that helps
In reply to Post #30
With plenty of polish on most of the dirt comes off. Rinse them off in the sink, i have a soft brush, leave them to dry naturally and then polish with the leader Gris.
Just something i have done with leather boots for years, when I first get them I polish them a few times before wearing them, softens the leather up and soaks in well, leave them a few days before each polishing and put plenty on. Going forward its just like topping the coatings up.
With plenty of polish on most of the dirt comes off. Rinse them off in the sink, i have a soft brush, leave them to dry naturally and then polish with the leader Gris.
Just something i have done with leather boots for years, when I first get them I polish them a few times before wearing them, softens the leather up and soaks in well, leave them a few days before each polishing and put plenty on. Going forward its just like topping the coatings up.
Pre-warm to help the gris soak in deeper, then warm again and repeat.
Warm, not hot...
I put the polish on with my finger and rub it around, it soon soaks in to the warm leather.
Warm, not hot...
I put the polish on with my finger and rub it around, it soon soaks in to the warm leather.
In reply to Post #33
Good tip, or put the polish on the radiator first
Used to do this with nikwax
Good tip, or put the polish on the radiator first
Used to do this with nikwax
In reply to Post #31
Yes, just wasn't sure how to get them 100% clean before applying the gris.
Rinsed and brushed them off but there's still a slight mud tinge to them, but looking at the photo below I presume I can just whack the Gris on top of that and it won't be a problem.
You also mentioned about some insoles to help with them being too loose, are you referring to the Svartz ones?
Yes, just wasn't sure how to get them 100% clean before applying the gris.
Rinsed and brushed them off but there's still a slight mud tinge to them, but looking at the photo below I presume I can just whack the Gris on top of that and it won't be a problem.
You also mentioned about some insoles to help with them being too loose, are you referring to the Svartz ones?
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