PMCI - March 2021

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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