Alt Berg Hogg boots

[Bert]

Altbergs great but

are too soft
Comfort = top notch and 'go everywhere' boot

But for the bike.... where you need crush and impact protection you can't compromise. Well...you can... I did...... and now bear the scars and wrecked joint..... so I am well placed to demonstrate some of the possible consequences of soft footwear.
Gruesome piccies available

Alpine Stars Tech 8's + Sealskins
all day in massive downpours...and I didn't even know there was water in my boots! - feet were toasty too

I do have a pair of All Weather Hoggs - great boot -

It's all about choice......get it wrong and it can be which hospital/which surgeon/how many surgical interventions.....and can even end up with a choice of which prosthesis... Armour/safety gear saves - you can never plan for 'that' dive...



BTW OOnyack... Tesco poke's inside sweat too much - eeeuuuuuuu! M&S and safeway's ditto

 

[Fanum]

What boots do you wear then Bill ??

Sorry Terry, missed that........

Offroad, I've been using Sidi Couriers up until last weekend, when I retired them and bought myself a pair of Heine Gericke TRG Touareg boots......NOT the soft ones, the pukka off road ones (There are two pairs of Tuareg branded boots)

I made a big mistake on the last trip- I had a large blister on the back of one foot from driving across Spain in the landy so on day 2 of the trip I wore my other Tuareg boots, the softer ones..........they were ripped apart when i got the heel of a foot caught under my pannier in some soft sand at the side of a piste and I really thought I'd done some severe damage to my foot from the pain it caused........luckily I hadn't but I'll never wear even a semi-soft boot again off road


If Altberg did some properly armoured boots I'd be first in the queue, but they're just too soft for anything other than pure street use or touring.

 

[ELIMINATOR]

Any full length boot is better than the trainers you see some guys wearing on the brand new £7K sportsbikes.
Several things make me wince, riders / pillions with no gloves.........trainers, where you can easily see the ankle joint.........bare backs where the jacket has ridden up.

 

[squid]

Sorry Terry, missed that........

Offroad, I've been using Sidi Couriers up until last weekend, when I retired them and bought myself a pair of Heine Gericke TRG Touareg boots......NOT the soft ones, the pukka off road ones (There are two pairs of Tuareg branded boots)

I made a big mistake on the last trip- I had a large blister on the back of one foot from driving across Spain in the landy so on day 2 of the trip I wore my other Tuareg boots, the softer ones..........they were ripped apart when i got the heel of a foot caught under my pannier in some soft sand at the side of a piste and I really thought I'd done some severe damage to my foot from the pain it caused........luckily I hadn't but I'll never wear even a semi-soft boot again off road


If Altberg did some properly armoured boots I'd be first in the queue, but they're just too soft for anything other than pure street use or touring.

Thanks Fanum- my wife is going to do you over.

Now I've been over the road to HG to check out other boots.

I take it you mean by the soft ones these

http://http://www.hein-gericke.com/uk/product_info.php/cPath/1_94_3/products_id/1164

I'd say these are softer than my Alt-berg classics

they also have these on offer

http://www.hein-gericke.com/uk/product_info.php/cPath/1_94_3/products_id/92

But I think these are really a lighter weight boot than the bergs other than the shin plastics - I use shin pads with a hard face.

So I tried these which I assume are your new ones

http://www.hein-gericke.com/uk/product_info.php/cPath/1_94_3/products_id/4052

Which did feel very solid - so solid in fact I wonder how I'd change gear or walk??

I am planing on doing a bit of off roading soon on but are these not a bit over the top for general use and will they leak like a sieve?

 

[BLUE(UK)]

Alpine Stars Tech 8's + Sealskins
all day in massive downpours...and I didn't even know there was water in my boots! - feet were toasty too

I use tech8's but use goretex boot liners from the army surplus store for about a tenner.....better than sealskinz in my opinion and i have used both.

 

[HOWYABOSS]

I recently got a pair of Altberg All Weather Bandogs.

Fantastic comfort, look well, 100% waterproof, warm but zero protection.
I wouldn't have any confidence in them in a biff.

 

[Fanum]

Thanks Fanum- my wife is going to do you over.

Now I've been over the road to HG to check out other boots.

I take it you mean by the soft ones these

http://http://www.hein-gericke.com/uk/product_info.php/cPath/1_94_3/products_id/1164

I'd say these are softer than my Alt-berg classics

they also have these on offer

http://www.hein-gericke.com/uk/product_info.php/cPath/1_94_3/products_id/92

But I think these are really a lighter weight boot than the bergs other than the shin plastics - I use shin pads with a hard face.

So I tried these which I assume are your new ones

http://www.hein-gericke.com/uk/product_info.php/cPath/1_94_3/products_id/4052

Which did feel very solid - so solid in fact I wonder how I'd change gear or walk??

I am planing on doing a bit of off roading soon on but are these not a bit over the top for general use and will they leak like a sieve?

100% right Squid.......We did get Rosie a pair of the softer ones which are also on offer- as a general touring boot for a pillion, I reckon they're pretty good at 89 quid.

Mine are, as you say, the TRG ones you linked to.
If they're your first pair of MX syle boots, you will curse them for a good few hours as you get used to the brake feel and gear changes- yes, they will feel more difficult to do and yes, you will have a problem with them to start off with.

Boots like this do need a good few hours wearing in to start flexing with your foot properly, but it's technique as much as anything and within a couple of days you'll find you've stopped noticing the problem, but you'll still feel that protection when you put them on.

Once they're worn in properly, they're as comfy as any other boot to ride in, but I doubt they'll ever match the Altberg or para style boots for comfort when walking about- even after 3 years ard use, my Sidi COuriers still gave me blisters if I tried to walk around a city in them

Ultimately I suppose it depends on how much you value your mobility, what sort of riding you do and the other demands that need weighing up- I'll probably wear something like Altbergs or the softer Tuareg boots as above on the 'Road Only' Moroccan trips next year because we'll spend several hours on some days walking around the tanneries in Fes etc, and we'll never leave the tarmac on these trips.
For the Level one or two trips though, I'll definitely only wear the TRG boots even if it means putting up with some discomfort (or simply changing boots and leaving them in my panniers) whilst walking around - I've felt what it's like to crash in boots without adequate protection and frankly it was scary feeling that vulnerable.

The ideal would be an Altberg with proper steel shank, ankle and shin protection like the Tech series boots but with the typical Altberg comfort- sadly, nobody has made a boot like this yet so it's always going to be a compromise

B

 

[Fanum]

PS I didn't see those Tech 4 boots last week in the sale (they only had the Tech 6 and I really don't like the moulded sole that can't be fixed abroad), but again, at £90 I reckon they're a right bargain as long as they feel OK.

 

[squid]

PS I didn't see those Tech 4 boots last week in the sale (they only had the Tech 6 and I really don't like the moulded sole that can't be fixed abroad), but again, at £90 I reckon they're a right bargain as long as they feel OK.

Thanks for the post and info. The shop only had the Tech4 in a small size so couldn't actually try them on - the sole and leather were not a sturdy feeling as the others though.

I should have a load of points on my HG card to use up (if they sort it out after 5 times of trying) It will mean another £40 off though

 

[Phil Clarke]

I don't get people saying the Alt bergs have zero protection - they have a reinforced toe and shin section and a walking boot type shank which will also do a good job of protecting you foot from being squashed. I've had mine for 6 months and they are great totally waterproof and you can use them for hill walking, unlike motorcross boots. They are way more solid and offer far more protection than the rubbishy so called bike boots that the various manufacturers sell and only motocross boots or those horrible robo cop racing boots that all the weekend warriors are prancing around in may offer more protection.

So the alterbergs aren't going to stop your foot being mangled when a lorry goes over it but then what will. I heard that ultra rigid boots like motocross boots concentrate injuries on your knees ( bad joint to injure) whereas a more forgiving boot spreads the forces out a bit more - a broken tib / fib heals alot easier than a knee joint

Gonna be sticking with mine for a while

 

[powerscaff]

12k thats alot of walking man

I've had a pair of altbergs for 5yrs now. When I had them made I got them fitted to leave enough room for a pair of youths football shin pads.

I slip these in before doing the velco up. If I am walking I can can just pull them out and tighten the velcro.

Only done about 12k in them but then they still look brand new.

They will make the boot to whatever design you want if you go and see them

bet you have a gs and its in for repair all the time

 

[powerscaff]

alt berg

ia mate of mine came of at high speed and the boots stood up mint no damage at all after he stoped sliding down the road .and he was flat out on a tuned c 90 .6.5 bhp front end wipe out ,

 

[daveg]

I don't get people saying the Alt bergs have zero protection - they have a reinforced toe and shin section and a walking boot type shank which will also do a good job of protecting you foot from being squashed. I've had mine for 6 months and they are great totally waterproof and you can use them for hill walking, unlike motorcross boots. They are way more solid and offer far more protection than the rubbishy so called bike boots that the various manufacturers sell and only motocross boots or those horrible robo cop racing boots that all the weekend warriors are prancing around in may offer more protection.

So the alterbergs aren't going to stop your foot being mangled when a lorry goes over it but then what will. I heard that ultra rigid boots like motocross boots concentrate injuries on your knees ( bad joint to injure) whereas a more forgiving boot spreads the forces out a bit more - a broken tib / fib heals alot easier than a knee joint

Gonna be sticking with mine for a while

Couldn't agree more; I've got the Clubmans and the Hoggs and I think there's plenty of protection in the normal course of events. But then again I do wear an open face helmet and take the armour out of my jackets and trousers for on-road riding. I don't like being too constricted and feel I'm safer if I'm comfortable. But you must all do what makes you happy.


David

PS Am I asking for trouble now?

 

[Northern jock]

Interested to read this lot. I'm looking for touring boots, need to be waterproof (being up north) and comfy and these things look like they do it. Going around Spain and France this summer I wished I'd a pair of boots I could ride and walk in. And that my overtrousers met! These things look a bit higher than walking boots.

I've looked at the website - what are the main differences between the Hogg and the Bandog or is it just weight - and therefore the Hogg Microlight is similar to the Bandog??

 

[squid]

12k Thats a lot of walking

bet you have a gs and its in for repair all the time

No, but I do walk around it a lot admiring its form.

For road riding I have complete faith in the bergs and agree that part of being safe is also feeling unrestricted.

They are a sturdy boot - the thick leather is going to help you and the sole is solid and chunky. Not sure I would by lace up boots though - mine are the velcro and have a membrane added.

My concern is over using them for off roading after seeing other posts above.

I probably won't do loads of it but when learning you are also at more risk.

The trouble is most rides would be mix of both and most of it on the road.