Alternative to bike boots

[Backmarker]

Stiff stubborn when new (told them I wanted comfy walking boots) cue a full rebuild when new with more supple mid sole.
They came back with empty stitching holes & loose threads all over.
Over the years I have been back numerous times due to the ski hooks pulling away - of course it was my fault for over tightening the laces & not Altberg for inserting the rivets to the point of almost pulling through the ski hooks........
Lots of the stitching is now coming away & hanging out, the leather is splitting on one boot despite regular leder gris.
The soles don't grip well but wear quickly.
Couple that with rude unhelpful staff, who seem to think that every issue "is the customers' fault"

Do you want me to go on......

Nope..that covers it nicely

And thanks very much for that. Up until now I have never heard a bad word said about Altbergs, so I appreciate it, as I was about to invest in a pair of Clubmans. Interestingly, given the nature of this thread I bought my Altberg Hoggs as an 'alternative' to M/C bikes - but then I have deformed feet and the specialist made to measure option was my primary reason for going to them.

Not worn anything else on a bike in 10 years, the stock laces are dreadful, and the fact they no long offer a refurb service are my only grievances. They are stiff (agreed) when new, and not much less stiff 100k M/C miles and 10 years of walking (loads of miles when on bike trips, a few miles a day when commuting) later. But certainly no worse than army boots, nor do they prove so crippling as my Salomens when faced with significant inclines or 12 hour days. But the Salomens are much more comfortable for a couple of hours general hiking (up to say 6 hours in a day).

I'd seriously consider the Salomens for commuting/short trips, but they physically don't fit under the gear change lever, and curved shape of the soles make it difficult (for me) to operate the brake pedal easily.

 

[Phil-H]

Ironically I'd only heard good reports about them (Altberg), strangely enough, every time I have been there there have been customers returning boots & having complaints.
That should have set alarm bells ringing!

Yep, the stock laces are crap, not helped by the super-quick-to-rust square section 'D' rings that hacksaw their way through the laces - why not use round section, now there's a feckin' idea.
Everyone else uses 'em!
I now regularly "move" my laces a little, so they don't cut on the D rings.....

One thing thas IS good - the 1/2 sizes & 5 width fittings. Mind it's the only thing that's good about them!

Phil

Sent from my HTC Desire S using Tapatalk 2

 

[Monty Stubble]

Got a pair of Alt-Berg Hoggs - Top boot!

Also have a pair of their black gore-tex lightweight patrol boot for work. Like weariing slippers and still bull up great when I need them to. All that after nearly 3 years of constant use and abuse.

 

[Mutley]

I have rode bike for a long time going though different boots trying to find the perfect pair, when I started touring it became impossible as I was paying ridiculous amounts on boots that was ok on the bike but when it came to getting off the bike and walk round it ment carrying a second pair of shoes, I had a cheap pair of walking boots that I used to walk the dogs I used these one day I was surprised how good they were, I went to Ireland a few years age so I decided to wear them they were really comfy on and off the bike, on the way back it rained cats and dogs the water ended up getting into my waterproofs so buy the time I got home I was cold and wet but my feet were dry and warm and that was a cheap pair of walking boots(£12), now I tour with a pair Solomon walking boots goretex(£98) they are great in any weather, now I don't need to carry two pairs, also with the walking boots sole is about inch and a halve high so I can put both feet on the ground on my gs as I'm only 5.6 with a low seat,

The only issue I can see with a non-motorcycle pair of boots would be abrasion resistance. This is especially a problem should your foot be trapped underneath a bike as you slide down the road. Otherwise they're probably as good, if not better than short motorcycle boots.

 

[brixtonchris]

Probably most boots are more comftable the riding boots specially the german para boots, they can be ridden all day long every day, it's when your in the accident you didn't know you were gonna have that bike boots pay off, long calf protection for when your stuck under the bike with the exhaust on your calf, or armour over your ankle bone for when the swinging arm crashes down on that talus, dislocating yer tibia which means the fibia snaps leading to six screws and a plate in yer leg four months of work and no insurance claim as it was a hit and run so it costs you thousands of pounds in missed income cos yer self employed and your starting to max out credit cards, but you know it saved you £50 smackers and you look care free and cool, just sayin

 

[kevingrahambutler]

Probably most boots are more comftable the riding boots specially the german para boots, they can be ridden all day long every day, it's when your in the accident you didn't know you were gonna have that bike boots pay off, long calf protection for when your stuck under the bike with the exhaust on your calf, or armour over your ankle bone for when the swinging arm crashes down on that talus, dislocating yer tibia which means the fibia snaps leading to six screws and a plate in yer leg four months of work and no insurance claim as it was a hit and run so it costs you thousands of pounds in missed income cos yer self employed and your starting to max out credit cards, but you know it saved you £50 smackers and you look care free and cool, just sayin

God m8 if we all thought like that we will all give up biking,
If I was in a accident it's my head I would be worried about my m8 died only doing less than 20
There is no way on this earth I would take any chances when it comes to head and body but for feet if you are traveling any distance I'm sure it makes more sense that you concentrate on what's happening around you rather than thinking I wish I had a more comfortable pair of bike boots, do you not agree.

 

[zoltan]

Diemme boots

One word : Quality gear, manged to bag one pair in my size and half price. They are stiff and the leather very thick, the sole is almost motocross boots stiffens. Very comfortable to wear , red lace will be replaced asap. Some of they stuff is just magic, but huge cash.


http://www.calzaturificiodiemme.it/DiemmeBrochure2012.pdf

 

[cbutler]

Timberland waterproof boots? Currently £105. Tried some at their Kingston store yesterday, the sides are rock hard but found comfortable to wear. Waiting for mine to arrive from their online store.

Link to their site