Waterproof Boot advice please

[DavidHolmes]

Altberg. Especially if you have very wide feet.

I have two pairs of Hoggs. Pain in the arse getting them made. I have very wide feet (and bad arthritis in my big toes) - so it meant going to the factory, getting measured (my feet are wider than their standard lasts), and then going back (many) weeks later to have them fitted.

The second pair suffered from a bit of the stiching on the gear change overlay coming loose after 10 months and approx 20k miles - sent them back. Came back completely refurbed, (new soles etc), no charge.

 

[DavidHolmes]

PS - the custom fitting upped the price by about £30, and the special insoles cost about the same again.

 

[RobC]

Sounds like I'm going to have to give Altbergs a chance. I've never had anything made to measure before so I'll do it just for the experience.

 

[Hambo]

Magnum boots

Anybody had any experience with Hitec's Magnum boots?

 

[Mzokk]

I've got a pair of Alpine Stars SMX3 Gortex. About £160 i think. Lots of protection and 270 miles in heavy rain without leaking. The toe is moulded plastic and doesn't have much feel for gearchanging.....but you get used to it. Fairly warm too!

 

[yorkshire whippet]

magnums

Don't bother - never had a pair myself but know a lot of mates who have, they're expensive for what they are and arn't a patch on quality boots like altbergs. Cheap and nasty - as an old cobbler remarked once there must be a lot of cardboard cows out there 'cos there aint much leather in these.

 

[James Bryan]

Made to measure !

Had my current pair of Altberg All Season Hoggs since '96/7 , had them "serviced" twice - first time when I had used them to prevent my GS from injuring itself as we slid down Hatzenbach at 70mph in July '99 - second time in Sept. '03 when the goretex lining gave up the struggle and started to leak . Since which time they have behaved as new , i.e. all day comfortable on and off the bike , toasty warm and they give you an extra inch inside leg length , important for stunted duffers like me .

Altberg will make you a pair to fit your individual feet , for not a lot more than the cost of the "standard" boot - I payed £105 for my made to measure pair - this with the BMW club discount .

However , to avail yourself of this service you would normally have to travel to Richmond and visit their factory , unless you can arrange to catch them at a show nearer to where you live - as the show season is at an end , your only option is to find out if they are planning to be at the NEC this year and if yes get them to size you up .

Did you know that the "average" bod has at least a half a size differential between their left and right feet ? No wonder that standard footwear usually is something of a compromise !

Daytona are loverly kit , and they too will "service" an old pair however , they are seriously expensive and their factory is even further away than Richmond . I'm unaware if they do a made to measure service .

All the best ,
James

ps. - The Hoggs are nearly as ugly as a GS , so they fit in very well .

 

[Repoman]

A bit tardy but ommitted to say thanks for all these responses.

Altberg it is then.

Or Daytona..

Repo

 

[PW Cymru]

Daytona Trans open

Take a look at FC-moto.de worked out at about £160 delivered from Germany as opposed to $226 cheapest I could get in this country.

Delivered in about 5 days of order.

Looking forward to the wet now.

 

[Danamr]

BMW Savahana II. A bit expensive (like everything with a BM logo), but well worth it, they meet all of your criteria except cost. I have mine over two years, never leak, fit under cordura trousers, dead comfy on and off bike.

I like them.

Nice boot, I have a pair, warm, water tight, and overpriced. They are Oxtars, I don't know about England but they are here at a very good price:
http://www.newenough.com/oxtar_infinity_goretex_boots_page.htm
I also have a pair of Altberg Hogg All Weathers which are much better made, and just as dry, but I like the protection of a higher boot.

 

[Hamster]

I have a pair of Altberg Clubman Classics and can't fault them.

The delivery date was a few weeks later than promised though
When I did get them they were well worth the wait

 

[(RIP) Bin Ridin]

Daytona boots are my choice, warm, dry, not too hot in Spain with wooly hiking sock.
Only possible criticism is the difficulty of getting dog poo off the prickly sole.

 

[Gilson]

Re: No one else heard of Hein Gerecke?

Top quality stuff, reasonable prices tonnes of choice. I have some fully safety approved boots from them. Half way between mx boots and touring boots. Have been worn day in day out for 2 yrs in the worst conditions, no leaks yet, that includes standing in water up to ankles.
recommended. £120.

Agree, Hein Gericke are very good, do all of the above and ususally have a really nice shop for trying stuff on. The Albergs look like army boots, mostly with buckles (difficult to use), have few shops...I don't own anything else...but I do want some motocross booties for winter as cars want to run over my feet...

You can also get some goretex socks on ebay for a tenner: Could be worth a lookie...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=18450&item=2496268178&rd=1&ssPageName=WD4V

 

[Schtum]

Re: Re: No one else heard of Hein Gerecke?

The Albergs look like army boots, mostly with buckles (difficult to use), have few shops..

If you mean Altbergs, then ISTR that only the Continental Tourer and the Clubman Classic are offered with the option of buckles, from a range of 14 motorcycle specific boots and "few shops" would be as in one factory shop.

So your point is....?

 

[Gilson]

50th post!

Had to reply as it's my 50th!
My point is that there are other booties avaiable. Altbergs are highly rated for sure, Ride consumer poll said they are No. 1.

I'm not passionate about my, or anyother boots...not going to war over them either but I wanted to offer another suggestion for the good man who wanted to know....

 

[Polarbear]

I know I'm a bit late in offering this but... I have used Pro boots for years now, my current pair must have at least 30000 miles on them, they have never leaked, even after going through Henry's ford twice on the Offroad weekend. They are goretex lined, speed laced above the ankle and have offerred me all the support I have needed. I wear them on and off bike all year round, for all sorts of activities
They cost approx £120.00, are 100% waterproof (unless you stand in water deep enough to go over the top and flood them)

They are available from Silvermans and other army surplus stores, and come in sizes 5 to 13 and three widths.

 

[Big Lee]

I sold a pair of Proboots on ebay for 99p They were well worn & the leather was split though, still waterproof

 

[45grum]

Hi All

I have got a pair of Aquaboots made in Britain by a company called Bata they are like wellies in that they are molded rubber but they are reinforced in the appropriate places and they look like leather bike boots. You can get them with a furry lining for cold weather if you like that sort of thing. I suppose they are like a Deri boot but they are more bike orientated, 100% water proof and very easy to put on and off great for winter. they retail for about £50 but my local dealer sold me a pair for £35. Bargain.

Cheers Graham.

 

[Dahoum]

Got a pair of these a few weeks ago. Very comfy from new. I'll let you know if they leak - then I'll take em back

 

[Dahoum]

btw they are MBW Transitions