History Of Altberg

[@thomaswilkinson6101]

I'm proud to own Altberg.

[@ferdiek11]

This is one of the most honest and inspiring videos I’ve ever seen. I’m so happy with my two pairs. Thank you Altberg and thank you Mike.

[@russford2802]

I bought the Altberg Kven in November 2022 and have worn them every day since they arrived. Never had a blister, no rubbing absolutely amazing. Regular treatment with the propriaty 'Ledergris' polish and they still look like new and yet fit like you have worn them forever. I've since also bought the Altberg Tetheris which is an entirely different design and yet just as comfortable. Its been great finding out about the history of Altbergs and the people you have worked with. thanks for the content and every continuing success to you and the team.

[@gordonmuir6881]

Got my first pair of Field & Fell in 93 with the cordura side panels. I still have them although they are on their 4th sole. Last time they were with Altberg I received the devastating news that this would probably be their last dance, as the integrity of where the sole met the leather was no longer sufficiently robust to guarantee the bonding. The chap on the phone did ask how old they were and, when I told him, commented that they might be the oldest pair that they had seen that were still in use! So now they're a fair weather boot only, and are still the most comfortable footwear I own! I ran a mountain marathon in those boots in the Falklands in 94 against the great Ron Hill (he beat me). I have a second pair of F&F (leather sides) and a pair of Defenders (I think - military issue so not sure of the model). What a fabulous company run by a great man. Please make more videos of how you make each model of boot - it would be like The Repair Shop but without the obligatory teddy bear ...

[@lewismcnicholas2631]

Would be good to have a follow up video outlining what the future holds for Altberg

[@alistairl]

I got my Altberg motorcycle boots in the early 90s from the factory in Richmond - an order that hadn't been collected by someone else and were "stretched" a little for my big size 14 feet. Really happy that you are still going!

[@jamescaldow8864]

Please keep doing what you are doing. I have worked on the "front line" for many years and have worn so many types of boots. I wore the "combat high" when they were first issued, a blessing after dms and puttees but your boots put the combat high well into the shade. Your boots and the quality of construction is second to none and thank you for that. Your lacing system is the best by far, when you are behind the wheel you need to be able to flexy your ankles and your boots allow that. You have scored a direct hit in your manufacturing and may you please continue to do so. Thank You.

[@ArcticFrenzy]

Ive had a pair of military ops boots for a few years now and can easily say its the best pair of boots ive owned :)

[@richard3004]

Great video, more KZbin content like this.

[@GQBouncer]

The work ethic on this guy is amazing. I love Altberg

[@magnusfranzonuvebrant9519]

My wife and I saw a pair of boots in development when we visited last year. I can’t remember the name of the style, but they were a bit ”urban”, not hiking. Are they coming along i wonder! All the BEST!

[@magnusfranzonuvebrant9519]

Oops! It was in 2021, and i believe it was a Chucka boot.

[@lewismcnicholas2631]

Great to see more KZbin content - can you specify which models in the range are made in the UK perhaps on your website for our information?

[@lewismcnicholas2631]

Wouldn’t have any other brand - great to support a local UK brand which offers great value

[@nemobobber4574]

Please make more videos, you guys are unique and amazing. I bought my first pair of Altberg's this week (bit of an untruth, my wife bought them for an early xmas gift), after a rambling workmate said you guys were the Rolls-Royce of boots (when my Italian pair of boots gave up). I am astounded, and also ashamed, I did not know we had such a good boot maker in the UK. I am now so thankful my old boots failed and I now know where to get new boots from in the future, thank you

[@Littlelamb2023]

i went to the factory to be sized up. What a pleasure/experience it was to watch them making peoples boots while i was trying some on. Im proud to own a pair. Thank you for doing what you all do!

[@bobtheboozer9452]

Sounds like an apprenticeship scheme would be a great idea for your factory. Love my defenders and love to buy British. If you were to able to bring all manufacturing back to England it would be great. I say this as a engineer working in factories since starting an apprenticeship at 16

[@erictharg]

A big fan. So pleased you've stuck with European manufacture. Keep up the good work.

[@Guillaume-b5r]

Very beautifull and interesting storie!Thank you Sir. Greetings from France!

[@river4495]

this was awesome, the story is worthy of a documentary

[@tiberius8256]

What a wonderful story, I had no idea that Altberg were such a relatively young company. My 12 year old Altberg 'North Fell Micro-Light' boots are still going strong after many many miles of yomping along the North Yorkshire coast. They still fit my wide feet perfectly - I was told that they were made on the widest last that you have (yes, I did get you to measure my feet before they were made) It seems to me that Altberg are now doing really well, a succesful company and deservedly so. Long may it continue, I wish you well.

[@LewisNorthcote]

Awesome mindset, lovely humble man, congratulations on honing ur skills maintaining a philosophy of craft and making 👏

[@nickbwalks]

absolute legend boot maker.

[@timothyewart8160]

partly the reason I bought my wife a pair of Altberg’s whilst we were on holiday In Keswick was this very story the assistant told me, imagine my delight when it dawned on me that it was the old shoe factory up on the trading estate in Richmond less than a mile away from where I’d been brought up( I’ve lived in Scotland for 34years). I particularly liked the Black Sheep mention , a very fine beer indeed, and even better was the idea of you supping a pint in The Black Lion, I used to work behind the bar there in the 80’s when I was a student. A real trip down memory lane. btw my wife absolutely loves her Alberg’s, up here in Scotland she uses them every single day walking the dog on the fells and also for bagging Munro’s and has never had a moments bother from the second she put them on….absolutely top notch craftsmanship. Thanks for taking the time to tell the amazing Altberg story.

[@magnusfranzonuvebrant9519]

Lovely to see you here on youtube again. I hope your Midsummer this year was pleasant! All the BEST! Magnus from Sweden.

[@michelgiachino5887]

As an old bootmaker, I feel so close to Mike and the history of ALTBERG. I wearDefender Altberg boots, and I am proud to use the fruit of a skillfull team. I wish I would work with Mike... Maybe we'll come to meet eachother one day

[@SimonTimoney-74]

This guy makes works of art

[@joxieblue]

Do you make the boots with an upside down hook on the tung to prevent the tung from moving whilst walking . Reason I ask is since buying a pair of German Bavarian boots which has an upside down hook , I realise how beneficial it is . I Would love to see your boots with this little detail. 👍

[@Clvaner]

best set of boots money can buy, thank you for all you do.

[@kimtozer5517]

Just bought a pair for me and my husband. My first. His second. Now to persuade our boys and partners to buy Altberg.

[@michelgiachino5887]

AMAZING for me to listen to you. We have the same age, same vision of our craft. But, in my case, I remained a small handcrafter, without money, nor help, nor machinery... Pretty frustrating in a country that doesn't believe in shoeindustry, nor any craft

[@OverlandTT]

I’ve six pairs of altberg, Worn my Desert microliter 3x for a couple of hours at a time and the left boot constantly has something pushing from inside out… I wear genuine desert socks - never use fabric conditioners, my Miendl, Belleville or Magnum desert have no issue! Reseller and alt berg never respond!

[@RoryDevlin-h2s]

It would be great to have a video of your full range of boots for customers to see in the flesh how they look and compare to each other. I personally am very interested in the Barningham boot but I've only ever seen the image on the altberg website. I love my defenders and peacekeepers but it's time for a change.

[@matthewdickson7838]

Lovely video there used to be an old boot maker in maybole Scotland called Dick Goudie he made shepherds boots..

[@christomum]

Does anyone know how to tell if my altberg boots are made in the uk or Italy?

[@minixtvbox]

2 factories? not a third in poland/czech? Itturi factory in Spain, a forth,

[@SimonTimoney-74]

I love hiking..cant beat genuine military boots

[@Liam1991]

As your on the topic of your manufacturing. Is it true the defender model is made in China? Since joining the army reserves a couple years ago, I've heard the defenders are made in China, and from lower quality

[@Theadhdtrucker]

No I asked him when I went to the alt berg shop they are all made in Richmond or Italy

[@Liam1991]

​@@Theadhdtruckerthanks for the info. Unless the Mark 2's are made from cheaper material, I don't know why some of the guys I've trained with dislike them. I personally don't have an issue with them. They have served me well so 😊

[@BingoBongoBingerz]

He's literally explained they are made in Richmond, Yorkshire or Italy. Defenders for a while made in England. In fact I believe they still are. Read the tag. I have a pair of field and fell, but they say "made in EU" meaning Italy. Nothing from altberg would ever be made in China, or east Asia for this matter. If altberg was to ever open a 3rd factory it would be in the UK or Germany, Italy or France.

[@KeggerR54]

They did issue a pair for a while that looked dead on like defenders but I believe they was made by lturri or something but only seen them for a couple of months

[@BingoBongoBingerz]

@@KeggerR54 Iturri is completely different company who make their boots in Spain. I found them to be crap. Gortex lining leaks within months. The do a desert boot which looks like a Meindl knock off. They do a winter boot which is a knock off from lowa mountain and Karrimor Sf. Then they do a patrol boots which is a knock off defender boot in my opinion. With the exception of using a better sole than vibram. They are all inferior to British, German and Italian manufacturing

[@MrSamuelatkinson1]

What a legend

[@MrOzzy281]

What a shame you moved to Italy. Will go for Scarpa's hope you reconsider making everything in Italy.

[@AlienApe.]

What an odd comment. He clearly says in the video that boots are made in both Italy and Richmond, UK.

[@MrOzzy281]

@@AlienApe. Vast majority if not all are made in Italy, emailed the company to ask

[@SimonTimoney-74]

Altbergs are good..so are lowa and Meindl..Aku and Hanwag

[@johnrhodes3350]

Im not very good a pussy-footing around a subject, so at the risk of upsetting you. I will come straight out and say that your 'Lacing' is wrong on most the boots. I you'd like me to explain how and who's you should copy, then i will get in touch. If i were an active soldier in theatre, then i wouldn't choose these because i be scared of being dead before I'd got my boots on.. or off, for that matter. The fix is Super easy at zero cost.