Altberg Fremington Ladies Walking Boot

I heard about Altberg boots from my walking buddy whose feet resemble those of a hobbit, very comfortable when you finally get to get some on your feet, but incredibly difficult to find anyone in London who sells them. Finally found a sho called Altimus based in Kensington. They have all the different width fittings, I think this is essential if you want get the best out of the Altberg boots. Only problem with these boots is they look clompy but they are incredibly light when you get them on.

I have had my altbergs boots for over four years, they have always been sturdy dependable boots, but they never set the world on fire, and they were never really comfortable, until I met the Altberg guys at the outdoor show at the Birmingham NEC. They were fitted properly by a retailer called Altimus (based in Reading). What a difference I was given a full biomechanical assessment, and they discovered that my left leg was marginally shorter than my right. The Altimus podiatrist made me an orthotic to compensate, and I can honestly say that I am now walking on air.

I was going to spend £170 on a new pair of Altberg boots, but Im glad I spent it on the customised orthotics that Altimus made for me. My existing Altberg boots now feel great. I think the moral here is that, although Altberg boots are good, they need to be fitted properly.

Ok, why would i not recommend these boots. Having had the boots professionaly fitted to my feet, I was sure that my right foot was lifting at the heel. I was assured that it wasn't and I took that advice. Now having used the boots for breaking in, over the previous bad snow and icey conditions, ideal, i stilll feel that my feet are lifting at the heel.The grip of the soles in the recent conditions is abissmal. I asked the supplier if the boots where ok in wet conditions, and the reply was well you need to be careful!!!! Geeee, walking home tonight in slight frost, the pavements where like walking on ice in parts and thats just frost. I had better grip in the bad conditionds from a pair of cheap Hi Tec boots than i had from these Fremlingtons!!!! Hope the grip improves with some wear but is that wishful thinking. My husband also bought a pair at the same time and he is also in total aggrement with me on the quality of grip in anything but dry conditions. The boots my look nice, feel nice, but what good are they if in wet conditionds you don't feel safe. Sorry Alt Berg, the sole needs to be better than they are at this moment in time. Yes Alt Berg have a goood repair services, etc, etc, but not much good if they fit the same soles. My Berghaus sixty quid boots have never felt so unsafe in the last three years of wear.

So, nice boot, good fit and warm but a terrible grip on anything but dry.

So overall one star purly because of poor grip, after all why pay over £120 for a pair of boots you can't trust, look for some others or buy crampons!!!!!

I just sent an old 'knackered' pair of Altberg boots back for resoling and a new rand. The work cost less than £50 and the boots that were so bad I nearly threw them away came back like new.

Altberg's service is first class and they will advise on all aspects of hill walking. The Altberg Fremington Ladies Walking Boots themselves are extremely comfortable, totally waterproof and fully supportive. They are available in half sizes with various widths and even my small sized feet were accommodated - a problem I have with nearly all other makes. Friends of mine have worn Altberg for many years and insist that a pair of these boots, and their others too, will last a good ten years of rambling and rough fell walking, retaining their waterproofness and comfort.