Altberg Kisdon GFit

Altberg Kisdons are fairly stiff soled, tough, and grippy waterproof walking boots made with Nubuck leather.

 Altberg Kisdon G-fit (size 9)

Altberg Kisdon walking boots. These are one tough pair of boots. They are a fairly stiff soled boot with some built-in toe roll. They have a full rubber rand which also goes high over the toe box with a Sympatex waterproof lining.

Comfortable to wear and haven't had any problems with rubbing. They fit my feet nice and they don't squash my toes which is something I usually experience with shoes in general, that is my small toes being squashed from the sides, but not so with these G-fit boots.

The boots are easy to slip on and off and not so hard to lace up. Just simply use the lace locks to adjust the lower part and then the upper tabs to tie the top.

It was the G-fit size that made me purchase them as I had to purchase online and I had a feeling from what I'd read that a lot of boots available would have been too narrow for my feet. The few other brands that offer wide fit boots are apparently still not actually that wide from what I've read.

The price was on the dearer side, but having boots that fit is what's important. 

The boots are also easy to clean. Just rinse the soles in the sink and use a dish brush to get the mud off and a sponge to wipe the uppers.

I went with my regular shoe size 9. They fit just right for me. I know they say if you like to wear thick socks to go up half a size which may be something to consider, but personally I'm happy with these.

I sprayed them with a can of Altberg Leder-bok before I had worn them outside. I applied two good coats leaving to dry in-between. This felt like it used most of the contents of the can with a little left. I purchased two cans at £6 each. Also purchased an 80ml tin of clear Leder-gris which I haven't used yet but have it just in case needed in future. I understand that using Leder-gris will darken the leather of these boots.

EDIT: 3 months on and I've worn these boots every day out walking with my dog. They're comfortable and I've had no problems at all with them. I did also since purchase the Swartz memory foam insoles. No problems with getting wet feet. Been using some Meindl waterproof and conditioner spray on them. I haven't waxed them. I wash the mud off every couple of days and they dry out really quickly. I had a little while when I would get white salt marks on the nubuck either side of my toes but that stopped happening. No wear to the uppers they are solidly made. Only wear is to the sole at the back outside heel corner and outside toe area.

Background

First time purchase of this type of walking boots.

The thing you notice most about this excellent boot is how rigid the sole is. The second thing is how waterproof it is. The two-zone lacing system is effective, divided by a lace-cinch, allowing the vamp to be one tension and the ankle part of the boot a different tension. Really well made.

The two-zone lacing allows the boot to be as tight or loose as you wish, enabling you to adjust the laces for a descent, for example.

I wore mine straight out of the box and the fit was spot on. The footbed does what it's supposed to do, so I haven't invested in the Schwartz alternative foot-bed. No chafing, no pressure points no ingress of water (unless you go deeper than 10 inches—but they're not wellies!). I have had no problem with small stones and grit getting inside the boot.

Ankle support is well-padded and effective.

The grip is good. Not as reliable as a rubber-soles shoe, but pretty good for a stiff Vibram sole. I wouldn't really trust them bouldering on shoreline rocks, but then again, they're not really designed for that. Best in temperate/winter conditions, I suspect they'd be hot to wear in desert conditions, but I haven't tried them in a hot dry environment.

Lacing up and removing the boot is really easy.

I have crossed Dartmoor twice (25 miles) in wet peaty conditions over granite tors. Absolutely no problems and the most reliable footwear I've worn in this environment.

Background

Trekking/mountain walking and scrambling for over 45 years. For 20 years I've had Scarpa boots, and before that the Asolo Sport KSB3. Technology and construction techniques have moved on a great deal, and the Altbergs are just plain better put together than anything else I found on the market.