A question for the group:
I and planning a 12 month trip around Australia and Asia. I plan to do a lot of riding, but also a lot of hiking and walking. I need a good all-round boot that are comfortable to walk long distances in. I have previously used regular army boots, but they wear out fast riding on dirt roads. I have seen some Harley Davidson boots that are in army style that look good, but not sure about comfort or wearability. Bringing a separate set of hiking boots in addition to bike boots is not an option.
What is everyone else using?

Thanks
Johan

I have a pair of Hog Lites by Altberg.
http://www.altberg.co.uk/motorcycle_boots2.htm

They are good for hiking / biking. Like hiking boots but with a bit more protection in ankles /toe and shin , plus extra leather on the gear change area.

they are a small company and boots take a few weeks to make but I love them.

obviously a motocross boot is better for serious off -road stuff but these a a good compromise.

dave.

Dunno if you can get these in the US, but here's a pair of very good army-style boots from Swedish quality shoemaker Lundhags ( http://www.lundhags.se/ ). The construction is unique in that they use a cellular plastic for the lower part of the boot, making them very waterproof. The shaft is leather. They're used by the Norwegian Navy SEAL team instead of the standard-issue combat boots. They're made for the Nordic climate, though, and may perhaps be a bit too heavy for the tropics.

What about the Canadian Viberg boots? I'm interested in these because I too want to take only _one_ pair of boots on my trip. They have Vibram soles

The site is www.workboot.com.

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Waz
http://www.garagenight.tv

I also like the idea of using one pair of boots for biking and walking (saves lots of space) and I've done this for years with great success. I also bought a pair of AltbergHogg Lites, a lightweight 3 season boot - they say it's an ideal boot for continental touring. I'm happy with then so far and they're a good walking boot - seem fine on the bike too, but I've not tried them out in really wet weather.

My brother is a bit of an 'action man' and has used Altberg Peacekeeper boots in extreme conditions, ranging from desert to artic - he loves them. They're also pretty cheap (£80 GBP) - they'll replace worn-out soles too, so your boots should last for ever...

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Fuzzy Duck
(I'm quackers about bikes)

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Fuzzy Duck
(I\'m quackers about bikes)

Thanks for replies. I checked out all all kinds, including some Canadian army boots someone suggested, but I finally settled on the Altberg Hogg Lite as they seem to offer the right degree of compromise between hiking and riding (They actually look quite comfortable to walk in!). They are on order now and I should recieve them any day. I'll provide feedback here after I've tried them out fully.

I was just wondering how long it took to order the hog lites. I'm in new york city and am planning a trip for April. Thanks

Hi Eddie

I had to wait a month I think, before I got mine. This was because the factory closed for the summer holiday. They also make the boots in batches I think - so I had to wait for my size/type to turn-up. I guess this could be frustrating for some people. However, I'd much prefer to support this kind of business, which is a small, quality enterprise, than those b&st%rds at Reebok, Nike, Gap, etc... (sorry to get political)

Get your order in now - I don't think you'll be sorry!



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Fuzzy Duck
(I'm quackers about bikes)

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Fuzzy Duck
(I\'m quackers about bikes)

for my upcoming ride around? south america i plan on climbing as many peaks as possible - glacier peaks- so i'm thinking of using my crampon compatable climbing boots to ride in as well. they'll be hot and heavy though and the stiff vibram sole is no good for much walking. anyone ridden with boots like this very far?

Personally I wouldn't use climbing boots for riding, you lose too much feel. Also they are so much thicker than a riding boot that you end up having to adjust the gear lever up, and then you have to lift your foot a yard or so to downshift. No thanks.

Also not the best for walking around in a hot climate...

At minimum, I use a good pair of riding boots, and a pair of runners for walking around, and you'll want to add your climbing boots to that.

Yes it's a lot of footwear, but worth it. If your feet are miserable so are you.

There's nothing so good as taking a pair of climbing boots off and switching to runners...

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Grant Johnson

One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

[This message has been edited by Grant Johnson (edited 07 April 2002).]

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Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
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Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Could someone tell me how the Altberg Hog Lites are sized. I ask because I'm a 9 E american and if the boot is of a narrow construction I'll need a half size larger.

Thanks,
HughC

I have now tried to contact Altberg several times to confirm my order, but have not got a reply from them yet (I live in San Francisco, so calling them is very difficult, they are only open from 1AM to 8AM or something like that, my time). I finally gave up.

I have now come across another GREAT boot for serious hiking and biking. HAIX (www.haix.de). Haix makes serious boots for many applications, and the one I found, the Ranger GSG9 (http://store.i-tradecenter.com/cgi-b...n_Product=1006) is used by the German special forces and anti-terror police. They are EXTREMELY comfortable (no wear-in time necessary), oil, fuel and acid resistant, anti-static, waterproof, very rugged and hard-wearing sole, and are very easy to put on and take off. The downside may be that they are a bit warm, but they are very breathable and have high-quality materials so your feet don't get wet even if they are warm. They run close to US$200, but are well worth it. Check them out at least.

Johan Rodskog
www.rodskog.com

Hi

I've been trying to work out what boots to take on a trip UK to Oz. I've got a pair of Sidi Courier, motorcross style boots which are great, comfortable, reasonably waterproof and a very old pair of lightweight Gaerne road racing boots (Wayne Gardner replicas actually!).

Anyway, the thing is that being lazy, on anything less than a 50 mile trip, I just can't be bothered strapping myself into the Sidis, when I can just hop into the Gaernes.

So, if I'm in India, and it's hot, and I'm going on a short run, the extra protection of the Sidis will do me no good if I don't bother wearing them.

Therefore, I am going with Grant's scheme and will buy a pair of comfortable, lightweight road boots (non gortex as I'll take overboots) and use a pair of running shoes off the bike.

Anybody tried the Daytona Flash boots?



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Sean

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Sean

What boot did you go with in the end Sean, anything that you'd reccomend as an all rounder for riding and walking around streets when off the bike?

EDIT
WHOOPS ... JUST REALIZED THIS THREAD IS 15 YEARS OLD! SORRY GUYS! I'LL LEAVE MY COMMENT UP AS I JUST BOUGHT THE BOOTS BELOW A FEW MONTHS BACK ... THEY ARE GOOD ONES ... AND BETTER FOR WALKING THAN I COULD HAVE EVER IMAGINED!

Wow! Thanks for chiming in Grant ... I was beginning to lose faith in our Hubbers here. IMO, everything you've said is spot on. The other important factor is that very few "hiking" boots will protect you when riding. Tibia and foot protection are critical. Most serious hikers/rock climbers I know use a quality, lightweight trainer as Grant suggests. So much better than a stiff, heavy hiking boot. Look at what the pros are wearing these days.

Old school Army boots are IMO, are not very good for riding or hiking. Find a place to stash your trainers, they'll fit anywhere, just not a big deal and HUGE pay off when your looking at a 10 hour hike on rough terrain and max safety when riding with good boots.

Good riding boots will not only save your Tibia/Fibula but good ones will also provide good foot and ankle protection. Mine aren't full Motocross boots but offer really good protection and are very good to walk in ... but I would NOT
do serious hiking in them:


Light, flexible, comfortable, stiff where they need to be and very protective.
TCX Track Evo, about $250. (I paid $170 USD on sale)