Altberg Malham Boots - First Impressions

Are walking boots from Britains last walking boot manufacturer worth it. First impressions on a pair of Altberg Malhams. 

Price paid: £170.99 on offer. £190 SRP

If any good is to be taken from both covid 19 and the growing climate crisis, maybe it will be a positive impact on choices we make as consumers. Whether through disruption to supply chain, reducing income or the growing awareness of how royally stuffed up the natural environment is becoming, never has there been a better reason to think hard about where we spend our hard earned pennies.

So with a warm glow of self righteousness, and a need for a new pair of walking boots, I decided to stump up for a pair of Altbergs. Specifically for the reason that they are traditionally made leather boots from Britains last boot maker.

Why Altberg

Operating since 1989, Altberg was setup from the ashes of Britains failed shoe industry, crushed under the competition from the east. As well as still manufacturing in Richmond, Yorkshire, they operate a factory in Italy. Italy is by far Europes largest shoe manufacturing country with over 50% production residing there.

So to add to a move away from fast fashion and ocean polluting plastics, by choosing Altbergs I can add supporting local industry to the virtue ticklist.

Why leather boots

I predominantly use trail shoes in the hills if it's dry, even for long distance walks occasionally donning an old pair of scarpas when it's wet. However the scarpa boots have always been too narrow across the toes and gore tex shoes always offer a limited lifespan. Good quality leather boots, treated with the occasional Dubbin (or leder gris in the Altberg case) remain waterproof way pretty much ad infinitum.

Much to my chagrin it is almost impossible to find unlined leather walking boots anymore. The much discussed reasoning on the forums being that its easier to make boots poorly with a lining than create really waterproof boots. However other Altberg reviews suggest that this is not the case and well waxed Altbergs remain waterproof. Time will tell.

The Malham boot

From the Altberg site:

"The Malham is a day hiking boot for hill waking on paths and trails. The leather is very soft and supple to give excellent comfort with very little ‘walking in required’. The Malham boot is made on the Altberg AForme last which has a narrow heel and waist, the toe of the boot is sprung slightly upwards, so that the boot rolls forward when walking, which enhances comfort and balance on hills and uneven terrain. The boot is very lightweight (672g size 9) and the micro layer between the sole and foot gives excellent shock absorption"

https://www.altberg.co.uk/boots/aforme-boots13/malham

With a range of boots available the choice of the Malhams boiled down to the fit. Altberg offer 6 last sizes, i.e. 6 different width/shape combos to find the best fit. Malhams use the A form last which is tailored for what altberg called the Asymmetric foot. My narrow heeled, wide but low profile forefoot and striaght line from big to to heel perfectly matching the Aform shape. 

First Impressions
The leather is beautifully soft so on first wear they are instantly comfortable. Lacing fittings and laces seem good quality and lacing is straightforward and smooth. Soles are Vibram Masai and resoling is available when required.

Size wise I typically wear between and 9.5 and a 8.5 depending on the precise shoe. In strict measurement terms my feet measure a 9 and an 8.5. The 9 Malhams fit nicely.

A short walk around the local woodlands highlights the purported lack of need for breaking in and an out of the box fit. Supremely comfortable although the slight rocker (curve) on the sole, designed for use in rougher ground, is a bit different when you have been wandering around in trail shoes for a long time. Will get a proper walk in the Black mountains in as soon as lockdown eases.

All in all first impression is very positive and the proof will be in the pudding on some extended walks in bad weather!

Pros
The A-form last is ideal for certain foot shapes

The boots are clearly constructed to a high quality
Comfort out of the box from soft and supple leather
Lightweight for a leather boot

Cons
Lined. Would prefer not to have the sympatex lining. Don't think is really necessary and makes shoes hotter.

Once have spent a few 100 miles in them will see how we go.

Merrell Trail Glove Review - A different choice for backpackers

Anybody backpacking for any length of time in the earths warmer parts will no doubt spend most of their time in sandals or flip flops. However, for all but the most hardcore, carrying a pair of shoes for longer walks and sightseeing, traversing some less clean city areas etc. is a necessity.

However the choice of many young backpackers are clunky walking boots, pretty much unsuited for most independent travel. Hot, heavy and bulky, a nightmare in the tropics.

For a 4 month trip to Asia early this year (2013), and predominantly sticking to the main backpacker circuit this year my shoe requirements, were as follows:

• lightweight, the top criteria for almost all backpacking clobber.
• hardwearing enough.
• slimline as would spend a lot of time in the pack
• quick drying. Light jungle trekking is soggy, and quick drying footwear normally a better choice than waterproof footwear as feet obviously sweat copiously in hot countries.
• An optional extra would be smart enough to wear to a restaurant in the cities.

After having been recommended vibram 5 fingers, a little too eccentric for my liking I stumbled across Merrell Trail Gloves in one of the London branches of Field and Trek. The first thing that's striking is the weight, ~176g, and slim profile. This is for a good reason as these are designed as barefoot trail running shoes. The barefoot philosophy very much centres around our natural, forefoot striking running style and is very much in vogue. However it is not for everybody and takes some getting used to so if you have a need for lots of arch support or padding these may not be suitable.

Also striking when you put these on, and related to their intended use for barefoot running is the wide and airy toe box. This makes for a very comfortable fit for those with wider feet.

After 4 months of use from Malaysia through Thailand and Cambodia to Laos, including some multi day light treks with small packs, lots of long public transport journeys, and even a few runs these have come through admirably and am very pleased with the choice. Now my feet are used to them I use them as go to shoes for normal walks back in the UK, and offroad runs. I was concerned on longer walks that the lack of padding would take it's toll but inexplicably have not encountered any issues.

Soles are Vibram which give a good level of grip and flexibility. Overall wear rate on the soles has been low and when these fall apart finally will certainly replace. 

Pros:

• Uber lightweight
• Tough, they've stood up to quite a lot with no signs of glue unsticking etc.
• Pack small. Hard to get a much smaller shoe.
• Dry quickly. With minimal padding these dry quickly and don't become heavy when wet.
• Comfortable

Cons:

• Won't suit people who need more sophisticated foot support
• Although great for day to day travel, certainly not what I'd call smart or a nice restaurant
• Quite expensive as lightweight trail shoes seem to be
•  As with many shoes worn barefoot can get a bit smelly when damp

Rating
Performance: 9/10
Value for money: 8/10

Conclusion
If the barefoot style works for your feet, a well made, fantastically lightweight option for long backpacking trips.

Gelert Newland 3 Tent Review

A cost effective option for couples car camping

Bought for £70 in sale

There are three typical stages in a campers life and these very much shape tent choice.

Stage 1, encompassing anybody young, skint and possibly using public transport (therefore carrying the tent) encourages a lightweight and cramped choice. Sure you look around the campsite and everyone looks more comfortable. You don't care though, at this stage to be in striking distance of a cheap pub is enough.

Stage 2, happy couples, is represented by a more civilised camping experience. Tired of crawling in and out of your pit, especially in long dewey grass, you yearn a bit more comfort. Ideally a big enough porch to fit a few friends and share a bottle of wine. Sure you. look around the campsite and lots of people look more comfortable. You don't care though, at this stage to be in striking distance of a nice pub is enough.

Stage 3. Think tables chairs and tents with seperate wings for the whole family. Well sod the pub you're in a home away from home.

Stage 2 is where tents like the Gelert Newlands 3 come in. Three person rated although well sized for two with plenty of storage. The Newlands 3 is a three pole tunnel design. Tunnel tents traditionally offer ease of erection and good internal space. The compromise comes from lack of free standing ability and strength in strong winds, depending on solid pegging for structural stability. Neither huge problems for most British style camping. Generous and well thought out guylines on the Gelert ensure well pegged out it will withstand most weather.

Another positive of the design helping you put the Newlands 3 up quickly is an inbuilt fly construction. This means the tent goes up in one piece, better in both wet weather and for speed. Poles are colour coded and simply slide into 3 sleeves on the tent with simple peg connectors at either end.

Poles are probably the most obvious area where the Newlands low cost pricing has a negative influence. These are of fibreglass construction, as befits most cheaper tents, with a penalty of weight and also ease in which the poles can be threaded. The stainless pole connectors occasionally snagging slightly.

The main tent itself is well thought out, with standard features such as a bathtub groundsheet, in sleeping section, and mosquito netting. The well sized porch features a groundsheet which is not sewn in, useful for ventilation although obviously slightly less dry.

All in all over several trips in a variety of places from Cornwall to Wales the Gelert Newlands 3 has aquitted itself well. Keeping the weather at bay and proving low hassle to put up and down. The tent represents a good value choice for budget minded occasional car camper. Those seeking frequent use, on a long trip or considering carrying the tent would be advised to splash out a little more on something with alloy poles. 

Pro's
Good value
Easy to erect
Stable and weatherproof
Roomy for two

Cons
Heavy
Fibreglass poles

Value for money: 8/10
Performance: 7/10

Craghoppers Altitude Soft Shell - Review

The ideal outdoor jacket for urban use?

As an outdoors person who lives in a city, sometimes I come across obvious crossovers where a piece of outdoor clothing is well suited to an urban environment. In terms of jackets and everyday casual use, I was keen to find something hardwearing for the cooler months with a good degree of suitability for a range of conditions. i.e. something that would serve me well for commuting, shopping and pubbing in the city through the autumn/winter, survive the odd rain shower and look ok.

Having been a keen buffalo user for many years I have long been a fan of pile linings. Warmer than fleece, good wicking properties and lightweight I think pile is underused in modern clothing. So I decided that a pile lined jacket would be ideal. Pile lined jackets like Buffalo's belay jacket or the Montane Extreme Jacket (I won smock versions of both), whilst both great pieces of kit, are not ideal for urban use as pertex, although wonderful, is susceptible to things like cigarette burns in busy London pubs, and are also both not really styled for urban use.

Having also used a few softshell jackets over the years, good windproofing, water resistance, breathability, stretch and a hardwearing face have impressed me. However unless being active have not tended to find softshells very warm. QED a softshell face with a pile lining struck me as an ideal jacket for urban needs (and the odd cragging trip and stroll in the country).

Looking at what is available there didn't seem to be a lot available in softshell with a pile lining. However a random trip to Field and Trek for a browse revealed the Craghoppers Altitude soft shell. This is precisely what i was looking for, softshell with a pile lining and a cut suitable for town use (even acceptable in the office).

Having worn this as my main day to day jacket for 6 months here are my thoughts:

What I like

• Hardwearing - The jacket seems well made and have had no issues from this perspective
• Weatherproof - The jacket has coped well with the odd shower, seems windproof and fairly warm.
• Styling - It looks pretty good and certainly not scruffy like an old fleece! Cut is fairly atheltic but not enough so to negate non sporty use.
• Pockets - Pockets are well placed and a good size.
• Cheap - Available for £50 to £60 which is not bad for this type of jacket although not a premium brand.

What I don't like

• A bit stiff - The fabric is fairly stiff for a fabric and not that light. Almost neopeney. This makes it less comfortable than a more flexible jacket, i.e. you can feel you are wearing the jacket in contrast to say a light down jacket which makes you feel warm without you even knowing it is there.
• Not that breathable - This jacket actually has a waterproof membrane. I think the jacket would be better without this as softshell fabric tends not to hold water so could still be showerproof. A waterproof membrane on a jacket with no hood is fairly pointless imo. Breathability is also worse than fully waterproof Gore tex, Conduit and other membrane jackets have used
• Brand - Not that bothered but not really keen on association with a certain Mr Grylls (nothing personal but programs are about entertainment not genuine outdoor ability imo).
• Pile not as warm as comparable types. My Buffalo for instance, which is thinner and lighter, is a warmer beast altogether.

Summary - 6.5/10 - Stylish, well priced and robust, just not quite comfortable enough

Essentially this jacket has performed quite well for my purposes and offers a pretty good choice for an urban softshell IMO.
If it was stolen would I buy it again? Probably not, whilst there is a lot to like about the jacket and will happily use it for coming years it just isn't as comfortable to wear as I would like. You are just a little too conscious you are wearing it and a lack of breathability just detracts from from feeling you are wearing a really great bit of kit.
I think removing the membrane could possibly be enough to fix this and it that case could be a great jacket.

Cotswold Way - 5 Days

The Cotswold way is one of Britains best known long distance trails and one which is well achievable with just a weeks holiday unlike longer treks such as the Pennine way or Coast to Coast.

Orignally I had intended to walk the latter route during a period off prior to starting a new job. Sadly the 10 days, minimum, required for the coast to coast were not available to me so I was looking for an alternative target. After a swift bit of Googling I settled on the Cotswold way.

Stretching some 100 miles, from north of Cheltenham, to Bath, the Cotswold way has become one of Britains most popular long distant routes. With 5 days to spare I had to cover 20 miles per day, and whilst this seems a fairly modest target it did prove fairly challening.

Choosing to camp or bivvy would ensure an economical way of covering the route although it is certainly true to say that this route is not massively well catered for from a camping perspective. However with 1 nights bivvying aside the rest of the route did provide suitable camping spots, which also offered good character.

I split the route as follows:


Chipping Campden - Winchcombe: Sneaky bivvy for the night.

Winchcomber - Coopers Hill: Say hello to Rosemary if stopping here for a tea at Coopers Hill Haven. And yes the famous cheese rolling hill looks desperately steep.

Coopers Hill - North Nibley: Grand camping at the house

North Nibley to Tormarten: Slightly surreal but friendly camping at the Best Western Compass Inn.

Tormarten to Bath: Some would say the least interesting stretch but actually very pleasant.

Pubs along the route proved very friendly and a cost effective way to stock up on much needed carbs.

More useful information when get a chance.