Altberg Tethera

RRP £245 TARGET PRICE £235

Nobody makes boots quite like Yorkshire-based Altberg. Let other brands bring out a bewildering array of footwear for every possible need; Altberg focus on making a small range of tough, no-nonsense boots for hills and mountains – and doing it exquisitely. As you’d hope at this price, everything about the Tethera is top-end, from the Anfibio leather upper and four-layer Sympatex lining through to the bash-proof rand and perfectly placed eyelets for the laces. They weigh a lot (789g size 9) but by golly will they protect you over the roughest, rockiest trails, and the insoles will support you underfoot in great comfort, if not perhaps the outright luxury of Meindl’s memory foam. And they really are built to last: we have Altberg boots that were tested a decade ago and are still doing fine. Most will feel these are too tough and specialised for the average lowland walk. But if you spend most of your time in the mountains or going long-distance in the hills, carrying a heavy load and craving stability and confidence, this is exactly the type of boot you’re looking for. And as they come in five width fittings, with the proper advice, you can find the perfect match for your feet.

BEST FOR

Committed and frequent mountain walkers and long-distance hikers in need of a boot that’s built to last.

KEY DETAILS

Weight per boot: 789g

Sizes: 7.5-14 (in five width fittings) Membrane: Sympatex

Contact: 01748 826922, altberg.co.uk

+ Supreme quality, range of fittings, sturdy, built to last – Pricey, too stiff and specialised for easier walks, heavy