Alt Berg boots: worth it?

[Pothole]

Rocked up yesterday and had my feet measured. Half a size bigger than I've thought for the last God knows how many years, but I had thick socks on as it's a bit nippy out. Extra wide fitting. Decided on Roadrunners and they reckon I might even have them before Christmas!

I was really impressed with the place. Amazingly small, considering the volume they must do what with emergency services, walkers and bikers using them, etc. (or is there another factory somewhere?) The bloke who served me certainly seemed to know his stuff and was brisk and efficient. I think I was in and out in about half an hour including having to wait a few minutes as they were a bit busy. If I get them before Christmas I'll be super happy but I'm not fussed if it's January. It sounds like it'll be a long relationship anyway, so no rush.

Can't quite believe I've spent that much on a pair of boots but they were kind of free as I sold my panniers to fund them...

[mrmaggit]

If yours are anything like mine, you won't regret it.

[Pothole]

mrmaggit said:

If yours are anything like mine, you won't regret it.

Here's hoping.

It's odd, really. If I look at them logically/mathematically they'll probably last me 5 years at the very least, so £50 a year to keep me feet warm, dry and safe...less than a pound a week. Averaging out potential number of journeys that's about 10p a go, maybe a little more. Massive value for money and even better the longer they last.

Also I was happy to pay £200 for a jacket recently...our brains are weird things, eh?

(thanks for indulging my rambling, chaps!)

[Pothole]

Boots arrived!! Slathered on a good layer of Leder Gris, now I'm slightly annoyed it's not raining!

[casbar]

Pothole said:

Boots arrived!! Slathered on a good layer of Leder Gris, now I'm slightly annoyed it's not raining!

Which boots did you order, I ordered 4 weeks ago and was advised 8 weeks delivery :-(

[Pothole]

Roadrunners

[Graemsay]

SteelerSE said:

If you're after massive protection then you may want to look elsewhere - they are pretty stout but there are certainly more protective options out there on the market. But pound for pound they've been very good.

I'm going to disagree with you on the protection front here. This is the CE label from a pair of Roadrunners.



There's a line of text that reads "Level 2 2 2", and this tells you how well the boot stood up to the tests. From left to right the numbers refer to abrasion resistance, impact cut protection, and torsional rigidity. A level 2 pass is superior to a level 1.

Now here's the label from a pair of Dainese Axial Pro In boots. That's a Level 1 1 1 pass, which is inferior to Yorkshire's finest.



Here's a pair of Alpinestars Supertech Rs, which gets a Level 2 2 1 pass. Most race boots fall down on torsional rigidity.



However some Supertech Rs, particularly the Air model are Level 1 1 1. This is worse than the Alt-Bergs.



According to the CE tests, the Alt-Berg Roadrunners and Bahnstormers offer superior protection to most race boots. OK, they do lack the ankle protection systems, and hard plastic parts, but overall should perform better in an off.

I've only found one pair of race boots that have a Level 2 2 2 CE pass: The TCX R-S2 Evo in black. The white and red models are Level 1 2 2, coming down on abrasion resistance. Mega Motorcycle Store is currently selling them off at £149.99, which is half price, and still have most sizes in stock.

[Pothole]

SteelerSE said:

If you're after massive protection then you may want to look elsewhere - they are pretty stout but there are certainly more protective options out there on teh market. But pound for pound they've been very good.

I'm not really, just warmth and dryth. (of course it's a word!)

[Pothole]

Graemsay said:

Stats and stuff

Interesting research. Thank you!

[SteelerSE]

Pothole said:

Graemsay said:

Stats and stuff

Interesting research. Thank you!

Yup - that's useful information. Just from trying and wearing them they don't feel particularly protective but if the stats say otherwise then that's good news.

[Graemsay]

Thanks.

There's a bunch more detail over in a thread at ADV Rider if you want to go full nerd. Even if not, knowing how to read a CE label is useful next time you go shopping.

I think that the CE standard tests different things to what race boots feature, however I'm not entirely convinced that bits of plastic are going to stop your foot from getting crushed.

The most protective boots seem to be the off-road designs, and Adventure touring designs. This is a list of Sidi's models that are Level 2 2 2.

• X-3
• X-3 Lei
• Gavia
• Lady Gavia
• Adventure 2
• Discovery.1
• Trial Zero.1
• Crossfire 3
• Roarr
• Deep Rain
• Agueda
• Crossfire 2

The Alpinestars Toucan, TCX Infinity Pro, and most of the Icon 1000 range outside of the Retrograde are at the same level, which gives you an idea of what actually reaches the mark.

[Pothole]

Typically as the sun is shining today I've eschewed my ultra protective, lovely warm and dry Alt-Bergs for my newly relaced (Thanks Mrs Pothole, they were driving me mad) TCX shorties...my shins felt quite vulnerable!

Edited by Pothole on Sunday 1st January 04:26