Alt-berg Tethera Walking Boot for Women
Product Review & Walking Gear Test

	Tethera Walking Boot for Women Vital Statistics: Sizes: UK 3-8 including half sizes plus width fittings XN, N, Med, W, XW Weight: 637gms per boot (size 6) SRP: £169.99

Tethera Walking Boot for Women

Vital Statistics:

Sizes:
UK 3-8 including half sizes plus width fittings XN, N, Med, W, XW

Weight:
637gms per boot (size 6)

SRP:
£169.99

Features to Note:

Leather - 2.8mm full-grain Anfibio in one piece
5 width fittings - extra narrow to extra wide
Tri-flex® midsole
Vibram Tsavo micro/rubber combination outer/inter sole
Sympatex waterproof membrane lining

In-use Test:

The Tethera from Altberg are a traditional looking, full leather boot from a brand with a strong walking boot heritage.

A key feature in this 2011 women's Tethera is five width fittings across all sizes - something which I think at the moment is unique to Altberg. Certainly this feature will appeal if like me you often encounter problems with fit. I was wearing my usual walking boot size - but in a 'Wide' fitting.

I've been wearing these boots throughout the UK summer months for a variety of walking including some (wet!) lower level walks in Cheshire, a week long walking holiday on the Sussex Downs and some mountain walks in Snowdonia.

The Tethera are certainly very comfortable. They are relatively light (for full leather boots) and have a really generous amount of padding around the ankle cuff and tongue. In fact, this padding extends a little down the back of the boot to provide additional protection around the achilles - which I noticed particularly when going downhill.

The fit was good - there wasn't as much room at the front as I notice on other walking boots of the same size. This hasn't been a problem at all - possibly because the slightly narrower heel in the Tethera did keep my foot from slipping forward at all.

Based on Altberg's proprietary Tri-Flex technology and being relatively stiff, the sole provides a great mix of spring and support and was overall very comfortable particularly on steeper, rockier paths. (The Tethera has a stiffness level of 2.5, 3 being the maximum).)

The lacing system is excellent - it's extremely easy to get the right level of tightness at the front of the foot and around the ankle. There's pretty minimal stitching on the upper so virtually no points where water is likely enter. The Sympatex lining has so far provided excellent water-proofing without massively over-heating my feet in the (rare) warm weather I've encountered so far.

There's a full rubber rand around the whole of the boot - so far there is only minimal scuffing of the leather. The classically cleated Vibram Tsavo sole completes what is a really very impressive boot.

Buying Advice:

Altberg's Tethera is a well specified, reliable 3-4 season walking boot. Certainly a worthwhile investment if you're a regular, all-year hill walker particularly if you can benefit from the additional width fittings.

What do you think?

Have you got a pair of Alt-berg Tethera Walking Boot for Women?

We would love to hear what you thought of it - good, bad or indifferent. Perhaps you simply disagree with the verdict above - or feel an important feature has been negelected.

Let us know by clicking this link - What I think of Alt-berg Tethera Walking Boot for Women - so we can publish your important views below.

• These are the most comfortable walking boots I have ever had. However, they have one big downside - the soles wear out very quickly. I first noticed wear to the heel and the end of the toe after about a month. I had been on a 2 week walking holiday and noticed some wear. I sent them back to Altberg via the retailer and Altberg insisted there was nothing wrong with them, but that it was the way I walked. I disagreed and now I find that after just over 12 months' wear the heel is worn right down to where the Vibram sole fits onto the upper part of the boot. Altberg still insist it is the way I walk, but I've had several pairs of walking boots before Altberg; have had them for several years and have never had wear to this degree before.

Linda Mills, Lancster