We supply film companies, cadet groups,
military forces, service personnel,
re-enactment groups, drama societies,
hikers and walkers with ex military boots
suitable for a wide range of uses
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We are very proud to be an environmentally friendly company recycling pre-worn shoes and boots that would be consigned to landfill
Sizing and Footbeds
The easiest way to adjust the comfort of your boots is to lace them properly, wear thicker or thinner socks and use a really good footbed,
please read to bottom of page for recommendations
Fit & Sizing
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Boot Lasting and Sizing
All quality boots are built around a carefully crafted foot shaped model - known as a "last". It is the last which gives a boot its fit characteristics. The quality of the lasting, and the time that each upper spends on the last, is crucial in giving boots their shape and fit. All manufacturers use different lasts so one boot in size 9 may fit perfectly and a different boot may feel to big or too small and you need a different size to be comfortable.
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Contrary to online blog comments from "experts" boots don't give that much in use and they need to be comfortable when you first wear them, they may certainly need breaking in to mould to your feet and may feel more comfortable with longer use but if they don't fit right when you first buy them they never will.
Foot Preparation
Correct foot preparation is a key component in getting comfortable performance from your boots. Try to buy good performance socks. A few guidelines to look for in a good sock are:
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The tightness of the knit - a good sock will normally be a tight and smooth knit.
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Make sure there is good shaping to the sock - tube socks should be avoided.
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Check that the sock has good stretch and elasticity.
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If possible try to use socks that wick moisture away (the foot puts out around 50ml of sweat per day)
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Socks are an ideal way of making small adjustments to the volume and fit of the boot so be prepared to experiment with combination and density of socks you use to get the best fit. If you have wide feet or like to wear two socks it may be better to buy a boot which is a size up from normal shoe size.
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Initial Fitting of the Boot
The start point in fitting the boot is to ensure that you have the right size and remember that it is possible to customise the fit of a boot that is slightly too large but it is virtually impossible to do anything about a boot that is too small. If in doubt go for a size that is slightly large rather than one that is too small. Bear in mind that the critical size element is the length. Boots will give a little when worn but won't change length. When trying the boot on make sure you do so with your usual sock combination. You should also bear in mind the end use of the boot. For example if you are going to use your boots when you are likely to be carrying a heavy rucksack then this will alter the loading and shape of your foot. You should therefore try wearing the boots with a loaded sac on. Also boots used for the mountains will be used in an uphill and downhill mode. You should therefore simulate this when trying the boots on. The key points to bear in mind are that when trying the boots in a down hill mode, properly laced up, your toes should not be pushing against the front of the boots. Equally, there should not be as much of a finger width at the heel otherwise your boot is too big for you.
Lacing up the boot
Even the best fitting boot will not give maximum performance unless it is correctly laced up. Correct lacing ensures that boot fits snugly and will prevent 'forward slip' of the foot in the boot and will reduce friction that could otherwise lead to blisters. When lacing the boot ensure that you start from the toe and gradually tension the lace between each set of hooks. Lace locks allow for the tension to be held over the fore foot whist giving a separate level of adjustment and tension around the ankle of the boot.
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Be prepared to adjust your lacing as you go. It is common to find that as you need to re-tension the lacing after a short distance even in boots that have been well broken-in. Also the foot shape will adjust during the day with temperature, terrain and load carried.
Boot modifications
It is not uncommon to find that some modification to the boot is required to get an optimal fit. The easisest way is by using a thicker or thinner footbed:
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Footbeds - We sell and recommend Svartz footbeds for all boots as they have been designed for and are used by the MOD, special forces, Police and in commercial Hiking Boots for high performance over long distances and in every different terrain from pavements to mountains.
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Speak to us if you need a spacing footbed (Altberg include them with new boots) and we'll post you one. They are only a couple of mm thick but can make all the difference to a tighter fit if needed.
HHere is a comprehensive world sizing chart to get the right size boot:
If you have ever wondered what your exact foot size is:
It is likely one foot will be slightly longer than the other.
Measure the distance between the two lines.
That length is your foot size.
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You will know if you are a narrow, medium or wide fitting from any footwear you feel comfortable in.
That's it. You can always buy the correct size footwear now.
Foot Length Sizing system
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CM Inch US US UK EU Mondo
M W M/W M/W Europe
22.8 8.98 5 6 4 36.5 230
22.9 9.02 5 6 4 37 235
23 9.06 5 6 4 37 235
23.1 9.09 5 6 4 37 235
23.2 9.13 5 6 4 37 235
23.3 9.17 5.5 6.5 4.5 37.5 235
23.4 9.21 5.5 6.5 4.5 37.5 240
23.5 9.25 5.5 6.5 4.5 37.5 240
23.6 9.29 5.5 6.5 4.5 38 240
23.7 9.33 6 7 5 38 240
23.8 9.37 6 7 5 38 240
23.9 9.41 6 7 5 38.5 245
24 9.45 6 7 5 38.5 245
24.1 9.49 6.5 7.5 5.5 38.5 245
24.2 9.53 6.5 7.5 5.5 39 245
24.3 9.57 6.5 7.5 5.5 39 245
24.4 9.61 6.5 7.5 5.5 39 250
24.5 9.65 7 8 6 39 250
24.6 9.69 7 8 6 39.5 250
24.7 9.72 7 8 6 39.5 250
24.8 9.76 7 8 6 39.5 250
24.9 9.8 7 8 6 40 255
25 9.84 7.5 8.5 6.5 40 255
25.1 9.88 7.5 8.5 6.5 40 255
25.2 9.92 7.5 8.5 6.5 40.5 255
25.3 9.96 7.5 8.5 6.5 40.5 255
25.4 10 8 9 7 40.5 260
25.5 10.04 8 9 7 41 260
25.6 10.08 8 9 7 41 260
25.7 10.12 8 9 7 41 260
25.8 10.16 8.5 9.5 7.5 41.5 260
25.9 10.2 8.5 9.5 7.5 41.5 265
26 10.24 8.5 9.5 7.5 41.5 265
26.1 10.28 8.5 9.5 7.5 41.5 265
26.2 10.31 9 10 8 42 265
26.3 10.35 9 10 8 42 265
26.4 10.39 9 10 8 42 270
26.5 10.43 9 10 8 42 270
26.6 10.47 9.5 10.5 8.5 42.5 270
26.7 10.51 9.5 10.5 8.5 42.5 270
26.8 10.55 9.5 10.5 8.5 42.5 270
26.9 10.59 9.5 10.5 8.5 43 275
27 10.63 9.5 10.5 8.5 43 275
27.1 10.67 10 11 9 43 275
27.2 10.71 10 11 9 43 275
27.3 10.75 10 11 9 43.5 280
27.4 10.79 10 11 9 43.5 280
27.5 10.83 10.5 11.5 9.5 43.5 280
27.6 10.87 10.5 11.5 9.5 44 280
27.7 10.91 10.5 11.5 9.5 44 280
27.8 10.94 10.5 11.5 9.5 44 285
27.9 10.98 11 12 10 44.5 285
28 11.02 11 12 10 44.5 285
28.1 11.06 11 12 10 44.5 285
28.2 11.1 11 12 10 45 285
28.3 11.14 11.5 12.5 10.5 45 290
28.4 11.18 11.5 12.5 10.5 45 290
28.5 11.22 11.5 12.5 10.5 45 290
28.6 11.26 11.5 12.5 10.5 45.5 290
28.7 11.3 11.5 12.5 10.5 45.5 295
28.8 11.34 12 13 11 45.5 295
28.9 11.38 12 13 11 46 295
29 11.42 12 13 11 46 295
29.1 11.46 12 13 11 46 295
29.2 11.5 12.5 13.5 11.5 46.5 300
29.3 11.54 12.5 13.5 11.5 46.5 300
29.4 11.57 12.5 13.5 11.5 46.5 300
29.5 11.61 12.5 13.5 11.5 46.5 300
29.6 11.65 13 14 12 47 305
29.7 11.69 13 14 12 47 305
29.8 11.73 13 14 12 47 305
29.9 11.77 13 14 12 47.5 305
30 11.81 13.5 14.5 12.5 47.5 305
30.1 11.85 13.5 14.5 12.5 47.5 310
30.2 11.89 13.5 14.5 12.5 48 310
30.3 11.93 13.5 14.5 12.5 48 310
30.4 11.97 13.5 14.5 12.5 48 310
30.5 12.01 14 15 13 48 310
30.6 12.05 14 15 13 48.5 315
30.7 12.09 14 15 13 48.5 315
30.8 12.13 14 15 13 48.5 315
30.9 12.17 14.5 15.5 13.5 49 315
31 12.2 14.5 15.5 13.5 49 315
31.1 12.24 14.5 15.5 13.5 49 320
31.2 12.28 14.5 15.5 13.5 49 320
31.3 12.32 15 16 14 49.5 320
31.4 12.36 15 16 14 49.5 320
31.5 12.4 15 16 14 49.5 320
Bootking recommend the Svartz specialist footbed for all boots to improve comfort
Maximum underfoot cushioning
Underfoot shaped to support heel and ankle alignment
Maximum heel shock absorption and support
The underfoot shape of the Absorber Footbed supports the natural alignment of the foot, ankle and knees.
The result is improved balance and maximum shock absorption when running, tabbing and hiking on rough terrain.
The covering of the footbed is Meshtex®, which is used as a lining in Altbergs Jungle and Desert boots - minimal water retention