The Essential Gear List: Hiking Boots

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Asolo

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Hi-Tec

OK dear readers, it’s time to get down to the business end of things. And there’s nothing that qualifies as business as much as the Kilimanjaro Essential Gear List. When Daphna sent me her blog “These Boots were made for Walking” I had a good chuckle. Everything she said about her boots resonated – well almost. Daphna bought her boots first and then after careful consideration, made her final decision to commit to the trip. I had no such analytical thought process. You know that executive component of your brain that is supposed to evaluate the consequences of your actions? Well mine was clearly somewhere else – probably taking a hike. I impulsively paid the deposit and bought the boots within hours of my first meeting with Robyn. The whole expedition bypassed my brain circuits and went straight to my credit card – or wherever else it is that impulsive and reckless decisions reside.  This of course was totally brilliant of me, considering the fact that your hiking boots are probably among the most essential pieces of equipment you need when climbing a mountain and should be bought with care and careful consideration. 


Sharon (a member of our Dream Team), will tell you that when buying a pair of hiking boots Simon and Nathan at Drifters in Sandton City are very knowledgeable and much more important, extremely patient. They give personal service and are very attentive to you even if you are just buying a pair of socks. They fit and “form” you through the whole process. See, there’s no such thing as the ideal boot. There is however the ideal boot for your foot. So it’s not remotely surprising that in our group of 19, we have the following brands represented so far – in alphabetical order, not in order of ugliness: Asolo, Hi-Tec, La Sportiva, Merrell, Montrail and Solomon – with more to come I’m sure. As Galit so eloquently put it, “Not pretty!”  

                                        

La Sportiva

I’ll tell you what is surprising though. I am not spontaneous. I do not just “do stuff”. I analyse, I weigh, I compare. The Tali I know, goes to Drifters, spends an hour or even possbly two, trying on a wide range of boots and picks the one best suited to her foot and budget. She does not, under any circumstances buy the first pair that clumps her way without a thought or care in the world… as I did… surprisingly.



Merrell

Like Daphna, the first time I wore my boots up and down the Westcliffe stairs I bruised myself around both ankles – those boots are extremely heavy – Daphna was not exaggerating. The second time was even more thrilling. I wore them on a hike in Suikerbosrand. I started off ok. We ambled along chatting and bonding.And then I just could not keep up. The others went on ahead and I lagged behind. The distance got greater as I fell behind further and further. I was filled with sudden and overwhelming FOMO. What were the others talking about? I wanted in on that conversation. And WHY could I not keep up? I was filled with self-doubt – surely I hadn’t missed so many gym sessions to be this un-fit.


Montrail

Eventually after we stopped for a break I realised I could not possibly carry on. My feet hurt and I needed desperately to catch up with the others and the conversation I was missing out on. I sat down on the trail and pulled off my boots. Awesome! Instant relief. Damn! Instant dismay, the backs of both socks were caked with blood. I gingerly peeled them off (both pairs) to inspect the damage – there was quite a lot. I had ripped off several layers of skin. Blisters had formed, popped, reformed and popped. Thankfully I had my beloved Asics with me and these got me through the rest of the hike. 

Solomon

I spent the next few weeks dressing my heels in Silbecore, Comfeel dressings and walking around in Ipanemas – which was slightly uncomfortable seeing as the weather chose to hover around 13°C just then. Three weeks later I could walk without limping and fit my feet back into socks and boots – which was slightly uncomfortable seeing as the weather chose to climb back up to   26 °C! The moral of the story – take Sharon’s advice, go to Drifters and choose your hiking boots with as much care as you choose your everyday footwear. However, just like Daphna my blister experience has only filled me with determination. Here are a few helpful hints: The way you tie your boots and the socks you wear can make an enormous difference to how you feel in your boots. Simon and Nathan will show you how to tie them properly and advise you as to which socks to buy. Break your boots in - do this by hiking with a pair of extra socks and your most comfortable takkies in your back-pack, just in case. Do not, as we had been advised by someone with more free-floating testosterone than actual hiking experience drive over them with your car.

My boots will walk with me up Kili. I think about them sitting in my cupboard. They crouch, waiting to pounce on unsuspecting tender areas of feet. I send a mental smirk their way. They will be tamed! I will bring them to heel and when I do, nothing will stop me as I climb. 

Here are some members of the “Dream Team”. If you can correctly match faces with their footwear, you win a free training session with us at 6:30 on a Sunday morning, as we pant and wheeze up Linksfield Ridge! Below, in alphabetical order - not in order of gorgeousness! (Andy, Daphna, Estelle, Galit, Nicci, Robyn, Sharon, Shira, Tali, Tahlia, Terri)

by Tali Frankel