These Boots Are Made for Walking

Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world. ~Marilyn Monroe

 

Want to know what the most important clothing item of your Kilimanjaro adventure is? It’s not a jacket or hiking pants, nor is it what hat you wear. It’s your boots! 

As a shoe fanatic and a shopaholic to boot (pun intended!), this was one to the parts of my trip preparation that I got really excited for. I am not one to pass up an opportunity to buy new shoes, even if they are brown hiking boots instead of cute Lilly Pulitzer sandals, sexy Antonio Melani heels, or my new favorite sparkly pink glitter TOMS.

Choosing the right hiking boot is incredibly important to a successful Kilimanjaro climb. For this purchase, I would recommend going to an outdoors outfitter to seek the advice of a professional.

Several weeks before my trip, I visited REI where I worked with a staff member from the shoe department for over an hour to find the best boot for me. After all, if I was going to wear these things up Kili I needed to make sure they fit well and provided me with the support I needed.

After trying on multiple pairs in multiple sizes and testing them by walking around and climbing on a rock display in the store, I finally had my Cinderella moment. The pair that I choose were Vasque Breeze GTX 7465. What set this hiking boot apart from the rest of the pack? A couple of key characteristics were distinguishing.

This pair is made with Gore-tex fabric so that it’s water resistant. They’re durable boots but it doesn’t feel like I have cinderblocks on my feet when I wear them. Also, they have high ankle support which helps to decrease the pressure on your ankles and the likelihood of rolling them. I have weak ankles so this was particularly important to me. 

Other items I bought to go with my new footwear were support inserts and socks. I bought support inserts because I have especially flat feet and needed the extra support beneath my arches to avoid foot pain as best possible. 

When it comes to socks, there are two types necessary: socks and sock liners. I wore SmartWool hiking socks that are moisture-wicking to keep my feet dry and comfortable in various temperatures. Beneath the SmartWool socks I wouldn’t be caught without anti-microbial wool or silk sock liners. Liners like these ones from REI will prevent any type of fungus, infection, or smell from sustained hiking or outdoors experiences. 

One mistake you do not want to make is neglecting to wear your new boots prior to your hike. Definitely take several weeks to break your boots in so that when it comes time to hike Kilimanjaro you don’t run the risk of blisters. 

Finding the perfect pair of kicks takes some time, but having the right pair on your feet for Kilimanjaro is worth it. Good luck, Cinderella!

My Vasque Breeze GTX 7465 hiking boots-wish they came in pink!

SmartWool hiking socks

Anti-microbial sock liners

My favorite Glitter Pink TOMS: they're cute & for a cause!

Adorable Lilly Pulitzer McKim Wedges in Gold I want!

Cinderella is my favorite Disney princess

Let's Get Physical, Physical!

We’re working, we’re moving, we’re in the zone, we’re grooving! ~Monica from “Friends”

Happy Tuesday!

Now that you know me a little better, you know that I’m all about over-planning and having a back up plan for my back up plan. Well, I have a confession to make. If there is one area of my Kilimanjaro adventure that I felt under prepared for it was the physical aspect. 

As a younger woman of relatively good health with the exception of a bad ankle, I make it a point to eat healthy and get regular exercise. However, in the year leading up to my Kilimanjaro trek I went through a fair amount of health problems. Over roughly ten months time, I was ill with nine or so upper respiratory infections which through several doctors and multiple tests was determined to be the result of living in my apartment (a hundred year old renovated cotton mill).

Constantly having upper respiratory infections made it really difficult to be physically prepared for the trek up Mount Kilimanjaro. Nevertheless, I made an effort to start training as soon as I knew for certain I was going to climb, which was three and a half months before the hike. Starting to actively train for hiking Kilimanjaro as soon as you decide to go is key to your successful summit!

My training consisted of spending at least an hour on the treadmill four times per week. I would set the treadmill to its maximum incline capability and to a moderate walking speed to simulate walking up hill. Also 3 times a week I would weight train to strengthen my muscles. Using light weights, usually 7.5 or 10 pounds, I targeted my arm muscles and leg muscles. Squats and lunges with kick backs strengthened and toned my legs which helped with the hike and got me looking good for spring break I might add! 

One of the ways I wish I would have trained most is by taking a weekend hiking trip. By picking a mountain range at a higher elevation to hike for the weekend, you give your body the opportunity to adjust to exercising at a high altitude. You also give yourself a chance to see if you will experience altitude sickness (I will cover this in future posts!). 

Are you an exercise junkie? If so then this regime will probably seem a little relaxed to you. Feel free to add in more rigorous cardio activities like running or cycling or weight training with heavier weights. Would you rather be a million other places than hitting the gym? If so then start slow and don’t overdo it. Gradually build up your workout routine over time and before you know it you’ll be running just as fast or lifting just as much weight as those exercise junkies out there. Don't forget your cute clothes to make working out fun!

Love my Reebok Easytones!

Lilly Pulitzer now carries workout wear-I am dying for this outfit!

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