My New Year’s Resolutions usually include “hike more” with some sort of number attached to it. This year was no different.

I’m happy to say that the year is off to a good start as we had the chance to do a bit of hiking on a recent trip down to Cannon Beach. Despite the poor weather, it was great to be out in the fresh air and to have the chance to try out my new Lowa hiking boots.

The Lowa LO WS with breathable mesh are hiking boots that are lightweight yet still provide plenty of ankle support and grab that they are great for trails.

The hike we went on was during a misty day on the coast. The trails were somewhat slippery and the January weather was a bit on the cool side. None-the-less, these ended up being a great companion for the trail.

For me, the best thing about these particular Lowas is that they are lightweight. Traveling abroad as much as I do, having a pair of shoes that aren’t heavy is a feature that’s extremely important, whether I plan to pack them or wear them on the flight.

For warm weather I know I’ll appreciate the fact that the footbed includes “comfort perforations” to allow for breathability. Nothing’s worse than sweaty (or smelly!) feet after a day trekking around in the sunshine.

LOWA shoes are handcrafted in Europe and have been for more than 80 years. The midsole is made of polyurethane, which is a long-lasting material that means the lifespan of your LOWA boots will likely be far longer than a boot made with anything else.

LOWA boots for women are available from Amazon.

Wander On!

It’s probably totally unsexy to be writing about socks. Especially performance socks. Sexy or not, Bridgedale socks do rock.

Bridgedale specializes in performance socks for the outdoor market. Specifically for hiking, walking, mountaineering, skiing and running. They’ve set out to create the most comfortable socks on the market. And I have to admit they are pretty darn comfy.

What makes them so comfy, in my language, is that they are a bit thicker than other brands, providing a cushion that you don’t get with everyday-wear socks. In more technical terms, this is because of their WoolFusion® technology which combines natural and man-made fibers. They also use a terry loop inside the sock which prevents them from feeling flat.

In addition, the heels and toes are reinforced, ensuring that they will last longer than other socks. They even come with a 3-year guarantee! Who can beat that?

My favorite Bridgedale socks include the Comfort Trekker (pictured above) and the Endurance Trail Light. The Comfort Trekker’s a a midweight sock that are great with my hiking boots on cooler days. I don’t have to worry about my feet getting cold, even when my boots are getting wet and muddy. And the Endurance Trail Light are ideal for warmer days when I hit the trail.

Bridgedale has far more than just hiking socks, however. They also have a winter sport line (Women’s Snowboard pictured right) for you snow enthusiasts, a line of baseline layers to be worn under other Bridgedale socks and even a bamboo line featuring Coolmax, with special wicking properties.

Whether you’re headed out this winter or need some cushioning for your warmer weather sports, Bridgedale’s gotcha covered!

Available on Amazon from $7.97

Wander On!

The ARA Ohio boots combine style with comfort. And, because they are made of Gore-tex, they’re practical, too. Especially as we head full-on into winter. For all your New Year celebrating, you can make a fashion statement with the ARA Ohio boots.

These soft leather boots feature adjustable outer buckles and a zipper up the inside seam. They are pliable right out of the box, so there’s no need to break them in, and the sizes are true to fit.

Available on Amazon

About ARA
ARA is one of the largest shoe manufacturers in Europe and has been in business for more than 50 years. During that time, they’ve created beautifully styled footwear. But the ARA Ohios are unique in that they are made of Gore-tex, which means they are waterproof, and therefore a great choice of footwear this time of year.

Some knee-high boots are not attractive on shorter women – but these look good on tall and short alike. As with any knee-high boots, you’ll want to wear these either with a skirt or with tight pants or leggings – if they aren’t tight, you’ll have bunching at the top of the boot. And forget wearing pants over the boots unless they’re bell-bottoms! The buckles will prevent you from being able to pull anything other than loose fitting pants over the boots.

As for travel… plan on wearing these to your destination, as you won’t want to have to pack the ARAs. Perfect for: New York, Paris and London.

Available on Amazon

Wander On!