Your hiking boots are the most essential piece of equipment that any hiker will own. A good pair of boots makes walking so much more enjoyable as you can approach the terrain with confidence and get the most out of your experience on the trails. Good boots, however, can be expensive and when you find a pair that you like, you will want to do everything that you can to keep them looking and functioning their best. 

To help your hiking boots stand the test of time, you need to take care of them properly. With the right care, you can ensure that your boots will last longer, allowing you to spend more days on the trails in comfort. Form good habits and be sure to take care of your boots after every hike. If you take good care of your hiking boots, you can be sure that they will take care of you. 

Let’s take a look at a few useful tips to help you to extend the life of your hiking boots. 

Always Clean After Use
The very first step to maintaining your hiking boots is cleaning them after every use. Be sure to remove any residual mud, dirt, sand or snow from the sole and from in between the lugs. Allowing mud, dirt and other debris to set into your boots will damage your boots over time resulting in the materials breaking down and water getting in. 

Take Out The Insole
Removing the insole from your hiking boots when you get back to base will help your boots to dry faster and allow your boots to breathe. You can add an odour eliminating spray also to keep your boots fresh. Taking the insole out will also allow the insole to decompress after hours of walking so that it can recover and be ready for your next hike. 

Waterproof Your Boots
Water can penetrate boot materials over time, wearing the materials down in the process. Waterproofing your boots will help to prevent damage to your boots from water and help you to prologue their life. There is a range of treatments that you can choose from. When you are making your choice, be sure to choose a waterproofing treatment that is suitable for the material of your boots. For example, you will need a different product for Gore-Tex finishes than you will for a wax-based leather boot. 

Pay Attention To Your Soles
It goes without saying that the soles of your boots will take the most damage over time. Depending on your gait, your boots sales could wear down quickly and long before there is anything wrong with the rest of the boot. In this situation, consider getting your boots re-soled. This will give your boots a new lease of life and is much more cost-effective than forking out for a brand new pair. 

Use Your Boots Wisely
If you invest in a good pair of hiking boots and want them to last longer, then be sure to wear them exclusively for hiking. If you put more kilometres on your boots wearing them for day-to-day, they will already be partly worn out when you get to the trails. Of Breaking your boots in is fine but don’t too comfortable wearing them day-to-day, as you will go through them much faster if you don’t reserve them for the trails. 

Take Care Of Your Boots And Make Them Last Longer
As with anything that you own, the better care that you take of things, the longer they tend to last. When it comes to extending the life of your boots, be sure to keep them clean, waterproof them, allow the insole to recover and re-sole as required. Completing these simple maintenance tasks while reserving your hiking buts exclusively for the purpose that you bought them will ensure that they will last you for a long time to come.

*Sponsored Post

There are so many different styles of travel available from camping through fancy hotels, and as a frequent traveller I enjoy trying as much of that range as I can.
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On a recent trip to Tasmania I discovered a gem in the Rathmore Farm Stay  - a style of getaway that I have never really trialled before - but one that I am thankful I uncovered.  

The closest to this I had ever done before was a stay at the Dixie Dude Ranch in Texas, a rustic farm stay with cowboys, but I had never considered this type of stay in Australia before - and wow have I been missing out!

Here are my top reasons to consider a stay at Rathmore in Tasmania.
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1. Just one hour from Hobart

At just over an hour from Hobart, Rathmore is accessible as a weekend away for locals - or as a side trip for mainland tourists even if only flying into Hobart for a weekend getaway.

2. Suitable for families, couples or groups

There are a range of accommodation options at Rathmore to suit all groups of travellers.  The main homestead is a B&B with four bedrooms available (including two adjoining rooms great for families), the Shearers Quarters has five rooms available (perfect for a group) and Rathmore Cottage can accommodate up to six making it great for a family.  The three accommodation options are spread out across the 92 acre sheep property in the central Tasmanian highlands and with all that space there is even room to park a caravan or pitch a tent!

We visited as a couple on a one night getaway, but I would love to return with the kids and could imagine hiring out the whole venue for a milestone birthday weekend with friends and family or even as a venue for a corporate retreat.

3. Hand feed a bullock

It is not every day you can get up close and personal with an almost six foot tall bullock and hand feed him a piece of bread!  However Hercules is a gentle hand reared bullock that will approach the SUV to stick his head in, slobber all over you and accept a piece of bread! 

As well as Hercules the farm has some friendly hand reared sheep that will come in close for a pat, a number of horses that can be fed a carrot or two, six wild platypus that can be spotted in the Dew Rivulet and a trout or two ready to be caught if you bring your line and head out on the row boat.

4. Attention to detail

The attention to detail that Cally has poured into the renovations at Rathmore are not unnoticed when you stay.  And the personalised touches at every turn highlight how meticulous she is as a hostess with the mostest! 

Marshmallows left as a welcome gift for guests to roast on the campfire, a fully equipped mess in the shearers quarters for self catering as extensive as including a rice cooker and slow cooker, fresh herbs picked and placed in a vase in your accommodation, the sprinkles of flowers on the plates of food prepared ensuring plenty of colour as Cally quoted “We all eat with our eyes”. 

Rathmore may not be a 5 star hotel, but the rustic authentic accommodation includes personal touches for guest comfort that would rival any 5 star city hotel.
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5. Sparkling Sparkles

One thing I am known for is being partial to a glass of sparkling wine or two….. when presented with an opportunity to enjoy canapés with sparkling Tasmanian wine overlooking the property at sundown it ticked all my boxes.  

Hosted by owner Cally, we sipped sparkling wine while she shared with us the history of the property and a few intriguing tales that I am sure have evolved over the years through the local gossip trail. 

Canapés were followed by a candle lit dinner for two in the main homestead capped off with a bottle of wine by the outdoor campfire to enjoy the sparkles in the sky.  The skies in this part of the world are spectacular and we had a clear night for viewing.

Penny
Itchy Feet Family

*Itchy Feet Family stayed as a guest of Rathmore. For more details about Rathmore visit their website www.rathmore.com.au
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