These boots were made for walkin'...

Last week I spent an exorbitant amount of money to purchase a pair of tramping boots at Kiwi Outdoor in Napier. I decided mid-range is good. I'm not a tramping fanatic, but I do my fair amount of traipsing around in the outdoors.

Te Puia Hot Springs is where I initiated my new tramping boots. The beginning of the hike is about an hour from town, and from there it is three and a half hours to the hot springs. Jeff and I set off on Saturday afternoon with the weather looking a little bit like it might rain. However, it held off for the duration of the hike.The trail starts off quite steep, but the majority of the way we were walking by the river. It was a lovely tramp, and it was even lovelier to soak in the hot springs at the end.

And my new tramping boots? They passed the test-no blisters, no twisted ankles, no cramped toes when going down hill. I think this will be the beginning of a long lasting, pain-free tramping relationship!