Tag - hiking booties

** I was gifted a pair of XCS Urban Gear Waterproof Mountain Booties by Rockport Shoes in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own. **

* Monument Valley *

* Climbing a steep rock in Monument Valley *

* Climbing a steep rock in Monument Valley *

* Monument Valley *

* Going through a small opening to get to some Navajo cliff dwellings *

* Going through a small opening to get to some Navajo cliff dwellings *

* Monument Valley *

* At 9,997 feet in Utah *

* At 9,997 feet in Utah *

* At 9,997 feet in Utah *

* Standing on a Route 66 Relic from 1933 *

* Route 66 *

* The famed Painted Desert Trading Post Ruins / Route 66 *

I used the term “nature” loosely in the title because as you can see in the photos, I didn’t exactly go to just one spot while wearing these hiking booties. This past March, the boy and I went on a pretty epic road trip to Los Angeles, with stops to a couple of America’s best national parks- Monument Valley, and Bryce Canyon. Then earlier this month, I went hiking through the desert and on earlier alignments of Route 66 in Petrified National Park. All of these adventures had one thing in common: XCS Urban Gear Waterproof Mountain Booties by Rockport Shoes. There were times when we had to climb some steep and slippery terrain on one tour in Monument Valley, and I was SO LUCKY I was wearing these shoes. They provided insane traction control and gave me confidence that I wouldn’t slide. Plus, my feet and ankles felt stable and secure, yet still allowing me the ability to move when needed. When we were driving from Bryce Canyon to the I-15, the road we took, took us to 9,997 feet in elevation and SNOW. The road had been plowed and was passible, however there was plenty of snow that dotted the landscape. We managed to pull over and play in the snow a bit. Since the booties are waterproof, they kept my feet dry and warm.

During my little jaunt through the desert during the Route 66 Relics Tour earlier this month, the temperature was in the 90s, so it was pretty toasty. Last year’s tour, I stupidly had on inappropriate footwear and my feet paid for it. But this year, however, my feet were thanking me. Thanks to the ADIPRENE® by Adidas sport technology for helping to provide shock-absorbing heel cushioning. My feet also weren’t drenched in sweat, with help from the breathable fabrics. Again, with the great traction, I was able to climb a somewhat tall mesa to get better photos, with little issues or slippage.

The only con that I would have to say is that every time I wear these shoes, I have to wear a crew sock. Whenever I wore ankle socks, the interior of the shoes would rub against my ankles, giving me minor blisters by the end of the day. So, definitely wear crew socks! But other than that, they are great! I can wear them for a casual stroll around town or for a nice lil trek in the desert.

And lastly…

During the March trip, the boy had the ultimate surprise waiting for me at the Teardrop Arch in Monument Valley. Hey Rockport Shoes, thank you for being apart of my “engagement outfit” memories!