Choosing the boots for the job

A lot of research can go into selecting a new item of clothing and footwear or anything else for that matter. You look online, find what you like then spend another 30 minutes or so looking at other websites to see if you can find it cheaper anywhere else. Then you maybe go to the store and try them on there before deciding to buy online and by the time all that is done they don't have your size/colour anyway... and so it goes on.

So when it comes to choosing the correct type of hiking boots for our 24hr Three Peaks challenge it could have become a long and arduous process for each of us. Deliberation was done on whether looks or comfort was more important, but in the end all our problems were solved thanks to Hi-Tec who have very kindly kitted our hiking party out with their top two selling hiking boots, the V-Lite Altitude Ultra Luxe WPi, the V-Lite Rapidtrail Ultra WPi for the men and for the lady in our team the V-Lit Altitude Ultra Luxe WPi, we are all very grateful to Hi-Tec for this.

The V-Lite Altitude Ultra Luxe WPi's won the Which Best Buy for walking boots (May 2010), so we are in the best of company when taking on this challenge. All that remains is to get out there to test and review them... but is a shame to get them dirty, or is it?

All the hiking boots that we are reviewing and testing have ion-mask technology added to them, which makes them extremely hydrophobic and dirt repellent. So it is time to put them to the test. All that is left to sort out is the remainder of our kit! (Greig - Rambler)

And so it begins...

Our first posting, very exciting! Now what to write about.... hmmmm

Ah yes, why we have set this up? Well that one we can answer. It all began back in November last year when James and Greig took on the Hell Runner challenge which is definately worth doing if you get the chance. But it got us thinking, why don't we try to run the three peaks in the 24hr period? That has not been done before, right? And we could set the record for quickest time. Glory would be ours. There are races up and down Ben Nevis and I am sure the same for Snowdon and Scafell Pike but not the whole hog it would seem.

So the initial challenge was set, 3 peaks running challenge within 24hrs, breaking records as we go. Initials plans were drawn up, gear was investigated and training schedules planned - the date, sometime August 2010.

But alas, the best laid plans have their problems and this one was no exception, time was too short, finding a suitable date. You get the story.

So plans were altered and adapted and we are now taking on the standard, run of the mill walking version of the Three Peaks Challenge. In doing so, our team has grown to five, and they are:

Hugh Evans - 20+ something, average hiker who enjoys basketball in his spare time and has the unfortunate call sign off "touch me" when looking for the ball

Rachel Crane - Traveller extraordinaire, recently back from a 4 month hike around South America, Rachel enjoys walking and tennis and has a lethal forehand, which I am sure will come in handy when we are climbing.

James Gottfried - What this man has not done is not worth doing. Enjoying the finer things in life you can be sure that there will be designer apparel present during our challenge. James also enjoys sandals.
Greig Barclay - Overly hairy Scotsman that enjoys a variety of activities. Known for saying "you know" after every sentence and keen viewer of Midsomer Murders.

Iain Matthews - The driver on our quest for glory, Iain enjoys cricket and has been known to dabble in softball, two key attributes when taking on the Three Peaks. He is also a size 10 shoe.

Our date is set for the 1st-3rd October 2010 and from this point on the real training begins....