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Hi-Tec Winter boots – the verdict

These St Anton Hi-Tec Winter boots seemed ideal for our countryside exploits. You can read the reveal post here. They’re made from premium leather, have Thinsulate insulation to trap in the heat and a sockliner for long-term comfort.

The snow boots felt wonderful when I tried them on but what was the verdict after testing them?

They arrived the day before a short break to Bruges. I decided to try them from the off but packed another pair of boots just in case. We traveled by car to Folkestone then took Eurotunnel to Calais with a drive to Bruges the other end. Other than a stop-off for coffee, very little walking was involved. The boots felt great at that point, it was like wearing slippers.

Once we’d dumped the bags off and eaten, we set off to see what Bruges had to offer. We walked for hours exploring what is a beautiful city full of medieval buildings, cobbled streets and canals. The Hi-Tec boots didn’t come off once, they were wonderful to walk in and felt snug. The laces didn’t need adjusting at any point either.

PODcast - Charly boots

Little did I know I’d experience temperatures of -6 degrees while we were in Bruges! We were lucky we got to visit the Snow and Ice Sculpture Festival which this year is based on an interpretation of the new Disney film Frozen. We didn’t stay long as we didn’t want our toddler to get cold but great to test how warm the boots would keep my feet. They really did.

Back in the UK, there was quickly an opportunity to test the stability of the Hi-Tec boots in the wet. Again they were a pleasure to wear and I didn’t once lose my footing. I was disappointed they got muddy but as they’re waterproof they wiped clean.

These Hi-Tec St Anton 200 Winter Boots are fantastic, the verdict is I love them. They’re made of premium, soft but durable leather, they’re waterproof and the D-ring lacing is easy to secure. Thinsulate insulation keeps your feet warm (but not sweaty!) and the sockliner  provides underfoot cushioning.

The Hi-Tec St Anton 200 Winter boots are available in Chocolate/Taupe (pictured) and Black/Graphite priced £79.99. Delivery is free for UK orders over £30.

Disclaimer: We received a pair of Hi-Tec St Anton 200 waterproof boots for the purpose of this review. Opinions are our own. 

Handbags and gladrags

What a wonderful summer it’s been, jeans and boots seem a distant memory. Instead this staple attire has been replaced, for the most part, with beautifully cool maxi dresses. A superb choice if you’re lounging around perfecting the arm and triangle on the chest tan. Less so if you’re chasing a toddler whilst juggling all their clobber.

I hope over time seeing my dress sucked into an escalator is erased from my memory. I’m thankful to the stranger that rescued me from what could have been a memorable bra and pants moment. Not a good look at Marble Arch in rush hour. How we laughed about it afterwards.

With the time I have to shower, dress and apply make-up averaging around 13 minutes, maxi dresses have become my go to items this season. These can easily be dressed up with heels, jewellery and most importantly a decent handbag.

With the days of spending hours on the perfect outfit and hairstyle long gone, it’s about how quickly you can achieve the right look. With the minimum amount of effort. This whilst taking into account the bathroom is no longer a place of privacy and your toddler will empty your handbag as quickly as you fill it.

It can be remarkably tricky walking in heels whilst holding a two-year-old. I find having some kind of support nearby to be reassuring. As I discovered recently 4 inch heels and gravel really don’t mix. An across the body or shoulder bag is ideal in this situation so you have both arms free. I found a great selection of handbags here which are suitable for all scenarios.

It’s going to seem strange when we have to pack away our summer clothes and replace them with winter woollies. I like to think we can enjoy fun in the sun for just a little bit longer.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. All views expressed here are my own.