If Mount Kilimanjaro is on your list of “things to do in 2013”, then you are going to need a whole list of equipment, clothing, and most importantly of all, a good pair of hiking boots.

Though many climbers spend their first few days in trainers, I had my comfy hiking boots on from day one, and while it took me several months to find the right pair, I am so glad I finally choose the Ferrata Combi Lady GXT by German footwear specialists Hanwag.

Stylish, comfortable, lightweight, and in stunning shades of orange and grey, these fantastic hiking boots ticked all the boxes on my rather long list, and as they are lined with Gore-Tex, you can puddle jump to your heart’s content without getting wet!

We purchased our hiking boots two months before our Kilimanjaro climb so that we would have plenty of time to ‘break them in’ and avoid nasty blister situations at 5,000metres, but to be honest, these boots were as comfortable as slippers from day one.

The special padded lining feels luxurious, even when you are pulling them on after 5-days hiking on Kili, and as they are designed to protect your feet in temperatures as low as -15, you never have to worry about frostbite and chilblains during your ascent.

The boots feature a reinforced heal that will hold a semi-automatic crampon with ease, and while you will not need these on Kilimanjaro, if you climb goes well and your next stop is Aconcagua or Everest – these great hiking boots will be up for the job.

Ghilly-lacing and a flexible instep allows for a tight fit, which is perfect for protecting your ankles without restricting foot movement, and as the descent route on Kilimanjaro is steep and tough on the legs (more so than the ascent), they provide much-needed ankle support.

Finally, these boots clean up really well.  Ours were absolutely covered in dust and dirt after a week on Kilimanjaro, but after a quick brush and wash at home, they look like new!