We are still not very impressed with the weather so far this year. At this rate everyone will be growing webbed feet in Crickhowell.

With all the damp weather we have been having, it is a good time to give your kit a bit of TLC, especially if you are out for the Crickhowell Walking Festival, which runs until 15 March. There is nothing worse than discovering your waterproof jacket is not really waterproof any more, halfway through a downpour.

We have everything you need to wash and reproof your waterproofs, and to look after your boots too, so you can stay warm and dry whatever the weather throws at you.

During the Walking Festival we also have some special offers in store:
• 2 pairs of Sealskinz bamboo socks for £35
• A free care kit with every purchase of Lowa boots
• GoPresso coffee maker at half price

You’ve invested a fair amount in your new footwear — so it’s worth taking a little time to care for them properly.

After a walk, give them a clean. Mud, peat and the occasional unwelcome surprise can all damage materials over time if left to dry in. While it might be tempting to reach for regular soap or washing-up liquid, we wouldn’t recommend it. Household detergents can affect the technical features of your boots and reduce their performance.

Breathable waterproof footwear is most likely to get sweaty and wet inside when used in damp or wet conditions. If the outer leather absorbs water, the breathability of the footwear will be reduced. Therefore, the Durable Water Repellency (DWR) of your footwear must be maintained to ensure comfort. Through use, the outer surface of footwear will pick up contaminants, such as dirt, which attract water, masking the effect of any DWR coating.

A gentle clean using products designed specifically for outdoor footwear will help keep them performing at their best for years to come.

Julie Bell and her faithful companion Lottie, from Simply Strolling tested it out whilst she was in Snowdownia for a couple of days last year…

Review of MSR Trail Shot

I was lucky enough to be bought a voucher for Crickhowell Adventure for Christmas which I’d earmarked for an MSR Trail Shot.

This summer it has really come into its own when I’m wild camping. As I have a dog I have to carry extra kit anyway so any weight reduction is a boon. I am usually okay with drinking from high up streams but this summer has been so dry that even the rivers are more like trickles, water temps are rising and I just want the reassurance of knowing that I’m not going to get a dicky tum … or worse….. from being out and drinking from water sources. Add to that the fact you can see larvae etc in some of the smaller streams I don’t see the point in chancing it!

That’s where the MSR Trail Shot comes in. You can either drink straight from the water source through the mouth piece using the hand pump or “pump” the water into whatever you are carrying your water in. I hate the taste of chlorine tablets so this is a happy middle ground for me and as I’ve been caught short with water in the baking temperatures this summer this has been fantastic just to have in my pack. The pic is me coming down after camping in the Carneddau in July. Why did I take it under Tryfan then? Cose it looks cooler than just taking a pic in a place that could be anywhere, and we were about 1.5km away from the car still, in need of a drink and somewhere to cool off our feet, and paws.

Julie and Lottie