The Unexpected Camping Essential I’ll Never Overlook Again

When I first started camping with my kids, I thought the biggest challenges would be setting up the campsite, figuring out how to cook over a fire, or maybe just surviving the night without panicking over every little sound in the dark.

I didn’t expect one of the biggest lessons to be about footwear.

Why Footwear Caught Me Off Guard

Here’s the thing:
I’m not really a footwear person.

Living in Brisbane, I spend most of the year in thongs, sandals, or light shoes.
I especially don’t love wearing socks. #sensoryissues

So when we headed out on our first little camping trip to Misty Mountain in Kyogle, I confidently set off in my Havaianas, figuring they’d be perfectly fine for a casual, warm-weather overnight trip.

What I didn’t account for was the weather.

On the way there, it rained. And it kept raining on and off.
By the time we arrived, the ground was soft and muddy, and pretty soon, I was struggling.
My thongs kept getting stuck in the mud, my feet were cold and dirty, and the whole experience became way more uncomfortable than it needed to be. I was seriously grossed out and just quietly borderline on tears.

Enter: My Merry People Gumboots

Later that afternoon, after I washed off my feet and cleaned up, I pulled on some socks and my Merry People gumboots - and immediately felt like a new woman.

These boots have already earned their place in my life.

I initially got them when I was doing a dog training course with our overly anxious Covid Puppy, Frida (a Labradoodle who obviously got more of the “oodle”genes) and there was an old Lady there who looked fab in her boots.

Meet Frida - my anxious Labradoodle.

Side note: Frida was initially part of a breeding program. I needed to get her ready to spend time away from us while she had puppies, and didn’t want the breeder to know she was such a neurotic mess (or that we’d done such a terrible job socialising her).

Plot twist:  The breeder was at the course.  Busted.

Subsequently, Frida was removed from the program 😂.

Back to the boots. These little minx’s are a mini gumboot and you can get away with wearing them under a dress / jeans / whatever.  I wore them for a winter trip to Sweden, where I walked 10,000 to 20,000 steps a day through cold city streets and countryside, and they were super comfortable, warm, and durable.
They’re kind of a cross between a gumboot and a work boot, with great quality and a cute look (mine are a cherry red color).

On this camping trip, they became my new non-negotiable.
From the moment I leave home to the moment I return, I’ll be wearing proper, protective, supportive shoes.

Planning Footwear for the Kids

The kids don’t have gumboots yet, but after this first trip, I know we’ll need to invest in something sturdy for them too.
My son has already asked for hiking or work boots for his birthday, and my daughter definitely needs proper boots for future trips.

And as for socks - well, that’s a journey all on its own.
As someone who doesn’t love wearing socks, I know I’ll need to experiment to find pairs that won’t drive me crazy or make my feet overheat. But I’m determined to figure it out, because the right socks and shoes can completely change the comfort level of a camping trip.

Final Takeaway

If you’re new to camping like me, here’s my top tip:
Don’t overlook your footwear.

It might seem like a small detail, but good shoes (and socks) can be the difference between a muddy, miserable mess and a dry, confident, happy experience.

I’m grateful for the lesson, even if I learned it the hard way, and I’ll be sure to keep my gumboots close on every future adventure.