Describe a pair of shoes that you like or that are important to you

The pair of shoes I like most is a pair of brown leather walking boots that I bought three years ago before a trip to the mountains. I paid quite a lot for them, about eighty dollars, which was a big decision for me at the time.

I went to a specialist outdoor shop in my city, where an assistant measured my feet and made me try on six or seven pairs. These were the ones that felt right straight away. They have a sturdy rubber sole with a deep pattern, so they grip well on wet rocks, and they come up above the ankle to protect it. The leather is waterproof, and the laces are strong. Of course, at the beginning, they were stiff and gave me a blister or two, but after a couple of weeks of wearing them, they became as comfortable as slippers.

I wear them mainly at weekends when I go hiking with friends, and in winter, I also wear them in the city, because they keep my feet warm and dry in snow. I have taken them on at least thirty hikes, including a three-day trek, and they have never let me down.

I like them for several reasons. First of all, they are comfortable, even over long distances. Second, they are well made, so after three years, they still look decent with a little polish. Third, they have a bit of a story. They have been to lakes, forests, mountain passes and even through a river once. Each scratch reminds me of a place. They are not the most elegant shoes, but they are my favourites by far.