Dirtbagging 101: Breaking In Your Hiking Boots

Photo by Dirtbag Darling.

Nothing beats the smell of fresh-from-the-store hiking boots, but wearing them to hike in Yosemite straight out of the box? Diaster. You're pretty much asking for blisters, bleeding and a crappy time. Save your feet and your memories by taking a few days or weeks to break in your boots first. Here's how:

1. Make sure they fit right at the store.
Your boots will stretch a bit over time, but not enough to make you size 7.5 boots fit your size 8 feet. Ask a salesperson to help and take your time making sure the boots fit right before you check out.
*Tip: Bring thick wool socks to the store so you can test the boots for cold-weather hikes, too.

2. Wear your outdoors shoes inside.
Lace your boots up tightly when you hop out of bed and wear them while you cook breakfast and get ready for work. They'll feel a little stiff, but take notice of any severe pinching or rubbing—you may need to dig out your receipt and make a return.

3. Go for a short outdoor walk.
Once your boots feel like they fit well, run some errands or take the dog for a walk while wearing them. Wear them for short periods of time often, until they start to form to your feet and the ankle support softens a bit. Heavy-duty leather boots will take longer to break in than their lighter cousins.

4. Don't ignore hot spots.
A little irritation at home can quickly turn into a deal breaker on the trail, especially once you add the weight of a pack. If you notice significant rubbing or pinching, you'll want to exchange your boots, though some problem areas can be fixed at a shoe-repair shop.

5. Be prepared for blisters anyway.
Educate yourself on basic first aid even if you shoes fit well. If you're a serious hiker or backpacker, you'll be in the same boots day after day over long distances. Invest in high-quality shoes, but be ready for injuries. Try preventing blisters with a great product called Blister Shield, which I reviewed over at GrindTv.

Play Outside Challenge Day 12: #BeKindToMotherEarth

Today's Instagram #PlayOutside challenge is pretty amazing—we've teamed up with Lauren and Molly of Kind Campaign to send our winner a beautiful T-shirt from their new collaboration with Element Eden. If you aren't familiar with Kind Campaign, go check it out. It's a documentary, school program and world-wide movement to end girl-on-girl bullying, and was launched by Lauren and Molly back when they were in college.

The message is simple: think before you speak, and strive to be kind. That goes for Mother Earth, too. Pack up your trash, stay on the trails, take care of our planet—it's the only one we've got!

To enter to win, just upload a photo of what being kind to Mother Earth means to you, tagging @dirtbagdarling @kindcampaign and using the hashtag #playoutside. Our favorite image wins this T-shirt! Good luck.

Get Gear: Roxy and Designer Diane Von Furstenberg Launch New Swimwear Collection

Photo courtesy of Roxy.

If you need proof surf has officially infiltrated fashion, look no further than Roxy's new collaboration with world-renowned fashion designer Diane Von Furstenberg. The surf brand (which has been have quite a prolific year with the launch of its first outdoor fitness line earlier this winter) teamed up with the designer for their spring and summer swimwear collection. Borrowing the same bright and graphic influences used in her own collections, Von Furstenberg designed the Roxy line to include bathing suits, cover-ups, boardshorts, rashguards, beach bags, and even a few custom surfboards.

DVF, photo courtesy of Roxy.

"The one thing my mother taught me was fear is not an option," said Von Furstenberg in an interview for Roxy.com. "You should follow your heart like you ride a wave."

Designed for "women who want to be the woman they want to be," pieces like the printed green '70s halter bikini top and lowrider side-tie bikini bottoms offer distinct style without compromising the snug fit Roxy usually delivers its surf-devoted fan base. After all, Von Furstenberg knows that "the surfer girl wants to surf!"

Shop the collection now at roxy.com!

Base Camp: Conservationist Ocean Ramsey Swims with Great White Sharks

I'm not a naturally fearless person. It's pretty simple: Some of us are born adrenaline junkies and some of us aren't. That doesn't mean I don't like a thrill—I've jumped off cliffs, shimmied into dark caves and snorkeled above some pretty big sharks. But let's make one thing very clear: if those sharks had started swimming my way, I'd have been out of the water faster than you could say "Holy murder fish."

Not so for Ocean Ramsey, the star of a new GoPro video that went viral around Valentine's Day. In the short clip titled "A Blonde and a Great White Shark," the freediver and stunningly beautiful model slips  into peaceful blue water in a shark cage as a calming tune lures you in. She then proceeds to swim out of the cage, approach a Great White shark and enjoy a ride latched onto the shark's dorsal fin. Let me repeat that: swims out of cage, grabs shark fin, goes for ride. (Watch the video after the jump)

Terrible Boyfriend Pushes Girl Off Cliff

One of the first dates I went on with my significant other was to Malibu State Creek Park, and it was there I decided he would be a great boyfriend and, maybe more importantly, a trustworthy partner for my outdoor pursuits. Picture this: I'm on top of a rocky cliff looking down over a murky pool of sunbathers all beckoning for me to jump. Nerves are on edge, heart is pumping, pressure is coming at me from all angles and the last thing I want to do is leap off that cliff. But then I hear my new boyfriend assuring me that if I don't feel comfortable doing it I won't have to—trust my gut. Long story short, I jumped (and did it again about five more times after that), but only because I knew I had support from someone willing to let me back out. It was my choice to move forward or back out.

That's why when I came across this video about rock climbers setting up a 300-foot fall canyon rope swing, something didn't sit right. Fast forward to about 12 minutes in and one unlucky woman ends up at the bottom of a pendulum 300 feet below the camera all because her boyfriend wanted her there. Not cool.

This woman had decided the rope swing wasn't for her—and her boyfriend should have respected that. Instead, he made the situation worse by pressuring her and eventually pushing her off the cliff. He broke a very important line of trust between two people in a relationship. She actually begged him: "Please don't push me off. Please don't," but he launched her anyway. Let it be a lesson to you: Just because you're ready to try something outdoors doesn't mean everyone else it. Encourage others to try something that scares them, but if they say flat out they don't want to, don't force them. Don't break your line of trust.

"She'll thank me later," says the guy in the video. I think she will—when she's with a new boyfriend she can actually trust.

What do you think? Am I overreacting? 

UPDATE: Looks like the girl in the video has been going around defending this guy after all the bad press he got. I still have to go with my original thoughts here—she flat out asked him not to push her, and that's the bottom line! 

Get Pretty: The Best Self-Tanners to Get You A Glow

Photo via Minimale Animale

I have one very important rule before I'll put on a bikini: I must be tan. But I refuse to let my skin get all wrinkly and crinkly and risk skin cancer. Dilemma.

So, yes, I've stained many a palm trying to get glowy with self tanners, and I've been every shade of tan there is from subtle to carrot. Here, my absolute favorites:

1. Kate Somerville Somerville360 Face Self Tanning Pads
These are like the Holy Grail of face tanners—small applicators with built-in exfoliators that actually give your face a real-looking glow without giving you that weird orange tint around your eyebrows and hairline. Plus, because your hands never touch the formula, no need to even wash up after you apply. So perfect, no complaints here except the price (but listen, it's well worth it).

$45, katesomerville.com

2. True Natural Tropical Tan Self Tanner, Dark Tan
I hate putting chemicals on my skin, but with this self-tanner I have no fears. It's an all-natural formula made with Green Tea extract, organic aloe vera and cupuacu butter and it delivers really great color. It's not quite as dark as I was hoping for, but being as it's the dead of winter here, it's probably doing the best it can against my paleness. For the price, it's a beautiful find.

$22.99, truenatural.com

3. Beautisol Need I Glow More? Face Self-Tanning Lotion
If you already have a base tan going and want that dramatic "just got back from Bali" color, this is your end all be all. The formula gives you an instant hint of color that develops into a sunbaked bronze in a few hours—no streaks in sight. Too good. Just don't panic when it goes on because it's a dark one—it'll blend in seamlessly overnight.

$23, beautisol.com

4. Sun Laboratories Tan Overnight Self Tan Lotion
No matter how many self tanners I try, I always go back to this one. It gives you dark color, doesn't smell offensive like most other versions, and lasts forever since you only need a little bit each time you apply. It's affordable, but be careful when you apply—your hands could stain unless you wash immediately after (I actually use Orange Goo from my dad's workshop) or buy the application mitt.

$29.95, sunlabsonline.com

There you have it, the best of the best in my humble (slightly tanner) opinion.

Girl Gone Wild: India's First Female Surfer Ishita Malaviya

This post originally appeared on GrindTV.com.

When Ishita Malaviya, 24, first paddled away from shore on a surfboard, she had no idea she was the first female Indian surfer in history. In fact, she's still one of the only women in her country to venture near the water—India sees over 75,000 drowning deaths every year, a heavy deterrent even for those willing to try the sport. Now, she's hoping her role in "Beyond the Surface"—a new documentary directed by Dave and Crystal Thornburg-Homcy and starring fellow surfers and environmentalists Liz Clark, Lauren Hill, Emi Koch and Kate Baldwin—will encourage more Indians to get into the water and bring a new wave of ecotourism and hope to her country.

When did you first realize you could possibly be the first female surfer in India?
I started surfing in 2007 with the Surfing Swamis and they were the ones who initially told me I was the first Indian girl to start surfing on home shores, but I just couldn't believe it at the time. It felt too unreal. Two years later on a surf trip I would find out it was true. We had decided to travel along the entire South Indian coastline to meet other Indian surfers. I asked them if they knew of any other girls who had started surfing and they said," No Ishita. You really are the first one!"

The Look: Climbing Rope Bracelet Arm Party

Photo by Erin Yamagata

This is a guest post by Darling Ambassador Lizbeth Hernandez.

Being fashionable isn't something some have and others lack—it's about finding what works for you. I'm in awe of how some women can always rock the latest trends and styles, but then I realize it's all about being confident, stepping out of your comfort zone and not caring what others think. You don't need to own expensive jackets or heels to look good...work with what you have already!

One of my favorite on-going trends involves stacks of bracelets and cuffs, and has been dumbed the "Arm Party." But if silver and gold aren't really your thing (who has time for them when you're hopping between shoreline and summit?), opt for an assortment of unique bands that are more personal. In fact, the Arm Party trend is a perfect one for Dirtbag Darlings, since we're always finding handmade friendship bracelets on our travels or making knots in our climbing rope. Take a piece of your outdoor life with you when you head into the city for a night out with these climbing-inspired bracelets. Get creative and keep on stacking.

Our way: Handcrafted Anchor rope bracelet: Dowling Brothers, $11.95, esty.com; Maine rope bracelet: Splendid Maine, $25, etsy.com. 

Fashion Editor Lizbeth tries out the arm party trend with some outdoor-inspired additions. Photo by Erin Yamagata. 

Have a fashion-related question for Liz? Tweet us @dirtbagdarling!

Introducing Our Surf And Swim Ambassador: Rhea Cortado

Dirtbag Darling's newest Ambassador Rhea Cortado. She knows how to live out of a van, so she got the job.

The newest Dirtbag Darling Ambassador to join our ever-growing team is Rhea Cortado of the Surftorialist, DD's newly appointed surf and swim expert. You can read all about her HERE.

When I say Rhea is dialed into everything surf and swim, I mean she is DIALED IN. Whenever there's a new swim designer on the scene or a snippet of women's surf news floating around, Rhea is sure to have heard of it first. She knows how to live out of a van or a suitcase, makes salty hair look dinner appropriate and if there's a beautiful break out there, she's probably surfed it. Best of all, she's the kind of girl you want as a friend. Welcome to the team Rhea!

Get Gear: Roxy Outdoor Fitness

All photos by Dirtbag Darling

If you associate Roxy with surf and sand, you're not wrong—but don't count the brand out for your next on-land adventure. The beloved surf gear and apparel brand recently launched Roxy Outdoor Fitness, their first outdoor apparel collection...and it's awesome. Offering everything from water shoes to sports bras to windbreakers, there's something for almost any type of excursion you have planned (and it's all cute...obviously).

As a style-minded lady who loves a good romp through the woods, I can attest firsthand to how difficult it is to find that elusive blend of cute and functional, but Roxy seems to have cracked the code. The designers obviously did their research in the field, offering items like the Atmosphere jacket—a super light-weight, water-repelling shell that packs down into its own little package to—and the Momentum bag, a neoprene backpack ideal for short day hikes and beach trips.

Get Gear: Consurfvation Tees

Photo by Dirtbag Darling

Whenever I'm near the ocean, I pretty much live in soft T-shirts, bikinis and baseball caps. I've amassed quite the collection of surf-inspired tees, but my latest obsession is Consurfvation. First of all, the story behind this line of do-good tees is so inspiring: Founder Robert Lipton was injured during a diving accident in 1992 and became a C-7 quadriplegic, but he didn't let that stop him! Instead he learned graphic design, which eventually let to the creation of Consurfvation. Remembering his love for the ocean, Liption donates a portion of all sales to a list of ocean-minded beneficiaries including Project Save Our Surf, Waves 4 Water, LA Waterkeeper, 5 Gyres and Gulf of Mexico Foundation.

These tees are incredibly soft, really cute and roll up small for tight suitcases and beach bags. Get one for yourself before your next beach trip!

Get Pretty: Lindsay Perry's Beauty Secrets

I'm always amazed at a surfer's ability to keep her skin and hair in pristine condition. I spend a weekend at the beach and I look like someone dropped me off in the Sahara for a week. So when I had a chance to chat with Billabong surfer and musician Lindsay Perry a few weeks ago, I grilled her for some of her trusted beauty tips. Here's what she told me:

1. Always drink lots of water.

2. Wear sunscreen: "I'd like to pretend I wear sunscreen a lot, but sometimes I'm bad about it because it clogs my pores. But this great up-and-coming Florida company called Raw sent me some completely raw and organic sunscreen and I've really come to like it."

3. Invest in quality skincare products: "I have a travel face kit from a company called Korres. The leave-on mask is such a lifesaver for me on photo shoot trips. It comes with six different lotions, serums and a face mask. I don't think it's very costly either."

4. Try a hair serum: "For hair, I'm not always the best at taking care of it. I use this aloe-vera hair serum and it works wonders. I try to use good shampoos and conditioners, but they can get super expensive."

5. Prevent tangles: "Braiding my hair before bed helps a lot—otherwise it can become pretty messy."

Well, there you have it. One part product and two parts amazing genes. Thanks for you tips Lindsay!

California Tour: Day 9 San Diego

All photos by Dirtbag Darling

Sunday was decidedly a fun day. We skipped the whirlwind tour in favor of some well-known surf and a tourist attraction. In the morning, we hopped over to Sunset Cliffs on the trail of a hopeful forecast of some 5-7 foot waves. It was a little powerful for me, so I sat on the cliffs, soaked up the sun and played cameraman while Brandon surfed. 

What I love about the San Diego coastline is the clash of people. You've got your shirtless old-man surfers in Uggs, your jogging yuppies, your dedicated dog walkers and your salty dogs. I love chatting with people on the cliffs, it's seriously such good therapy.

California Tour: Day 8 Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

All photos of Dirtbag Darling by The Corporate Dirtbagger

Our vacation-slash-work trip hadn't been quite as magical as we'd planned thanks to a break in and some bad luck, so we decided to mentally make a change and just have fun. After managing to make a flight from San Francisco to Los Angeles (turns out if you don't have photo ID, TSA just requires some sort of alternate identification—for me, a prescription—and an extra pat down), we took a day off and went to Disneyland. It was a nice refresher to just escape reality for a minute and, please, who doesn't have fun at Disneyland?

This weekend we drove down to stay with friends in San Diego and took a day trip out to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The park is the largest state park in California and the second largest in the country. I'm guessing that's because there's literally nothing out there. It's bone-dry sand, a few cacti and a scattering of lizards and beetles. And it's hot—even in February. Here's a tip: When packing for a vacation, make sure you pack some light-colored hiking clothes. Oops.

Sliding through canyons with my new Roxy Outdoor Fitness bag. I love that thing!

DIY: Shell Mobile by The Surftorialist

Photos by Rhea Cortado 

This is a guest post from Rhea Cortado of The Surftorialist. Read more about her here!

Materials:
-Shells
-Driftwood
-Other flotsam and jetsam you want to put in there (I used rope scraps that I found on the beaches south of Hossegor, France and a souvenir glass buoy we found in the fishing village Bermeo in Spain.)
-Thin craft string to use for hanging the shells
-Thick rope to hang the entire mobile from the wall
-Hook in the ceiling of the wall
-Electric drill with a 1/8-inch diamond tip
-Glue gun