I recently talked about the best clothing material for trekking and hiking. We surveyed the members of our trekking club and our trek leaders and almost all of them voted for dri-fit as their prime choice. 

During that survey, we also heard people discussing and sharing information on merino wool. While talking to the trek leaders further, I discovered that awareness about merino wool in the outdoor world is slowly growing. 

This led me to research more about merino wool.

This post continues the article I linked above. Below, I will analyse this material in detail. By the end of this article, I will zero in on whether merino wool is worth buying.

What is merino wool? Where is it derived from? 

Merino wool is a material derived from the fleece of Merino sheep, which is known for its softness and fineness. It is a breed that is believed to have its origin in Spain, but is now spread across the world, to New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, USA and elsewhere. 

The wool from the sheep is further processed and spun into a fabric, which is what we call merino wool. 

Over the past few years, merino wool has gained popularity in the sporting and travel world because of its adaptability to all kinds of weather and its quick-dry feature. The biggest plus point of them all is that it doesn’t smell even after a long, sweaty trek. 

Benefits of trekking in merino wool

What makes it a special choice among trekkers?

In a gist, our most seasoned trek leaders say, “We like merino wool for its ability to regulate temperature. It works across seasons, keeping you warm in the cold winters and keeping you cool in the hottest summers.”  

But there are several other benefits to merino wool. Read through them:

Odour Resistance: This is one of the highlight points of using merino wool on treks. It resists odour exceptionally well, and even after wearing it for 10 to 12 days straight during a trek, you won’t find your merino wool sweater having unpleasant smells (which is the opposite of dri-fit clothing.)

Lightweight and Wrinkle-Free: A Merino wool sweater alone will keep you lightweight on treks. It is warm and replaces layers on winter treks. An additional benefit, it is completely wrinkle-free so you look fresh. 

Breathability and Temperature Control: Merino wool is extremely breathable. It comes with temperature control. Our in-house trainer, Diptarka Gupta, has used it at -10°C as well as 35°C. It has felt comfortable in both extremes. 

Moisture and Heat Retention: Merino wool retains warmth even when damp. It can hold up to 20-30% of its weight until it feels uncomfortable. So despite profusely sweating or exposure to wet conditions, it does not get uncomfortable. 

Sustainability: Pure merino wool is 100% biodegradable. (However, there’s a catch here. Most products in the market are a blend of merino + other materials. So this benefit is divided).

While I was observing my primary research, I asked experts about the challenges too.

What are the cons of merino wool? 

Indeed, merino wool is a material with a lot of benefits. But I would also want you to consider the challenges and make an informed choice.

The major concern our experts share is the delicacy of merino wool. It tends to wear out faster in the areas which are exposed to rubbing, like, elbows and knees. Soon you’ll begin to see holes in these areas if you’re not careful enough. 

Another challenge with merino wool is the cost. It is expensive. Mixed merino wool only (merino wool + synthetic material) comes on the premium side. The price of 100% pure Merino wool clothes goes even higher. 

Care is a major deciding factor in concluding if it is worth the investment.

How to care for merino wool?

Like any other wool garment, merino wool also asks for extra care. 

When it comes to washing, use very mild detergent and cold water. Since the material is odour-resistant, you can go longer between the wash. Don’t overwash it. Air dry it and avoid machine dryers. Do not machine-wash your merino wool garment.

A merino wool clothing would last for 2-3 years with proper care. But occasional trekkers will find it lasts much longer. It would also ask for a little extra care when it comes to storage. Protect it from moths and keep it packed when not in use.

How to layer up with merino wool?

We are asked this question very frequently. Below, I will explain the best layering formula for a merino wool t-shirt

For your trek in winter, you need at least 5 layers of clothing. Merino wool base layer + dri-fit + sweater + fleece + padded jacket (for outermost layering). This is the minimum requirement on a winter trek. 

Coming to trekking in summer, a single layer of merino wool + two layers above suffices.

Is merino wool worth the investment?

Though expensive, merino wool’s unmatched features make it an investment for regular and seasoned trekkers. 

But for occasional trekkers, I would still recommend going with something like dri-fit. 

Of late, I have also observed people using merino wool as activewear in urban city life setups, which is great. So, If you decide to invest in merino wool, make sure you juice the benefits completely.

Tips before you purchase: Make sure the wool is ethically sourced. Look for the relevant ZQ Merino certifications. It ensures humane practices.

This was all about merino wool. Write to me in the comments if you have observed any more qualities about this material. Drop in your queries in the comment box. I will write to you as soon as possible.

Sharing below the frequently asked questions. Read through if you have similar queries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Merino wool comes from Merino sheep, requiring careful farming and labour-intensive production to preserve its fine, soft fibres. 

Moreover, It has a limited supply and is super versatile, making it a premium choice. It outperforms most fabrics, adding to its value. 

Merino wool is odour-resistant because of its natural chemical properties. Some of these substances like lanolin don’t allow the multiplication of odour-producing bacteria. 

Plus, merino wool is breathable and wicks off sweat quickly. This reduces the conditions that lead to odours.

3. What is the difference between cashmere and merino wool? 

People often compare merino wool with cashmere because of their premium quality. To strike out the confusion, below I will draw a comparison between the two. 

Cashmere is believed to be sourced from a certain breed of goat which is historically found in Kashmir. The wool is considered to be the most luxurious, premium and softest of all. 

While both merino wool and cashmere are premium fabrics, they serve different purposes. Merino wool regulates body temperature, keeping you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Cashmere, on the other hand, is heavier, warmer, and more suited for high-altitude living rather than outdoor activities like trekking. 

Unlike merino wool, cashmere is neither odour-resistant, nor lightweight, and even does not absorb sweat.

Therefore, in the context of trekking, merino wool outperforms cashmere.

merino wool has gained popularity in the sporting and travel world because of its adaptability to all kinds of weather and its quick-dry feature.

What is Merino Wool? Is it worth buying?

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This is by far one of the most common questions we get from people. Not just us, the query is often googled. 

So, What is the difference between a trek and a hike?

I am sharing our CEO Arjun Majumdar’s video, where he briefly talks about the difference. Here we start hiking vs trekking.

Reiterating what he said: there used to be no difference between a hike and a trek! We were talking about the same thing all this while but using different terms. The term ‘Hike’ is an American version, and the term ‘Trek’ is the English (British) version.

Over time, the usage of these words has evolved. So, now there’s a difference between both of these terms.

What is a Hike?

Hiking involves walking on a well-marked easy trail. On a hike, you walk on more accessible trails. There could be a single-day hike or a multi-day hike. It depends on the trail and how you choose your itinerary. 

Shachi Tripathi, Programme designer and trainer at Indiahikes School of Outdoor Learning (InSOUL) and a former trek leader, says, “A hike could also be termed an introduction to the world of trekking.” 

Our chief explorer at Indiahikes, Nitesh Kumar, points out three famous hikes in the Himalayas for beginners.

I can list endless trails around the country. The ones I have listed are from the Himalayas. We have beautiful hiking trails in the Western Ghats and Sahyadris, and then we have gems in central India. You can also go on day hikes/weekend hikes (multi-day hikes) around the city on your own.

Indiahikes has documented a list of more than 365 short hikes and treks in our country that can be done in DIY (Do-it-yourself) style. Tagging along the List of best day hikes around Bangalore. Check out if you are in and around the city.

Picturesque forest trail en route George Everest House. Picture by Loges R

What is a trek?

A trek involves walking on a trail that requires you to do a considerable climb, and you gain a lot of altitude over the days of your walking the mountains. Because of these mentioned reasons, a trek is comparatively more challenging than a hike.

Shachi further adds, “As a hike is an introduction to the world of trekking, experiencing a trek is a more serious dive”. 

If you want to know more about the best treks season-wise, I suggest you read our exhaustive blog on 4 best treks in each season.

Now you know the primary difference between a hike and a trek. As you scroll down this article,  I will list down more parameters to give you a better understanding.

From Gorson Bugyal to Auli, you are accompanied by the big mountains. This is a rare privilege you get only on the Kuari Pass trek. Photo by Jothiranjan.

Hiking vs Trekking: Terrain & Gear

When on a hike, you will see easy-going terrains. The trails are well-marked and easily accessible. Treks, on the other hand, could have easy-going or harsher terrain. In many of the moderate, moderate-difficult, and difficult treks of our country, you climb steep slopes and venture through forests and clearings.

As a hiker, you need minimum gear since a hike is not as challenging as a trek. For a hike, you would essentially need a 10L/20L backpack, hiking shoes (regular sports shoes would also work depending on the terrain), a water bottle, a first aid kit, and a rain jacket. In most hikes, you do not have to carry a kitchen system (flint and portable stove) or a sleeping system (sleeping bag and tents). But If it is a multi-day hike and you are camping, then you need all of this! 

On the other hand, when you are on a Himalayan trek like Kuari Pass, you need a maximum 50L backpack, a good pair of trekking shoes, trekking poles (at least one), trek pants, micro-spikes (if you are trekking in winter), rainwear, ropes, and more. Additionally, you need a kitchen system and a sleeping system too.

Please Note: Gear primarily depends upon the difficulty and duration of the trek. You should be updated with all the ‘Gear Information’ before packing for your trek.
As outdoor sports like trekking and hiking are getting very popular in India, there’s a big market building for gear. Brands like Wildcraft, Quechua, Forclaz, Salewa, Salomon, Rei, Columbia, and Patagonia are bringing a separate line of products for trekking and hiking.

How to Physically Prepare for a Hike?

In our experience of taking people outdoors, we have seen most people completing their single-day and multi-day hikes with ease. In order to have a fulfilling hiking experience in the outdoors, you should be physically fit. 

If you lead an active lifestyle and regularly run or take brisk walks, you're fit enough for a hike.

How to Physically Prepare for a Trek?

Preparing for a trek is even more important. 

Below, I am briefly listing a few pointers that will help you physically prepare for your trek.

Go for long walks. And when we talk about walking, it should be active-brisk walking. 

If you are going on a Himalayan trek, in addition to the above two pointers, you should have an active regime.

I would recommend you read this complete training guide so that by the end of it, you’ll know exactly where you stand and what you need to work on when you sign up for your Himalayan trek.

More or less, for both of these outdoor sports, you need to prepare yourself physically

Hiking with Family

This is another important thing that I want to talk about. Hiking is a wonderful way to expose children (and even seniors) to the outdoors. 

We at Indiahikes always talk about hiking as a wonderful family ritual. It prepares your children to interact with the outdoors, prepares them for greater adventures, and makes them more curious about the outdoors. It builds confidence, resilience and a deeper connection to nature. 

Hiking is an amazing medium that will help you, your parents, and your children for trekking in the Himalayas, not just physically but mentally. 

Summary

So, What’s the Difference Between Trekking and Hiking?

Hiking refers to walking on simple well-marked trails and trekking refers to covering a trail that requires a considerable climb, and you gain a lot of altitude over the days. Hiking is comparatively easier than a trek. And you don’t need technical gear for a hike, which is mandatory for a moderate, moderate-difficulty, and a difficult trek.

Now, you can easily differentiate between the two. You can drop in the comments if you have any further doubts. 

I hope this article on trekking vs hiking helped you get a better understanding of both verticals of the outdoor world.

1. Hiking shoes vs trekking shoes, which one should I choose?

Trekking shoes can be good for hiking too. As treks are usually more challenging, they ask for more durable gear. Hence, you can comfortably wear trekking shoes for your hikes.

2. What are the similarities between hiking and trekking?

Hiking and trekking both take you outdoors. Hiking is the introduction to the world of trekking. One more similar point is that both of these outdoor sports positively impact your mind, body, and soul.

Hiking refers to walking on simple well-marked trails and trekking refers to covering a trail that requires a considerable climb, and you gain a lot of altitude over the days. Hiking is comparatively easier than a trek. This article on trekking vs hiking will help you get a better understanding of both verticals of the outdoor world

Hiking vs Trekking - What’s the Difference between a Hike and a Trek?

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Before you head out on a Himalayan trek, experienced trekkers will tell you all about the freezing nights, the starry skies, the difficult terrain, and the beautiful mountain scenery. 

But there are several small realities that make every Himalayan trek challenging and no one tells you about them. These are experiences that you’ll possibly despise when you’re experiencing them, yet fondly think of them later.

And I would rather have you know about these now, much before you embark on your trek so that they don’t come at you as surprises. 

Long Road Journeys

Any Himalayan trek, no matter which region of the country you choose, has a long drive to the base camp. It could be an 8-hour drive from Shimla or a 10-hour drive from Dehradun. These long road journeys are inevitable. 

The bad: These are winding journeys with uncomfortable hairpin bends. The roads are bumpy, sometimes just dirt tracks. And if you suffer from motion sickness, you have to be extra cautious! 

How to deal with it: For the bumpy, winding roads, the best thing you can do is distract yourself with the journey itself. Look out the window to watch stunning landscapes, make conversation with your driver, ask for stories from the region, and get to know other travellers with you. If you’re someone who is prone to motion sickness, then using this guide could help you prevent motion sickness on your road journey. It worked for me. 
The good: The good part is that these are a few of the most beautiful road journeys you will go on. Trekkers don’t talk much about it because the trek itself overshadows the journey, but these are fantastic locations you drive through. Thousands of tourists come from all over the country (and outside our country) just to drive on these roads. So take in the journey. These are some of the greatest mountain journeys you will do in your life.

Zero Mobile Networks

Most of our trekking trails have no network, right from the base camps. So your trek is a week-long goodbye to the over-connected world that we live in. 

The bad: On certain treks your family/friends will not be able to get in touch with you. You will not be able to call or text them. You’ll have to leave your work aside for a week. The worst thing is, if there is an emergency back at home no one will be able to get in touch with you, not even through us.  

How to deal with it: Ask your driver till when you’ll have a network and finish up all important calls before that. Tell your family and closest friends that you’re going to the Himalayas and will be out of network for a few days.

The good: Being out of the network area for a week is not necessarily a bad thing. Psychologists are always suggesting we detox ourselves from technology. A trek is a very natural way to do it. We seldom get a chance to do this in our urban lives, which are increasingly dominated by technology. Trekkers understand this importance. They get a chance to look inward and reflect.

No/Intermittent  Electricity

Here’s a reality that leaves most trekkers taken aback. They go to the base camps and find very intermittent electricity. They find it difficult to charge their phones/cameras. A week-long plan of taking good pictures or videos is ruined. 

The bad: This will affect you if you’re someone who is carrying any gadgets that need charging -- cameras, GoPros, phones, video equipment, drones and so on. None of them can be charged once you leave the base camp. You’ll have to make do with whatever battery juice you have for the next 4-5 days. 

To make matters worse, you’re usually dealing with extremely low temperatures in the mountains. The cold weather alone drains out the battery even if it’s not being used.

How to deal with it: We usually take power banks for our phones. One power bank above 10,000 mAh will easily last you 3-4 charges. For cameras and drones, there’s no option but to carry spare batteries. Further, you’ll need to wrap all batteries in something warm (your woollen socks or gloves). We usually keep them inside our jacket pockets at night to keep them warm. 

The good: This is a wonderful chance to push yourself to see how much you can achieve even when you’re low on resources. It pushes your boundaries and makes you think out of the box. If you’re a photographer, you’ll learn to plan your shots in advance instead of impulsively getting many shots and picking the best one. If you’re just using your phone, you’ll learn to conserve your battery better.

Staying in Tents & Sleeping in Sleeping Bags

4.) Staying in tents and sleeping in sleeping bags on a hard floor

Trekkers don’t realise how different it is to sleep on the ground that is not their bed. It is enough to make many lose their sleep. This is the truth about trekking. We sleep where we can.  

The bad: Our Hillman tents and sleeping bags are extremely warm and top-quality. But camping outdoors means you are roughing it out. You’re camping in cold snow sometimes, or camping on sloping surfaces, mostly on hard earth. Sometimes you hear heavy rain battering the tent through the night, with snow and water leaking in. Sometimes you might even have a tent mate who snores! 

How to deal with it: Mental conditioning plays a big role here. You must be prepared for such conditions much before you get on your trek. You must also be layered and cosy much before you go to bed (even before sundown). But come what may, you will roll over to the corner of the tent, or be bunched up in the morning, will wake up multiple times in the night. Even given all these factors, trust your body to take rest. A couple of hours of sleep will rejuvenate your body even if you feel you have not rested enough.

The good: This is one of the best experiences on a trek. It’s what gives you a feeling of adventure, an experience of the wilderness. Even stepping out of your tent in the middle of the night to answer nature’s call is a celestial experience. You’re not going to see the Milky Way spread out above you every day. No matter how cold you get in the middle of the night, it’s going to remain one of your favourite experiences for life. 

Food

I can’t speak for anyone trekking on their own or with others, but if you’re trekking with Indiahikes, you can remove all worries about food from your head. If you’re not trekking with us, however, minimal food is a reality you have to prepare yourself for. 

The bad: It is not easy to get good food at high altitudes. First, it’s difficult to take provisions up to remote locations (there’s always a weight constraint). Second, it takes very long to cook anything in low temperatures and high altitudes. It also requires good cooking skills. 

On most self-managed treks, you’ll see that people manage with very limited food (canned or dehydrated food). Even on treks with enough infrastructure, dal bhaat is the staple. When you’re trekking you don’t see much deviation from the staple. 

How to deal with it: If you’re trekking with Indiahikes, you don’t have to deal with it. We have dedicated cooks who are trained to make good food for you. You could even expect gulab jamuns at 14,000 ft! However, if you’re trekking on your own, dehydrated food is definitely something you should explore. You should also carry dry fruits, channa (Bengal gram), with you for instant energy and nutrition while trekking. For long, Maggi has been considered trekkers' food. Avoid Maggi -- it is hard to digest, extremely unhealthy and gives you low energy.

The good: Being able to manage with minimal food helps you build a whole lot of resilience. You realise that you don’t really need much to live with. It gives you a very strong understanding of what you want vs what you need. On another note, you’ll appreciate almost any meal at the end of an exhausting trek.

Washing Your Own Cutlery

At Indiahikes, we expect all trekkers to bring their own cutlery, eat from them and wash their own cutlery. Trekkers sometimes ask why we do not ask our staff to clean their cutlery like in a hotel. The danger to that is something that does not occur to most trekkers -- stomach disorders. When cutlery is mass washed, it invariably leaves unwanted bacteria and germs on them. The last thing you want on a trek is a stomach disorder. 

The bad: Eating out of your own cutlery, dipping your hands (which have gotten warm after great difficulty) in freezing water, scrubbing your dish until it’s clean and putting your gloves back on. This is the life of a high-altitude trekker. It makes you wish you could be back home, using regular temperature water, or just leave your dish in the sink until later. But you cannot do that on a trek. 

How to deal with it: Some trekkers share their cutleries and end up having to wash just one dish among three of them, and they take turns to do this. On another note, some trekkers don’t wash their dishes for 2-3 meals at a stretch. These are examples of what not to do. The best thing to do is face it head-on. There’s no way out of it. Use steel cutlery instead of plastic, the grime comes off a lot easier. That way, your hands will be wet for much less time. 

The good: We’ve seen that after a trek, many people begin to become more efficient with their work. They learn to do things on their own, especially those who have house help at home. Washing your own cutlery plays a major role in it. Trekkers who come with children appreciate this learning even more. It teaches children basic life skills. 

Using Dry Toilets

In the mountains, there are only dry toilets. These are deep pits dug into the earth, where you finish your business and use toilet paper to clean up. There’s no water, no seat, no pot (Indian or Western). 

The bad: Getting used to cleaning up with toilet rolls is something many of us have trouble with. Not being able to use water is another. You also have to cover up your business with mud (or at Indiahikes, we use a fast composting mixture). And doing all this in a space alien to you, a toilet tent, which is slightly away from the campsite takes time to get used to.

How to deal with it: Practice using toilet paper at home for a week before your trek, you’ll get used to it. Another tip is to wet the toilet paper a bit, to make it like wet tissue. Note: We do not allow packaged wet tissues in the mountains. They are non-biodegradable and harmful to the environment. 
The good: The good part of a dry toilet is that there’s no sight or smell when you go in. Everything is covered up with earth, there’s no mess from the usage of water. It’s a clean and hygienic experience. Many trekkers prefer it to normal public toilets by the end of the week.

So those are a few of the realities we wanted to share with you. 

Over the past ten years, we have found that just one week-long trek in the Himalayas leaves trekkers in a much better mental space. They are more open to challenges, they solve problems more easily, and they are more humble and open to learning.

I want to share with you all what Sandhya Chandrashekharayya, co-founder of Indiahikes, mentioned in one of her statements: ‘Everyone Must Trek.’ This belief comes from the transformative power of trekking. Trekking brings changes to our minds, bodies, and spirits that are hard to imagine.’

With this, I conclude. These are 7 small realities but highly impactful ones that change them for life. And that’s the beauty of a Himalayan trek! If you trek with Indiahikes, it becomes even more eventful & memorable.

If you have been on a trek and have any more points you’d like to add, drop in a comment below. We’d love to hear from you! 

Several realities make every Himalayan trek challenging and no one tells you about them. I would rather have you know about these now, much before you embark on your trek so that they don’t come at you as surprises. 

7 Realities Of Trekking No One Tells You About

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Trekking shoes help you complete a trek as much as your willpower. While it's a must to work on mental and physical strength every time you plan a trek, a robust pair of shoes can work wonders on every trek. All you have to do is do a little maintenance after choosing the right pair for all your trekking needs.

A good pair—be it Quechua trekking shoes or shoes from Woodland—can feel like an extension of your feet. Similarly, an ill-fitting pair with a thoughtless design can slow you down and even halt your trek. So, how do you choose the best trekking shoes in India?

Different shoes are suitable for different kinds of treks. Does that mean snow trekking shoes can only be used on snow? Not really. The best trekking shoes are versatile. They work well in all kinds of weather conditions.

This brings us to the next question: which are the best trekking shoes for men and women in India? And how do you make this choice?

Many trekkers write to us asking about what trekking boots to buy. And because this is a crucial choice, we have put together a complete guide that covers all topics, right from how to buy trekking shoes, the best mountain trekking shoes available in India and how to maintain them.

So, if you’re looking for information on trekking shoes, search no more. This guide contains everything you need to know about how to choose the best.

How to choose the best trekking shoes

How To Choose The Best Trekking Shoes in India

There is no dearth of options in the trekking shoes for women or trekking boots for men sections of a Decathlon, Woodland, or any other sports store. If you choose to shop online, the options are infinite. However, a plethora of options can sometimes lead to confusion. 

Don’t worry. We are here to help. Below are five factors that will help you choose the right pair of trekking shoes.

1. Check for good grip in the trekking shoe

The best way to recognise a trekking shoe with good grip is to look at the grooves. They will be deep. A shoe with good grip will have mud, slush and dirt getting stuck in its grooves. That’s a sign of deep grooves that are gripping the mud. Make sure your shoes have deep grooves and good grip.

2. Look for softness and flexibility in the shoe sole

You will be walking on different kinds of terrain, and your shoes need to adapt to it. A soft and flexible sole is great at doing this. But how do you check for that?

Take a hard, metallic object, say a key, and just tap on the sole. Listen to the noise it makes. A soft sole makes a dull sound. If you hear a sharp sound, know that it’s too hard, and such a sole will not work on a trek. 

3. Go for ankle support in the trekking shoe

A lot of walking-hiking shoes come with a lot of flexibility and good grip. But what they lack is ankle support. In the Himalayas, you will be walking on rough terrain. You will be climbing up and down, and your ankle is prone to twisting at unusual angles. And that’s when your trek can end. And you don’t really want that to happen. To prevent this, you need good ankle support and make sure your trekking shoes provide good ankle support.

Always test the shoes for the right fit and prefer the most breathable hiking shoes. Ideally, you should buy trekking shoes one size larger than your normal size. Without the extra space, you’d develop shoe bites due to the constant rubbing of the toe against the shoe wall.

A shoe that is a size larger than your normal size will protect you from shoe bites and give your feet enough space to breathe.

A Himalayan trek or a monsoon trek in the Ghats requires water-resistant shoes. This is because trekkers will be trekking through snow, rain, water bodies, or other regions where their feet can get wet. If your shoe is not water-resistant, chances are that you will develop shoe bites or some form of callus due to wet feet. Additionally, it’s uncomfortable to trek long distances in wet socks and flooded shoes.

Therefore, it’s best to buy shoes that are water-resistant (remember, you want water-resistant shoes and not waterproof trekking shoes).

An added layer of leather or resin will really help. It ensures that when you step into a puddle for 3–4 seconds, your shoe does not get wet or water doesn’t seep in. So, water resistance is important.

Note: Make sure it’s not waterproof because your feet won’t be able to breathe in waterproof trekking shoes. And it will get sweaty and stinky. There’s a chance your trek mates will not let you inside the tent if your feet are stinking 🙂

Also, wear your shoes for about two weeks or so to break them in.

Things to Look at While Choosing your Trekking Shoe

What are the types of trekking shoes available?

There are various types of trekking shoes. Some are meant for short hikes, while others are suitable for treks and expeditions. Similarly, there are trekking shoes for female trekkers and some specifically meant for men, based on size, design and colours.

These are similar to sports shoes but with a stronger grip. They are also more robust.

These are lightweight shoes that have flexible soles. They are ideal for short treks when you don’t have to carry heavy loads on your back. You may use them for the following treks:

Treks on dry terrain (not suitable for rainy season)

Some of the popular and recommended hiking shoe brands are Forclaz Fresh, Woodland and Weinbrenner (associate company in Bata Corporation) low ankle series. You can also find plenty of options in the Decathlon hiking shoes section on their website and in stores.

Trekking boots or shoes are a grade above hiking shoes. They are usually shoes with good ankle support.

These shoes are made for trekking in various seasons and on different gradients. They are ideal for:

Treks that involve carrying 7kg+ backpacks

Water resistance: The upper part of the trek boots is usually made of leather, suede or a synthetic material like Gore-tex (GTX) or Nova Dry.

Deep grooves: This ensures a strong grip.

Ankle support: This saves you from painful ankle twists on uneven trails. But this also makes it heavier. And you need to get used to wearing it—break it in—a couple of weeks before your trek starts.

Some of the popular and recommended brands are Forclaz and Quechua. They are generally priced between Rs. 3000 and Rs. 8000. Decathlon trekking shoes are most popular and preferred by experienced trekking enthusiasts, while some prefer Woodland trekking shoes.

These are also called expedition boots. They aren’t required on usual treks or for any of the treks that Indiahikes is presently running.

Mountaineering boots are needed on ice, rocks, crevasses, and glaciers. They are crafted to grip these lofty surfaces.

These boots are more expensive, with prices starting at upwards of Rs. 10,000. Few of the most popular and recommended expedition boots can be found on Decathlon. Other brands can be considered as well, but they are not easily available in India.

Trekking shoes for women

Trekking shoes for women sections on various websites and sports stores offer shoes that are specifically designed for women’s feet.

The heel-to-ball length, as well as the width of the in-step and heel, is larger in trekking shoes for men. So, shoe companies began designing slimmer shoes that cater specifically to women’s feet.

Special material at the in-sole and mid-sole for Q-angle

Some great shoes in this category are the Trek 100 and MH100 for women by Decathlon. Apart from that, you may opt for brands like Merrell and Salomon. 

Best trekking shoes in India

To narrow down the best trekking shoes from the infinite options available on the market, Indiahikes conducted an Instagram Survey.

Trekker’s Choice: Top 3 Trekking Shoes Recommended By Trekkers

Talking about the top choice, a representative of Decathlon trekking shoes confirmed that the Forclaz Trek 100 is their highest-selling product, and now they are aiming to come out with a new variant.

“We are introducing Trek 100 Textile boots in India. It is a beginner trekker's boots focused mostly on the comfort of the trekker and is eco-friendly, which is made up of 100% natural rubber outsole. It also has 100% recycled outer and black lining is dope dyed, reducing water consumption and CO2 emission during the process.”

And coming to a variety close to the fifth option—Salomon Quest 4 Gore Tex—we think it is great for seasoned trekkers. The model has been upgraded over the years.

Also Read: Salomon Quest 4D 2 GTX: All-Terrain Hiking Shoes for Seasoned Trekkers

Trekking shoes determine the comfort and success of your trek. Here's a comprehensive guide on the best trekking shoes, how to choose them and their maintainence.

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