🥾 How to Choose the Right Trekking Shoes: A Guide from Experience

One of the most common questions I get is: “Which trekking shoes should I buy?”

Your trekking shoes are one of the most important pieces of gear. A good pair protects your feet, provides grip on uneven terrain, keeps your feet comfortable over long distances, and reduces the chances of blisters and injuries.
Having led the Everest Base Camp (EBC) trek more than 10 times, Mount Kilimanjaro 4 times, Mount Elbrus twice, and Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) numerous times, I can tell you this: your footwear is quite literally your lifeline out on the mountain. My very first pair of boots was from Decathlon when I started out, but as I chased bigger adventures and tougher terrain, I shifted to Salomon. Your feet are the heart of any trek, if they fail, the expedition stops. You have to take care of them.

What to Look for When Buying Trekking Shoes?

1. Good Grip

Look for a quality rubber outsole with a good tread pattern. Grip becomes especially important on wet rocks, mud, snow and loose terrain.

2. Comfort comes first

Never buy shoes just because they look good online or a friend recommended them. Every foot shape is unique; try them on and walk around before pulling the trigger.

3. Correct Size

For trekking, you generally need extra space at the front of the shoe aim for about half an inch to 1 cm (roughly one thumb's width) of extra room at the toe. Your toes must never slam into the front of the shoe while walking downhill. A great rule of thumb is that your pinky finger should be able to slide in behind your heel when your foot is pushed forward, which usually means sizing up by one full size compared to your regular casual footwear. Always try them on with the exact two pairs of trekking socks you plan to use. Pro tip: If you find that standard women's models feel too narrow or tight across the forefoot, don't hesitate to try men's or unisex variants, which often feature a wider, more accommodating toe box.

4. Ankle Support

For easy trails, low-cut hiking shoes can work well. For difficult, rocky or high-altitude treks, a mid-cut shoe/boot can provide additional ankle coverage and protection.

5. Waterproofing: Don't over-prioritise it

Waterproof shoes can be very useful in rain, snow and wet conditions. In the Himalayas, weather can change quickly, and conditions can become colder and wetter as you gain altitude.

For high-altitude treks, especially above 14,000 ft (approximately 4,270 m), I recommend choosing trekking shoes that offer a good balance of waterproofing and breathability.

However, waterproof does not mean completely moisture-proof. Your feet can still sweat, so breathability is equally important for keeping your feet comfortable during long trekking days.

6. Break them in before the trek!

This is extremely important. Never wear a brand-new pair for the first time on a multi-day trek. Use them for training walks and stairs first.

A Good Trek Is Not Just About Good Shoes

This is something I always tell trekkers: Buying the right trekking shoes is only half the preparation. Your body needs to be ready for the terrain too. A good shoe cannot compensate for poor fitness, weak legs, poor balance or limited mobility. After buying your trekking shoes:

1. Practise in the Same Shoes

Don't keep your trekking shoes in the cupboard until the day of the trek. Wear them regularly during your training walks, stair sessions and weekend hikes.

Your feet need time to adapt to the shoes, and you need to understand how the shoes feel while going uphill, downhill and on uneven surfaces.

2. Work on Balance

Trekking involves constantly changing surfaces rocks, mud, steps, slopes and uneven ground. Good balance helps you place your feet confidently and reduces the chances of losing stability.

Include single-leg balance, controlled step-ups and uneven-surface walking in your training.

3. Maintain Mobility

Regular mobility work for your ankles, hips and knees is extremely important. Good ankle mobility, in particular, helps you adapt to slopes and uneven terrain.

4. Build Strength & Endurance

Your trekking shoes provide the grip and protection, but your legs provide the power.

Himalayan and high-altitude treks involve long hours of walking, uneven terrain, steep climbs and descents. Your body needs to be prepared for the demands of the trail.

Train your:

• Squats

• Lunges

• Step-ups

• Calf raises

• Glutes

• Core

Combine strength training with regular walking, stairs and elevation training so your body becomes comfortable with spending long hours on your feet.

Remember, the right shoes can support your feet, but strong legs carry you to the summit..

Trek Readiness Formula:

Shoes + Fitness + Strength + Mobility + Balance + Practice = Trek Readiness

Don't wait until the trek begins to discover whether your shoes, feet and body can handle the terrain. Buy your shoes early. Break them in. Train in them. Walk in them. Practise on slopes and stairs. Because on a trek, your shoes are your connection to the ground but your fitness is what carries you forward.

Which brands?

There are several good options available in India:

• Decathlon – Good range across different budgets; excellent option for beginners.

• Columbia – Comfortable hiking shoes and boots with good outdoor options.

• Salomon – Excellent grip and performance-oriented trekking footwear.

• The North Face, Merrell, La Sportiva, Scarpa – Also worth considering, particularly for more demanding trekking and mountaineering.