After years of experimenting with various types of hiking footwear during my travels in India the conclusion is that there is no "one type of boot" that will work in all terrains. For most areas in India, Gore-tex boots are too warm and take ages to dry if water enters over the top. It would be better to avoid using gore-tex or other waterproof boots unless you are in a cold or high altitude location where snow is a frequent occurence. Using Gore-tex shoes in India are a bad idea for most folks.
Full grain leather un-insulated boots are better bets for trekking in areas with a lot of stream crossings. Leather boots when treated with nikwax waterproofing treatment can handle most stream crossings as long as the water does not go over the top of the boot. If there are rocks in the stream then use those as stepping stones in areas where the water is deeper than the height of your boots. If the water is much deeper than your boots can handle it's best to take the boots off and sling them around your neck by the laces and then make your crossing barefoot.
For desert and arid areas, boots that are a combination of leather and synthetic mesh are better bets for all day comfort. They dry quickly if completely wet and are normally lighter than all leather boots.
For rainforest treks where humidity and moisture content are high the best footwear is the rubber gumboot (wellingtons) which are waterproof upto the knee. A quality insole like superfeet or sof sole will make these boots more comfortable during uphill climbs and downhill descents. An insole also adds proper arch support since gumboots in India rarely come with arch support. Ensure that you choose atleast a half size bigger than you normally wear otherwise your toes will take a beating on downhill treks. Gumboots with vinegar sprayed on them are great for areas with a lot of leeches. Most of the time the vinegar will take care of leeches climbing up and the tall boots help in spotting the leeches as they make their way to the top. I use a combination of gumboots, leech socks and a small spray bottle with vinegar and have had day long treks in leech infested areas without a single bite. Take care not to brush against trees and branches with your upper body since leeches will try to get onto your clothing from branches.
Coolmax wicking socks are great for hiking in India and will keep your feet cool through the day and ensure you don't get blisters.
For river rafting and water sports, closed toe water shoes like the ones from Keen are excellent and very long lasting. They also dry very quickly and are comfortable for all day wear.
Sandals for outdoor usage are a bad idea since the chance of foot injury is very high. Twisted ankles and bleeding toes can result from using sandals for trekking or hiking. Sandals are okay for wearing around the camp or around the house but not for trekking no matter how good the soles are.
Besides a good boot may offer some protection against snakebite especially in India where venomous snakes are quite common.
Some folks prefer lighter shoes for long hikes and Trail Shoes/Runners are a good option if you are not doing too much uphill and downhill climbing. New Balance makes some excellent trail runners which are light and breathable.
I prefer to use aftermarket insoles with all my footwear since I have a high arch and a broad forefoot with a narrow heel. Arch support is very important for long hikes otherwise your feet will hurt at the end of the day. Sof Sole and Superfeet insoles are available for most foot types. Nowadays any outdoor equipment can be imported into India provided you are willing to pay the price.
Some of the better brands when it comes to hiking boots are Asolo, Lowa, Vasque, Keen, Alico, Columbia, Danner, Montrail, Scarpa and Hi-Tec
My current favourites for most outdoor trips are the Lowa Urban Desert Boots which are made in Germany and are great for warm weather wear. Pricey but my feet thank me at the end of the day. They don't need much breaking in either.
http://www.lowaboots.com/catalog/ShowBoot.cfm?StockNum=10360411&Category=8&Type=M
In case you need help choosing footwear for outdoor use drop me a line and i'll do my best to help out.
Happy hiking!
Full grain leather un-insulated boots are better bets for trekking in areas with a lot of stream crossings. Leather boots when treated with nikwax waterproofing treatment can handle most stream crossings as long as the water does not go over the top of the boot. If there are rocks in the stream then use those as stepping stones in areas where the water is deeper than the height of your boots. If the water is much deeper than your boots can handle it's best to take the boots off and sling them around your neck by the laces and then make your crossing barefoot.
For desert and arid areas, boots that are a combination of leather and synthetic mesh are better bets for all day comfort. They dry quickly if completely wet and are normally lighter than all leather boots.
For rainforest treks where humidity and moisture content are high the best footwear is the rubber gumboot (wellingtons) which are waterproof upto the knee. A quality insole like superfeet or sof sole will make these boots more comfortable during uphill climbs and downhill descents. An insole also adds proper arch support since gumboots in India rarely come with arch support. Ensure that you choose atleast a half size bigger than you normally wear otherwise your toes will take a beating on downhill treks. Gumboots with vinegar sprayed on them are great for areas with a lot of leeches. Most of the time the vinegar will take care of leeches climbing up and the tall boots help in spotting the leeches as they make their way to the top. I use a combination of gumboots, leech socks and a small spray bottle with vinegar and have had day long treks in leech infested areas without a single bite. Take care not to brush against trees and branches with your upper body since leeches will try to get onto your clothing from branches.
Coolmax wicking socks are great for hiking in India and will keep your feet cool through the day and ensure you don't get blisters.
For river rafting and water sports, closed toe water shoes like the ones from Keen are excellent and very long lasting. They also dry very quickly and are comfortable for all day wear.
 |
| Keen Water Shoes |
Sandals for outdoor usage are a bad idea since the chance of foot injury is very high. Twisted ankles and bleeding toes can result from using sandals for trekking or hiking. Sandals are okay for wearing around the camp or around the house but not for trekking no matter how good the soles are.
Besides a good boot may offer some protection against snakebite especially in India where venomous snakes are quite common.
Some folks prefer lighter shoes for long hikes and Trail Shoes/Runners are a good option if you are not doing too much uphill and downhill climbing. New Balance makes some excellent trail runners which are light and breathable.
 |
| New Balance Trail Running Shoes |
I prefer to use aftermarket insoles with all my footwear since I have a high arch and a broad forefoot with a narrow heel. Arch support is very important for long hikes otherwise your feet will hurt at the end of the day. Sof Sole and Superfeet insoles are available for most foot types. Nowadays any outdoor equipment can be imported into India provided you are willing to pay the price.
 |
| Sof Sole - Aftermarket Insoles for high arches |
Some of the better brands when it comes to hiking boots are Asolo, Lowa, Vasque, Keen, Alico, Columbia, Danner, Montrail, Scarpa and Hi-Tec
My current favourites for most outdoor trips are the Lowa Urban Desert Boots which are made in Germany and are great for warm weather wear. Pricey but my feet thank me at the end of the day. They don't need much breaking in either.
 |
| Lowa Desert Boots |
http://www.lowaboots.com/catalog/ShowBoot.cfm?StockNum=10360411&Category=8&Type=M
In case you need help choosing footwear for outdoor use drop me a line and i'll do my best to help out.
Happy hiking!
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