Go to Wish List Sign in to save and share your wish list.Your shoes play a huge role during your trek. A good pair of shoes can feel like an extension of your feet and a bad pair can feel like thorns on your feet. So, how do you choose the perfect shoes? Vaibhav Chauhan gives you a few tips. Different shoes are suitable for different kinds of treks, depending on the weather, trail condition as well as duration of the trek. The ever-increasing number of choices of trekking shoes makes choosing very difficult for a trekker. Before making a choice, be aware of the different types of trekking shoes and  boots. 1. Hiking Shoes: Hiking shoes are a lot like trail running shoes. They are lightweight and have flexible soles. They are meant for short treks (one day or weekend). These shoes are good when you don’t have to carry heavy loads.  They are superb for warm weather and dry terrain. Some of the popular and recommended hiking shoe brands are Forclaz Fresh, Arpenaz Flex series, Salomon, Woodland and Weinbrenner low ankle series.

2.  Trek Boots: These are high-end versions of hiking boots. They have added support for your feet and ankles. The constructions are stiffer too. Their uppers are usually leather, suede or synthetic, like Gore-tex (GTX) or Nova Dry. Trek boots are ideal for those looking to do longer treks, usually week long, which involve carrying have loads. Trek boots provide excellent support for leg muscles on rough terrain, especially when you are prone to occasional slips and twisted ankles. These boots are good on snow, rain and are moderately water resistant. The trade off is that they are heavier and more constricting, again because of the ankle support. For first timers, these shoes can take a while to get used to. Trek boots differ with their build, design and choice of patented materials. The prices range between Rs. 3,000 and Rs. 7,000. Some of the popular and recommended brands are Forclaz 500, Forclaz 600, Kingcamp and so on. 3.  Expedition Boots : These boots are designed for trekkers heading for challenging treks that involve tricky pass crossings, glacial traverses and so on.

These treks last longer, sometimes more than ten days. The boots have thicker and more aggressive out-soles. best looking tennis shoes 2015The fabric used in these boots are more robust too. nike retro shoes 2014They have an insole padding which helps in cushioning the feet. best place to buy clearance running shoesThey also have better ankle support and come with crampon-ready features. where can i buy asics shoes onlineIn that sense they are “bridge trek boots” – they offer more than “trek boots” but are not designed to be “mountaineering boots.”puma shoes price with photo

These boots are more expensive, with prices starting upwards of Rs. 8,000. runner's world shoes and gearSome of the popular and recommended expedition boots are Forclaz 900 and Salomon Quest 4D-GTX. Other brands such as Merrell, Scarpa, Keen and La Sportiva can be considered, but they are rarely available in India. 1.Select the right type of shoes. Factor in the duration of the trek, trail conditions (well-defined trail, rugged trail, rain, snow, glacial-pass traverse, etc.), and the load to carry. For warm, dry terrain use low-ankle hiking shoes. For cold, rugged conditions go for trek boots. Trekking on glacier and extensive snow, on the other hand, will require trek boots with crampon-ready features. 2.Trekking boots should ideally have industry-accredited material used in their build. For example, look for waterproof and breathable fabric such as Gore-Tex or Nova dry. Also, the use of patented anti-slip soles by Vibram adds to the reliability of the boots.

3.Always test the shoes for the right fit. Ideally you should buy trek boots one size larger. Factor in this space keeping in mind the multiple woollen socks you wear on colder treks. Also a larger size helps in avoiding blisters. Wear your shoes for about a week or so to break them in. Your shoes are all that's between you and the ground, and we want to help you choose them wisely. We put this year's footwear crop through a serious torture test, sending them across the world, from South American jungles to the Rocky Mountains, to find out which shoes were the best of the best. When the dust settled, these were the 16 best hiking boots and shoes of the year Hiking Boot Test Stats Testers: 24 Longest hike: 165 miles Longest day: 19-hour summit push Hottest temp: 118°F (Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, CA) Coldest temp: -10°F (Crested Butte, CO) Heaviest load: 140 lbs. (a deer) Highest trip: 14,505 ft. (Mt. Whitney, CA) Editors' Choice: Vasque Skywalk GTX Best Hiking Boots [ubergrid id="15248202"]

Home / Shoes • Work & Casual / 16 Shoes With Good Arch Support – Men and Women 16 Shoes With Good Arch Support – Men and WomenLightweight hiking shoes are best for three-season hikes on established trails with a total pack weight of 35 pounds or less. If your pack weighs more than that, please don’t go out and buy a pair of heavy boots. Reduce your pack weight instead and your feet will thank you. I have worn the same model of hiking shoes (Merrell Moabs) since 2006. But, I didn’t want to write an article entitled “The Single Best Hiking Shoe” (even though I think they may be). So I’ve included four other popular hiking shoes in this list to give you a few more options. and I see them a lot on the trails. Merrell Moab Ventilator Hiking Shoes I have worn Merrell Moab Ventilators on all of my hikes for the last seven years. These are one of the most popular shoes among long distance backpackers and thru-hikers. I highly recommend them. Average Weight (Pair): 30 oz

Wide Sizes Available: Yes Order Merrell Moab Ventilator Online Salomon XA PRO 3D Hiking Shoes The Salomon XA PRO 3D is the shoe I see hikers wearing second most (behind the Merrell Moabs) out on the trails. These shoes have been around for years and are an excellent choice for lightweight backpacking. Average Weight (Pair): 28 oz Order Salomon XA Pro 3D Online New Balance 510 Hiking Shoes New Balance shoes are a popular choice for ultralight backpackers and hikers on a budget. They are not as durable and long-lasting as the other shoes on this list, but they are lightweight, comfortable and inexpensive. Average Weight (Pair): 24 oz Order New Balance 501 Online KEEN Targhee II Hiking Shoes KEEN shoes have a unique shape (similar to a Dutch Clog) which cradles your feet and provides good arch support. This brand is known for comfort and has a cult following among day and section hikers (but some long-distance backpackers have reported durability issues).

Average Weight (Pair): 32 oz Wide Sizes Available: No Order Keen Targhee II Online Merrell Moab Mid GTX Hiking Boots If you are looking for a shoe that is more like a boot, the Merrell Moab Mid GTX provides ankle support and a waterproof membrane while retaining the comfortable design and materials from the popular Moab Ventilator. Average Weight (Pair): 34 oz Order Merrell Moab Mid GTX Online There are lots of other good hiking shoes, but these are some of the most popular choices. High quality socks and insoles are just as important for foot comfort as a good pair of lightweight hiking shoes. Here are some good options for hiking socks and insoles: Smartwool Light Hiker (Thick) Smartwool PHD Light (Medium) Superfeet Premium Insoles (Stiff) Montrail Enduro Soles (Medium) Spenco Polysorb Insoles (Soft) Have a question about lightweight hiking shoes or a recommendation based on your own experiences? Please post your comments below…