Footwear: Hiking Boots or Not?

maury

I’m planning on October in India: probably as far north as Shimla, south to some of the desert towns in Rajasthan and west through Vernasi. If there’s time, I’d like to get to Darjeeling (to ride the toy train!). No heave trekking, but some day hiking trips. And then there's the problem of some of the 'stuff' I understand I may be stepping in all over the place..... Just wondering if I should bring along a pair of lightweight hiking boots, or will I be OK with sneakers (‘tennis shoes’) and, of course, Tevas. Suggestions appreciated!

dzibead

Go with the sneakers or other comfortable walking shoes. Hiking boots, even lightweight ones, will be overkill unless you'll actually be trekking.

Hal

I wore a pair of Columbia trail shoes in the south, Delhi and Rajasthan.
I brought my Birk's but rarely wore them. India's full of red grit that gets under your feet.

bruce3404

Lightweight well-ventilated day hikers should be ok but it depends on your definition of "no heavy trekking". If you're just talking about a 5 miler here or there, then maybe any kind of hiking boot would be overkill. Then there's the age factor and the condition of your feet meaning if you're 65 and have bad plantar fascitis, you'll need those boots; otoh, if you're 22 without foot problems, you could probably do a 5 miler in Tevas with no ill effects. For me (58 with bad feet), I'd take some light hikers, but could probably get by with a quality pair of running shoes as long as the hikes were less than 5 miles.

Paresh

According to the places of your visit and not very exhaustive trekking, sneakers are ok for this trip.