Best Trekking Shoes?

i have heard abt Hi-Tec shoes and Quecha Forclass 500 women.have any idea on this? where will I get Hi-tech shoes in mumbai and normally they cost how much?

I once bought hi-tec shoes (If i'm not mistaken they are a UK brand) and returned them promptly due to the grip problem. Sorry no idea on forclaz (I have a backpack from the company but no idea on shoes). Best that you ask someone in mumbai.

thanks and will check hiTech in mumbai.

anyway for quechua its here(thanks to one of IMs who shared this info):

http://www.outdoortravelgear.com/pro...ar/94/561.aspx


Address:
The OutdoorTravelGear Store
207, Hanuman Industrial Estate,
G. D. Ambekar Road,
Wadala ( West ), Mumbai 400031.
TEL: + 91 - 22 - 2412 2030

Hi Tech shoes won't be available in India anywhere now (unless you luckily get an year old piece somewhere).

Regarding Quechua, I got a pair (Forclaz 500) last month, but I won't recommend it. Just one trek (and that too less than 50kms, although completely in snow) and they're worn out badly. And they're not waterproof as they claim, water seeped into it in ankle deep snow even after I had gaiters all along.

In Mumbai, best option is Head shoes from AVI Industries, Matunga. They're expensive compared to Quechua, and they're not value for money, but they're much better.

However, it's always better to get trekking shoes from Dehradun/ Delhi.

If you need it cheap for only for one trek, and won't be using in the mountains later...go for Weinbrenner ankle support hiking shoes(available in big Bata stores)

Many of my frnds who had this surpass trek last yr recommended me to get those hunter shoes from base camp,but I have minor pb with knees(Chondromalacia patellae) so I'm avoiding those and would like to get shoes which will not increase my current pb.

I will check the ones which you suggested.

I checked the site of AVI and I could see this one:
HEAD Trekking Shoes - 510 HIGH TR - Lady /
711 HIGH TR - Lady

Please suggest that its good one?

Woodland is quite good. The same pair has lasted me for 4-5 treks and general use too.

Woodland "Soles" are not particularly suitable for Wet conditions.

If you plan trek in wet terrain (Western Ghats Monsoon Trek, Himalayan Snow treks) I would
not recommend Woodland.

They can be used in Western Ghats, but only in dry season. I have had my experience with Woodlands, and use it as casuals to this day. They are very sturdy for casual use

my vote goes to NorthFace................i never found any complain under any situation since last 8 years

My recommendations

If you have sources at US, try ankle varieties with Gore-Tex lining and Vibram Sole
I am just giving brand names and not models
(Costly) : Meindl, Zamberlan, Lowa, La Sportiva, Scarpa ---> 200+ dollars
(Mid) : Vasque, Merrell, North Face, Montrail, Nike --->100+ dollars
(a bit cheap) : Timberland,

Out of these Meindl, Lowa, Vasque are also made in Germany, Italy, Slovakia. Ones made in Italy are best.

Vasque, Merrell, North Face, Montrail etc are made at China and a few in US.

In India
(Makes, Brands i assume)
French Make: Quecha Novaldry Forclaz 900, Quecha Novaldry Forclaz 500
German Make: Head 510
British Make: Hi_Tech

If performance and not cost conscious, make it to Forclaz 900 (will cost 8000+)
Mid Range : Novaldry Forclaz 500, Head 510, Hi-Tech (around 2500-4000)

Indian Market :-
Reebok/Nike/Proline/Adidas - Can double as jogging shoes + for South Indian treks
Wienbrenner (I dont have any idea)
Action Trekking Shoe (about 650)
Woodlands - Only Casuals (In my personal opinion)

I had used 2 Merrell and 1 Lowa renegade. From Ankle support perspective, they are damn good. But still dont find it satisfactory from sole grip perspective (they infact use vibram).

I once tried a basketball shoe bought at US for a climb in savanadurga. It was rock solid grip even on green algae.Unfortunately i dont remember the make.was the best as far as grip is concerned.

In my humble opinion, the sturdyness of the shoe i believe depends on our luck. I feel its hard to generalize.I had read even the best of brands, when soaked in water the sole had peel off, while the humble make lasts longer

I have been using Forclaz 500 extensively in my high altitude treks and experienced both ice and rain during the trek. It is working just fine and comfortable. But last time while descending about 4500 ft from Thorang La to Muktinath, it gave me a blister for the first time.

Rajat

Thats quite comprehensive Shyam. That luck factor is very true as there is no 'one shoe fits all' model. A shoe good for one may be terrible for other. Also depends upon the foot type etc. But a bad shoe is bad for all, usually Also, one has to understand the limitations of technologies like Goretex, Vibram, Omnishield etc. They are just 'better' techs but not the ultimate foolproof. And yes, ittruly depends upon where those technologies are crafted from. European made products are 'usually' superior (but remember iPhone!).

I have personally experienced investing a significant amount in good shoes for past few years because all my pairs either used to wear off so quickly or they were just not good! Then was the time that I decided to stop this hunting and invest in a good shoe after some research (and the first thing I did was to discard Woodlands both from personal experience and of those in here)

Yes, with the current technology, selecting the best shoes gets difficult due to a lot of similar models available out there. The selection could depend upon...Where you travel/hike (terrain, temperature, rain etc. ex: I would never take my vibram outsoles with ankle supports for a 10km pavement walk in a town for exploration but do I have the luxory to carry multiple shoe pairs!), how frequently/heavy you travel etc. Me personally would prefer using Lowa Renegades (which I dont yet have!!) for Himalayan treks and Merrell Ventilators for central and south India. I have never tried forclaz 500 but from the comments in various threads devoted to this shoe, it appears to be a very good short term VFM.

And yes, as Roxxi once pointed out, do not ignore the socks (no cotton socks plzzz)... they make one hell of a difference to the whole experience!

I'm still confused which one to buy or should I use the one provided by SurPass YHAI ppl.All these sounds to be veryyyy costly....may be in 10K range?

Menka, I am not very experienced but here is my opinion.
1. I've heard that Merrells are available in some Metro outlets. You could try them on (be careful with the size. You may have to go for a half size higher). The versions available in India are not at all waterproof, not even repellant, but they dry real fast, more than any waterproof shoe out there. They do provide a good grip and you can read their further reviews easily on internet (that too from reliable sources).
2. If you need ankle support, Forclaz500 Women would be good and with a decent water repellent nature they may prove a real VFM.
3. Not sure about Hi-tec but heard it's difficult to find them in India!

But as always, try being gentle to your feet. The options before you seem to be quite heavy in weight and going for too big/heavy shoes will cause some serious troubles (I just returned a pair of shoes (1.1kg pair) just for being so hard and heavy on my feet... I am not yet ready for such ones!) for casual/mid level trekking and as you have mentioned about small knee problem, please try for low weight shoes. As it's said, a kg of weight on your feet is equivalent to 5kgs on your back (dont know of its technical authenticity or source)!

Yea, suggestion by Venkat makes a lot of sense.

Given your knee problem it will be better to go for a light hiking shoe, that has a considerable sole thickness. Thicker
the sole, more it will take the pressure off your knees while climbing. At the same time, you must feel shoes as your
extension to your feet.

I generally do these :-

1) Use a Knee Cover/support ( i dont know what they call it) from any medical store. It fits your knee tightly.
2) So if your leg size is 'X', go for 'X' + 0.5 size assuming the brand makes a true fit.
3) Use few good socks, as others have recommended. Never use wet
4) Soreness to thumb and small finger will happen when you make descend without any exception. For that plaster
your fingers with tape where the abrasion will likely to happen
5) Blisters will happen if shoes fits too tight and also abrasion will cause it. So once in a while remove your shoes and
give air and clean your legs of sweat. Use your shoe well and train your legs before putting it to a trek directly

Note:
----
From what i know, the following are the order or recommendations, from my viewpoint.

1) I had seen Forclaz 500 in use, by my co-trekker. My gut feel is its much lighter than ankle variety
Woodlands for sure. And grip is quite good. I am not sure about Head 510, except i had read from few posts.
The piece he had costed him 2600 and it lasted quite beautifully the whole trek. And its still in one piece.

This is the best foto i can find of my friend using Forclaz 500
https://picasaweb.google.com/1128182...77299433330050

2) Merrell Moab Ventilators, as Venkat mentioned is available in Metro outlets. It will cost around 2000 to 2700 range
I had seen 3 varieties of these. I use one for jogging purposes. To me grip it provides on wet surface is no better
than Nike/Reebok but the sole will last longer. Its slightely heavier than Reebok.

3) If you are sure you will trek sporadically, go for Nike/Adidas/Reebok shoes. It wont be the best in terms of grip, but
later you can use as walking or jogging shoes. Sar Pass is exactly not very demanding in terms if river crossing and you may
hit snow only one day probably (at SarPass 13800 feets).

Any of these, will in all probablility be costly than Forclaz ...

So to decide, consider three factors :-
1) How frequent you will trek and what terrain will you trek frequently
2) Grip and Lightness
3) Waterproofness

You cant have a shoe that fits everything, but choose according to your needs