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Footwear recommendations for treks around Bangalore

Shoes

What to look for in shoes:

  • Grippy sole
  • Deeper and thicker lugs than running shoes
  • Durable outer/upper material

Here are some recommendations from me and the community:

  1. Nike Juniper Trail.
    • Has multiple variants, including waterproof ones.
    • Good lug depth
    • Very grippy sole that works well for steep rock slabs around Bangalore.
    • Light. So they can also be worn day-to-day.
    • Nike Juniper Trail is available on Amazon. Costs ₹3k and up.
    • I and a community member own a pair of these and we both love them.
    • Trail running shoes work really well for hiking, so you can choose almost any trail running shoes.
  2. Coaster CTR Anti Skid.
    • Popular among trekkers in the Sahyadris, especially folks around Mumbai and Pune.
    • They have hard and heavy soles, but are very grippy and rugged.
    • Coaster CTRs are available via Amazon. Cost around ~₹1500.
    • There are other variants with the same sole materials from the same manufacturer.
    • Some folks complain about how stiff the high ankle variants are.
  3. Quechua NH100. Decathlon, of course, has good options available too. Ideal for new hikers. This pair is very reasonably priced at ₹999 and is also liked in the community. Available as both Men's and Women's variants. (But it seems like these are going to be discontinued soon.)
  4. Quechua Low Ankle MH100 are recommended by fellow hikers too. Work well both in the Himalayas and around Bangalore. These are waterproof and slightly more expensive than NH100 above. Again available as Men's and Women's variants.4. ANDUNE - All Terrain Red Dash is a great pair for those who prefer minimalist and barefoot shoes. Relatively thin and grippy soles that mold as per the terrain under your feet and make you feel more confident on uneven terrain. These Andunes are available on Amazon.5. Apparently some Keen shoes are made in India. And factory seconds might be available for throwaway prices at one of the Sri Venkateswara Garments outlets across Bangalore.
  5. Columbia Crestwood are a good pair too. Available in both Men's and Women's variants.
  6. Barefoot options like Vibram Five Fingers are available via Gambol Sports.

Sandals

My personal preference is to use hiking sandals for most hikes and treks in tropical and subtropical climates. But I have realized that it might not be the best recommendation, especially for new hikers. But several of my outdoorsy friends use sandals. Some options:

  1. Quechua NH500 Sandals are great for most hikes and treks. Good lug depth and grip. They have a small flaw, however. The glue holding the straps comes off if these are taken into water a few times. So every time I get a new pair, I get them stitched by a local cobbler. After that, these are pretty good in and out of the water. Lasts me for about a year or about 50 hikes. Available at Decathlon
  2. Other options include:
    1. Canyon Sandals (not sure about the quality yet)
    2. Keen Sandals (Newport H2 is the most popular and Keens have become available in India recently)

Notes

  • Don't use typical running shoes for hiking. They will work in a pinch but are not ideal. They tear easily, aren't very grippy, and the grass seeds poke through easily. If you hike only occasionally, you might get by without having to buy a pair of trail running or trekking shoes.
  • About those pesky grass seeds! Even some shoes meant for the wild don't deal very well with them. These grass seeds are aplenty starting in the winter and going on until spring. They are very annoying, get stuck in clothes, shoes, and socks. Soft knitted fabrics attract these like a magnet. And they also sometimes poke enough to pierce through your skin. So get shoes which have a strong and sturdy upper material.