Best Trekking Shoes in India: Top Picks 2023
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Ready to buy the best trekking shoes in India?
A few days ago, I wrote a detailed guide on the best hiking shoes under 100 dollars. However, some of my Indian readers felt disheartened because many of the best hiking and trekking shoes mentioned in that post weren’t available in India.
And since I hate leaving my readers feeling helpless, I thought of writing an exclusive post on the best trekking shoes in India – yes, all the best outdoor shoes listed in this post are available in India and will help you head out to the best trekking places in India.
Don’t have time to read the whole article?
The best trekking shoes in India are
Add CTR Trekking shoes.
They are comfortable and made for Indian terrain.
They come at a super affordable price point.
This post is full of personal recommendations on the best trekking shoes for women, the best trekking shoes for men as well the best waterproof trekking shoes in India. I am also going to include a small section with ample buying advice on trekking and hiking shoes so as to demystify trekking in India for beginners.
So, my dear Indian readers, I hope you find this helpful!
Best Trekking Shoes India – Top 3 Picks
Comparison Chart
In this section, you will find a quick overview of all the best hiking shoes – India reviewed in this post.
I find this comparison chart immensely useful for those that do not like to read through detailed reviews and buying advice as well as for those that feel a bit overwhelmed reading all the information shared below.
So whether you are looking specifically for waterproof shoes India or simply for cheap and best shoes in India, all you need to do is glance through this chart!
| Name | Water resistance | Price Range | Overall Rating (out of 5) | Latest Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Add CTR Trekking Shoes | No | ₹₹ | 4.5 | Check |
| Columbia Redmond V2 Hiking Shoes | No | ₹₹₹₹ | 4.5 | Check |
| Columbia Redmond V2 Pebble Shoes for Women | Yes | ₹₹₹₹ | 4.5 | Check |
| Merrell Men’s Hiking Shoes | No | ₹₹₹₹ | 4 | Check |
| Columbia Crestwood Shoes for Men and for Women | Yes | ₹₹₹₹ | 4 | Check |
| Woodland Men’s Leather Hiking Boots | No | ₹₹ | 3.5 | Check |
| Bacca Bucci Men’s Trekking Shoes | Yes | ₹ | 4.5 | Check |
Best Hiking Shoes in India – Update 2023
A few years ago, when I first set out to test some of the best trekking shoes in India, I was disappointed by the lack of enough high quality hiking shoes in the Indian market.
The trekking shoes price often fell in the budget range and the quality was not even close to the standards set by international trekking shoes brands.
But come 2023, I am particularly impressed by the new market entrants that deliver excellent quality for an affordable price point. The one pair of trekking shoes that I absolutely love are Add Gear CTR Trekking Shoes.
Internationally reputed hiking shoe brands like Columbia are also more readily available in India. Thus, buying trekking shoes online has become a lot more convenient and reliable.
My general advice would be to invest in a reputed trekking shoe brand like Columbia or Merrell if you’re serious about trekking.
But if you are just starting out, don’t buy trekking shoes from top trekking shoes brands as they would be expensive. Buy from some of the best trekking shoes brands in India like Add Gear CTR.
Related posts:
– Best rucksacks in India: A Complete Guide
– A guide on the best hiking shoes under 100 dollars
– Best backpacks (for travel) in India
Detailed Reviews: Best Trekking Shoes in India 2023
Let’s look at the many trekking shoes available in India in greater detail to see which ones you should be investing in for getting started with trekking in India.
Let’s go!
1. Add CTR Gear Trekking Shoes
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| deliver outstanding value for an affordable price | not waterproof |
| Versatile | |
| Durable | |
| Made in India |
These trekking shoes are the best hiking shoes in India. These shoes are made in India and therefore they work exceedingly well in Indian monsoons and particularly the monsoons in Western Ghaats.
They are super grippy, comfortable and cause absolutely no foot fatigue.
They are not waterproof but can still be used in rains as their anti-slip features works better in Indian conditions than even some of the more expensive trekking shoes listed in this article. The use of a gum sole also makes them grippy on dry terrain and you can also use these as Himalayan trekking shoes (up to moderate difficulty treks)
The materials used feel great in quality and that’s why the affordable price point seems pleasantly surprising.
The shoes are a bit heavier than other Indian trekking shoes. But to deliver comfort, the shoes come in a wide-toe design. The high ankles also provide abundant support for inclines.
Overall, if you are on a budget and want to get the most value for your money, don’t look beyond these incredible Indian hiking shoes.
Check the latest price of Add Gear CTR Trekking shoes
2. Columbia Men’s Redmond V2 Hiking Shoes
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Versatality | not waterproof (Even though branded as waterproof) |
| lightweight | |
| Versatility | |
I consider these to be the best hiking and trekking shoes in India. Columbia is one of the best brands of trekking shoes and the Redmond V2 model is globally renowned for their exceeding comfort and lightweight feel.
What I love about the Columbia Redmond V2 is that these shoes are still relatively cheap trekking shoes in India compared to other imported models from world-class brands.
These are the most comfortable trekking shoes as they are mid-high. They work on all terrains except icy and technical treks. Their look is stylish and they are extremely sturdy.
Even if you choose these as the best trekking boots in India for beginners, you can continue using these shoes even as a pro trekker.
If you are serious about trekking and want to pursue it regularly, don’t opt for the cheap Indian trekking shoes. They would wear out in a couple of seasons.
Opt for these sturdy pair of Columbia Redmond. They come in various sizes and even have wide varieties.
Check the latest price of Columbia Redmond V2 Hiking Shoes for Men
3. Columbia Women’s Redmond V2 Pebble
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| durability | moderately waterproof (much better than the men’s variant listed above) |
| lightweight | |
| comfort | |
First things first, the Columbia Women’s Redmond V2 are easily the best trekking shoes for women in India.
These shoes are extremely grippy thanks to the use of Omnigrip technology. Their fit supports women’s style of pronation and feels comfortable throughout.
For some reason, these shoes seem to work much better in wet conditions than their male counterparts. Make sure you use a light waterproof spray for enhanced rain protection.
But what makes these the best women trekking shoes is their durability. The material used is of excellent quality and the shoes would easily last you a few trekking seasons of rugged usage.
Check the latest price of Columbia Redmond V2 Hiking Shoes for Women
4. Merrell Men’s Hiking Shoes
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| comfort | not waterproof |
| no break-in period | not easily available in India |
| breathable |
I love my Merrell Moab’s and I hate the fact that these lightweight and breathable trekking shoes are not easily available in India. (At least the women’s variant is not)
But I was pleasantly surprised to see the male version now becoming more and more available in India.
Why do I love these hiking shoes so much? These are the best trekking shoes for men who hike mostly in dry conditions. The shoes are not waterproof but for dry conditions their grip is extraordinary.
These shoes can be worn straight out of the box and require almost no break-in time.
Even though these shoes are considered to be budget shoes in the USA, in India, they are still amongst the best trekking shoes available in the market.
Their fit is perfect, especially for those with wider feet and their sturdiness, traction, and versatility make these the best hiking shoes online in India.
Check the latest price of Merrell Men’s Hiking Shoes
5. Columbia Crestwood Waterproof Hiking Shoes
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| durability | all sizes aren’t always available |
| waterproofness | |
| quality |
I was so delighted to see these extremely good-looking pair of popular trekking shoes available in India.
These are the best waterproof trekking shoes in India and are extremely versatile to complement all terrains. So you can use these as the best water trekking shoes or even as reliable shoes for rugged, hilly terrains.
They use the same Omnigrip technology found in other Columbia hiking shoes that keeps you from slipping on slopes and in wet conditions.
Plus, these shoes also offer unmatched comfort and a lightweight feel despite being waterproof.
The only reason why these are not my top pick is that their availability in India is not entirely predictable.
But if you are looking for durable trekking shoes that would last you a long time, and if you are lucky to find these in your size, don’t hesitate to spend on these branded trekking shoes. These trekking shoes are absolutely worth their price.
Check the latest price of Columbia Crestwood Waterproof Shoes
Check the latest price of Columbia Crestwood Waterproof Shoes – Women
6. Woodland Men’s Leather Hiking Boots
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| excellent look and design | not waterproof |
| Don’t need much break-in time | not suitable for steep hikes |
| Durable | ladies variant unavailable |
These Woodland Trekking shoes are one of the best leather shoes in India, especially for this price. However, their utility as trekking shoes is fairly limited to light hikes on relatively even surfaces. Plus, the shoes are not even waterproof, thus, further diminishing their utility.
But having said that, these are the only leather shoes in the market that can double up as the best trekking shoes in India and hence deserve to be on this list.
What my husband also liked about these shoes is that they require hardly any break-in time and therefore don’t really cause foot fatigue on hikes.
If you want a pair of great looking trekking shoes from the best leather shoes brand in India, then go ahead and buy these. You won’t be disappointed.
Check the latest price of Woodland Men’s Leather Hiking Boots
7. Bacca Bucci Men’s Trekking Shoes
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Most affordable | ladies variant unavailable |
| Excellent grip | |
| Super stylish camouflage pattern |
If you want the best shoes for a fraction of the price you would have to otherwise pay for good hiking shoes like the Columbia Redmond Hiking Shoes listed above, you have to opt for these shoes.
The Bacca Bucci is gradually making its way toward being the best trekking shoes brand in India and you would find these shoes often listed in the top 10 trekking shoes in india. The trekking boots are extremely affordable and incredibly comfortable and grippy for the price.
You can use them on trying hikes, steep treks, in snowy conditions, or on rocky terrains and be certain that the grip of the soles would not let you down.
They also look stylish and the green camouflage pattern suits wildlife adventures as well.
I only wish that these shoes came in a women’s variant too!
Check the latest price of Bacca Bucci Men’s Trekking Shoes
How to choose the best trekking shoes in India?
Internationally popular brands are not easily available in India. On the other hand, the best trekking shoes brands in India are much cheaper than international trekking shoes brands. The difference in quality is huge. Some of the most popular trekking shoes in India rarely match the standard set by brands like Columbia and Merrell.
This often causes confusion amongst Indian hikers as to whether to settle for affordable Indian hiking shoes or opt for international branded hiking shoes.
So how should you choose the best hiking trekking shoes? Which shoes are best for trekking in India?
Comfort: Comfort is the numero uno factor that every hiker must take into consideration when buying hiking shoes. Hiking shoes in India are extremely breathable but can feel stuffy on account of the humid Indian weather.
That’s why shoes with proper cushioning and a wide toe-box like the Add CTR Trekking shoes provide incredible breathability. On the same lines, opting for waterproof hiking boots or waterproof hiking shoes may prove to be uncomfortable for Indian monsoons and summer hikes due to the lack of their breathability.
Water-resistance: Most of the mid-range trekking shoes in India are water resistant and not waterproof. Honestly, you only need waterproof trekking shoes if you plan to trek in torrential rains, heavy snow or in a terrain that involves river crossings. In all other cases, opting for water resistant trekking shoes proves to be a wiser choice as shoes that are not waterproof offer much better breathability than waterproof shoes.
But, if you are going to be hiking in wet conditions, you must buy waterproof shoes to ensure that water stays out and your feet stay dry and clean. The best waterproof shoes are Columbia Crestwood Hiking Shoes.
Weight:
Trekking already involves carrying Indian rucksacks on the back for long hours.
Trekking shoes that feel heavy on the feet can never be comfortable. Heavy hiking shoes can cause foot fatigue and swelling. They also restrict movements and make inclines particularly hard. Thus, whenever you are opting for trekking shoes, you should opt for lighter shoes.
However, care must be taken to ensure that lightweight shoes are not compromising on grip and sturdiness. All the shoes listed above are in the moderate weight range and ideal for trekking.
Additional features
Buying trekking shoes in India should not feel too complicated except when you are trekking in special conditions in which case you should look for enhancing features like:
- Snow grip technology as found in Quechua Trekking Shoes SH100 (Men/Women)
- Extra heel cushioning for a firmer fit as found in Add CTR Trekking shoes
Hiking Shoes in India – FAQs and Quick Guide
Which brand hiking shoes are best in India?
The best trekking shoes brand in India is Add-Venture India. It is a fully Indian brand specializing in manufacturing shoes for Indian weather conditions and wet terrains. Their trekking shoes are affordable and great in quality.
But Decathlon is also a popular Indian hiking shoes brands.
Should trekking shoes be light or heavy?
Trekking shoes should be moderate in terms of their weight but should feel light on the feet. Heavy shoes can cause foot fatigue and prevent you from trekking steep inclines or long distance, multi-day treks.
So for most terrains it is ideal to opt for trekking shoes that provide excellent ankle support and don’t feel too heavy on the feet.
Are hiking and trekking shoes different?
In the strict sense, hiking refers to short duration walks on relatively easy trails whereas trekking is considered to be a more demanding vigorous walking and climbing activity that could be taken up for multiple days.
But in the modern age, both words are often used interchangeably.
That’s also why there is hardly any difference between trekking shoes vs hiking shoes.
Final Thoughts
Which shoes from the above list are your favourite Indian hiking shoes?
Let us know in the comments below.
Also, if there are any additional Indian shoes that you want us to review, do let us know and we would be glad to review them and include them in the list of they deliver a satisfactory performance.
Check out our other travel product guides here.
