Best trekking shoes for Manaslu Circuit Trek: Did you get one?
27 Dec 2024 Chandra Gurung
Would you like your Manaslu Circuit Trek to be filled with pleasant experiences or blisters? One would hardly understand how important a good pair of trekking shoes is, but they will ultimately bless the feet or bring havoc to them.
Why? Because it’s the only essentials of your trekking shoes that will always be in action while the rest will just come out occasionally during the trek.
Trekking shoes are not those shoes that you want to buy just like that. For a place like Manaslu, you will need a pair of sturdy, comfortable, and durable boots that can very well handle a variety of terrains, from rocky paths to muddy trails.
Given the variation and multitudes of choices we have in the market these days, Manaslu Guide did thorough research to find out the best trekking shoes that could be your feet’s best friend during the trek.
Study the nature of trek for trekking shoes
Some simple treks like the Chandragiri trek or Poon Hill trek require you to carry a lightweight backpack since they are only 3-5 days maximum. Also, the trails are not that hard.
Going a little up on our rating scale, we have over a weeklong trek like Mardi Himal, Langtang Valley, and Gosainkunda trek where the terrain is wilder and rougher. And because the duration is longer, the backpacks are going to be considerably heavier. You will require shoes that are built for negotiating boulders, snow, and river crossings.
The end of the spectrum brings us to the full-stride, soul-stirring treks like the Manaslu Circuit, Everest Base Camp, and Annapurna Circuit. Since the durations of these treks take the longest, backpacks are definitely the heaviest. Not to forget that there are all sorts of terrains like glaciers, wide open crevasses, scree, moraine, etc to negotiate.
By now, you must have understood that our trekking shoes are the one piece of equipment we spend the most time in during the journey. So, the nature and rigour of the trek and the load you carry ultimately fall on your shoes.
Best shoes for Manaslu Circuit Trek
1. Low-cut Renegade GTX Mid Hiking Boots
Trekking and adventure lovers will love the Lowa Renegade GTX Mid as much as they do. Durability-wise, there is nothing in top quality, heavy-duty materials purportedly used for maximum phrasing.
The Gore-Tex lining in the shoes also keeps your feet dry and happy when everything else goes wet. So, now you can cross rivers and streams during the Manaslu Trek without any worry of wet feet.
However, these shoes can be a bit heavier compared to some other options. So, if you’re not a fan of these, you can try some lighter options from this brand. Also, they come with a hefty price tag with the cheapest being sold at around Rs. 30,000.
2. La Sportiva
La Sportiva is quite a name when it comes to anything high-performance, being the clear winner in trekking boots. These footwear prices range from about Rs.17,000 to Rs. 30,000 depending on what type you purchase.
Among the many trekking boot models that La Sportiva offers, here are some of the most popular:
Trango Cube GTX
This boot is durable and supportive, perfect for performing technical mountaineering and trekking at difficult places. It features great ankle protection, waterproofing, and traction.
Trango Tech GTX
This is a lightweight and versatile boot that can fit into any of the trekking conditions-from alpine climbs to day hikes.
Akyra II GTX
What a comfortable plus-protective boot, perfect for doing long-distance hikes and backpacking. Well supported in the ankle area while providing excellent traction.
Therefore, it all depends on the terrain, the weather conditions, and particular needs when one chooses trekking boots from La Sportiva. It is also recommended that one have a proper fit to ensure comfort while performing.
3. Merrell
Merrell has made a pleasant reputation in the world for being an extraordinarily comfortable shoe-applying technology such as M Select™ FIT.ECO+ contoured footbed and EVA foam midsole. These are crafted from superior materials and robust construction.
Built to last, the Vibram traction supplies the ground on which various conditions exist from the rocky trail to the muddy path. Many Merrell trek shoe models have water and breathable membranes such as Gore-Tex that will keep dry feet in any season.
These shoes, depending on their service can be bought anywhere between Rs. 17,000 to a whopping Rs. 50, 000. Some most famous Merrell trekking boot models are –
Moab 2 Mid GTX
This is a typical hiking boot that carries the features of comfort, durability, and waterproof protection.
Moab Speed
It is a super-lightweight footwear item that is perfect for speed hiking and trail running.
Alverstone
A boot that people mostly wear for any outdoor activity: hikes, backpacks, and even casual looks.
4. The North Face
The North Face is a world-class outdoor brand with countless hiking and trekking boots available in the market offering high-quality products to its customers. You can use these shoes while hiking or trekking in the worst conditions, which gives the best performance of them.
You can get the cheapest one for around Rs. 8,000 and the price goes up with quality. Here are a few popular trekking boots from the North Face:
Verto S9K
It has been designed for technical mountaineering and provides sufficient ankle support, waterproofness, and traction.
Hedgehog Fastpack II
The very lightweight and versatile boot is perfect for a day hike or fast-paced trekking.
Storm Peak 3 Mid Futurelight
It incorporates an advanced waterproof and breathable technology which makes it more adaptable to various weather conditions.
5. Salomon
It is a brand that’s now popular across most parts of the world, known majorly for its highly competent hiking and trail running shoes. You can get the brand’s cheapest trekking shoes for Rs. 7,000 with the highest being Rs. 27,500.
The company’s shoes are designed for comfort, support, and protection which have made them suitable for wear by both hikers and outdoor activity participants.
Some of the common trekking shoe models by Salomon include:
X Ultra 4 Mid GTX
A hiking boot designed for performance as it provides great traction and stability with waterproof protection. These boots can be worn on nearly all types of terrains or weather.
XA Pro 3D
This trail running shoe has been built to conquer rugged terrain with amazing traction, cushioning, and protection.
Quest 4D
A more technical boot, which is built for very challenging hikes and mountaineering. It has excellent ankle support and durability.
Finer details of trekking shoes
So now that you know what type of trekking shoes you require, we can move on to the shoe’s many details. Let’s begin with the construction of the trekking shoe.
A trekking shoe comprises three primary elements concerning its building and external appearance that determine the endurance of the shoe, comfort within it, and grip on different terrains.
Upper:
The upper portion of the shoe is responsible for the shaping of the shoe in terms of weight, durability, and breathability, besides the water-repellent quality of the shoe.
The first thing one has to study is the material that makes up the upper parts of the shoes. Two of the most popular in the market are leather and synthetic leather.
Leather shoes are the best option in order to guarantee durability, protection, and comfort. The leather has a very critical impact on the whole perception-from aesthetic perspective up to its property concerning waterproofing.
There are a few such options currently in the market like full-grain leather, top-grain leather, and split leather.
Midsole
This is the place where comfort and stability lie in the shoes.
It is rigid in shoes and has cushioning for your feet. Your shoe’s midsole must be hard enough to prevent shocks by abrasive surfaces while walking on long rocky zones.
The real power behind shoe soles comes from two main materials: EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) and Polyurethane.
Outsole
The lug on the shoe sole tells you what kind of grip a specific shoe will have while crossing the mountains. They make your walking easier through dirt, trail, or ground.
The deeper and thicker the lug is, the more traction it provides to your feet. The elevated heel area at the lower edge of your shoe, called the heel brake, reduces the possibility of slipping during a steep fall.
Factors to consider while choosing trekking shoes
Before buying the trekking shoes, ask yourself these essential questions:
1. What is the terrain like?
You can expect some terrains of the Manaslu Circuit to get as hard as they can. This trek includes steep climbs, sudden descents, rocky trails, lofty passes, river crossings, and even remote valleys, you just name it. In fact, it requires a very strong and sturdy pair of trekking shoes to put off harm to your feet.
2. How long is the trek going to be?
Some trekking shoes look strong and work just fine for a couple of days. Trekking Manaslu takes an average of about 12 to 14 days, which is quite a long one. If someone is going on such long hiking trails, he or she should opt for a well-made trekking shoe that has strong ankle support.
3. How much weight you are likely to carry?
For long treks, it will be very necessary for you to pack properly what you will carry along, the longer it is going to be your trek, the more things you will stuff inside your bag. Somewhat load-heavy shoes and an encumbering backpack will be a headache.
On such long treks, the heaviness of your bags and your shoes will take a toll on your joints and give you foot fatigue. So, choosing shoes that work best for any amount of weight is necessary.
Conclusion
Trekking shoes that have been thought out well are essentials that can facilitate a successful Manaslu Circuit Trek. While bad shoes can break your experience, good ones can make your experience comfortable, stable, and protected. You have to select boots that are strong enough, waterproofed, and, more importantly, comfortable and with proper ankle support.
Choose based on the terrain and weather conditions where you will walk. If you invest in proper shoes, you will enjoy your trekking experience more, and there will be little chance of suffering any injuries.
FAQs
1. Can a tight-fitting trekking shoe give you blisters?
Ans: Yes. Trekking shoes should be roomy as they need space for wiggling. When laced up, your toes shouldn’t reach the tip of the shoebox.
Ensure that when trying out your shoes, you’re putting on the same socks you’d wear while trekking. The pair will help you pinpoint an accurate size since socks would normally need added room.
2. Are there river crossings to do?
Ans: Many river crossings have to be done on the Manaslu Circuit Trek. Also, you can not guarantee sudden showers or snowstorms. In that case, choosing a pair of waterproof trekking shoes among other qualities is a must. You can not walk around with wet feet in that cold. That’s why such boots are needed to keep your feet dry and warm.
