The top boots for the Annapurna Circuit. On this tough trip with some of the most stunning mountains in Nepal, your shoes will be your great friends. They will take you over rivers, through woods, across forested ridges, and the big Thorong La pass.
Choose the wrong pair, the wrong fit for a certain pursuit, and you could have blister-causing rubbing in quicker than you can say scree slope. Yet another pair of boots that’ll keep you feeling this great, comfortable, and supported, even in the sort of sloppy, rough-footing conditions you’re likely to meet on the Annapurna Circuit, the trail that Nepal built is worth its weight in gold.
From the classic trekking adventure to the challenging ones like the Tilicho Lake trek, I’ve got everything you need to make sure you stay on your feet, and just a heads up, this is how to choose the best trekking footwear to pack.
Annapurna Circuit: What You Wear on Your Feet Means Everything
Want to take two world tours and travel on foot before your knees quit? Hike the Annapurna Circuit, The World’s Most Diverse Hike. A diversity of conditions will be encountered: boulder-strewn trails, grassy rutted paths, frozen peaks, slick tracks, and perhaps snow-dusted trails — especially near this trip’s highest point, Thorong La (17,770 feet). Add different temperatures, stream crossings, and unpredictable weather to tha, and it is quickly obvious that excellent shoes are key.
The best trekking boots should be more than just ankle protection; they should fight fatigue, provide a solid base, protect against rolling an ankle, achy knees, and a sore back, too. You’re not looking at something wonderful; you’re thinking about your pain and what your bad shoes have done to you.
Annapurna Circuit Trek Trail: What are the Best Shoes?
High-ankle waterproof trekking boots get the job done. I’m sure these are the best you’ll ever find in support, durability, and water-beating resistance.
When trekking within the hotter months and lower elevations, it’s also viable to hike some sections of the trail in ultralight trekking footwear. They’re additionally extra breathable and lighter on the feet, which arguably ought to save energy. But such shoes do not offer the ankle support and insulation you get at higher altitudes.
However, trail running shoes are the choice of some of the most hardcore hikers I know simply because they’re lighter and allow more movement. They are perfect for those who don’t have a huge expedition load but have done a bit of Himalayan walking. Trail runners are also breathable, and their fast-drying mesh upper will prevent the bulk of the snowmelt from soaking into your shoes, but you still might wind up with too much of your foot being exposed and cold, especially if you are standing at altitude.
This depends on the time of year, your level of fitness, and whether or not you plan to go on any side treks, such as the Annapurna Circuit Trek Itinerary with Tilicho Lake or Poon Hill, as to which trek to do.
Some Of The Important Functions Carried Out By Trekking Shoes
Now, in your hiking boots, you need something that is comfortable and suits your feet nicely. You’re aiming for snugness without pressure over the top of the foot, room on your toes to wiggle, and no slipping on the heel. Placed them on with the sort of socks you would put on whilst trekking in them, preferably later in the day, whilst your feet are a bit more swollen. Search for a close, healthy fit to minimize chafing, which can cause blisters, to a minimum.
Waterproofing is another essential feature. It’s all part of what it is if you are going to hike in the Annapurn, and yes, it’s snowing, yes, it’s raining all day, ay or yes, when it is ice river cold, a million crossing the water again. You can also wear your boots and not get wet, and that is kind of fun, like when Winnie the Pooh goes into the Hundred Acre Wood and doesn’t get wet, it’s kind of nice, which it kind of is only when you think about not getting snow in your shoe, pretty soft concerning cold-weather injuries and general suffering.
There’s only one way to grip, and you should limit it to wet rocks and steep-angle use. If you’re going to build a new outfit from the ground up this season, ground it in a pair of boots with Vibram or similarly rough soles, sheer toughness, and traction.
Weight also plays a role. So today, we have ultra-light hiking boots for you so that you can reduce the burden on your feet as you trek and not compromise on the ankle protection & ankle support.
“Plus, breathability could be a game-changer for wearing them outside on a hot day.” On the other hand, if your big footwear is constructed to permit your sweat and moisture to evaporate, your feet will remain dry, and have less chance of blistering or smelling of odor.
New Boots Break-In for Our Trip
Description: Of course, even the best hiking boots in the world aren’t going to do you any favors if you haven’t broken them in on the trail. You will need to break in your boots, and some knowledge of how to use them doesn’t hurt; the Annapurna Round Trek is quite challenging.
Start by going around the home or for little strolls. Gradually extend the time of your walks to mimic the situation of the trek — over rough ground, up and down hills — with your backpack. This softens and forms to your foot, and that can be one way for some annoying but not-gonna-completely-ruin-the-shoe thing to shake itself out early on.
Shoe love on the Annapurna Circuit
As important as the boots are, just as important is stowing two or three pairs of decent trekking socks. Others wanted to sweat less, or to not experience friction at all, some swearing by merino wool or moisture-wicking synthetics. Don’t wear cotton,” he says, “because when cotton gets wet, it stays wet, and you get blisters.
Your feet need a day off after a day on the trails. Bring a light pair of camp sandals or camp shoes that way you have something to let your tootsies hang out and let some air in when you roll into the teahouse.
Make sure you check them out for any sign of wear and tear ahead of your hike so that you can be confident of the stability and traction on the uphill and downhill return on your trail. If you want to be prepared, a solid repair kit with some extra laces, duct tape, and seam sealer could be the trail life-saver if a wrong turn nudges you onto a slope so you can MacGyver together a quick pair of snowshoes.
Conclusion: Step Forward with Confidence
They won’t be the sexiest little bit of kit in your hiking arsenal; however, your unpleasant antique trekking footwear is also one of the most crucial. And with the right job-hiking boots around your feet and on your feet, you’ll even be able to fight off whatever the Annapurna Circuit Nepal throws your way (be that killer climbs, many-a river crossings, or altitude high up by mountain passes).
You are going to want a wedge that you can walk in comfortably, which is water-friendly, supports around your ankle, great traction so you don’t fall,” Ms. Donath said. Break them in before you hit the trail, and wear them with the right socks and post-hike shoes.
Take some of the right decisions and a little pre-trek homework, and those puppies will carry you down and around every bend of the Annapurna Circuit Trek (and over Thorong La, and also up and around on side treks such as the incredible trek to the Tilicho Lake).
