Quick answer: A Himalayan snow trek needs trekking shoes that are waterproof, support the ankle and grip well, with microspikes and gaiters on top. On most Trekkaro winter treks the shoes come in our Free Trekking Gear kit, with no rental fee (₹3,000 refundable deposit and ₹200 washing charge); on Chadar you bring your own shoes and gumboots.
Will your sneakers do in snow? Do you need boots? And what does Trekkaro give you? This guide answers all three before you book. It explains what a snow trek asks of your feet, how to judge a pair, and which treks need what.
What does a snow trek ask of your shoes?
A winter trail in the Himalaya is not one surface. Our trek pages describe what your feet meet on a single trek:
- Soft and deep snow in the forest, where the Kuari Pass page says "every step of the trail" is covered from December to March
- Hard-packed snow and ice on summit days, such as the frozen stream and icy sections on the Kuari Pass summit day
- Water from stream crossings and melting snow
- Long descents, where the load moves to your knees and ankles, as on the 11 km descent from Khullara to Dhak
A shoe that stays dry, holds your ankle and grips covers soft snow, water and descents. Microspikes handle hard-packed snow and ice, and gaiters keep deep snow out from above.
Which features matter in a snow trekking shoe?
These are the features of the Quechua TREK 100 shoe in Trekkaro's Free Trekking Gear, as listed on our gear page, and the standard our trek pages set if you bring your own: "broken-in, waterproof … with ankle support".
| Feature | Why it matters in snow | How to check your own pair |
|---|---|---|
| Waterproof membrane | Snow melts on contact and soaks a mesh shoe; our gear page says the TREK 100 membrane handles glacial stream crossings | Look for a waterproof label on the shoe, not "water-resistant" |
| Ankle support | Holds the joint on uneven snow and on long descents | The collar should rise above the ankle bone and lace up firmly |
| Multi-directional grip sole | Grips uphill, downhill and on side slopes | Deep lugs facing different directions, not a flat running sole |
| Broken in | New shoes on a multi-day trek can rub and blister | Walk several outings in them before the trek |
| Room for warm socks | The Kedarkantha page asks for 3–4 pairs of socks; you want warm socks without squeezing your toes | Try the shoe on with the socks you will trek in |
| Fits microspikes and gaiters | Both strap over the shoe | A shoe with a defined heel and toe takes them best |
A running shoe without a waterproof membrane or ankle support does not meet this standard, however good it is on a road. So you do not need heavy boots: a waterproof trekking shoe with ankle support, like the TREK 100 in our kit, meets that standard.
Do you need to buy shoes for a Trekkaro winter trek?
On most of our winter treks, no. The Free Trekking Gear kit includes Quechua TREK 100 trekking shoes, a Quechua SH100 jacket rated to -10°C, trekking poles, microspikes and gaiters. There is no rental fee: you pay a ₹3,000 refundable deposit and a ₹200 washing charge (+ GST on washing).
You give your shoe size at booking, and the shoes are laced and tested on your feet at the pre-trek gear check; our gear cost guide explains the deposit and return process in full.
Kedarkantha, Brahmatal, Kuari Pass, Dayara Bugyal, Chopta Chandrashila, Gulabi Kantha and Nag Tibba are not among the six exclusions, so they come with the full kit. If you already own a broken-in, waterproof pair with ankle support, you are welcome to bring it instead.
Which treks need your own shoes?
Six treks do not include the full kit: Chadar, Hampta Pass, Kashmir Great Lakes, Valley of Flowers, Bhrigu Lake and Rupin Pass. On these, Trekkaro gives free microspikes and gaiters (no deposit, no charge) and you bring your own shoes, jacket and poles.
Of these, only Chadar runs in winter, and it is a special case. The trek page says gumboots are mandatory on the frozen Zanskar, and that walking on ice in them takes practice. You bring:
- Gumboots for the ice, and your own trekking shoes
- Your own jacket and trekking poles
- The free microspikes and gaiters from Trekkaro
The Chadar page also notes that six to seven hours in gumboots on slippery surfaces is tiring in its own way, so get used to them before you fly to Leh.
What goes over and inside the shoe?
A shoe alone does not keep your feet dry and steady in snow. Three other items do part of the job:
- Gaiters seal out snow, loose scree and stream water from entering the shoe from above. In deep forest snow they help keep your socks dry.
- Microspikes strap over the shoe for grip on hard-packed snow and ice. Our gear page says they are handed out the evening before the high-altitude crossing.
- Warm socks matter as much as the shoe: the Kedarkantha page asks for 3–4 pairs, and our packing list advises keeping one thick pair dry only for sleeping.
Trekking poles finish the system. The Kuari Pass page asks you to take short steps, plant your poles firmly and walk in the line your guide sets on snow.
How do you look after shoes on a winter trek?
- If you bring your own pair, walk in it until it is broken in, and check the sole for worn grip.
- Fit your gaiters before the snow, not after your socks are wet, and put microspikes on when your trek leader asks; the Dayara Bugyal page says exactly this for summit day.
- At camp, change into dry socks and keep wet shoes inside the tent area in a plastic bag so they do not freeze, as our packing list advises.
- At the end, return kit shoes with the rest of the Free Trekking Gear and tell your trek leader about any damage at the gear check.
What should you check before you travel?
Snow conditions change, so check the weather before you leave. The Uttarakhand Health Department's high-altitude advisory asks travellers to check the weather and dress for it before starting, and to pack for cold, rain and sun. On the trek, your trek leader decides when microspikes go on.
If you are building the rest of your kit, our winter trek packing list covers layers, bags and small items, and our gear cost guide compares buying, renting and the free kit.
See Trekkaro's winter treks and dates | Winter trek packing list | Rent or buy trekking gear?
Frequently asked questions
Can I do a snow trek in sports shoes?
A snow trek needs a waterproof shoe with ankle support and a grippy sole. A sports or running shoe without those features does not meet that standard.
Are Trekkaro's free trekking shoes waterproof?
Yes. The kit uses the Quechua TREK 100, which our gear page lists as waterproof and ankle-supportive with a multi-directional grip sole. There is no rental fee: a ₹3,000 refundable deposit and a ₹200 washing charge (+ GST on washing).
Do I need boots or trekking shoes for Kedarkantha in winter?
Waterproof trekking shoes with ankle support, plus microspikes and gaiters. On Kedarkantha all three come in Trekkaro's Free Trekking Gear.
What shoes do I need for the Chadar trek?
Gumboots are mandatory on the ice, and you also bring your own trekking shoes. Trekkaro gives free microspikes and gaiters on Chadar, with no deposit and no charge.
Can I bring my own shoes instead of the free ones?
Yes. Your own broken-in, waterproof pair with ankle support is welcome. Walk in them before the trek so they are broken in.
