Quick answer: Hiking shoes are low-cut, light and flexible, made for day walks on dry, marked trails. Trekking shoes are mid- or high-cut, waterproof and stiffer, with ankle support and a deep-lug sole for multi-day mountain trails, snow and streams. Trekkaro's winter treks include Decathlon trekking shoes in the Free Trekking Gear, with SpO2 checked twice a day at every campsite.
What is the difference between trekking shoes and hiking shoes?
The two look alike on a shop shelf, and some brands use the names loosely. What separates them is the job they are built for. A hiking shoe is built for a few hours on a dry path. A trekking shoe is built for several days on rough mountain ground that can be wet or under snow, with a loaded backpack on your shoulders.
| Feature | Hiking shoe | Trekking shoe |
|---|---|---|
| Cut | Low, below the ankle bone | Mid or high, wrapping the ankle |
| Ankle support | Little; the ankle moves freely | A padded collar that steadies the ankle on uneven ground |
| Sole | Flexible, with shallow lugs | Stiffer, with deeper lugs that grip in several directions |
| Waterproofing | Many are mesh, for airflow | A waterproof membrane that keeps out stream water and melting snow |
| Weight | Light | Heavier, because of the sole, collar and membrane |
| Breaking in | Comfortable almost at once | Needs a few walks before a long trek |
| Best for | Day walks on dry, marked trails | Multi-day treks, snow, scree, stream crossings and loaded descents |
Neither is better in general. A hiking shoe is the more comfortable choice on a dry trail near the city. A trekking shoe earns its weight when the ground is steep, wet or frozen and you walk on it day after day.
When is a hiking shoe enough?
A hiking shoe is fine for a day walk on a dry, well-made path, for a short forest trail, or for a walk where you can turn back at any time. It is light, it breathes, and it does not need breaking in.
It is not enough for a Himalayan winter trek. On the Kuari Pass trek, where you may bring your own pair instead of the free one, the standard is a broken-in, waterproof shoe with ankle support. A low-cut mesh shoe fails on both counts: snow gets in at the ankle and soaks through the mesh, and on a side slope the ankle has nothing to steady it.
Why do Himalayan winter treks need trekking shoes?
Because of what the trail does in winter. These are the conditions on five of Trekkaro's winter treks.
| Trek | What the shoes face |
|---|---|
| Kedarkantha | Snow from December along the trail above Sankri to the 3,810 m summit, deepest at base camp in January |
| Brahmatal | Snow 2 to 4 feet deep on the trail above Lohajung from December to February |
| Kuari Pass | Thick snow in the forest between Gulling and Khullara from December to March |
| Chopta Chandrashila | Steep descents on Day 3 that are hard on the knees, and the steepest stretch from Tungnath to Chandrashila |
| Nag Tibba | A section under snow from about December to February that can be slippery |
Each row asks for the same three things. A waterproof membrane, so melting snow does not reach your socks. Ankle support, so a slip on a snowy slope does not twist the ankle. And a firm, deep-lug sole that gives grip and takes a microspike. Microspikes strap over the trekking shoe for grip on packed snow and ice, and gaiters seal the top of the shoe against snow; both need a shoe with a solid upper and sole to sit on. Our guides to microspikes for winter treks and gaiters for trekking explain how each one fits.
Cold matters too. Wet feet in a camp where winter nights fall below freezing are a real risk, which is why a dry shoe matters more on a winter trek than on any hike. Before you travel, check the forecast for the trek's district on the India Meteorological Department's Dehradun centre.
What about high-cut boots, trail runners and sports shoes?
A high-cut boot gives the most ankle support and keeps snow out longest, but it is heavier and stiffer. A mid-cut waterproof trekking shoe is the middle ground for snow, especially with gaiters over it.
Trail running shoes are light and grippy, but most have no waterproof membrane and no ankle support, so they sit with hiking shoes for winter use. Sports shoes are not built for trails at all. Our guide to shoes for snow trekking goes into what a snow trek asks of any shoe.
How should a trekking shoe fit?
Fit matters more than brand. Try trekking shoes on in the evening, when your feet are at their largest, and wear the thick trekking socks you will use on the trek.
- Your toes should not touch the front when you stand on a downward slope. On long descents a tight toe box bruises toenails.
- Your heel should stay put when you walk uphill. A heel that lifts causes blisters.
- Lace the shoe fully and check that the collar holds the ankle without pressing on the ankle bone.
- Walk on a slope or stairs before you decide, not just on a flat shop floor.
- If the shoe is new, walk in it a few times before the trek so it softens and you find any pressure points early.
On a Trekkaro winter trek you give your shoe size when you book. At the pre-trek gear check the shoes are laced and tested on your feet, so a pair that does not fit is changed before you start walking.
Do you need to buy trekking shoes?
Not for Trekkaro's winter treks in Uttarakhand. Decathlon Quechua TREK 100 trekking shoes are part of our Free Trekking Gear: a waterproof, ankle-supportive shoe with a multi-directional grip sole, worth ₹6,999 to buy. The kit also has a Quechua SH100 jacket rated to -10°C, trekking poles, gaiters and microspikes, and the five items together cost about ₹13,395. There is no rental fee, only a ₹3,000 refundable deposit and a ₹200 washing charge, plus GST on the washing charge. The deposit comes back by UPI within 7 working days of the gear check.
On Chadar, Hampta Pass, Kashmir Great Lakes, Valley of Flowers, Bhrigu Lake and Rupin Pass the full kit is not included, so you bring your own footwear; Trekkaro still gives free microspikes and gaiters there. If you are weighing renting a pair for another trek, our guide to trekking shoes on rent lists what to inspect.
What should you check before you book a winter trek?
Whether you need to buy trekking shoes at all depends on what the trek fee covers. Ask these questions before you pay; the last column shows Trekkaro's answers on its winter treks.
| What to check | Why it matters | With Trekkaro |
|---|---|---|
| Are waterproof trekking shoes included, or only listed as "bring your own"? | Without them you buy a pair worth several thousand rupees, or rent shoes someone else has worn. | Decathlon trekking shoes come with the Free Trekking Gear, fitted at the gear check. |
| Do microspikes and gaiters come with the shoes? | Without them a good shoe still slips on ice and fills with snow. | Yes, along with a -10°C jacket and poles. Buying the five items costs about ₹13,395. |
| How is your health tracked on the trail? | Without regular checks, altitude sickness can be missed until it is serious. | SpO2 and pulse twice a day at every campsite. |
| What emergency kit is with the group? | Without oxygen and a stretcher, a twisted ankle or a sick trekker waits for help from the road. | One oxygen cylinder, one stretcher and a first-aid kit with every batch. |
| How many trekkers per leader or guide? | With too few leaders, nobody checks your footing on the icy stretches. | Up to 20 trekkers per batch, one trek leader or guide for every 8. |
| What does the fee include? | Without a list, gear and permits appear as extras later. | Stays, tents, pure vegetarian meals, permits and the gear kit. On the Brahmatal trek, for example, the fee is ₹9,000 per person plus 5% GST (₹9,450 with GST). |
| What are the cancellation terms? | Without them you cannot judge the risk of booking early. | 70% back at 30 or more days, 50% at 15 to 29 days, no cash refund from 14 days; or a 100% TrekCash voucher, a free reschedule or a transfer up to 8 days before. |
| Is EMI available? | Without it the whole fee is due at booking. | EMI starts at ₹463 a month. |
See the Free Trekking Gear | Shoes for snow trekking | Hiking vs trekking
Frequently asked questions
Can I use hiking shoes for a winter trek like Kedarkantha?
Not low-cut mesh hiking shoes. Kedarkantha is under snow from December, so you need a waterproof shoe with ankle support and a firm sole that takes microspikes.
Are trekking shoes waterproof?
Good trekking shoes have a waterproof membrane, and that is one of the main differences from hiking shoes. The Decathlon trekking shoes in Trekkaro's Free Trekking Gear are waterproof.
Is a high-cut boot better than a mid-cut trekking shoe?
A high-cut boot gives more ankle support but is heavier and stiffer. A mid-cut waterproof trekking shoe with gaiters over it suits the Uttarakhand winter treks.
Can I bring my own shoes on a Trekkaro trek?
On the Kuari Pass trek, your own broken-in, waterproof pair with ankle support is welcome instead of the free pair. On Chadar and the other treks without the full kit, you bring your own shoes.
What should I look for when choosing a company for a winter trek?
Check whether trekking shoes, microspikes, gaiters, a jacket and poles are in the fee. Then ask how many times a day SpO2 is checked, and compare the oxygen cylinder and stretcher, the 1:8 ratio, what the fee covers, cancellation terms and EMI.
