Being a trek lover, I usually spend my Saturdays & Sundays on treks. I am an active leader of 'Rock Climbers Club' and 'Guerilla Adventures', so I have started buying good quality adventure gears for trekking. I have done my many previous treks on floaters. Floaters of 'Weinbrenier' brand by 'Bata' give a good grip during trekking and I have experienced it during my many previous treks. But they (even all floaters) are useless in mud walk. This has been experienced at Kalsubai Peak Trek by me and then I decided to buy good trekking shoes.
My next trek was ‘Avchitgad’. It was a very easy trek but we had to face lot of scree, mud, slippery rocks full of moss etc. Felt good as I got a chance to test these shoes there. And after using these shoes in this trek, I would like to inform you friends that these should really performed well. If we think of comfort, the extra padding of these shoes give a nice treatment to our feet while trekking. They are quite water resistant too. Its high ankle gives our feet a good support and avoids sprain. The best feature of it that they are cheap.
I have tried to present below the pros and cons of these shoes based on my experience.
Pros:
It has a good grip. It has a single sole with good quality moulding. Upper shoe is made from good quality thick canvas with good quality padding for extra comfort for feet during ascending and descending. The lace allows us to loosen or tighten the shoes as per choice and comfort. Shoes consist of a technology similar to shock absorbing that is provided under insole below heels. This system also keeps the air ventilation inside shoes to keep feet fresh and this is a must for long run treks. They are light in weight hence can be kept in sack or hooked on sack. They are attractive and are available in 3 colours ( Black, Brown and Olive Green) in market. They are water proof in 3 inch deep water/mud (up-to thick net made on above toe in this shoes). Its high ankle gives our feet a good support and avoids sprain & provides safety from scorpions, insects etc. If used well, I have seen many trekkers using these shoes for years. And best feather is its reasonable and cheap price & it’s made in India.
Cons:
The main drawback of these shoes that it insole gets damaged fast. During rain treks or long run treks, especially on slopes, its insole starts getting rolled or folded under feet that damages it fast during trek and we are left no option but to change or replace it. But if we consider the price of insoles i.e. Rs. 20/- to 30/-, this cost is negligible. Another drawback of these shoes is they are water proof in only 3 inch deep water/mud i.e. only up-to thick net made on above toe in this shoes. If we have to cross deeper water level or stream, then water enters in shoes through the net and becomes wet inside too. But we find similar problem in other branded shoes too.
Conclusion:
Since I have planned to trek in Sahyadri more, it’s my confirm opinion that these shoes are best for trekking in Sahyadri. As an advice, I can even suggest you all these shoes if you are concentrating on Sahyadri only and I am sure that you will not be disappointed. :)
Note:
I had published this information on my Marathi blog ‘Sahya-Bhramanti' on 11-Feb-2012. But considering the increasing number visitors to this blog, I thought it would be useful here also, hence posted. So follow simple rules, Enjoy Sahyadri. :)
These shoes can be bought online at www.gorillaadventures.in