Buying the right kind of outdoor shoes, in its usual sense was once a major hassle. But these days, one can acquire all the information needed to buy a perfect pair of shoes, provided you ask the right people.

Many reputable shops around the city offer some really good advice on finding the perfect outdoor shoes for you. In many of these shops, an expert will probably be there to suggest the ideal footwear for you. However, things could get a lot easier, if you already knew what you require from your outdoor shoes and which would be the best place to find it.

We asked a few people who knew something about the recurring challenges and issues when it comes to outdoor activities. These adventurers are quite well-known individuals among the travellers and include names, such as Rushikesh Kulkarni, Man in Charge, Breakfree Journeys (Cult Travel outfit); Vineeta and Divyesh Muni, mountaineering enthusiasts and photographers; Anupama Kinagi, photographer, mountaineer and artist; and Anuradha Gadre, entrepreneur and marathoner.

What you need them for?

If you are not a professional athlete, your recreational outdoor activity may include a variety of activities. The most commonly liked activities include trail walking, running, and cycling. These activities can be best enjoyed in the northern region of India which is full of exciting places for many travellers to visit, as they usually embark on some of the toughest journeys there. Many rock climbers take on the rugged rock formations, while others go for mountaineering to conquer some of the harshest terrains.

Trekking is popular among many enthusiasts, as many of them like trekking along the mountains, forest and riversides. Trekking in the Sahyadris, especially in monsoon is what Anupama Kinagi likes the most.

“Yes, I do wear different kinds of shoes depending on the activity,” says Anuradha Gadre, an entrepreneur, who runs half marathons and also enjoys hill runs.  Let’s see why different shoes are needed for different activities.

Designed for Purpose

Let’s hear it from the experts…

Comfort comes first. As Rushikesh Kulkarni puts it, “Since walking for long hours are involved, comfort is of primary concern. One must ideally wear the shoes before buying and also for a few days before going on the trail”.

Next is Support. “Sturdy is better”, says Rushikesh, “But for monsoon trails, slightly less tough shoes work okay as well”.

Durability is also of major importance. “The shoes I buy vary with its sole, brand, whatever material used in making and so on.” This is the strategy for Anupama because along with comfort fitting, the brand name ensures durability.

There are other features seen essential by many of these adventurers, which include flexibility, weight, grip and arch. Water resistive capability is another feature especially vital if you have a liking for monsoon treks or other water sport activities. This is because you would want to keep your feet moisture-free, the same thing that you would hope for your body when wearing some quality rainwear.

The Best Place to buy them in Mumbai?

Big Stores, such as Decathlon and Adventure 18 Shop are popular among almost most of our adventurers. Other names that came up included Nandu's store and the Mountain Sports Academy in Gorai.

For many, what’s important is the brand of shoes you buy, no matter where you would buy them from. In this case, big names, such as Adidas and Nike seem to be favourites among many.

“To buy outdoor shoes in Bombay, I'd recommend any store that sells Asics, Adidas or Nike,” says Anuradha. “One usually finds a pair suitable for most activities with these brands.”

Rushikesh has his own favourite brand, as he responds, “Action Trekking Shoes by Campus are available at all shoe stores.”

Maintain Your Shoes Properly

One major aspect of maintaining your outdoor shoes which were brought up by many is its regular cleaning.

“After each trial, make sure you clean the sole manually with a brush to remove any dirt or stones,” says Rushikesh. “If a wash is required or the shoes are wet, make sure they are dried in the sun. On the trail, if you remove your shoes for the night, make sure you stuff them with either some cloth or newspaper as they might attract insects, reptiles while on the trip.”

Anupama stresses on the damage that can be caused by a foreign object, “Every time I come from any trek, I wash my shoes (only if it needs washing). Then I would dry them properly.” And here is a piece of advice particularly helpful to the mountain climbers out there, “Each time I climb any mountain, I would check the sole, remove stones or another object from it, and then it (shoes) goes back in the shelf.”

Vineeta Muni also has few important tips for us, “Store them in an airy place, if they are caked with mud and then just dry those in shade. The dried mud will just fall off. In case of wetness due to any sweat inside the shoes, remove the insoles, then air them and the shoes separately.”

“For leather boots, wax them with Beeswax once in a while to keep them in top condition and water-resistant. Never leave or store your shoes in the car, as the heat is bad for the rubber soles as seen in case of Rock climbing shoes.”

For Anuradha, storing of shoes is a big part of its maintenance. “Keep some silica gel to absorb moisture around and keep the shoes dry. Store your shoes separately to avoid unnecessary fraying of fabric and laces.”

In Conclusion

Depending on the outdoor activity you love, you will have to consider the environmental factors that are challenging for your feet, such as dirt, water, rocks or even snow. Find a pair that addresses any of those issues specifically and look for better quality that usually comes with a famed brand name. In the end, all these ideas can be successfully applied only in a store that already has a variety of options available for outdoor shoes.