Everybody always asks me what kind of boots you should have on Kilimanjaro. Really - it’s a matter of preference as long as they are waterproof. I have seen people in cross trainers, tennis shoes - and even Tevas. It also really depends where on the mountain you are, the time of year, and if you are comfortable with walking in boots for a week solid.
While I can’t vouch for these boots that are named Kilimanjaro GTX, they do look like a boot that would last a lifetime and be suitable for climbing Kilimanjaro. Although $200 is average, a bit expensive, you generally know in this price range that you are going to get something durable that is going to last for a long time. Remember, when you buy a boot, it takes a long time to break in, at least with leather ones. Don’t buy a boot two months before your climb. Buy one eight to six months in advance and try to use on regular basis, so your foot doesn’t get hacked on the mountain.
On footware, here is my dillemma…
I have spent essentially the entire summer wearing one of two types of shoes - a pair of Chaco sandals, and a pair of low-top, gore-tex, Merrell Chameleons that I use only when I’m in for a ‘rougher’ hike. I literally have done everything from swim on the rocky beaches of Croatia, played basketball, and climbed the hardcore Simitai portion of the Great Wall of China wearing my Chacos. I realize wearing Chacos on Kilimanjaro isn’t the greatest idea, however I was wondering if my Merrells would fit the bill. I don’t have the time (or the weight capacity in my round-the-world pack) to break in new trekking boots before my early September climb, but my Merrells are pretty well broken in and I will only be carrying a day pack really.
Thus my question, “Would it be better to just wear the Merrells, liner socks, and good wool socks to climb Kili, or should I try to find a pair of Trekking boots and break them in over the course of a few weeks?” There Merrells breath, have Vibram soles, and are waterproof, they just don’t have ankle support. Maybe I could tape up my feet and ankles in the mornings and untape them at night? Please help!
Two more things, the Merrells are drawstring (no laces) and I’ll be doing the Machame route.
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