6 Best Trekking Shoes in Japan – 2024

Introduction

When it’s vacation time, people start looking for ways to make the most of their holidays. Some book tickets for popular tourist spots, and some look for trekking points. Trekking is one of the adventure activities that the younger generation is enjoying a lot nowadays. Many young adults and even older adults love to go trekking to explore and enjoy the scenery.

Basically, we know trekking is a walking expedition, so what is most important for trekking comfortably is a good pair of trekking shoes. Selecting the best trekking shoe among many options is a challenging thing for many people. Therefore, we are here to help you find the best trekking shoes in Japan.

Some are really fond of trekking, some are not even aware of this term, and even if they know what trekking is, they might not know exactly what trekking feels like and the equipment required to go for trekking. So before digging deep into the list of the best trekking shoes, let’s first know about trekking to understand the need for trekking shoes and extremities one has to deal with while trekking.

Trekking is an outdoor activity of walking for more than a single day. Trekking can be taken as a motive, an aim, a social gathering, an objective, a party. People who are fond of nature or love to explore new places opt for trekking.

Trekking can be thought of as an intense exercise or a unique learning experience. While people trek, they have to face different difficulties and uncertainties, and by overcoming these, they allow themselves to enhance their knowledge, understand the world, and become brave and confident.

There are different spots to enjoy trekking, like the Everest region, the Khumbu region. It is situated on the northeastern side of Nepal. Some of the famous trekking routes in the Everest region are – Everest base camp trek, Everest base camp Kala Pattar, Everest base camp three high pass trek, Tengboche Monastery Everest view Panorama trek, Jiri to Everest view trek, and many more.

Two-third of the trekkers in Nepal also visit the Annapurna region. This area is easily accessible. There are basically three major trekking routes in the Annapurna region- Annapurna circuit trekking, Jomson to Annapurna Sanctuary trek, and Ghorepani Poonhill trek.

There are other Nepalese Himalayas like the Manaslu region in the west-central part, known as the “Mountains of the Spirits”. Another is the Langtang region to the north of the Kathmandu valley bordering Tibet. Langtang trekking region goes through traditional, ethnic villages and virgin forests.

One can find many trekking spots, for which they can book tickets to go with a group or can go solo. Before going, do not forget to pack the essential things and try to take precautions, and avoid places that are quite dangerous to trek.

Let's take a deep dive into these 6 best Trekking Shoes in Japan

Tips for choosing the right Trekking Boots for you

Different shoes are suitable for different kinds of trekking. The best versatile pair will help you the most while trekking. So before buying good trekking shoes which will work in any weather condition, focus on the following points :

Look for good grip

To find the best trekking shoes with good grips is to glance at the grooves. A shoe with deep grooves can have anything stuck in its grooves, be it mud, slush, dirt, and this feature define shoes with good grip.

Check the softness and flexibility of the shoe sole

Trekking means walking on different kinds of terrain. And to walk long distances with ease, your shoe must adapt to the terrain. This can only be possible if your shoe has a soft and flexible sole. And if you have to check the softness, just tap a key on the sole and listen to the kind of noise it makes. If it makes a dull sound, then the sole is soft, and if a sharp sound is heard, the sole is hard, and this type of sole will not work on the trek.

Look for ankle support

Running shoes and sports shoes have flexibility and good grip, but they lack ankle support and to walk on tough terrain to climb up and down, ankles are mostly prone to twisting in unusual angles, and it will hurt you. So to prevent this and have safe trekking buy a shoe having good ankle support.

Choose a perfect fit

The most important thing to test in any kind of shoe is to check whether your shoe is a perfect fit for your foot. And for trekking shoes, it will be right to have a shoe a size larger than your normal shoe size. If your shoe does not have extra space, your foot may get shoe bites due to constant rubbing of the toe against the shoe wall and will give extra room for woollen socks if you go for a winter trek.

Water-resistant pair

If you go on more than a one-day trek, you might not know about the weather change, so it is better to wear a water-resistant pair. Even if you go for a monsoon trek in the ghats, then also you will require water-resistant shoes. Trekkers go through snow, rain, water bodies, and other regions where feet can get wet. If your shoe gets wet, it may cause a shoe bite or some form of calluses. An added layer of leather or resin is of great use to make the shoe water-resistant.

Outer surface

While buying the perfect pair of trekking shoes, look for shoes made up of polyester nylon because they feel light and dry fast. The outer surface should be water-resistant. Hence, check for a waterproof membrane.

Insole

There are various kinds of insole on the market, but you need to look for abrasion resistance to prevent blisters. They come for high ankle shoes. They should provide comfort and cushion to the feet.

Sole

To check the best sole, look for a flexible sole, and it should feel hard like snow boots. According to the shape of your foot, choose the shoe accordingly. E.g. if you have broad feet, then do not buy narrow sole shoes.

Advantages of using Trekking Boots

Stiffness & Support

You want to get as much stability from your trekking shoes as necessary while trekking. The best trekking shoes in Japan give the necessary support & stiffness.

Trekking shoes are the best options for people carrying a backpack since they feature firmer midsoles & better ankle coverage than other shoes.

Comfort

The outstanding feature of trekking shoes is that individuals do not have to be concerned about things like discomfort. Trekking shoes are more versatile than sneakers since you can use them in all weather conditions. You won’t have to stress about slippery rocks, ice, sand, or anything else along the walking trails.

Outsole

The coolest part about the best hiking shoes in Japan is that they are mainly constructed of rubber. The area that meets the ground features a design to prevent you from slipping while trekking on muddy terrain.

It’s advisable to invest in trekking footwear with high-quality outsoles to prevent accidents or mishaps while trekking.

Appearance

Trekking shoes have a far cooler appearance than conventional shoes or boots. They come in a variety of patterns & colors, allowing you to suit your hiking outfit with your shoes.

Waterproof

Materials such as Gore-tex & eVent keep the trekking shoe clean & dry throughout the monsoon season, snowfall, and when you face mud & water on the trail. 

Other shoes are made to dry rapidly, but they do not offer the same benefits as hiking boots. Typical sneakers or athletic shoes can become wet. That’s why trekking shoes are essential for trekking.

Even though they keep the feet clean, they have minimal ventilation, which can irritate some and result in blisters.

Durability

We can’t deny that trekking shoes are designed for specific terrains. Trekking shoes outlast sneakers in terms of durability. You may need new shoes every few weeks or months, but the best trekking boots in Japan may last for years if you know how to maintain them.

Ankle cushioning on the inside

Ankle cushioning is among the most critical aspects of trekking shoes. Ankle cushioning protects the bone sections of the legs, meaning your ankles. Because the ankles have so little fat padding, the inner ankle cushioning provides the additional comfort required to preserve the ankle during extended treks.

Conclusion

We hope that our article on the Best Trekking Shoes in Japan helps you choose a sturdy, long-lasting, breathable, and comfortable-to-wear trekking shoe.

Did you find this article interesting? Were these products on your checklist as well?

Do keep us posted in the comments below and share it with your friends, families, and dear ones.

Also, don`t forget to mention the shoe you pick up to wear from the next time onward whenever you go for trekking and hiking.