Macchu Picchu and Footwear

Hey all,

I've got a footgear question for MP. I am planning on doing the trail this summer. I just wore out my last pair of hiking boots and don't have time to break in a new pair before I leave the country (I leave in a week and a half). I have wide feet and have always experienced problems with blistering--athletic tape is always the first thing I pack! I have a new pair of New Balances--everyday sneakers. They fit my feet great and don't cause blistering for me but, of course, lack any sort of ankle support. I have fairly strong ankles and am pretty well balanced. So for my question--what is the condition/nature of the Inca Trail to MP? I would be doing the classic 4-day. Are tennis shoes doable? What footwear did you use, and how did it work out for you?

Thanks in advance for your insight,

Marshall

although i've seen some do it with everyday sneakers, i really don't recommend it even if you have bionic ankles. there are downhill paths, especially after dead woman's pass, that are so steep you really need to have good ankle support.

you should have no problem with a pair of good-quality hiking boots. i hiked kinabalu (4,095m asl) using a pair of timberlands i bought just a day before the climb, and i had no problem. i did the 7-day inca trail (from mollepata) using the same shoes. mostly no problem, though i did twist my ankle twice or thrice. nothing major, i've had worse.

Both my husband and I have done a lot of trekking in different parts of the world including the classic 4 day Inca Trail. I wear a light weight trekking boot with good ankle support. My husband very happily treks in dunlops as trekking boots give him blisters. Compared with other treks, the 4 day trek over the 3 passes is straightforward with clear paths. There are the inca steps which are quite steep and narrow but we found them very straightforward. It probably is a matter of how used you are to that type of terrain. Many people undertaking that trek do have ankle or knee problems but this, we believe was due more to little or no experience with steep downhill descents.

Marshall,
I agree with the previous posters that proper boots are preferable but not essential.
If you are going to do it in sneakers I'd recommend that you buy a stick from a local to take some of the strain on the downhills. They'll probably throw in some Coca Leaf too - it helps with the Uphill !

The other thing to bear in mind is that it can get really muddy if it has rained especially around the campsites - so don't bring white sneakers if you want to keep them that way.

Mike

Thanks alot guys (and gal) for the input. Kalki, I have the same problem as your husband. It takes me a long time to find a pair of hiking boots that won't give me blisters and I really don't want to take a pair of untested boots only to get blisters on top of blisters (been there, ouch). I'm gonna take a pair of compression bandages to supply a little ankle support if my ankles start to get tired.

Thanks again,

Marshall