Kilimanjaro National Park Travel Forum

I've never been trekking before, but my boyfriend has persuaded and inspired me to cut my mountain trekking teeth...on Kilimanjaro (well, it's a nice gentle start!!) We are planning to go in September, and I've been slowly gathering information about what I will need, but I want to be sure about my boots as I don't want anything to stop me getting to the summit!!

I am going to struggle financially if I just buy the most expensive of everything believing it to be the best, so I'm hoping someone here can give me a little guidance on the best value brands, where I can save some money and where I really shouldn't scrimp at all! I have found a pair of hiking boots which seem to fit the criteria I will need, but they don't seem very expensive. Can anyone advise me on these? The brand is Viking.

http://www.surplusandadventure.com/ishop/800/shopscr2313.html

Thanks in advance for your help.

Jules

I did Kili in October an loved it, am sure you will too. Think you should opt for the Marangu route as it is the lowest impact but still I wouldnt call it easy. I still dont have my pics on here but you can see them at:

http://www.ofoto.co.uk/BrowsePhotos.jsp?&collid=83299910733

Not sure about the boots, You will need something that will take the cold as it will be a bit chilly on summit night. Would always recommend someone to buy boots in person. The best place i think is Cotswolds (www.cotswold-outdoor.com) if there is one near you. Get a couple of fleeces, dont worry about them all being Berghaus, get a cheaper brand like Peter Storm. You can rent a lot or stuff overthere (see the tip on my travel page for a good place)

I used Explore travel (www.explore-worldwide.com) they were brilliant! Running out of room so drop me a line if you want to know anything else.

Boots are a matter of choice, just make sure you get some miles in before your trip.

My only advice would be to wear two pairs of socks. A thin cotton pair next to your feet, that you change every day, and a thicker woolly pair on top.

The idea is that your socks rub together rather than your feet rubbing. I have never had a blister in this way.

The thin socks I prefer are called "Thousand mile socks", available from most sports shops. Expensive but worth every penny!

Buy your socks first!

Good luck,
Ken

Thanks guys...that's really helpful. I do intend to try the boots on in a shop before buying to find the perfect fit. (Would only buy online once I knew the size and style I wanted if it would save me a bit of cash.) But I really wanted to know if anyone rated this brand or not. If not I will revert to the recommended brands of my friends...I just liked the look of these though :)

Thanks to everyone who has advised me. It has all been very helpful. I now have a great pair of boots which I think will serve me well, and plenty of time to break them in :) I don't have a problem with hiring equipment per se, but I really wanted my own boots which I had broken in myself. We've also decided to attempt the less travelled Rongai route taking in the North Face as it will give us longer on the mountain to acclimatise to the altitude. Now I just need to get fit, climb a few UK mountains and I'll be set for the summit :)