On Shoes
The shoes debate on hiking boots vs. trail shoes is a never-ending one. It’s a highly personal decision, and you will only really know what’s best for your needs after going through (sometimes painful) experiences. I have been hiking and climbing in trail shoes for as long as I remember because they’re way lighter than boots, dry way faster after a river crossing or a downpour, and offer enough protection for most trails and climbs in the Philippines. I use the adidas Kanadia TR 5 trail shoes, and I like them for the wide profile, aggressive tread pattern, and excellent mud-shedding treads. The protective toe box has also saved my feet numerous times from sharp stones and unseen branches.
A panorama of our view from basecamp, Baban’s Homestay.
There you have it, a list of outdoor-tested gear that you may find helpful as you try to conquer Mount Pulag! Do remember that no matter what gear you get, you must also prepare your body for the exertion any mountain will definitely demand of you.
Enjoy the view up there! (More pictures at instagram.com/jsncruz)
Reverse side of the summit, a sea of clouds.
Couldn’t resist doing this.
What I went up the mountain for – this amazing view.
Gear Availability:
- UnderArmour base layers are available at UnderArmour branches nationwide. Mine are from the Bonifacio High Street branch.
- Berghaus cold weather gear is available at Toby’s Mall of Asia, Toby’s Shangri-La, and Toby’s Glorietta 2. Check out the Toby’s Facebook Fan Page for more details.
- adidas trail shoes are generally available from most adidas stores. The current model available is the Kanadia TR 7.
I would like to thank Trail Adventours guides Hen and Emil for logistics and itinerary arrangements for the Mount Pulag Tour, and Berghaus for providing me with the necessary gear to be safe and protected on this majestic mountain.
