Do I need hiking boots for Mt. Rinjani?

Yes, hiking boots are strongly recommended for Rinjani, and for most trekkers they’re essential rather than optional. The mountain’s trails aren’t smooth dirt paths. They’re a mix of steep volcanic rock, loose scree, sharp gravel, and narrow ridges where footing is uncertain and a single misstep can lead to a painful fall or twisted ankle.

Hiking boots provide the ankle support, sole stiffness, and tread depth that give you confidence on terrain where running shoes and sneakers fail. The summit push in particular, which starts in the dark and climbs over two thousand vertical meters of unstable volcanic ash, is where the difference between proper boots and inadequate footwear becomes painfully obvious.

At Lombok-Indonesia.org, the operations team considers hiking boots part of the standard preparation checklist. They can sometimes help arrange rentals through a local partner shop in Senaru, but availability is never guaranteed and sizing can be hit-or-miss. Breaking in your own boots before the trek is critical, because new stiff boots straight out of the box are a recipe for blisters.

If you’re planning to invest in one piece of gear for Rinjani, make it a solid pair of mid-cut hiking boots with Vibram or equivalent soles. They’ll protect your feet, improve your stability, and let you focus on the stunning scenery rather than worrying about every step. This is the one thing not to compromise on.

Ask any guide on the mountain what gear mistake they see most often, and bad footwear is always at the top of the list.