Footwear in India in July?

mercedes10 · Apr 1st, 2004, 15:46

I'm just wondering what would be the most appropriate footwear for a trip to India in July? (Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Varanasi areas). I'm thinking that 'sensible' sandals would be the most comfortable, but am wondering whether closed shoes are necessary or 'safer'? (Am I likely to end up with filthy or cut feet if I wear sandals? - or are the risks of hot, sweaty feet in closed shoes even worse?)

Thanks!

Alan D · Apr 1st, 2004, 16:03

I would go for the sandals and frequent washing of the feet. Wear them in first so as there is no rubbing of the skin and watch where you walk. On my last trip to India I wore desert boots and ended up with a nasty foot infection and that was Gujarat in the winter!

From now on it's going to be strong sandals for me except when I'm walking in the mountain areas.

volga_volga · Apr 1st, 2004, 16:13

I buy a pair of plastic ones the type you normally see in gyms/shower rooms and you can use them in the shower of your guesthouse and can throw away at the end of your trip

the stuff on sale in Asia are ALWAYS with a separated toe (tongs?) and once (in S Lanka) I did not bring my own and bought local ones and suffered from swollen toes for the rest of my trip

i also carry a pair of 'smart' leather sandals (but flat! no heels) if I need to smarten up

the closed shoes are almost never required unless you are going into the moutain areas. I did carry a stock of shoes on my first trip to India but ended up using one pair only; I still carry more shoes than I usually use but the girl has to have a choice doesn't she?

mercedes10 · Apr 1st, 2004, 17:08

Thanks! I think I'll just take some flip-flops, hiking-type sandals and maybe a pair of old trainers. That way I can leave the flip-flops & trainers behind at the end of the trip. I don't imagine I'll have any reason to need to dress up so wont need smart sandals (though I do wonder what I'd wear with a sari! My hiking sandals would look somewhat ridiculous!). Ah well, for once in my life I am determined to travel very light so the fancy sandals stay home!! Thanks for all your help! :-)

mercedes10 · Apr 1st, 2004, 20:19

Thank you so much for your helpful advice. :-)

AllanM · Apr 1st, 2004, 22:03

I'll play devil's advocate on this one. I went in the height of the monsoon and I wouldn't have traded my waterproof trekking boots for anything. I could slog through foul water with impunity. I had no issues with foot rot or anything like that. I was wearing wool socks though and would switch them out everyday. I loved the fact that I didn't have to worry about cuts and/or scrapes and slogging through the fetid water. Worries about street poo also became a thing of the past.

Arun · Apr 1st, 2004, 22:07

Though no one offered to shine my sandals. I could see the disappointment on their faces in Connaught Place.

Apr 1st, 2004, 15:46	#1
mercedes10 Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Scotland Posts: 556	Footwear in India in July? I'm just wondering what would be the most appropriate footwear for a trip to India in July? (Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Varanasi areas). I'm thinking that 'sensible' sandals would be the most comfortable, but am wondering whether closed shoes are necessary or 'safer'? (Am I likely to end up with filthy or cut feet if I wear sandals? - or are the risks of hot, sweaty feet in closed shoes even worse?) Thanks!

Apr 1st, 2004, 16:13	#3
volga_volga Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 1,453	sandals I buy a pair of plastic ones the type you normally see in gyms/shower rooms and you can use them in the shower of your guesthouse and can throw away at the end of your trip the stuff on sale in Asia are ALWAYS with a separated toe (tongs?) and once (in S Lanka) I did not bring my own and bought local ones and suffered from swollen toes for the rest of my trip i also carry a pair of 'smart' leather sandals (but flat! no heels) if I need to smarten up the closed shoes are almost never required unless you are going into the moutain areas. I did carry a stock of shoes on my first trip to India but ended up using one pair only; I still carry more shoes than I usually use but the girl has to have a choice doesn't she?

Apr 1st, 2004, 22:07	#7
Arun zindabad! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Israel Posts: 174	Though no one offered to shine my sandals. I could see the disappointment on their faces in Connaught Place. __________________ Jai Hind.

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Apr 1st, 2004, 16:03	#2
Alan D Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Southampton UK Posts: 1,866	I would go for the sandals and frequent washing of the feet. Wear them in first so as there is no rubbing of the skin and watch where you walk. On my last trip to India I wore desert boots and ended up with a nasty foot infection and that was Gujarat in the winter! From now on it's going to be strong sandals for me except when I'm walking in the mountain areas.

Apr 1st, 2004, 17:08	#4
mercedes10 Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Scotland Posts: 556	Thanks! I think I'll just take some flip-flops, hiking-type sandals and maybe a pair of old trainers. That way I can leave the flip-flops & trainers behind at the end of the trip. I don't imagine I'll have any reason to need to dress up so wont need smart sandals (though I do wonder what I'd wear with a sari! My hiking sandals would look somewhat ridiculous!). Ah well, for once in my life I am determined to travel very light so the fancy sandals stay home!! Thanks for all your help! :-)

Apr 1st, 2004, 20:19	#5
mercedes10 Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Scotland Posts: 556	Thank you so much for your helpful advice. :-)

Apr 1st, 2004, 22:03	#6
AllanM mistri Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: St. Louis, MO US Posts: 124	I'll play devil's advocate on this one. I went in the height of the monsoon and I wouldn't have traded my waterproof trekking boots for anything. I could slog through foul water with impunity. I had no issues with foot rot or anything like that. I was wearing wool socks though and would switch them out everyday. I loved the fact that I didn't have to worry about cuts and/or scrapes and slogging through the fetid water. Worries about street poo also became a thing of the past.