ALL purpose sandals -- uptown, downtown, outtatown

chappal

Hi, The folks on this site are a wealth of information. I have read through the many threads before this on sandals and shoes, but have not found what I am looking for...
I am travelling to India (from Mumbai to Kerala) for two months this winter. I would like to bring with me only one pair of sandals.
Criteria:
#1. Comfortable for extensive walking.
#2. Must look decent with a sari. For example, IMO these sandalswill look okay with a sari.
#3. Waterproof. Can be washed daily. Will not be damaged by mud / rain.
#4 Good drainage -- can shower in them

Would be nice, if not violating #2:
#5. A good sole for off-trail trekking in Kerala
#6. More foot coverage for protection in crowds and to keep feet cleaner. (Unfortunately, IMO shoes which cover the toes are too untraditional to look good with a sari.)

FYI, if not for criteria 2 I would get these "Amphibian" sandals. If I can't find another pair of sandals fitting #5 and #6, then I'll also bring a pair of these buried in the bottom of my bag for trekking (when I would not be wearing sari).

I appreciate the friendly community and great info here! TIA.

edit: fixed link

iyou

Good for you for figuring out that you only need one pair of shoes in India, and that they should be sandals. You're on the right track with your plan to get "sports sandals" (for lack of a better term), too. For me it's the Teva brand and no other, but the ones in your picture look reasonably sturdy. As for whether or not they look good in a sari, I can't say much except "who cares? Is this a fashion show? Who are you trying to impress?"

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chappal

My in-laws!

Anders

Get the chacos in your link. They will fullfill all your criterias exept #6. Personally I would get the Z1 instead of Z2.

Nick-H

You won't be wearing your sari when treking?

Oh, come on... one has to keep up standards

In the last few years I haven't paid less than 40 GBP for sandals in UK, but I got a very decent and comfortable pair of FILA sandals in Chennai recently for 15. The Western-brand shoes were about ten times the price of the local shoes, but there were some good bargains to be had.

For more formal wear, why not follow your name and buy a pair of leather chappals; they're very cheap.

yogivivek

i choose always for teva, sandals aswell flipflops

excellent brand. realy good value for the price

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wonderwomanusa

Sorry to say that I don't think your mother-in-law will think those sandals look well with a saree.

I took a pair of "SoftSpots" sling-back huaraches/sandals with me last winter, walked in them for three solid months, and I'm still wearing them. Well, I didn't wear them in the water anywhere. The sun bleached them from medium tan to nearly "bone" color, but didn't dry them out.

And they looked "okay" with a saree -- though the Indian women wear much more delicate sandals.

Got them from an on-line store called Auditions... fast delivery! They pack pretty flat, and only weigh 12.5 ounces.

chappal

No worries about my MIL; she's cool. Anyway, I won't win any contests for grace in a sari either! I'll take a few handicaps under the "eccentric foreigner" or "fashion-challenged" catergories; I'd just like to stay clear of shoes which say "village idiot", "stare here", "steal me", or "shine me".

I will be sure to seek fashion advice if I have a formal saree occasion. Day to day though, I'll just wear a common lightweight saree or salwar.

Reasons I don't want leather shoes or chappals are:
1. mooo
2. hotel showers -- even water-proof leather takes time to dry

FYI: I looked up those "Softspots" shoes and zappos.com has some cute styles on sale.

I still prefer the Chaco Z2s b/c of the toe strap for stability, which is similar to some chappals in design if not decor. Some reviews complained about the toe strap chafing, so if I get Z2s, I'll get them someplace I can return them and try them at home first. Teva lovers, r u aware of any models with a toe strap? Is there a model you have found very stable on muddy/sandy hills?

Still open to suggestions though, esp b/c the Z2s are expensive.

chappal

LOL, just as soon as Bollywood partners with Coolmax to popularize a trekking sari with waterproof pallau and vaporwicking blouse.

Tempting, but comfie, broken-in shoes are one thing I don't want to take chances with.

guerik

I don't know what they're actually called, but you can get little chinese slipper-shoes (usually have a flower or something embroidered on the front) which would look ok with a sari and pack FLAT. They're pretty cheap as well, only catch is that you need smallish feet or you wouldn't be able to buy them at chinatown prices. Otherwise you can buy the same style at non-chinatown stores but they cost more

So you could take a pair of those as well as your usual travel sandals pretty easily, that's my strategy for my upcoming trip.

crvlvr

get the chacos and a pair of hawai chappals for #4 and for any temple visits, which require you to remove your foorwear.. .. I won't be happy if someone walks off with my $95 sandals..

vistet

That would mean Teva`s for me. Used them in the home mountains, Scotland, HP, Ladakh -in monsoon, at work, over the occasional snowfields etc. Lots of showers and now and then thru the washing machine(wool program). Last pair lasted five years , with the occasional doctoring with black melt glue towards the end.

No experience here. Works with kilt , thou`;-) .

I like that Teva`s are oversized in front, gives a rudimentary protection.

There are probably other makes that also are very good , I`ve just stayed with the first great make I`ve found.

chappal

Good idea, I forgot about how flat those pack. They'd be suitable for in-town activities (& temples -- good idea) in good weather. I think these are found in India too, so I'll just hold off and get them there. That way I can ask for advice and match to my sarees. Maybe I will find other sandals which also fold up well.

I will go try on some Teva's. I have yet to see anything I like better than the chaco's, but the chacos are ridiculously expensive for sandals.

chappal

Hawai chappals are the flip-flop style ones? I'm a bit more spritely than graceful in movement, so flip-flops tend to be more like slip-slops for me. But I will consider the need for an extra pair of light shoes.

Karaokemonk

Chaco sandals cost two or three times as much as Tevas. They last two or three times as long also. They can be resoled but the one pair I wore out was not worth resoling.
I find them MUCH more comfortable than Tevas but they are also heavier and take up a bit more space. The toe strap on the Z-2's is great for stability.