[Atypicas]

I plan to move around a lot as a tourist, including going outside the big cities, and I am wondering what kind of shoes I should bring with me (as it appears that buying some there, especially for someone with large feet by western standards, is unthinkable). All I really have at the moment is sportsy flip-flops (sunburn on my pale pale skin?) and a pair of richelieus that I do not particularly care for.

I'd consider trying a pair of crocs but I'm not sure how the Indian fashion police would retaliate.





Perhaps I should go with the obvious choice and get some comfortable, but not overly expensive, running shoes? I am seriously tempted by those Crocs, though, at least for a second pair.

[Nick-H]

First you must tell us what part of India, what climates you have to prepare for...

Outside of certain fashionable circles, with which you're unlikely to mingle, I would guess --- unless you are very rich --- there is no fashion police. Buy your shoes for comfort and practicality.

[Atypicas]

Frankly, I wish I knew what climate I'd want to spend the most time in :'(. I'm flying to Mumbai and I will probably go North-East from there. But by the time I get there I may decide to head South.. which was my original plan. I've always had difficulty choosing something. I want to be equipped for every climate save the desert. I'm not too sure how much the highlands vary and I don't intend to go through any spectacular terrain. Mostly, though, I think I will be in the sub-tropical part.

I guess I'll add a bit of precision to the thread:

Would richelieus be fine? I've found them comfortable even when walking for fairly long periods of time (5-10 hours) in the Québec summer. Are such shoes too much for a tropical region? They do well enough around the limited snow I could find in the highlands and I'm not too attached to them if they end up breaking.

A bit of had to be made to produce them, but from what I read, this shouldn't bother people at all, except for a few individuals, even if seems like it would be akin to puppy-skin shoes in the West... right?

For the Crocs, even if I wear the pink models with flowers on top, I won't be seen as a weirdo...?! What a strange land..

Originally Posted by Nick-H, in another thread

Although I hate to wear anything else, open sandals are not a good idea for grassy or forest places. You need to protect your feet from thorns, snakes, leaches. For places where leaches are common you should be able to buy leach-proof socks. I remember they sold these in Peryar, kerala, although in the end I didn't actually go into the jungle.

You're making me realise that it matters more than I thought.

[SitaParityaga]

Originally Posted by Atypicas

Would richelieus be fine? I've found them comfortable even when walking for fairly long periods of time (5-10 hours) in the Québec summer. Are such shoes too much for a tropical region?

In answer to your question, yes, they are too much. Forget them.

Please, check out the Teva's:

http://www.teva.com/productslist.asp... id=339&page=1

[Sama]

you can also get Keen sandals and if you need warmth, wear wool socks. I wear my Keens here in a American Midwest winter with wool socks.

Keens aren't any uglier than Crocs in my opinion!

[the opoponax]

Crocs are an absolute fashion abomination.

Don't get them.

Please.

Pretty please?

[Darmabum]

was there from February through August, I had both Keen's and Croc's. Overall, Keen's (Newport's) were my absolute all-round favorite - good foot protection, and great ventilation (for a close-toed sandal). As India heated up my feet began to sweat a lot, and my feet slipped around a lot in the Croc's; not so with the Keen's, or at least they ended up being more securely wrapped around my feet than the Croc's. And as for Fashion Police, they take the monsoon off, it's all about comfort then; function over form.

[Nick-H]

India is probably the only place in the world were you won't be considered weird for wearing pink crocs with flowers on top.

I would buy a pair for monsoon: I think they'd be great, and very practical. Zero absorption, and dry in minutes, with or without a wash under the tap. I don't think they look so bad, and I don't care too much anyway (though I'll pass on the pink flowers!). However,I've tried them all on, and they don't make one to match my feet --- and I think a good fit is essential for a 'semi-rigid' shoe.

However, Darmabum confirms my suspicion that they may not be so good for other hot-weather wear.

My worry... If the feet are sweating, and that sweat cannot easily escape or be absorbed, it is going to start softening the skin, which is going to start rubbing, and then all kinds of horrible things will happen.

[gautam]

I liked the keens. The website says they are not available here. any remote chance of finding it here ??

Edit: Do they slip on wet surface like woodland shoes ??

[Nick-H]

I like the look of the keens too.

I don't think I've seen them in UK, but, as has been mentioned elsewhere, shopping for sandals in UK in November means coming up against the seasonal stock thing. Or lack of it.

The best shoes for wet, slippery surfaces are sailing shoes. They tend to have a sole that looks smooth, but has razor-fine cuts. The only thing they are not good on is --- ice.

[gautam]

Originally Posted by Nick-H

The best shoes for wet, slippery surfaces are sailing shoes. They tend to have a sole that looks smooth, but has razor-fine cuts. The only thing they are not good on is --- ice.

Sailing shoes, any particular brand you know of.

Also, i am not looking for a shoe only for slippery surface . Something like keen would be good..an all rounder shoe.[except for use in ice]

[paulie90]

hi Atypicas
well this was a concern for us before traveling to India
Firstly I would point out my wife and I are in our late 50s.
We found that tevas did the trick, noneed for anything other.
Even with all the fun things underfoot, nothing became difficult.
I would point out that slip ons also were quite convenient; keep in mind with temples and the like bare feet are required and footwear needs to be left outside!
I took sneakers and wish I hadn't bothered -never used them.
On another note - Indians wear long sleeve shirts and long pants
Unless you plan being at the beach, we found long pants, with
zip off legs worked great. Once again in temples you need to have long pants, so switching from shorts to pants was no big deal and an amusing moment for the locals.
ps We saw quite a few crocs, including the locals-being from Boulder where they originate it was amusing to see.
My own take is they sweat too much and wouldn't work as well.

[Nick-H]

Sailing shoes: I suppose Sebago was the archetype. Absurdly expensive everywhere except their native USA, one of the things that made sailing an expensive hobby! But imitated by many other shoe makes at a wide range of prices.

[gautam]

Didnt like the sailing shoes.

[mapleleaf]

I wore a pair of Chaco sandals and would highly recommend them. They're made with one continuous strap that you adjust once to fit your foot and then leave alone (except when my feet swelled in India and I had to alter them.) They are easy to remove and put on at the temples and they're cool. Also, they have a very sturdy sole. And, best of all, you can put them in the washing machine when you get home--a good way to get rid of the unknown things you might pick up on your travels...............