hiking boots or not? plus skirt length

hazyjane

Hello, I'm leaving for India in less than 48 hours for my first trip there, flying into Bombay, going to be travelling around the south for a month mostly on trains, some buses. I'm trying to pack very light and pick up most clothing, etc. when I get there.

I can't decide about taking hiking boots. I have some very nice, very comfortable boots that I wear a lot in my hometown. I'm planning on buying some Teva-style sandals when I arrive in India, and I'm concerned about lugging heavy boots around in my pack. Another option would be taking some slip-on trainers that are a lot lighter.

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated! And while I'm at it, I may as well throw in a question about skirt lengths - is ankle length necessary or should mid-calf be okay? I want as little unwanted attention as possible.

Thank you!

indiamike

For boots I would leave them home, it will be to hot in the south and you will wish you didn't bring them and will end up lugging them around. I lugged a pair around for four months and only used them on the flight home just to say I wore them.

Skirts is something some of the ladys here should answer but the longer the better.

Mike

vinayverma

Trainers should be fine and buy some sandals in India if you have to.

Skirt Length?? Do you essentially have to wear skirt? if you can, switch to cotton printed pyjama or trousers. Much more comfortable in summers and ....no problem of length.

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steven_ber

there are some lovely walks around the hills in the south, however, i am not realy a 'trecker' (nothing to do with star trek), i just get up in the morning and go for walks for a few hours.

as for serious trecking, i do not know about the south, maybe someone else can tell you about that, if it is not serious trecking you want then your trainers will do.

i would say the longer the skirt the better, the indian men in the south are not as used to foreiners as they are in the north, however, in goa, kovalam and bangalore you would be fine in knee length skirts.

good luck, you will love the south.

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Rossinm

Regarding your question on skirts. I would recommend an ankle length skirt over a calf length skirt for a number of reasons. The main one being modesty. Why draw attention to yourself from "eve-teaser's" when you don't have to? The second reason I would recomend a long skirt is if you wear a full or an A-line skirt you can travel so much more comfortablely in the trains without worrying about showing anything off when you are sleeping. And it is so much more comfortable on those very long train rides. If you take my advice then I would also reccommend wearing a pair of leggings or long underwear underneath because there are always people on the ground on Indian streets and I've had many a beggar/vendor/ or curious kid not so sneakily sneak a look up my skirt. I hope this helps a little . Good luck and enjoy your trip.

archits

well, wear shorts , no problem - when sleeping in a trian , if necessary , just cover your legs with a blanket.

shorts for foreing women are not only common ,but surprisingly accepted.

hazyjane

Thanks very much for the help. I've decided to ditch the boots and the skirts and go for trousers and trainers instead. I leave in just a few hours, so wish me luck, and I'll be back to post all about it, older and wiser next month.

daveyboy

Wow - off in a couple of hours. Have a good one!

vinayverma

Have a nice flight and welcome to INDIA.
Keep an open mind.