Shoes for a female?

indiajesse

This is a stupid question, but I can't figure out what kind of shoes to bring. I'm going to Delhi,Varanasi,Agra,Jaipur,Jai salmer in September. I don't own any tevas or hiking boots, and just have one pair of running shoes that I never wear. I'm mostly a flip-flops kind of girl. And ballet flats at work.

Anyway, what kind of shoes do you recommend for a female traveling in India?

I'm thinking maybe a pair of those "skimmer" flats and flip-flops... Or is that not adequate enough?

Thanks for your advice!

robotvoice

my ex wife wore flip flops the whole time we were there, like most Indians tend to wear, and one day she slipped walking down the stairs of our hotel and slammed hard on her ass on the concrete stairs. She is lucky she did not seriously injure herself.

Therefore, I recommend something with decent treads on the soles.

Darmabum

but I've never liked my feet bound like that. Considering too that you will be there toward the end of monsoon, where heat and humidity and rain may make closed toed shoes uncomfortable, look into Keen shoes. I took a pair (Newport, the style name?) last time - February through August in Varanasi - and loved 'em. Closed toe but enough ventilation to let the feet breath a little. Also a very good sole.

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wonderwomanusa

I like sandals, and am currently wearing Clark's "Newbeat" which you can easily find online. I also like "Tela" by SoftSpot; they are both comfortable to walk in.

double-dolphin

sneakers are the best. you can always get strap shoes - the type which has treads and all, so you don't slip.

jenk

Im obsessing about shoes too, for some reason - Im not a kid and want to look respectable so sneakers are not an option, and anyway I dont like closed shoes in hot climates or want to lug my hiking shoes unneccessarily.

So Im planning to use my wellbuilt frumpy German sandals - which have good support and feel good after a 10 mi walk - as my main footwear. Trying to decide whether to bring some crocs etc to supplement.

My questions are (1) am I always going to have to take off my footwear (whether leather or not) in temples and mosques?

(2) are there other environments where I would have to go barefoot for extended periods? I'll be in Omkareshwar, for example - can I wear shoes on the ghats in a pilgrimage place like that?

(3) will sturdy sandals be good enough in nature reserves, climbing around on forts, etc. or do I really need to have closed shoes and socks in those environments?

roofr

This is exatly the question I was going to ask. I have Teva sandals, Crocs and flip flops. I am trying to travel really light. Will these do for every occasion. Delhi, Agra, etc. Jaisalmer, Varanasi and Goa in February?

kristinm

I was going to take just my trainers to wear every day and then buy something nice when I'm there (or maybe 2 or 3) to wear in the evenings etc, I never go anywhere without my flip flops...We're going in January though so it won't be so hot & Birkenstocks will be too cold and I could never wear socks with sandals!!!!!!. Roofr I wonder if it will be cold for those shoes in Feb for you too?

Here in Sydney in summer I am never out of flip flops - but I wonder if open shoes are OK in India, what if you get a cut on your foot or something, wouldn't it get easily infected?

vireya

There are lots of places where you have to take your shoes off - it doesn't make a difference what the shoes are made of. Temples, mosques, gurudwaras, bahai temple, the whole complex of Fatepur Sikri, the Taj Mahal, people's homes...

I mainly wore sandals, but did get a cut on my foot once when I got a bit too close to a sweeper woman's broom. I panicked slightly and went back to my hotel and washed it and applied disinfectant. And stayed well clear of anyone witha broom after that!

twalnut

If you're looking for an alternative to hot and heavy footwear, I recommend a good sport sandal (Chaco, Teva etc.).They are light. They will give you support on rough ground (which can be in the city too), let your feet breathe, and they can be washed off. You WILL have to wash off whatever you are wearing, so it might as well be something tough and washable. Sandals are easy to manage when footwear removal is a must in such places as temples and mosques. Yes, shoes and boots are probably safer but.......

crvlvr

I support WWU's recommendation of wearing sandals while in India.

kristinm

Not too cold on the toes in Jan/Feb Delhi, Amritsar etc???

Sama

I swear by my Keen shoes, the sandals with enclosed toes.

kristin, as for having cold toes in India, I wear my Keens with wool socks in Chicago winters and my toes are toasty. and we have severe winters with below 0 windchills, so I'm thinking Delhi is not as cold in January as it is here!

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indiajesse

You guys have great advice. I still can't decide though... None of my current shoes cost me more than $20, and I kinda don't like the idea of having to buy all this specialized "gear" to go to India. Those Keen sandals are $100--the same price as all my rail tickets combined. I'm only going for two weeks, so maybe I'll go more minimal... Something that I can just throw away at the end if they're too grimy.

Ha! My next problem is a pack. The "school" backpacks seem slightly too small, but the next ones up--camping one--seem huge! The guy at the sports store showed me what I'm supposed to use for a "two week trip." It's like as big as me, with a million straps and buckles. Yikes! I'm going to India, not the moon! I just want to pack super lightly--buy some clothes there, not check a bag on the plane, etc.

Thanks for all the help!

vireya

I wouldn't buy expensive shoes. They are going to get very grubby, and leaving them behind will mean someone else can get some use from them.

You don't need a huge pack, either. I had to look around quite a bit to find mine, which is I think 50L, so it is bigger than a schoolbag, but quite a bit smaller than the 90L packs you see people travelling with. But one woman I know did a 3 week trip with a 30L pack - which is schoolbag size.