shoes

Susan London · May 21st, 2009, 04:45

I am traveling to India for July and August. I will be staying in the North. I am trying to decide how many different pairs of shoes to bring. I will purchase shower shoes there. I have a pair of waterproof hiking shoes, sandals and plan to wear my hiking boots.

I don't want to overpack (hope to go with carry-on luggage only), however I do want to be prepared. I wear a pretty substantial orthotic so I need good support.

Will three pairs of socks be enough?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Hal · May 21st, 2009, 09:00

Not sure you'll need the boots if the shoes are sturdy enough.
You can wash socks in the sink at night or send them out with laundry, so 3 should be fine. I imagine you'll wear sandals w/o socks 75% of the time?

Aishah · May 21st, 2009, 09:38

In the North - are you heading for trekking in the mountains (lot of rain in those months). If not, don't wear boots - they will be far too hot. Down on the plains July and August is hot and humid - temps mid 30's. Your shoes and sandals will be enough. And yes, so will 3 pairs of socks - they will dry quickly overnight.

Haylo · May 21st, 2009, 10:33

Don't worry about the socks, even if they get grubby beyond washing, they're incredibly cheap here.

Just curious, how do you wear orthos with sandals?

Aishah · May 21st, 2009, 18:52

Bring some socks though! Because when you first come here you don't want to be going out to buy them, straight away.

spike · May 21st, 2009, 19:17

I gave up bringing shoes and socks for travelling in India. I take my sandals and one pair of socks for the flights. That's it.

Haylo · May 21st, 2009, 19:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by spike

I gave up bringing shoes and socks for travelling in India. I take my sandals and one pair of socks for the flights.

Depends what the OP means by "North".

In Delhi and Rajasthan, sandals are all that's needed between spring and autumn, but while even sandals were too hot in Kerala in February, I was VERY glad of my hiking boots in Leh this March!

It also depends on whether you're doing any outdoorsy stuff, I wore my hiking boots some days in Rajasthan last autumn, when I was hiking through some pretty nasty undergrowth; sandals would have left my usually-protected soft westerners feet ripped to shreds.

alouise · May 21st, 2009, 20:54

One pair of black rubber thongs, joggers and 2 pairs of socks was fine. The thongs get double use, in the shower, and that cleans them each day too so they feel fresh and comfortable - I like to wash their soles though before stepping into the shower... floor tiles work well for scrubbing really dirty socks clean.

Susan London · May 22nd, 2009, 07:15

I will be probably only be day hiking (although the "easier" three day treks in and around HP are very inviting) as long as my knees are happy. I'd love to leave the heavy boots behind and depend on the hiking shoes which cover the ankle - New Balance.

I love my Smart Wool socks but have a feeling they will be too hot. Any suggestions or advice? I want my foot firmly planted in my hiking shoes.

Thanks again. It's been very helpful hearing the wealth of knowledge on IndiaMike.

My sandals have custom fitted orthotics. My pedorthist (the orthotic maker) is not keen on me wearing sandals for too long anyway as I am "bio-mechanically challenged," as he likes to refer to my flatfooted and bowlegged posture!

Does the monsoon weather allow wet things to dry out fairly quicky? I was thinking it might take days for wet boots, socks, etc. to be wearable again. Good to know!

Hal · May 22nd, 2009, 07:22

I bought some Fox River socks with really good padding on the foot before my last trip. They're some sort of synthetic blend that breathes and wicks moisture. They worked well.

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...=1242949872895

Marcia · May 25th, 2009, 08:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by spike

I gave up bringing shoes and socks for travelling in India. I take my sandals and one pair of socks for the flights. That's it.

Good remind this one about shoes. What about south India? I´m a something like a shoe-addicted (if the word exists!!!

)and tend always to take many more shoes than necessary. We will visit just Bangalore, Mysore and maybe some more 2 or 3 cities. It will be next June. Is that a very certain rain period

? Not worthy to take my sandals? And for enjoying the night in B´lore....not a good idea a high heel just to vary? Husband is checking my bags every night before leaving

May 21st, 2009, 04:45	#1
Susan London Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: USA Posts: 57	shoes I am traveling to India for July and August. I will be staying in the North. I am trying to decide how many different pairs of shoes to bring. I will purchase shower shoes there. I have a pair of waterproof hiking shoes, sandals and plan to wear my hiking boots. I don't want to overpack (hope to go with carry-on luggage only), however I do want to be prepared. I wear a pretty substantial orthotic so I need good support. Will three pairs of socks be enough? Thanks for any suggestions.

May 21st, 2009, 09:38	#3
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 7,618	In the North - are you heading for trekking in the mountains (lot of rain in those months). If not, don't wear boots - they will be far too hot. Down on the plains July and August is hot and humid - temps mid 30's. Your shoes and sandals will be enough. And yes, so will 3 pairs of socks - they will dry quickly overnight. __________________ "Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards."

May 21st, 2009, 10:33	#4
Haylo Structural Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Middle East and heading Easter Posts: 5,804	Don't worry about the socks, even if they get grubby beyond washing, they're incredibly cheap here. Just curious, how do you wear orthos with sandals? __________________ The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful - E.E. Cummings, poet (1894-1962)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

May 21st, 2009, 09:00	#2
Hal . . . _ _ _ . . . Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 2,302	Not sure you'll need the boots if the shoes are sturdy enough. You can wash socks in the sink at night or send them out with laundry, so 3 should be fine. I imagine you'll wear sandals w/o socks 75% of the time?

May 21st, 2009, 18:52	#5
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 7,618	Bring some socks though! Because when you first come here you don't want to be going out to buy them, straight away.

May 21st, 2009, 19:17	#6
spike Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Belgium Posts: 358	I gave up bringing shoes and socks for travelling in India. I take my sandals and one pair of socks for the flights. That's it.

May 21st, 2009, 20:54	#8
alouise Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: sydney Posts: 820	One pair of black rubber thongs, joggers and 2 pairs of socks was fine. The thongs get double use, in the shower, and that cleans them each day too so they feel fresh and comfortable - I like to wash their soles though before stepping into the shower... floor tiles work well for scrubbing really dirty socks clean.

May 22nd, 2009, 07:15	#9
Susan London Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: USA Posts: 57	I will be probably only be day hiking (although the "easier" three day treks in and around HP are very inviting) as long as my knees are happy. I'd love to leave the heavy boots behind and depend on the hiking shoes which cover the ankle - New Balance. I love my Smart Wool socks but have a feeling they will be too hot. Any suggestions or advice? I want my foot firmly planted in my hiking shoes. Thanks again. It's been very helpful hearing the wealth of knowledge on IndiaMike. My sandals have custom fitted orthotics. My pedorthist (the orthotic maker) is not keen on me wearing sandals for too long anyway as I am "bio-mechanically challenged," as he likes to refer to my flatfooted and bowlegged posture! Does the monsoon weather allow wet things to dry out fairly quicky? I was thinking it might take days for wet boots, socks, etc. to be wearable again. Good to know!

May 22nd, 2009, 07:22	#10
Hal . . . _ _ _ . . . Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 2,302	I bought some Fox River socks with really good padding on the foot before my last trip. They're some sort of synthetic blend that breathes and wicks moisture. They worked well. http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...=1242949872895