The Boots that may Break this Camel's Back

Kengonetoindia

I know you guys can help me with my problem. I'm nine days away from my first India adventure and as such, I've done a trial packing using your fabulous site as a resource for what to bring.

I have a large pack and a day pack. Everything fits perfect without a square inch to spare. Here's the problem: I have size 12 feet and my hiking boots are huge and heavy. There's just no room for them. Since my plan is not to go trekking necessarily I'm thinking I'll just take the sandals I'm wearing and screw the boots. Is this the right decision or will I regret not bringing them? FYI I'm planning at least six months and maybe longer and my itinerary is W-I-D-E open - I'm a man without a plan But I am thinking of going north for the summer and maybe settling into a rental home or such to chill for a while.

What shall I do folks? Help me. BTW am I ever getting excited.

SHIMLA

You'll certainly require shoes(not necessarily hiking boots) to completely cover your feet. Remember, the best part of your 6 months will be in the monsoon, and you wouldn't like muck to cover your sandalled feet, would you?

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Kengonetoindia

You say "muck". I was hoping for water. In which case, wouldn't rubber boots be better since any other footwear will soon be full of muck. But rubber boots in hot humid weather? Please don't tell me this is what I'm in for

shpatel

I was in a similar situation last year and what I ended up doing was taking my size 12 hiking boots, putting them in a plastic bag, and strapping them to the sides of my pack. One on each side. It worked out beautifully.

You're going to need some kind of waterproof boots, like hiking boots, for the monsoon season. As long as you wear the right types of socks, your feet shouldn't heat up that much inside your boots.

I would take a pair of hiking boots and just buy a cheap pair of sandals in India.

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rv224

sneakers, boots and flip flops. Anything else, buy in India. Go to Bata - very cheap.

bijapuri

lose them boots, just take a pair of tennies

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vistet

Some details ? and we might help you to a few extra cubic inches.

I often switch between Tevas and boots ; I keep the boots laced to each other , soles out, under the top flap of my pack.

seventies'hippy

Pack a pair of training sandals made from something which will wash & dry occasionally and travel in a pair of trainers.
If you're not planning on scrambling around muddy mountain tracks then that will be more than enough for you. You'll more than likely end up living in the sandals anyway.

Hapy Travelling

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cyberhippie

An easy solution is just to wear them when your travelling or if the weather requires them, The rest of the time the boots can stay in your room. If they get a bit uncomfortable on the bus or train simply take them off (remember fresh socks unless you want the place to yourself)
I do this all the time I have Goretex Boots that breathe, so it really isn't a problem even in extreme heat!!

indiamike

Agree there. I lugged around my boots for months. Leave them home especially this time of year.

Kengonetoindia

Good advice so far but what are "tevas", what are "trainers" and what are "training sandals"? And please tell me more about the "muck" I'm about to soon encounter - Bombay is my first stop on June 20th.

-m2-

For 'trainers', think running shoe, tennis shoe or athletic shoe of some kind; I've added a picture of a popular Teva model -- basically a sandal with straps that can be worn while crossing streams, mud puddles, or mud without your foot sliding around and you falling on your butt. Teva is a popular brand, but there are many others.

I'd forget leather boots myself as they are heavy, won't be used much, and the damp won't be good for them.

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Kengonetoindia

Great, I have a pair of sandals much like those pictured, BUT what about this "muck" that I'm supposed to encounter during the monsoon? Will I be up to my ankes in it or what? And if so, should I have some other footwear that protects against it?

SHIMLA

Yes, I recommend your carrying a pair which covers your feet completely. This muck is a real nuisance, even in metros like Mumbai, where most of the roads are watterlogged and the footpaths muck logged! Its very easy to step into the muck, however careful you may be. I'm not exaggerating or trying to scare you, but if I were you, I'd wear shoes and not sandals in the monsoon.

Wear sports shoes with spikes in monsoon, they give you a firmer grip on slushy ground, in addition to covering your feet.