What's the deal with Sandals?

osgeek · Dec 26th, 2006, 04:37

Sandals are easier to put on and take off. No need of putting on socks, tying up laces. Just slide your feet in and there you go. I have this reason over others to use sandals.

camelgirl · Dec 26th, 2006, 05:21

I wore sandals 90% of the time. Fake Teva type. Too hot for shoes. Feet got filthy, sandals got filthy, washed both often! Put bug repellant on my feet morning and evening. Did use my sneakers (tennis shoes, trainers or whatever people call them outside the U.S.) while in Sariska which was bitterly cold in the morning (Nov.) and also in transit from place to place because it was easier to wear them then pack them.

It's cheap & easy to buy sandals in India. They have imitations of the expensive western kind in addition to a huge variety of the kinds they generally wear.

whatiyam · Dec 26th, 2006, 07:32

i was in sikkim in the monsoon, i put my leather timberlands in the corner to dry, 4 days later they were crusted in mold and still wet, so i am taking shoes the next time but a light pair of boatshoes. and i am taking 2 pairs of teva-like good sandals because i am planning to stay a while. i can't find shoes to fit me without the toes or sole sticking way off the ends of the sandals. i wear american 11.5 which i think is 45 indian shoe size, which are very difficult to find there.

Pintz · Dec 26th, 2006, 13:51

For all of you who have a problem with feet getting dirty: if you are ever in Pune City, pls visit MG Road for fabulous array of anklet socks - these are really cool as they are easy to carry around and the best part is that for Rs 100/ you can buy 6 pairs (you'll have to bargain, though). I've been using them for all my trekking - in keds as well as sandals!

Nick-H · Dec 26th, 2006, 14:26

It's easier to wash and dry feet than socks!

Noodle · Dec 26th, 2006, 15:52

You also get very good quality shoes and sandals at BATA at MG Road, Pune. I only buy there.

Pintz · Dec 27th, 2006, 14:15

True, Nick! But. with the socks, one can have dry, clean and 'un-chapped' feet for a longer time! Besides, I always wash my socks at night before going to bed so that in the morning I am ready to get into clean ones before trudging out!

kalyani68 · Jan 1st, 2007, 06:24

I was in South India for 3 weeks and wore the same sandals every day. The sandals had a tiny bit of heel so my feet were elevated slightly from the ground (a good thing). I wore sarees and salwar kameez and most "practical" shoes look stupid with those. But if you wear Western clothes, then by all means, wear whatever footwear you like.

My impression of flip-flops was that they are considered bathroom shoes- worn when bathing and not seen outside the house.

jwitt · Jan 1st, 2007, 07:33

If anyone is looking, I just bought these sandals (for men) a couple of days ago in anticipation of my 4 month trip to India: http://www.amazon.com/Mens-Havana-Jo.../dp/B0009CQOLI They are pricey but one of the top 5 most comfortable footwear of any kind I've ever worn, plus I think they are stylish enough to wear to a nice restaurant, etc. It's winter here in Connecticut so I haven't had a chance to wear them around without socks, though. I also bought some oil to waterproof the leather.

Josh

camelgirl · Jan 1st, 2007, 07:45

They look very comfortable & durable. They will take a real beating in India, (footwear just does) but that's okay, it will give them "character."

Waterproofing them won't really be necessary--but can't hurt-- unless you plan to attempt to wear them during the monsoon. In which case, I would recommend that you just make sure they are dry and put them in a plastic bag and get a pair of teva-type rubber ones. Leather will be wrecked and ruined in any serious wet Indian weather.

edwardseco · Jan 1st, 2007, 07:50

The one thing about sandals is that they beat up your feet over time, plantar fascitis, fallen metatarsals, etc. But, who thinks of that when you are young..

jwitt · Jan 1st, 2007, 08:46

Why would a solid sandal with a good arch support beat your foot up any more or less than any other footwear? I think that most shoes, especially cheap ones, are really bad for feet.

I am thinking that by waterproofing leather sandals it will make them easier to wash and protect them a little bit at the beach. Luckily I'll be avoiding monsoon season this time.

edwardseco · Jan 1st, 2007, 09:45

Few sandals if any have good arch support. All lack an enclosure that cradles and shapes the sides of the feet. Be of good cheer, the damge doesn't show up until you pass 40.
Now we could go at length on cheap or poorly designed fashionable shoes..

Nick-H · Jan 1st, 2007, 11:57

Gosh... never even heard of those foot problems!

I wear my sandals each and every day, and would, climate allowing, anywhere in the world. I hate having my feet enclosed.

When buying them I just check that they are comfortable and feel right to walk in. Not flipflops, I hate them, and I always have the kind with a strap at the back. I hate the feeling of something hanging off my toes --- I hate flipfloping, I suppose!

davey · Jan 1st, 2007, 12:58

first trip I wore casual shoes and the only probs I had were, shoeshines, sweaty socks, taking them off for temples etc, next trip I wore sandals, problems, ditry feet and first time in my life cracked heels which took a couple of weeks back in Aus to clear up, third trip I wore joggers and never had a problem with any of the above...for me its defintley runners and keep my sandals for the hotel areas where theyre isnt Sh*#t everywhere on the floor.

Dec 26th, 2006, 04:37	#16
osgeek osgeek Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 50	Sandals are easier to put on and take off. No need of putting on socks, tying up laces. Just slide your feet in and there you go. I have this reason over others to use sandals. __________________ India Photoblog at: www.indiasnaps.blogspot.com

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Dec 26th, 2006, 05:21	#17
camelgirl 10 year Visa okee dokee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Swannanoa NC usa Posts: 2,046	I wore sandals 90% of the time. Fake Teva type. Too hot for shoes. Feet got filthy, sandals got filthy, washed both often! Put bug repellant on my feet morning and evening. Did use my sneakers (tennis shoes, trainers or whatever people call them outside the U.S.) while in Sariska which was bitterly cold in the morning (Nov.) and also in transit from place to place because it was easier to wear them then pack them. It's cheap & easy to buy sandals in India. They have imitations of the expensive western kind in addition to a huge variety of the kinds they generally wear.

Dec 26th, 2006, 07:32	#18
whatiyam Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: new york city Posts: 77	i was in sikkim in the monsoon, i put my leather timberlands in the corner to dry, 4 days later they were crusted in mold and still wet, so i am taking shoes the next time but a light pair of boatshoes. and i am taking 2 pairs of teva-like good sandals because i am planning to stay a while. i can't find shoes to fit me without the toes or sole sticking way off the ends of the sandals. i wear american 11.5 which i think is 45 indian shoe size, which are very difficult to find there.

Dec 26th, 2006, 13:51	#19
Pintz Midnight Gypsy Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Gujarat Posts: 257	For all of you who have a problem with feet getting dirty: if you are ever in Pune City, pls visit MG Road for fabulous array of anklet socks - these are really cool as they are easy to carry around and the best part is that for Rs 100/ you can buy 6 pairs (you'll have to bargain, though). I've been using them for all my trekking - in keds as well as sandals!

Dec 26th, 2006, 14:26	#20
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,213	It's easier to wash and dry feet than socks!

Dec 26th, 2006, 15:52	#21
Noodle Crazy for the furry ones Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Pune, India Posts: 1,026	You also get very good quality shoes and sandals at BATA at MG Road, Pune. I only buy there.

Dec 27th, 2006, 14:15	#22
Pintz Midnight Gypsy Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Gujarat Posts: 257	True, Nick! But. with the socks, one can have dry, clean and 'un-chapped' feet for a longer time! Besides, I always wash my socks at night before going to bed so that in the morning I am ready to get into clean ones before trudging out!

Jan 1st, 2007, 06:24	#23
kalyani68 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Midwest USA Posts: 225	I was in South India for 3 weeks and wore the same sandals every day. The sandals had a tiny bit of heel so my feet were elevated slightly from the ground (a good thing). I wore sarees and salwar kameez and most "practical" shoes look stupid with those. But if you wear Western clothes, then by all means, wear whatever footwear you like. My impression of flip-flops was that they are considered bathroom shoes- worn when bathing and not seen outside the house.

Jan 1st, 2007, 07:33	#24
jwitt Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: New Mexico, USA Posts: 52	If anyone is looking, I just bought these sandals (for men) a couple of days ago in anticipation of my 4 month trip to India: http://www.amazon.com/Mens-Havana-Jo.../dp/B0009CQOLI They are pricey but one of the top 5 most comfortable footwear of any kind I've ever worn, plus I think they are stylish enough to wear to a nice restaurant, etc. It's winter here in Connecticut so I haven't had a chance to wear them around without socks, though. I also bought some oil to waterproof the leather. Josh

Jan 1st, 2007, 07:45	#25
camelgirl 10 year Visa okee dokee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Swannanoa NC usa Posts: 2,046	They look very comfortable & durable. They will take a real beating in India, (footwear just does) but that's okay, it will give them "character." Waterproofing them won't really be necessary--but can't hurt-- unless you plan to attempt to wear them during the monsoon. In which case, I would recommend that you just make sure they are dry and put them in a plastic bag and get a pair of teva-type rubber ones. Leather will be wrecked and ruined in any serious wet Indian weather.

Jan 1st, 2007, 07:50	#26
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 5,843	The one thing about sandals is that they beat up your feet over time, plantar fascitis, fallen metatarsals, etc. But, who thinks of that when you are young..

Jan 1st, 2007, 08:46	#27
jwitt Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: New Mexico, USA Posts: 52	Why would a solid sandal with a good arch support beat your foot up any more or less than any other footwear? I think that most shoes, especially cheap ones, are really bad for feet. I am thinking that by waterproofing leather sandals it will make them easier to wash and protect them a little bit at the beach. Luckily I'll be avoiding monsoon season this time.

Jan 1st, 2007, 09:45	#28
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 5,843	Few sandals if any have good arch support. All lack an enclosure that cradles and shapes the sides of the feet. Be of good cheer, the damge doesn't show up until you pass 40. Now we could go at length on cheap or poorly designed fashionable shoes..

Jan 1st, 2007, 11:57	#29
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,213	Gosh... never even heard of those foot problems! I wear my sandals each and every day, and would, climate allowing, anywhere in the world. I hate having my feet enclosed. When buying them I just check that they are comfortable and feel right to walk in. Not flipflops, I hate them, and I always have the kind with a strap at the back. I hate the feeling of something hanging off my toes --- I hate flipfloping, I suppose!

Jan 1st, 2007, 12:58	#30
davey Grumpy Old fart Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Australia (Buderim) Posts: 536	first trip I wore casual shoes and the only probs I had were, shoeshines, sweaty socks, taking them off for temples etc, next trip I wore sandals, problems, ditry feet and first time in my life cracked heels which took a couple of weeks back in Aus to clear up, third trip I wore joggers and never had a problem with any of the above...for me its defintley runners and keep my sandals for the hotel areas where theyre isnt Sh*#t everywhere on the floor.