When footwear hurts your feet, every step can be a misery,
and your feet may take days or even longer to recover!
Hiking shoes or trainers
Flip flops
Use flip flops for easy day trips, short walks and the beach.
And your flip-flops should
be water-proof so you can use them in dirty showers. This way you`ll likely avoid fungus which can cause smelly feet.
Sport sandals
Use sports sandals when walking
longer, rougher distances. Like, when you`re traveling overland, trekking trips etc.
There are many types of sport sandals in the stores.
One brand that I love and recommend is Teva (opens in a new window)
I bought my Teva Terra Fi 2 (orange) in 2007, and have worn them so much during my travels.
This is why I personally swear to Teva sandals:
- Even if you've been walking for miles, you won't feel no pain in the heels. It's like walking on clouds.
I've done several long day trips in Cambodia, Malaysia and Thailand -- and I haven't felt any pain in my back or in my heels.
What's worse than ruining your day trip
because you wore the wrong shoes?
- No matter how thin or fat your ankle is, with Teva you can adjust the straps. I've got a "fat" ankle but never had
trouble wearing Teva.
- Even if you're hiking on mountains or walking in water, Teva is still standing because it's water-resistant.
I would cross small water ponds in Laos with my Teva sandals, and there were no signs of loose straps.
- They're easy to slip on and off -- crucial if you're on the run, and it will save you time
- Teva sandals are known for comfort and sturdiness.
And you need comfort and sturdiness when
you have to walk thousands of steps!
The new Teva Terri Fi 3 is slowly replacing Teva Terri Fi 2. I haven't tried these yet, and I'm not going to lie.
Some buyers think the new version is good, and some think that it should never have been invented because of the uncomfortable
Shock Pad in the heel.
Birkenstock Sandals
Another favorite among backpackers is Birkenstocks.
Birkenstocks are great to wear and last a life-time.
During my travels in Asia, I noticed that there are two major brands that most backpackers travel with.
Teva and Birkenstock.
The Birkenstock Bali sandals are comfortable. This way you don't need to worry about aching feet when walking long distances in Asia,
whether you're trekking or sightseeing by foot.
Two of my travel partners wore Birkenstock when we traveled toghether in Asia, and they used these sandals wherever they went!
We switched sandals for one day, so I could try it. They're like Tevas -- it's like walking on clouds!
So my conclusion is: If you want good sandals, and not just flip-flops I RECOMMEND Teva and Birkenstock :-)
Your goal is to backpack and explore, not to complain about aching feet.
Note: Sports sandals usually don`t support your ankles and give less arch support.
So, backpackers using sandals need very strong ankles..
Hiking shoes
Buy hiking shoes if
you know that you'll be trekking a lot (mountain, jungle). Otherwise trainers
are fine.
Whatever you choose, make sure you break them in before you leave home.
Here are some tips on how to break in shoes:
First wear them around your house
Then on short neighborhood walks (including some hills)
Then on day hikes
This will allow the new shoes to soften and shape themselves to your particular foot shape. Any problems with the shoes should become
noticeable during this break-in period.
When do I need to throw away my shoes?
Lightweight footwear is less durable than heavier footwear. The moment you feel sharp rocks under the balls of your feet, that`s your queue.
TIP!
If your flip flops wear out,
you can find it almost everywhere in Thailand, Laos & India.
When it comes to sport sandals, you can get Teva sport sandals in Luang Prabang (Laos). I bought mine
on Th Sisavangvong (the shop is on the same side as Scandinavian
Bakery towards Th Sakkarin).
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Backpacking packing list footwear:
How can I find compatible shoes?
If you have one foot larger than the other (like most people have),
you should buy shoes that fit the larger foot.
Try the shoes unlaced, then stand up and slide your foot all the way
forward, until your toes hit the inside of the toe box. To check if you have picked the right size, insert at least two fingers between your heel
and the back of the shoe.
You need this extra length because shoes will shorten after you`ve worn them a while. Notice that wrinkles will develop on the top of the
shoes where the toes bend, and this will shorten the length of the shoe.
Can you wiggle your toes, without feeling any thightness around
them?
Now, walk.
If the shoes are the right size, your toes shouldn`t feel
squeezed when you're walking.
How is the temperature outside?
When it`s hot or humid, and you`ve been walking all day long, your feet will swell. And they are some what larger than usual.
So, if I were you, I would deposit the shoes and try them at home. When you get home, try the shoes in the evening. Your feet should not be
swollen anymore.
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