Shoe Suggestions for Thailand

DonnaF

DD25 will be vacationing in Thailand in early December. She is looking for good supportive walking shoes. No particular fit problems but feet run a bit narrow and shoes sometimes slip at the heels. Any suggestions?

6 years ago

Dressing

10 replies

Latest reply was from Lynn

Joy

Veteran

DS got new shoes stolen in Thailand earlier this year while touring a site where shoes had to be removed and left outside. It was an expensive lesson as he had no backups and had to buy a new pair. Just a heads up for your daughter. Put her shoes in a bag and carry them in or pay a local to guard them. From the number of times one is expected to remove ones shoes, she may want easy on/off. If she is touring outside of towns, there can be lots of mud to walk through. DS had sturdy sneakers. Will she be zip lining? No safety precautions like we are used to. The group ahead of DS's had an American man die from crashing into a tree. Some took bad falls.

6 years ago

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

I second Joy that shoes go off and on ALL the time in Thailand so anything that is easy to slip on and off is a plus. I would also recommend some little socks to keep in a pocket so if the ground is hot (like a stone temple courtyard) soles will be protected.

Is the destination Bangkok or elsewhere? Bangkok is very fashion-forward— wild fashions very appreciated and lots of high end shopping there.

6 years ago

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

I know you asked about shoes rather than general wardrobe- and I’m sure DD is too smart to make this error- but please tell her to think a bit about her clothes! So many folks go on vacation to Thailand and treat it as one big beach- wearing bikini tops and short-shorts everywhere. SO NOT appropriate! (Unless she will actually be on a beach the whole time.)

Bangkok is like the New York City of Southeast Asia, so sophisticated and edgy clothing is great; sloppy, not so much. And in more remote provinces or small villages, skimpy clothing is seen as very disrespectful. She’ll be received much better if she chooses lightweight, breathable tops that cover bust and upper arms, and bottoms that are looser and longer (good thing longer shorts, culottes and longer skirts are in). This type of bottom will also work better for getting on and off boats, moto-taxis and tuktuks.

Hope that helps! She will have a blast.

6 years ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I wore comfortable walking sandals that were fairly easy on and off, in Koh Samui 2010. Very appropriate. If in that area, oh please be careful in Koh Tao! Nasty happenings there to young people, spiked drinks etc. We flew to/from Singapore to Koh Samui as I was nervous of Bangkok- not well travelled in Asia, only Singapore previously which is very Westernised, so going through there was an easier intro to Thailand for us.

6 years ago

bj1111

Veteran

Honestly flip flops. There may be supportive varieties like fit flop or birks. Agree with carrying a bag to slip your shoes in if it’s an expensive /irreplaceable pair. Also, pack a light scarf to cover shoulders at temples and wear long pants or maxi skirts / dresses

6 years ago

mtnsofthemoon

Veteran

Have traveled to Thailand a few times. It may be helpful to know what cities, beaches and or activities are planned. However, good comfortable sandals that have straps that attach with Velcro would be my suggestion as well as flip flops or slip on's. If my memory serves correct December will be high season (i.e. less rain/ no monsoons) so less consideration for walking around dirty streets while its pouring. If trekking or going up north and experiencing the Hill Tribe villages, something a little more rugged or sturdy. I have not had the unfortunate experience of others with stolen shoes (thankfully), but moderate or less expensive options sounds smart to me. Samples of what I wore to Phuket in the Summer of 2017. We did experience monsoons - hence the crocks. They stayed on my feet but held up well in water

Nordstrom

Naot Tamara Studded Strappy Sandal

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Top Pick

Zappos

Crocs Isabella T-Strap

$35.00

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6 years ago

Lynn

Veteran

I have narrow feet and wore my Abeo walking sandals from the Walking Store all over SE Asia last year. They are similar to ECCO sandals but narrower fit. Ditto the avoidance of short shorts and tanks except at beach locations. Keens are good to if they fit her. They are not as good a fit for me. Will post a link later - on slow WiFi

6 years ago

DonnaF

Veteran

Such wisdom here! Joy, Jessikams, Jenni NZ, bj1111, mtnsofthemoon, and Lynn, thank you for taking the time to weigh in. DD will be flying in to Bangkok, but will be going to at least three or four places in two weeks, only one of which will be a beach IIRC. Thankfully, she understands about dressing modestly as she traveled around India several years ago -- and was sometimes mistaken for an Indian from the NE part of the country. She thought she would mostly wear dresses including her maxi dresses; hasn't gotten into midi dresses. Since she is short like me, even so-called mini dresses aren't terribly short on her, but I will advise her against rompers which ARE short.

6 years ago

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

Oh, if she’s done India, Thailand will be an absolute breeze! How fun.

6 years ago

Lynn

Veteran

Sorry for the delay in links. Just got back home yesterday.
Donna F- here is a link to the sandals I got and wore everywhere https://www.thewalkingcompany......CtARIsAEig

If waterproof sandals are needed these Merrills also fit me well but do not have as much support as the Abeos.
https://www.zappos.com/p/merre.....AABA1H4oU3

Keen sandals and Tevas are also good but are too wide for me.

I hope your daughter has a wonderful trip- I love SE Asia.

6 years ago

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