Best shoes to wear in India while travelling – A complete guide
Planning to travel in India? Our blog has a plethora of resources to help you plan your itinerary. But I want to help you with other important aspects related to your planning as well. I will tell you about the best shoes to wear in India.
That's right, shoes are a critical part of travel, one that can make or break your entire experience. In this article I will discuss what shoes to wear in India when you travel and how to pick them.
The post contains affiliate links for tours, hotels etc. This means if you make any purchase through the links in the post, I may get a commission without any additional cost to you.
Having done most of our traveling within our country, we felt that we should be having a few posts which are related to the kind of specific challenges that are unique to the kind of weather and terrain involved.
The challenges “behind the travel scenes” is what I would like to call them. What to pack for your trip to India, what to pack on roadtrips, what shoes to wear in India and more such important questions behind the travel scenes
Author's Notes
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Things to keep in mind while buying shoes for traveling in India
India has a diverse terrain with equally diverse climate. Hot and humid weather of the plains, icy cold winters in the Himalayas, tropical beaches, heavy showers during monsoon that the Indian roads are just never ready for.
Add to that the cultural aspects of taking your shoes off before entering any temple in India, which means if you go temple-hopping, you must wear something that you can easily slip in and out of. You can't simply wear an all-purpose shoe on any trip in any part of India.
Where you are visiting and the purpose of travel will decide what your wear, as well as what shoes you take as a stand-by.
How to choose the best shoes for walking all day?
Walking is the best way to explore any place in the world, and India is no different. There are a few factors that you should keep in mind when selecting the best shoes to wear in India.
- Comfort
This is the single most important factor while making a choice for shoes – if you are not comfortable in a shoe, then don’t use it to travel. Also, preferably, pick shoes which you have worn before and not new ones because you are simply not used to it, and you don’t know whether it will throw any surprises.
- Reliability/Durability
Reliability is important because while traveling you generally take one pair of shoes and it is sometimes difficult to replace when you are traveling to not-so-famous locations. The best travel shoes are the ones which last you for years even after daily use.
- Adaptability to the terrain
Adaptability to the terrain is important because when you are taking a hike or going on a trek, you don’t want your shoes to slip – or even you are traveling in the monsoons or in areas where the ground is swampy, you want your shoes to be waterproof and if you are traveling in extreme heat, you want your shoes to be well-ventilated.
- Budget
Last but not least is the budget. I believe in quality over quantity when it comes to shoes, hence I prefer to keep a higher budget for shoes. A good pair of shoes is expected to withstand harsh weather, tough terrains and rough use, on behalf of your feet. For running shoes, I keep a budget of Rs. 5000-Rs. 8000 (MRP, you can always get great discounts) and take advantage of online sales. For flipflops and sandals, my budget is usually within Rs. 3000. Women’s sandals have more variety and prices increase with style and comfort.
Best travel shoes in India – Running Shoes
Running shoes are the most reliable and adaptable category of shoes no matter where you go to. They should be light and breathable so that you can wear it all day in the hot and humid climate of India.
This is the category where we’d like to invest and spend more money than on fashion shoes or flip-flops. These types of shoes are best for walking on roads, busy market-areas, moderate treks as well most adventure tours.
Unless you are going to the beaches or on a high-difficulty trek, running shoes are a perfect choice for the primary shoes for your trip. However, they can also get uncomfortable and sweaty in the Indian weather. So, here's the running shoes that will definitely keep you comfortable in the hot weather.
| Best Running Shoes in India | My Rating | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| 5/5 | Mid-Range | |
| BATA Power Range | 4/5 | Budget |
| Adidas Terrex Trekking shoes | 4/5 | High-end |
| The North Face Ultra | 4/5 | High-end |
| Flavia Stylish Running Shoes for women | 4/5 | Budget |
| Campus Alexa Running Shoes | 4/5 | Budget |
Best Travel Shoes in the mid-range (Rs.5000 –Rs. 9,000)
The best shoes in this range Nike Air Zoom range because it is extremely durable and at the same time very comfortable in high temperatures – an extremely cool feature is that the shoes are extremely light, and you don’t feel tired when you have been in it for hours at a stretch.
Also, it fits in the kind of not too expensive kind of shoe which lasts for more than 2 years of daily use. Chayan wears these every day to the office, to treks and practically everywhere he goes.
Click “shop now” to see more options on Amazon in this range.
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You can also compare prices of the NIKE Air Zoom Pegasus range on Myntra.
The AirZoom Pegasus 33,34 or 35 are of the same price range and my personal favorites for both men and women.
Skechers Running Shoes are also of good quality and affordable range.
The More Pocket-Friendly Choice (Less than Rs. 5000)
BATA's Power Range
BATA is one of the world’s oldest shoe manufacturers in the world and they own a brand called POWER, which manufactures sports shoes that are pocket-friendly. But at the same time, these are extremely durable, flexible and also washable.
The best feature of POWER shoes is their simplicity, they have never overdone it with heel supports like some other sports shoes and the soles have an extremely good grip. Some of these are water-resistant too.
Also, some of these shoes are water-resistant because of the synthetic material used on the exterior.
Click “shop now” to see more options on Amazon in this range.
The only worry with POWER is that the lack of cushioning around the ankles can give you blisters on first use and so it is important that you don’t simply take a new Bata shoe for a long trip.
Decathlon's Quechua range
Decathlon has a wide range of sports shoes. Quechua is a range of trekking shoes in the budget range. These are a bit too light-weight for my liking but come with good ankle-support and waterproof variants.
Related: Treks at Avalabetta and Gudibande fort
The Expensive and Most Reliable option (Rs.10000-Rs.18000)
If you are not too worried about the budget, then there are Shoes which can be all-purpose and can be used for all kinds of activities, be it hiking, trekking or running or just wandering.
The really good options are Adidas or The North Face which have specific shoes for the hiking range, and they are extremely durable.
However, proper trekking shoes like these can be a little heavy to carry around especially when you are wearing them for long durations. But at the same time, these are very well ventilated, and you don’t sweat a lot.
- The North Face Ultra range provides great protection and superior performance for long walks and trekking. They are heavy enough to provide the additional support required for trekking but also comfortable enough for long walks.
Click “shop now” to see more options on Amazon in this range.
Check prices for The North Face running shoes on Myntra
To combine style with the comfort you can go for stylish walking shoes instead of running shoes. I have included my top recommendations in the next section but this page has a large range of top walking shoes in India.
Best sandals and casual shoes for travel
Wherever you go in India it is always good to pack a pair of travel sandals. Imagine a road trip in the Western Ghats in the monsoon, or visiting a waterfall or to beautiful temples where it is mandatory to take off your shoes.
They are not my favorite type of shoes but slipping into travel sandals is the best way to switch into the carefree mode.
A well-crafted, comfortable and water-resistant pair of sandals has to be your back-up pair tucked in your suitcase or in the trunk of your car when you travel.
Best Travel Sandals for Men
Options for men’s sandals are limited to strapped shoes and flip-flops. Personally, I prefer strapped shoes for traveling and restrict the use of flip-flops indoors.
Another great thing about strapped shoes is that they are a comfortable alternative to boots for ceremonial outfits. You can get a decent pair of strapped sandals starting from Rs. 700 or lesser.
However, the quality of the material is important to become unlike running shoes or boots, you are not going to wear them with socks.
Bad quality material and extensive outdoor use may leave your feet stinking, something you certainly wouldn’t like. These are my top picks for men's footwear for travelling in sandals category.
- Hush Puppies Men’s leather athletic sandals are the best sandal for traveling in Indian terrains. You can wear it while walking the swampy roads, hiking and even climbing. It also a great fusion of style and comfort.
- Sparx men’s Athletic and outdoor sandals are the best option in the budget range. Sparx positions itself as a youth brand and its designs reflect the latest fashion trends. a subsidiary of the Relaxo footwear Sparx produces some sturdy shoes of great quality.
Best walking shoes and travel sandals for Women
It’s easy to get spoiled for choices when it comes to selecting sandals for women. One thing that often complicates choice is the preference for heels. Here are my tips for choosing the right sandals.
- If you like to wear heels, choose something with a wider area and a uniform slope. Look for sandals that cover a larger area of your feet, or comfortable ballets.
- Don’t buy flats which are too flat! What I mean is that flats with very thin soles look great with ethnic wear in the office, but they are not fit for traveling in Indian roads
- I love wearing medium heels because they go well with most of the outfits I have. But at the same time, heels can be very painful for travel. Comfortable heeled loafers with foamed interior are my new favorites. These are the perfect combination of style and comfort that one can dream of. You can pair them easily with Indian-wear and western-wear. When in Goa, quickly open them as you hit the beach and wear them back when you visit a high-end club.
My favorite Stylish shoes for travel
Mochi
Others
- BATA and Sketchers have some great walking shoes for women which combine the stylish feminine look of ballets and the sole and comfort of sneakers. They are good for ordinary travel days where you walk a lot on plain roads.
- Floaters are a great option for women too as they offer the twin benefits of water resistance and good grip. Here are our top picks for travel sandals for women.
Coming to the best choices of comfortable and stylish sandals for traveling here are my top two picks, both in a pocket-friendly range,
BATA Women's Fashion Sandals are my favorite travel sandals so far. Block heels, slip-on, wide straps, cushioned footbed, and great support, it ticks all the criteria for a good shoe. I remember walking miles in those in the super-crowded streets of Kolkata during Durga Puja.
Here are some other favorites of mine at a slightly higher price range.
- Girly floaters from Puma to negotiate rains and potholes in style
- Stylish Walking Shoes by Puma
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Traveling soon? I will leave you with the list of my favorite travel sites in India.
Top Travel Sites in India for 2024
🏨 Booking.com for the best hotel prices (Price match and free cancellations)
🚗Get discounts on package tours and special experiences with Viator
🚶🏼♂️Free walking tours on Freetour
🛏️For free accommodations, use Trusted House Sitters
I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section and connect with you on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Save the post by pinning the image below. Have a great day!
So this concludes our first post in the series “behind the travel scenes”. I hope you found them useful. Do note that we do not associate with any of the brands professionally and all opinions are our own, based on our personal experiences.
Comfortable walking shoes will make or break any trip anywhere in the world, so thanks for doing this research and sharing these recommendations! ~ Sage Scott, the Everyday Wanderer
Thanks Sage.Glad you liked it.
I know what you mean that shoes can sound boring but for those of us who love exploring, a good pair of shoes is the difference between a great exploration and a painful one! For me, comfort is king as I have some troubles with my ankles, knees and hips so I need to keep steady.
Good walking shoes are so important for any type of traveler, and I enjoyed the rating system you put together here. It’s always good to have a pair of trainers and a pair of sandals for those hot temperatures like you described!
Shoes are the most important part of my travel list. Perfect walking shoes are very essential and can make or break any trip. This comprehensive list is very useful to select the right shoe.
It’s so funny. I am super frugal when I shop for shoes too, and I usually end up paying for being cheap. My feet are a mess by the end of a trip. I am going to take your advice and buy a quality pair next time. These are great recommendations, thanks.
I definitely agree that you should focus on comfort when purchasing travel shoes. Though I must admit, I’m a shoe addict and love a cute pair of sandals/heels, what name you! The walking shoes you suggested weren’t to my taste, so I would recommend Tigers which are very comfortable and a little more fashionable. I also love a great slip-on sneaker that’s still fashionable and provides comfort. For sandals, I think the options you recommended for women were adorable!
Thanks Martha. Personally I put comfort and reliability over fashion when it comes to travel. The slip-ons are great otherwise but when a daylong walking is involved in unreliable roads the knotted ones provide more support.
I think I am gonna remember some of the important and relevant points whenever I will be adding a new pair of shoes in my closet. I totally agree when you say that shoe selection is very important for travelers. I really liked the way you talked about the terrain, reliability, budget and the comparative study.
As I am definitely a walker, I understand how important it is to choose the pair of shoes you wear depending on the scenario you find yourself into. I also adopt a very similar approach and have few pairs of shoes ready to suit the scenario I shall find myself into. I’ve never heard of any of the brands you mentioned but I will look into them when it’s time to renew my shoes.
Thanks Cato. You’ve never heard of Nike or Adidas? Nike Airzoom range is the most preferred range of shoes in most places of the world.
Shoes are sometimes not put on as much focus on while travelling and I shiver to myself as I watched some people with heels negotiating a clearly hiking path. For me its comfort over style as far as shoes are concerned so thanks for highlighting it. I like that you put in the considerations in choosing a suitable pair for the travels.
I really liked the way you have jotted down a comparative list of the brands and the various varieties of shoes. Bata is always reliable though they could do better with the colours. This is a really useful post and credit should go to you as well your spouse. Decathlon shoes are good but as you rightly pointed out, they are a bit on the heavier side.
What a great post for people who have difficulties to choose what kind of shoes to wear when they are on vacation. Many of them bring the whole closet! The most important is of course that they have to be comfortable! I myself always have two pairs when I go to asia, my flipflops, sports shoes ! If I live the beach life, I can go barefoot everyday.
Great article on best travel shoes. We do a lot of walking when we travel and really need walking shoes that support our feet and last well. Sometimes we are doing above 10km per day and need reliable shoes, especially over cobblestoned streets. You have covered all aspects of what you need when purchasing the best travel shoes. I totally agree with your comment quality over quantity.
THe North Face Ultra is a great solution for adventure lovers. I would choose it If I would be going to the very north of the country. As I was not going for hikes I spent there half a year with my sandals only and it was enough. Of course I bought dozen of shoes to bring home, as I love the designs of indian handicrafts.
That’s an excellent choice. Yes the traditional indian designs are very chic, but they are not good for travel because of the thin soles.
This is some great advice for buying travel shoes in India. I would imagine India is no different from any other country when it comes to pavements and roads. If you have to walk you need light but sturdy shoes. For me it’s always difficult to find the right shoes. That’s because I want them to be comfortable, but at the same time I want them to be stylish. Certainly, when you go hiking or on dirt roads, style doesn’t matter too much. The thickness of the soles is also very important.
I can totally relate to you. I find Nike’s collection quite stylish too.
Great guide on choosing comfortable shoes while traveling in India. I generally wear comfortable sandals in western and southern India as temperature here is hot and humid. Mochi and Bata is my favorite brand too.
This might find it silly but I don’t know what to look for a travel shoes (party shoes I am all ears!). All I know is that my running shoes are okay. As long as it is comfortable to my feet, regardless of the design and label.
Great post.The information provided by you that how we can select the shoe during in and out we go for travel all over and it should be comfortable and proper design while we are wearing.