Gear and equipment forum

I can't speak for anywhere but Thailand, but in Thailand shoes are worn in public buildings. So this should not be an issue here.

Personally I wouldn't wear open toed footwear here because it offers no protection to the foot - but a lot of people do because of the heat.

Hi Jleef,Tevas has a very good reputation as a quality choice.You could also look at the range of Birkenstock sandals.I have had a pair for four years now through various trips to s.e.asia and would never leave home without them Add a pair of flip flops for the beach and your done.We also bring them in of a night and rarely take them off unless your in a significant religious monument i.e. reclining buddha
cheers
swag

Bruce
I think this is just a question of personal preference. But let's face it, a scorpioin probably can't sting you through a boot, but it can definitely whack an exposed toe. Also if you kick a rock or something that can be painful too. I don't wear them because they're really uncomfortable on my bike when I shift gears... And they offer no protection at all if I should have to put the bike down.

You can get good quality sandals in Thailand in department stores and they are much cheaper than here in France. A pair of Tevas here will set you back about 100 euros. I got some good quality "real" sandals (Scholl not Tevas though)in a department store in Bangkok for 25 euros.

The sole on the sandals I have is thicker at the front and the sides so the foot is quite well protected from rocks and scorpions. If they get stinky then I just scrub em out and leave them to dry in the sun.

This said, I only wear sandals for trekking and climbing volcanos. The rest of the time I find flipflops perfectly adequate as footwear.

John

Who said anything about wearing socks with sandals?

Cheers

John (MADMAC)

Two responses...

How do YOU[/b define a hot woman, and

Please describe the sort of woman these sock-clad krauts might then score?

Cheers

Bruce

"How do YOU[/b define a hot woman"

It's like defining porn. I can't describe it, but I know it when I see it.

"Please describe the sort of woman these sock-clad krauts might then score?"

Use your imagination - it's not pretty. Unless they're here, where a beautiful wallet can trump all. But in Germany... I don't want to think about it.

And Krauts? Bruce, I am appalled that you would use such a slur. Deeply offensive - well it would be if I cared about such nonsense.

"How do YOU[/b define a hot woman"

Bruce
My email is madmac572@yahoo.com. Drop me a line and I'll send you some photos of hot women I associate with (mostly dancing) and let you decide.

Thanks for all the advice =) Looks like it'll be the Tevas and perhaps some locally bought shoes should I ever get nippy - not wanting to alert the fashion police I'll keep away from the sandals and socks option, haha.

Just hope Picaridin is widespread in SE Asia from January as from the sound of it DEET isn't the nicest product to use, especially since I've suffered with a little eczema in the past...

In Thailand they have a widely available and cheap repellent called Sketolene. The bottles with yellow lables contain DEET but I think the ones with green labels are more plant based...lemongrass maybe? I'm not sure but you can check when you get there. I've always found locally sold repellents more effective than the ones you can buy in Europe.

It's very cruel to leave the rest of us imagining what you might consider a "hot woman" Madmac...the mind boggles. ;-)

Intresting answers developing from sandals !!!

So I thought I'd add my 2 pence's worth.

Sandals
I have been in SEA for 2 months now with just under 2 months to go have been through Thailand, am in Laos now and will be in Vietnam this time next week (all things going to plan) I bought I pair of Merrel sandles before leaving the UK a lot cheaper than Tevas but to my mind worth it they are plastic throughout the softer squidgy type being between your foot and the much harder sole (I also brought a pair of trainers for trekking) no bad smells as yet. But I do get a greasy ginda feeling when they get wet ie puddles I have used them many times for walking through rivers and wore them almost exlusivley inc tubing in Vang Vieng and found them no problem or with issues of theft. If you are worried as has been mentioned before you can put then in your room ant night or in a rucksack.

As for hot women: Highly subjective and depending on how much beer, whisky or Lao Lao has been consumed?????

I'd go for wonder woman, the one from the origonal 70's US TV series, especially when she was flying her invisible plane.......

John

It's good the see the MAC back.

I sent you an email, but the pics you sent must've been too hot.

;)

Cheers

Hmm...
Maybe I shouldn't mention that I'm going over with a pair of Crocs.......
Only bad thing I've heard about 'em is to NOT leave them in the sun without your foot in them.
I have some fishing mates who swear by them, and they do a bit of rock fishing so the conditions are wet and slippery which the Crocs handle with ease apparently....

rubber thongs

To be honest, Tevas were very comfortable whilst in Thailand, and excellent when getting on and off boats as they didn't slip off because of the velco straps.

The downside was they do start to smell after a while and take quite a while to dry out when completely soaked.

You can buy good copies whilst in Bangkok and they have other sandals that are just as good.

I think you all must dress like dorks. Are you guys scoring with any women wearing that crap?

Guitar = chick magnet.
Crap looking sandals but speak english = long leg girl magnet.
Good looking shoes = hawker magnet.

Cunning
On of my best friends was a biker in LA. He's a lousy dresser and needs a haircut - and I tell him that every day. He wears a pony tail for Christ sakes!

Dezz
I'll give it to you on the guitar. If you can play a guitar and sing, it's a chick magnet. Especially here in Thailand.

"In reference to your comment about 'typical' Lao or Issarn girls, how many times have you been to Laos?
I have only been twice and I'd say 90% of Lao girls (at least in Vientiane) look notihng like Issarn girls."

I've been to Laos five times, but only in Savankhet province. But I live about one mile from Laos. And we get LOTS of Laotian visitors (they like to shop at Lotus and go to our local hospital). You're "average" Isaan girl is Lowland Lao, ethnically speaking. Certainly genetically speaking. Now, this area is a mixing pot between a lot of different ethnic groups for sure, but then again so is Laos. If you put twelve people in a room, 3 from Cambodia, three from Laos, three from Thailand and three from Vietnam... you wouldn't be able to discern one from the other any better than if you put three from Germany, three from Holland, Three from Belgium and three from France. It would be hit or miss. There are some general characteristics among southeast Asians, but there are so many exceptions as to not make them very useful. Certainly where I live there is no way you could tell the difference between the people of Mukdahan and the people of Savankhet. Not from looking at them.

"What do you think Thai people wear? Even to work, they wear a suit, but will still wear sandals, and casual that's all they wear and of course on the beach, would you want to wear anything else?"

Do you live here? I have NEVER, EVER in my 2 1/2 years living here, seen a Thai wear a suit and sandals. EVER. That would stand out like a sore thumb. Where did you ever see that?

Poor Thais wear whatever cheap footwear they can find. Thais with money were proper shoes. Sandals are OK for a beach, but they suck if you ride a bike that isn't an automatic, look ridiculous in an upscale club and don't protect the feet well in open terrain. I ride a lot since I don't own a car, so sandals are out.

"Good looking shoes = hawker magnet."

There are no hawkers where I live, so this is a non-factor. But even so, the reason good shoes (as well as nice clothes) are a hawker magnet is because they symbolize money. There is nothing a Thai woman (or Laotian) loves more than money!

MADMAC, thank you for your quick reply.

I do live here, and the wife is from Issarn. Possibly the Issarn people I've met could be originally from Cambodia. But (maybe just) in Vientiane, they do look different, even the wife commented on the fact.

As for suits and sandals, you see it a lot on the skytrain in Bangkok, and some people wear shoes to work and then wear sandals in the office.

I've always worn just sandals walking about and most Thais do as well (I mean I don't hang about with the hi-so individuals) and going to a club, well I don't do that too often, but people still wear sandals as well as normal footwear.

Point taken about riding a motorbike.

Tevas won't let you down.

The rubber flip-flops are usually good too, but after I lost a shoe getting on a train in India I'm back with Tevas.

MADMAC
Well, that's that then. But you must have seen people wearing slippers in their offices? And you're right it is cold now in some places. It has been nice to chat with you.

Bedu.

Funny, I was just around and over 50% of people where I was were wearing sandals and shorts.
They were middle class people as well, not farmers, just people shopping for electronics.
I agree that most professionals wear shoes, but everyone else appears not to do so.

Check out Keens- water shoes. :)