In Southeast Asia and need a pair – no problem. Get shoes 👟 or sandals 🩴 in all sizes; new or used; name brands, no-names, or knock-offs.
Shoes Or Sandals – Have You Got Them?
Did you arrive in Southeast Asia wearing shoes & socks ? You probably quickly realized -> sandals are the way to go.
Everyone has their preference, but sandals are engrained into the culture and somehow life just makes sense wearing sandals everyday.
After a while, you won’t even notice that you are not wearing shoes & socks 👟🧦, because why would you ever do that!? Sandals 🩴 – all day everyday!
Anyway, the point is that if you need sandals in Southeast Asia there is a plethora of places to buy them. Literally, a plethora. But, you should buy them before you arrive, unless if you want Crocs then those (fakes, or non-Crock-branded) are everywhere for about $3 to $6 brand-spanking-new. The nicer versions are upwards of $10 to $15 USD new.
Tip
We do recommend buying a good quality pair of sandals in your home country, before you leave for Southeast Asia. You have a high level of quality and choice in Western countries.
Yes, you can buy high quality items in Southeast Asia. And, many Western brands have store locations throughout the region. However, not everything is available in SE Asia. Plus, it is much easier to purchase these items in your home country.
Lastly, do not rely on importing things from home – the shipping, import taxes, fees, and process can take a long time, be expensive, and a huge hassle.
That’s GemsOfTravel’s self-proclaimed expert advice – take it or leave it.
Fun Fact
Have you ever head the saying, “You can tell a person by their shoes”? Well, you can tell if someone has been in Southeast Asia for a long time by the shoes or sandals that they are wearing.
Foreigners wearing local fashion & styles is a give away that they’ve been in Southeast Asia a while – they started adapting to the local fashion.
Shoes – New
You should have not problem finding a pair of shoes. The quality might be lower, but so is the price.
And, there’s all sorts of high end brands in SE Asia, so you can find dress shoes or the latest trends in any fashion. If you search for an Adidas or Nike store you’ll find one in any of the big cities. Several Chinese brands have been coming onto the market, too.
Options: the UK/EU/and USA will have higher quality and number of options for new shoes, compared what’s typical sold in SE Asia. But, again, if you are wearing sandals most of the time what’s it matter, right?
Shoes – Used
It’s kind of ‘a thing’ – there are tons of shops dedicated to selling used shoes throughout SE Asia. They clean them up very well and the shoes are in good shape. You should seriously consider buying used.
The prices range between $3.50 – $15 for these used shoes (all cleaned-up and in good shape) . We’re talking name brand stuff for approximately $10 give or take, no fakes.
Sandals
We don’t think that there is any reason to buy used sandals… Used shoes, okay. But sandals, buy those new.
A decent pair of sandals can be bought almost anywhere for about $3 USD.
Sandals are sold EVERYWHERE – along the street, in mom & pop shops, at the convenience store, in a supermarket, at the mall, in fancy chain stores, or local night markets.
Tip
Sandals with a backstrap is recommended. It holds the sandal on your feet. This is needed, especially during rainy monsoon season, motorbike riding, and trekking through waterfalls.
You can buy non-branded Crocs for about $8 USD (maybe a less), which have a backstrap.
⭐Sandals w/ backstraps:
