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  1. #1
    Thailand Expat
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    What Footwear? Which Boots?

    I have been deliberating over boots to wear in Thailand for way too long (i.e. over 10 years too long). My ex-wife gave my favourite boots to charity around 15 years ago, for which I never really forgave her (Scarpa that saw '3 peaks', Nijmegan and countless 'Munro bagging'). I have a decent pair of Meindl 3-season boots, but want something that will my feet survive the tropics.

    So far, I have ended up wearing flip-flops or sandals, which is great until you decide to dig the garden or venture into the woods during snake season. I go through sandals like a whore goes through condoms and flip-flops are eaten by the dog before they even get to my feet.

    So, TD members, what do you wear on your footsies when you go out in the bush? More importantly how are your feet after a day or so walking? Also, do you wear any protection between boot and trouser?

    Do I go for summer Meindl or similar like this...


    or stick with something like these:



    with some puttees for protection from snakes

  2. #2
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    Just tread carefully.

  3. #3
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    A good old fashion pair of Wellington boots do the trick. And you can fill them with water when you get too hot.

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by somtamslap View Post
    A good old fashion pair of Wellington boots do the trick. And you can fill them with water when you get too hot.
    Also, if you get them a size too big you can put the goats back legs in them and she can't escape.

  5. #5
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    ^ I wore a pair of Thai wellies when I helped to plant in the paddy, many moons ago, much to the amusement of the family. Another Mr Bean moment as they stuck fast in the mud and I bellyflopped into the water. Good news was that we had a lot of cheap/ free labour that year as many turned up to watch the farang make a fool of himself...one of my better years....

  6. #6
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    Had a brilliant pair of lace up Blunies from Australia, made from Kangeroo leather.

    Never been able to find a pair that came close to comfort in all temperatures.

  7. #7
    splendid and tremendous
    somtamslap's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by DrB0b
    Also, if you get them a size too big you can put the goats back legs in them and she can't escape.
    The origins of 'fill your boots' I believe.

  8. #8
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    My wife told me to buy ADDA slip on's, the one where your toes are exposed,, they are without a doubt the best slippers I have ever owned, I find because of the moulded shape I dont feel like im'e going to walk out of them, bloody great. Not much good for gardening tho

  9. #9
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    merrell gore-tex. look no further.

    Men - Annex Mid GORE-TEX® - Clay | Merrell

  10. #10
    Thailand Expat Pragmatic's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by sabang View Post


    Just tread carefully.
    It's these or flip flops for me. The above cost 100 Baht at the local market. Cant fault them for price and comfort.

  11. #11
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    Get some locally-made safety boot brand like Pangolin for stuff like gardening, etc.

    I have found that the heat and humidity here quickly erodes Western brands; bonding / adhesive between soles and uppers.


  12. #12
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    A good old fashion pair of Wellington boots do the trick. And you can fill them with water when you get too hot.
    Or warm custard when you get amorous. Or even cold custard but that's just downright sick.

  13. #13
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    Or kittens to keep them warm. There must be a pic of kittens in wellies somewhere on the Internet web. I won't try to find it because i cannot copy and post here.

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by taxexile
    merrell gore-tex. look no further.
    That's pretty much what I am looking for, thanks and added to the list of ones to try.

    Quote Originally Posted by Pragmatic
    It's these or flip flops for me. The above cost 100 Baht at the local market.
    Great for wandering around shopping centres with the wife, I'm sure, but not quite what I had in mind for trekking through the woods or doing the gardening.

    Quote Originally Posted by kmart
    Get some locally-made safety boot brand like Pangolin for stuff like gardening, etc. I have found that the heat and humidity here quickly erodes Western brands; bonding / adhesive between soles and uppers.
    Not a bad idea for the gardening kmart, and pretty good for the woods as well. I know what you mean with the lower quality Western brands; I've had a few pairs of shoes fall apart rapidly.

    Another Mr Bean moment was playing golf in Udon and having my golf shoes come apart rapidly, to the point the caddy (lovely girl) ended up having to tie the sole back on with spare shoe laces and rubber bands.

    I have also found that price is not always a mark of quality. I used to go through low quality shoes in Europe at around 3 - 4 months. However, I bought some cheap(ish) shoes that have lasted me over a year now with only the soles needing a retread. Dress shoes aside, these are the longest lasting, (scarpas and meindls aside) I can recall ever owning.

  15. #15
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    ^I've had shoes here such as Clarks; Rockports, and trainers from Nike, Reebok, etc that have come apart, due to the heat and humidity. Good quality footwear normally, but I think it's just the bonding that isn't designed for this climate.

    The industrial safety boot brands here are light, comfortable, and last a looong time. Especially if you're just gardening, hobbying, or pottering around.

  16. #16
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    Id imagine a pair of boots would stink here pretty quick.maybe buy some anti fungal insoles.

    As for trainers, adidas climacool are good.....until you tread on a little puddle

  17. #17
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    Just get a sturdy pair of socks, and you'll be fine.



    When at the house (never) and walking around a metre or more from the house (even less often) I put on a pair of thick wellies that come up to me knees and carry a long bamboo stick which I smooth upon the ground before me - I do not wanna meet a snake.
    Cycling should be banned!!!

  18. #18
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    ^What about this snake?

    Atretochoana eiselti

  19. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dillinger View Post
    ^What about this snake?

    Atretochoana eiselti
    They can buy their own boots.

    Anyway

    Get some cowboy boots


  20. #20
    Thailand Expat Jesus Jones's Avatar
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    Merrell for boots. Bought some while in Hong Kong as much cheaper. Last set foxes in the UK nabbed em'

    I like Keen footwear but Terra Plana Vivobarefoot are the most comfortable I've ever had.

    My Terra Plana are 10 years old and still look brand new.
    You bullied, you laughed, you lied, you lost!

  21. #21
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jesus Jones
    My Terra Plana are 10 years old and still look brand new.
    Bet they fukkin stink to high heaven, like the OP's last pair of boots



    Quote Originally Posted by Troy
    My ex-wife gave my favourite boots to charity around 15 years ago, for which I never really forgave her

  22. #22
    Thailand Expat Jesus Jones's Avatar
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    ^Mine still smell of leather.
    Terra Plana


    Great running shoes too.


    Wear these for walking, working in the garden, sand sea etc. Fokin' comfortable and last ages.
    Keen

  23. #23
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    ^ I think Dillinger has spent his life in trainers or similar footwear. Neither my old or present boots have the obnoxious odour that may be found after wearing the trainers of old....

    Not keen on Keen as I have heard too many reports of them coming apart at the seams in the UK, let alone tropical conditions.



    I can imagine Betty in a pair of these...



    Socks are all the rage with the affluent in our area, which is increasing at the same rate as glacier movement. Socks last even less than flip-flops owing to the cat taking a great liking to them as well as the washing machine.

    Latest reports from home in Thailand suggest my dog is on his last warning having decided to kill all the BIL chickens...his mum (the dogs not BIL) was sold to the Sakon dog merchants for her sins when it came to chickens. I guess they both miss my flip-flops...

  24. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by Troy
    Quote: Originally Posted by taxexile merrell gore-tex. look no further. That's pretty much what I am looking for, thanks and added to the list of ones to try.
    One of the problems i have with waterproof boots, including the gortex ones, is that they flood out with sweat during long tropical walkabouts. I took to getting the non waterproof versions that merrel make of some of their boots, that lert the water drain out freely.... though not much of a problem with my daily r.Thames runs
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  25. #25
    Thailand Expat
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    ^ That's the advice I have been getting lately. Apparently Gore-tex is great in cooler climates but, when in hotter climates, there is nowhere for the sweat to go and so it sits inside the boot.

    I am off to try out some boots today...

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