Vacation Sandals: What to Pack for Beach, City and Hills

Shoes are the most annoying thing to pack. They are bulky, they make the suitcase heavy, and somehow you always carry one pair you never wear while missing the one you needed. For most Indian holidays, whether it is Goa, Gokarna, Udaipur, Rishikesh or a Thailand trip, the answer is not more shoes. It is the right two or three pairs of sandals that each do several jobs.

Here is how to pick vacation sandals by type of trip, what to look for so your feet don’t hurt by day two, and a quick word on keeping your makeup as low-effort as your footwear.

Start with the trip, not the shoes

Before you open the shoe rack, picture your days:

• Beach holiday (Goa, Andamans, Kerala, Southeast Asia): sand, water, wet floors, short walks.
• City and heritage trip (Jaipur, Udaipur, Hampi, Varanasi): lots of walking on uneven stone, steps, and removing footwear at temples and monuments.
• Hill or riverside trip (Rishikesh, Coorg, the Northeast): wet rocks, slopes, possible rain.

Each type needs a slightly different mix. Heritage trips in particular need sandals you can slip on and off quickly, because you will do it many times a day.

The sandals worth packing

1. A supportive walking sandal

This is the pair that does the heavy lifting, and the one most people get wrong by packing basic flip-flops instead. Podiatrist Dan Michaels, DPM, quoted by the Reconstructive Foot & Ankle Institute, explains that ordinary flip-flops aren’t designed for long walks and can make your feet work overtime. His checklist for a supportive sandal:

• A contoured footbed with arch support, not a flat slab.
• A sole that bends at the ball of the foot, not in the middle (he suggests folding it in half to test).
• A deep heel cup to keep the foot from sliding.
• Firm, not mushy, cushioning.

Look for a sport sandal or a cushioned slide with a back strap. In neutral black, tan or olive it will go with shorts, dresses and kurta sets alike.

2. A water-friendly pair

For beaches, pools, hotel bathrooms and rainy days, you want something that doesn’t mind getting wet. Rubber flip-flops, EVA slides or jelly sandals are light, cheap and dry fast. They also matter for hygiene: the American Academy of Dermatology suggests not going barefoot in shared showers and locker rooms, where infections like fungus and warts can spread, and a pair of flip-flops is enough to protect you. The same logic applies to pool changing rooms and hostel showers.

Avoid leather and suede for this job. They can stain, stiffen and smell after a soaking.

3. One dressier evening pair

For dinners, a beach-shack party or a destination wedding function, pick a single pair that works with everything you have packed:

• Metallic flats or slides in gold, rose gold or bronze go with dresses, kaftans and kurtas.
• Kolhapuris or juttis are comfortable, pack flat and suit Indian and western outfits.
• A low block heel if you want height. Skip stilettos, which sink into sand and lawns.

Packing tips that save space

General tips that make a real difference:

• Wear your bulkiest pair (usually the walking sandals or sneakers) on travel day.
• Put each pair in a cloth shoe bag or a reused shower cap so the soles don’t touch clothes.
• Place shoes at the bottom of the suitcase, near the wheels, to keep the bag balanced.
• Stuff socks, chargers or small pouches inside closed shoes.
• Break in any new pair at home for at least a few days. A holiday is the worst time to discover a strap that rubs.

Keep makeup as easy as your sandals

Holiday makeup should take five minutes and survive sun, sea breeze and sweat. A small kit is enough:

1. Sunscreen first. AAD advice for outdoor activity is a broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF 30 or higher, reapplied every two hours or after swimming or sweating (same AAD page as above).
2. One shimmer shade for the lids. A sheer peach eyeshadow tapped on with a fingertip looks fresh on the beach and needs no brushes. For evenings, add a second layer or switch to a gold eyeshadow like Rose Gold to match metallic sandals.
3. Mascara and a brow gel. That’s it for the eyes.
4. Tinted lip balm with SPF.

For a fuller list of what to pack, see our travel makeup bag guide, and for heat and humidity specifically, our beach-proof makeup tips.

FAQ

How many pairs of sandals should I pack for a week-long trip?

Usually three: a supportive walking sandal, a water-friendly pair for beaches and showers, and one dressier pair for evenings. Add sneakers only if you plan treks or long hikes.

Are flip-flops okay for a lot of walking?

Basic flat flip-flops aren’t designed for long walks. For sightseeing days, choose a sandal with a contoured footbed, arch support, a heel cup and a back strap.

What sandals are best for temples and monuments?

Slip-on styles like slides, kolhapuris or sandals with a single adjustable strap, since you’ll remove them often. Keep a small bag to carry them in if there’s no shoe stand.

Which sandals go with both dresses and kurtas?

Metallic flats, kolhapuris and juttis, and low block heels in tan or gold all work with western dresses and Indian outfits.