Whether you're coming to Thailand for a never-leave-the-resort beach vacation, city-sightseeing or a top-to-bottom exploration – at most, you need to pack just 5 pairs of shoes to wear in Thailand.
1 pair of flip flops (for hostel showers, beach, etc.) 1 pair of tennis shoes/trainers. 1 pair of comfortable sandals (suitable for long walking days — I personally like Birkenstocks, Chacos, or Tevas) Optional: hiking boots (only if you plan on doing multi-day trekking trips)
Thailand's pavements are often uneven and not the best for walking so bring at least one pair of shoes/trainers with decent support and grip. Footwear to pack: Comfortable walking shoes/trainers/tennis shoes. Flip-flops.
One casual sneaker, one versatile sandal or flat, and one dressier pair. That's it. It works for work trips, it works for vacations, and as I found out on my recent girls' weekend to South Haven, Michigan, it works even when you're packing for unpredictable weather, lots of walking, and plenty of activities.
For trips that are only a few days in length, you may be fine with just one pair of shoes, especially if you aren't doing a wide variety of activities. However, for trips that are a week or more in length, two to three pairs of shoes are more appropriate.
8 Things TO BRING (and NOT TO BRING) to THAILAND! - Packing Guide & Recommendations
How many pairs of shoes can I fly with?
A rule of thumb is to stick to three pairs or fewer. Finally, don't pack in a hurry. Waiting until the last minute to pack in a frenzy will cause unneeded stress.
Shoes. Shoes = 2-3. The safest bet is to keep them neutral in color so all the shoes go with all the outfits on all the days. I wrote a post about comfortable and cute travel shoes here.
Experts and Doctors believe people should always own multiple pairs of shoes so that they are able to rotate them. There are a variety of explanations why, but here are a few of the key reasons to rotate your shoes, which will extend their life and protect the investment you make in quality footwear.
How many shoes should you pack according to the 1 to 6 rule?
Consider the 1-2-3-4-5-6 Rule
One general guideline is to pack one hat, two pairs of shoes, three bottoms, four tops (short or long-sleeve or outer layer), five pairs of socks, six pairs of underwear.
Our free returns option is to your local shoezone store, you can return the item unworn in the original condition within 12 months of purchase, where a refund or exchange can be actioned.
You'll often see a row of shoes outside the entrance as a cue to follow suit. If you're visiting a friend's home, it's expected to take off your shoes unless explicitly told otherwise. In Thai culture, wearing shoes indoors is seen as unclean.
For a night out, a pair of nice jeans is much preferred. Shorts are pretty common in most bars catering to Westerners, and they're fine in many casual Thai nightspots too. For nightclubs in Bangkok and some other areas, men won't be allowed in without long pants.
We do also recommend bringing one pair of comfortable hiking shoes (boots, trainers, trekking sandals) which are slip-resistant and you don't mind getting wet and muddy. For the days that you won't be hiking feel free to wear some flip-flops that you can easily take off in case, you wanted to take a dip in the water.
You should avoid off-shoulder tops, sleeveless tops and tank tops. You might be denied entry if you go to a temple wearing a short dress or a mini skirt. For men, if you plan on wearing shorts, then go for the long ones like capris. If your pants are above knee-length, then you will be denied entry.
Courses or boosters usually advised: none. Other vaccines to consider: Diphtheria; Hepatitis A; Hepatitis B; Rabies; Tetanus; Typhoid. Selectively advised vaccines - only for those individuals at highest risk: Japanese Encephalitis.
Thin long pants, shorts, 2-3 shirts (beach/free time, sports, party), 2nd pair of shoes (sneakers/running and flip flops), small bag for your smartphone and money, swimming shorts, sun glasses, cap, small toiletry bag, fleece jacket (very important if you are going to take night buses and trains).
Your two week travel capsule should include enough garments for you to rotate through comfortably without being stressed about laundry. I recommend 12-15 pieces excluding undergarments, socks, and accessories. You want to make sure to bring lots of layers and to always wear your heaviest pieces when traveling.
Align your footwear toe-to-heel – Your suitcase only has so many sides to line your shoe soles up against. If you have many pairs to pack, you will need to store some in the center space as well. When doing so, pack each pair side by side with the tops touching, but with heels lined up with toes.
Durability – We've recommended that you only pack 3 pairs of shoes, but you have to make sure that those choices are able to withstand consistent use. The worst thing that can happen is that your shoes break midway through a trip, and you have to buy new ones, thus denting your budget.
If you didn't wrap your shoes, place them individually on one side of the metal rods that protrude from the suitcase. Aim to position one shoe at the base. Each sole should touch a side wall. We've found this is the most efficient way to pack shoes.
How many pairs of shoes should you bring to Japan?
I don't recommend taking rain boots for rainy season either if you are watching your luggage space and are only visiting Japan for a vacation. You just need two pairs of shoes (eg. 2 x pairs of sneakers) so that you can alternate while the other dries if you happen to get a bit wet.
2-3 total pairs: Include your most-worn daily essentials like sneakers, loafers, flats, or oxfords in versatile base colors like black, brown, tan, or navy. 4-6 total pairs: Along with core essentials, add more variety to suit different seasonal activities and settings - boots, dress shoes, sandals, gym shoes, etc.
One color you do need to avoid is black, as it signifies bad luck and is thought to attract bad spirits in Thai culture. This color is only socially acceptable when attending a funeral. Symbolism is important to the Thai people.
Taking off shoes before entering a place is deeply ingrained in Thai culture and is seen as a sign of respect. Thai people believe that shoes carry not only dirt but also negative energy from the outside world. By removing their shoes, they symbolically leave behind any negativity or impurities from the outside.
If you're visiting Thailand during its shoulder seasons—April to June or September to October— or during its rainy season, July and August, it would be wise to pack a light rain jacket in case of sudden, unpredictable rain. Opt for the kind that is compact and easily rollable to minimize space in your luggage.
