What kind of shoes are best for the angkor wat area? The steps look a little scarey in the pictures I've seen.Hiking shoes or athletic shoes?

The steps are a lot scary in some places.

I wanted something with closed toes to protect my feet and good traction. I opted for Merrill Jungle Mocs.

I think hiking shoes would be pretty hot unless they are REALLY light weight and breathable.

I totally agree that you need good footwear that you are comfortable negotiating steep uneven steps in. I wore a light weight walker that had some mesh in it for ventilation but fit like an athletic shoe. I will be wearing a similar thing for our return visit in Oct.
When are you going?
Happy travels. J

I wore Keen Venice H2 sandals. I liked having the ventilation of a sandal with the added toe protection. Anything heavier would have been uncomfortable in that heat.

I wore birkenstocks..It was so hot if my feet would have been restricted, i would have died!!

I wore athletic shoes, as did my daughter. Worked quite well. And yes, the steps are quite scary in places - especially going DOWN!!!

I was at Angkor Wat 2 weeks ago, for the second time. The first time I wore hiking boots which were great for the traction, but much too hot. I had some closed toe hiking sandals this time, which were an excellent choice. Our guide advised everyone to wear closed toed footwear!

I wore flip flops some days and tennis shoes other days and did not climb around on what are precious, ancient and unreliable structures.

In addition, many areas of the temple complex are still places of active worship and it felt disrespectful to be climbing all over the temples. I tried to imagine hordes of tourists climbing around on my church...

But even if you're not "climbing around", a closed toe shoe with some traction is a good choice.

I wore Keens and love them! They perform like hiking boots but they are cool.

Lori, I'm not quite sure what to make of your comments about not climbing around on the temples. I certainly don't advocate climbing on balustrades and other areas not mean for foot traffic, but there are many steep steps required to enter many of the wats. Not climbing those steps into the wats would be like visiting the great cathedrals of Europe without entering them out of respect for the precious, ancient steps. I only saw two people (together) during my week at the temples who were inappropriately climbing on a balustrade (right next to a sign that said "no climbing&quot.

Kathie

Kathie, that's what I mean. I saw many people climbing around in places where it says not to climb.

I get your analogy about the steps at a European Cathedral, but I see Angkor Wat as being in a much greater state of disrepair.

Lori, thanks for clarifying. I'm appalled that there were so many people climing on the temples.