Adidas kampung- shoes for the tropical jungle
The Adidas kampung is a popular shoe when it comes to choosing the right shoe for tropical jungle of Malaysia. This cheap yet practical piece of footwear has decorated the feet of Malaysians for generations, especially among rubber tapers and estate workers for as long as the independent of Malaysia perhaps. Its light, fully water resistant and simple design makes it even more attractive among those venturing into a jungle that is constantly wet and humid.
Adidas Kampung is up for anything. They are shoes for jungle hiking. Great footwear for tropical water paddling and they make excellent tropical shoes for river crossing and general camp wear.
There are a number of designs for this rubber shoe. The one characteristic that makes the shoe stands out is the fact that it is wholly made of rubber. Some comes with fake shoelaces (they are actually rubber, part of the shoe itself) and some do come with simple cords.
Why is shoe called Adidas Kampung? Well, there is this one particular model that comes with studded soles. The entire shoe is still made of rubber and the sides are painted with 4 yellow stripes. Because of these stripes and the fact that they are the only ones normal kampung folks can afford as soccer boots…hence the name Adidas Kampung. The name was so popular that it is used to blanket almost all the similar types of rubber shoes available.
Looks familiar? The four yellow stripes that makes an Adidas Kampung
There are a number of reasons why this rubber shoe is the preferred choice by many locals for the tropical jungle. Its construction of being 100% rubber makes it fully water repellent, easy to drain out water and easy to dry. Compare this with any of the boots we can find in the shopping mall, to dry a pair would probably require only some dabbing with a piece of dry cloth! But of course, the rubber wear is by far not a perfect shoe. There are a few things one got to remember when using them.
For jungle use and river crossing, some people would actually recommend making two small holes on the sides of the shoe to help drain out water. Some models already come with ‘holes’ but more often than not, they are sealed tight out from the factory. But it is easy to solve this. Just grab a scissors or a knife and make the holes yourself. Very easy.
Use a sharp knife to make them holes
In the Malaysian jungle, crossing rivers and being drenched by constant rain makes any pair of our normal shoes a nightmare to walk in. The only setback I would say with these rubber shoes are its lack of ankle support and not so durable soles. The shoes are no hi tech bit of gear, they are simple and very basic. Their soft soles mean that they get eroded or eaten in much faster than usual shoes. This is especially when one walks on tarmac.
I have two pairs . One pair I use as my tropical jungle footwear and the other I keep in my motorbike’s storage box. I change into them whenever I travel in the rain to keep my work shoes dry.
Honestly, I don’t think anything beats the Adidas Kampung for light or medium walk in the jungle. For longer expeditions and trips, perhaps the more robust jungle boots would be much more suitable.
Thinking of those Cr*@s sandals? Well, if you can afford them to be thrashed in the jungle, then go ahead. Also, Cr*@s do not give you the traction you need, no matter what they claim. Have seen them worn on tracks, you can see how they ‘slide’ when it rains.
This new pair of Adidas kampung for my wife costs only RM4.80!
But with prices ranging between RM5 and RM10 per pair (yet another reason why they are the best jungle shoe) as compared to the hundreds of ringgit for a pair of Cr*@s, the decision is more than obvious I think.
Where to buy adidas kampung? If you are in KL town, some hardware stalls around Chow Kit or Jln Ipoh sells them. The Pasar Malam opposite Sunway Pyramid every Wednesday nights have them too.
Out of K.L? Head to almost any hardware, sundry or shops selling agriculture products and you are likely to find them. This is especially true with places where there’s many rubber plantations.
So…to summarize:
Pros:
- Water-repel, easy to dry.
- Cheap…really cheap
- Practical (use it to walk, camp use and rivers)
- Easy to obtain
- Field proven
- Almost zero maintenance
Cons:
- May not provide the support needed for tough climbs/ treks
- Soles wear out pretty fast
- Soles are soft, vulnerable to punctures. One can literally feel what’s been stepped on
- Shoe may ‘slip’ when descending steep slopes
Yes, these Adidas Kampong are damn good for jungle use/trekking. However, one main issue that you have not mentioned here is that it causes one to perspire hard – at the feet – and this will cause smelly feet since it is all rubber even if you have made some holes at the sides.
Would the simple canvas shoes used by rubber tappers be a better shoe for jungle wear? They are cheap, more comfortable and are more ‘breatheable’ than the Adidas Kampong. Downside is when they are wet, they do take longer to dry when compared to Adidas Kampong but dries faster than the other shoes.
Would love to hear your views on this.
Cheers
Kenny
Obviously, you are a person who knows what he is talking about.
Yup, I agree with you on stinking feet with Adidas Kampung. Happens to me all the time really. And true, the upper canvas shoes do make sense. My only challenge with them canvas shoes is that I can’t find the size! Even with the Adidas Kampung, because of its ’stretchable’ material, my feet fits (very) snugly.
find us@chiong keng trading,we hav the shoes
Hi Yuen! Thanks for dropping by. I wish you all the best with your business!
By the way, good stuff you are selling.
Keong,
Very funny article la ..i dont know that Chinese also called this adidas kampung…Malays also use the same terminologies…good job…
Hi Keong,
Any idea whereabout in Penang and Kedah these Adidas Kampung are available…
Cheers
Where can i get this shoe at Bukit Mertajam?
Email coming your way!
Good info bro…
So when we can go trip together..AJ
Hi AJ! Long time never hear from you mate.
Can…we can plan a trip soon!
Adidas Malaon as we call it!
To the right people wearing it – it can be a very unbelievably comfy and perfect pair of shoes to wear! Even captured PGKs as we call them wear this Adidas Malaon and so does ALL of my survival instructors AND me too!
To the beginner, advisable that you wear them first on short treks through belukars!
This type of shoes can spell DANGER to beginners and even sometimes to tired oldies like me when walking through the river, on rocks & boulders as well as moss covered fallen tree trunks.
It’s the only trusted pair of shoes that I put on while teaching survival skills or leading expeditions!!!!
Can’t agree more. Thanks for your valuable comments forestgump!
Finally found these shoes at Baling Town (main street). Though it isn’t Cap Gajah with yellow stripes but Osaki Brand, they are identical in design, looks and pricing.
Osaki has both flat-ribbed and studded soles at RM4.80 per pair. My advise to those looking for them is go to small towns where rubber and oil palm plantations abound and ask around. I believe most hardware, general and shoe stores there have them.
Cheers
Great to know that you have finally found them Adidas Kampung. They are awesome aren’t they. And what great price you got them for. I can’t agree more with what you said. Smaller kampungs are a sure bet for the shoes.
Wow,Great!Thanks for Sharing This!
Anyone know where to find them in Sandakan, Sabah? Do you wear socks with them? Do they come in slightly larger than size 9?
Hi Marky…I am in KL, not sure where they sell it in Sandakan. But I can gurantee you it is available. Most hardware shops and sometimes grocery shops would have them. Don expect malls to carry them (not sure if Sandakan have malls). Ask any local, tell them you are looking for ‘kasut getah’ (rubber shoes). Should be nothing more than RM12 (max).
I wear a US sz12 shoes and I am okay with Size 10. Look for a particular brand called Boco if you can. Their sizes are generally bigger.
Yes, you can wear socks with the shoes. But if you plan to walk in the jungle, just wear cotton leech socks. That ought to be enough.
Hope that helps!
Do you know where in KL I can get one without those studs?
Try some of the hard ware stores around Jalan Ipoh. Not the safest place to be but I can gurantee you can find some at Chow Kit in the evenings when the stalls are set up.
Good luck
hahaha so many of u guys know about this adidas huh?. my friend laugh at me when they look at me wearing that adidas kampong. but finally they know this is the perfect shoe for that purpose after they see the europe traveller wear ADIDAS KAMPONG when we go to gunung angsi
, i buy it at one of hardware shop hear in kepong k.l
Hi z4zizan…yeah, adidas kampong is the best man. Funny that some of our friends have to wait to see a mat salleh wear the shoes baru percaya that they are good. I too have come across that sort of scenario. The best thing to use are what the locals use I think.
aha~ i just convince a friend to believe that Adidas Kampung actually is good! anyway, don’t know he believe or not ~
But, nice post, man!
Hi Angela…I know what you mean. Many of my friends too are very skeptical at the beginning. But they normally change their mind after they have tried it!
Is it good enough for Mount KK?
I would recomend that you try the shoes on a gradual basis before attempting Kinabalu. I am sure there are people who may have done it in Adidas Kampung but then again, everyone’s comfort zone is different. Try the shoe on some easy treks first and see how it goes.