Why Local Hikers Swear by Adidas Kampung Shoes in Malaysia

When Travelling to Borneo, besides ensuring that you have the digital e-entry, flight tickets, visa if any, hotel bookings and transportation, the other things that you may want to take note of if you intend to go trekking or climbing, would be your shoes. Borneo rains a lot throughout the year, though our monsoon season is from year end to end of February. Sometimes, it still rains daily on other months. 

Do consider buying a pair of Adidas Kampung Shoes. The cheap and long lasting sticky rubber shoes. 

When planning hikes in Malaysia and Borneo, a common concern is what footwear to use. The jungle terrain here — especially in Borneo — is typically wet, muddy, and slippery. Instead of investing in expensive branded hiking boots, many experienced hikers and locals swear by a simple, low-cost alternative: Adidas kampung.

What Are Adidas Kampung?

“Adidas kampung” refers to basic rubber shoes widely worn in Malaysian villages (kampung means “village” in Malay). These shoes are made entirely from thick rubber, making them waterproof and durable. Despite the name, they have no official connection to the Adidas brand — the nickname comes from the diagonal stripe design on the sides which resembles the look of Adidas sneakers.

You’ll spot them everywhere: used by rubber tappers, plantation workers, farmers — and increasingly by hikers tackling the tropical rainforest. A pair typically costs around RM15-20.00

Features That Make Them Great for Jungle Hiking

Here are the main reasons these rubber shoes are popular for hiking in Malaysia and Borneo:

1. Lightweight and Completely Waterproof

Made from rubber, kampung shoes are extremely light and fully waterproof. If you wade through streams or rain, water doesn’t damage them — and they dry in minutes. You can even hike without socks if you don’t mind wet feet, then just shake the water out and continue.

2. Excellent on Slippery Rocks and Mud

The cleated rubber soles give surprisingly good traction on wet rocks and muddy jungle trails, helping you keep balance even in slick conditions.

3. Easily Customisable

Because they’re made of solid rubber, you can trim or modify them for a better fit if sections rub uncomfortably — a small advantage when regular shoes give blisters. Use wax candle to smoothen the surface if you need to. 

4. Useful Against Leeches

Leeches are common in Borneo’s rainforest. The simple rubber surface of kampung shoes makes it easy to spot and remove these pests compared with more complex hiking footwear.

5. Dirt-Easy to Clean

Expensive hiking boots can take ages to scrub and dry after a muddy trek. In contrast, you just rinse kampung shoes, wipe away mud, and they’re ready again almost instantly.

A Practical Choice for Malaysian Trails

For jungle hiking in Malaysia and Borneo, kampung shoes offer a practical, affordable alternative to branded hiking boots. They are lightweight, waterproof, rugged enough for rainforests, and easy to clean — making them ideal for local trekking conditions. While they lack the support of premium shoes suited for long mountain expeditions, for many travelers and locals they’re “just what you need” for wet, slippery terrain.

Where to Find Adidas Kampung

These rubber shoes are sold at local hardware and sundry shops across Malaysia — including Mr DIY outlets and small “kampung” stores in towns. You can also find them online at marketplaces like Lazada, Shopee and many online ecommerce platform. 

Good Luck on your hiking Trail!