Short answer
Sandals or slippers that leave the raised bone on the top of the foot uncovered. In the Hanafi school this bone, not the ankle, is the limit, so footwear may cover the toes and heel as long as the middle of the top of the foot is bare. Trainers, closed shoes and socks are not allowed for men. Women may wear any shoes and socks.
In ihram the ka'b means the raised joint at the middle of the top of the foot. A man may wear footwear that leaves it uncovered. Wearing shoes or socks that cover it for a full day requires a dam; for less, sadaqah.
Other madhhabs
- Shafi'i and Hanbali
- The ka'b here is the ankle bone. A man should wear sandals or slippers and not footwear that encloses the foot like a shoe or sock. The Hanbali school allows khuffs (leather socks) without cutting if no sandals can be found.
Explanation
The Prophet ﷺ said that a man in ihram does not wear khuffs (leather socks), except one who cannot find sandals; he may wear khuffs cut down below the ka'bayn. Hanafi jurists understood the ka'b in this hadith as the raised bone on top of the foot where a shoelace is tied, so a shoe cut down below it is allowed.
- Flip-flops and open sandals: allowed in all schools.
- "Ihram chappals" with a covered toe: allowed in the Hanafi school if the middle of the top of the foot is bare.
- Sandals with a back strap: fine; the heel may be covered.
- Trainers, loafers and closed shoes: not allowed, as they cover the top of the foot.
- Socks, compression socks and foot bandages: socks are not allowed. A bandage for an injury is allowed out of need; if it covers a large area for a full day, ask about the ransom.
- Blanket over the feet while sleeping: fine.
- Women: wear any shoes and socks.
Walking long distances in Makkah on marble and hot ground is hard, so choose cushioned sandals with good grip and break them in before you travel. For the rest of men's ihram dress, see what men wear in ihram, and for penalties, dam.
The evidence
Quran, Surah Al-Baqara 2:197
ٱلْحَجُّ أَشْهُرٌۭ مَّعْلُومَٰتٌۭ ۚ فَمَن فَرَضَ فِيهِنَّ ٱلْحَجَّ فَلَا رَفَثَ وَلَا فُسُوقَ وَلَا جِدَالَ فِى ٱلْحَجِّ ۗ وَمَا تَفْعَلُوا۟ مِنْ خَيْرٍۢ يَعْلَمْهُ ٱللَّهُ ۗ وَتَزَوَّدُوا۟ فَإِنَّ خَيْرَ ٱلزَّادِ ٱلتَّقْوَىٰ ۚ وَٱتَّقُونِ يَٰٓأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَٰبِ ﴿١٩٧﴾
Hajj is [during] well-known months, so whoever has made Hajj obligatory upon himself therein [by entering the state of ihram], there is [to be for him] no sexual relations and no disobedience and no disputing during Hajj. And whatever good you do - Allah knows it. And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is fear of Allah. And fear Me, O you of understanding.
Ihram's dress rules apply once it begins.
Sahih al-Bukhari 1542
Sahih... إلا أحد لا يجد نعلين فليلبس خفين وليقطعهما أسفل من الكعبين ...
"Except one who cannot find sandals: let him wear khuffs and cut them below the ka'bayn."
Footwear in ihram must leave the ka'b uncovered.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Hidaya, Kitab al-Hajj, chapter on ihram. The ka'b here is the joint in the middle of the foot at the lace knot.
- Radd al-Muhtar (Ibn Abidin), Kitab al-Hajj, on footwear in ihram. Shoes that leave that bone uncovered are allowed.
- al-Mughni (Ibn Qudama), Kitab al-Hajj, on khuffs for the muhrim. The Hanbali view on wearing khuffs when sandals cannot be found.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.