Question about shoes for rainy conditions - YouLookFab Forum

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Question about shoes for rainy conditions

Runcarla

Veteran

Urban walkers: what do you wear on your feet for rainy conditions when you will be doing a LOT of walking?

I’m asking this question because there have been quite a few comments on my ‘packing for UK’ thread that I consider footwear for wet conditions - and that the Converse sneakers I was planning to wear might not keep my feet dry.

https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/travel-capsule-uk-in-may

At home I wear sneakers for long walks in all conditions, except snowy winter days when I wear combat style leather boots. It has been a mild winter, so I have worn the sneakers when streets and sidewalks have been clear, and the boots when it has been snowy, or icy underfoot. My tall boots, and shorter Chelsea style are not great all day footwear. I was thinking of adding a second pair of combat boots in a colour or pattern - next winter. Maybe I should look now and break them in for May?

If you were packing footwear for a 2 week urban vacation in May, what 3 pair would go into your suitcase/on your feet?

General

17 replies

Latest reply was from Diana

Kathie

Veteran

My Danskos, Oxfords, and running shoes. Or, if I knew for sure that I wouldn't be using a hotel gym, I'd pack something slightly dressier, like my heeled Oxfords, that I can easily walk a couple miles in. And, for warmer weather, my Fly Londons, in place of the Danskos. I like the thicker sole of Danskos and Fly Londons for giving me a bit of lift off the ground in damp conditions.

Dansko XP 2.0 Clog

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Miz Mooz Miz MoozLetty

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Hispanitas 'Viv' Cap Toe Pump

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FLY London Women's Piat Wedge Pump

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Inge

(website)

I'm so excited for you, Carla!

When it's cold and rainy: leather booties or other waterproof booties.

When it's warmer and rainy: leather or waterproof sneakers. Weather might be a bit too warm in May for Winter combat boots? Maybe a less heavier bootie or a comfortable leather sneaker or oxford? I would probably also pack one pair of sandals just in case temps are already nice and warm:-)

Ecco Sneakers laag

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GO WALK 4 - Hardloopschoenen demping - weiß - Zalando.be

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Sal

Veteran

Any of the following although the white leather are untested.

I do not love the black moto boots but they perform well for rainy days and city walking.

In the UK mostly the rain is light but persistent (compared to here where it is less frequent but buckets down). If you really got a torrential downpour I think you would be inside sheltering.

The main thing in my opinion is two options - so you can dry out if needed.

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notsaf

Veteran

I find wet weather in the UK to be generally more semi-constant sporadic drizzle than downpour. In May, I would guess you'll be fine with sneakers in London! As long as there isn't a lot of accumulation, there won't be many puddles. But, if you're going anywhere outside of the city, do anticipate more muck, scenic walks in muddy feilds, wind, etc.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

For May, I'd go with waterproof sneakers (if possible) and if not officially waterproof, then treated to be resistant. Being me, I'd also bring lots of options, included a bootie for cooler nights.

Looks like temps could be from around 13 to 18, depending.

This is similar to the weather forecast for my Spain trip in November.

We happened to have unusually cold weather there. I was glad to have the booties with me. What I brought -- first three Finds, below.

For spring, I would probably bring something similar. Would definitely bring at least one pair of regular sneakers -- with insoles, because without, they are useless to me. Might bring my yellow Cons (except they are not really all-day comfortable for me...). Would bring a lighter coloured dressy-ish option. Might bring my Blundstones because they are a bit rugged but also can wear with a dressier outfit in a pinch.

The main thing for me is that I have to have options. I need to change my footwear after a day of 22,000 steps or more. A change is as good as a rest. So while I know the usual advice is pack light on footwear, I tend to ignore the usual advice and bring at least 3 options every trip.

Ecco ECCOSoft 8 Sneaker

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Ecco 'Soft 7' Cap Toe Sneaker

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Blondo Blondo Elvina Waterproof Bootie (Women) | Nordstrom

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Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Gore-Tex Waterproof Lugged High Top Sneaker

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Elvina Waterproof Bootie

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rachylou

Veteran

Once upon a time I would have worn my Payless combat-style workboots. Those were serious shoes. Waterproof. Comfortable. I haven’t found a replacement. Now I have an assortment of rain boots - really rather painful for serious walking - and winter boots, which while more comfortable also
have me praying to get home before they soak thru.

It all depends on whether I’ll be out in the rain or if I’ll simply be gone all day on a rainy day. And how bad the rain is coming down.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I have solved that big problem with Docs. The rain can create huge puddles due to lack of drainage here and platform Dr. Martens turn out to be a great solution.

slim cat

Veteran

ECCO sneakers, ECCO sandals, lighter metallic sneakers by Josef Seibel.

Joy

Veteran

The last couple of times I was in the UK, I wanted higher soles to keep from soaking my foot in puddles, like flatforms. Wet shoes need time to dry. Other than that, you might try Crocs or jelly flats. I also use these for beach vacations. I got some black Croc Mary Janes with puddles in mind. They could be dressy enough for a casual dinner in a pub of casual enough to walk on a beach.

Jane

Veteran

ECCO sneakers in leather I think would work really well. Or some gortex style trainers.

I’m comfortable wearing my leather reebok trainers in light rain - I’m nodding with Sal about the persistent drizzle that can happen. Frizz drizz because of what I does to my hair!

My friends have patent black short wellington boots - a lot of ladies wear them near where I work -,so cute but maybe not for taking away.

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

I don't like walking in rain boots, as I find them slippery. When it rains I usually wear my leather high top Converse. Unlike regular Converse, they don't have those open grommets near the foot arch.

LaPed

Veteran

Probably my Blundstones, with a pair of lightweight sneakers for more clement weather.

Lowa (well regarded European hiking boot company) makes gorgeous Gore-Tex sneakers that look like the perfect travel shoe to me: https://www.lowaboots.com/wome.....-off-white (Linking the rust colour because it would bookend your hair so well!)

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Blundstone Blundstone Women's 1448 Chelsea Boot

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Bijou

Veteran

Carla - in rainy conditions I rely heavily on my Doc Marten boots. They are super comfy and handle any conditions and distances. My Paul Green sneakers are equally comfy and will go the distance. For going out at night and more dressy (but less walking) I would wear my white boots.

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Helena

Veteran

Carla, we did a week in England last year that included lots of all day city walking, as well as a few traipses through countryside paths. I wore my Blondos the whole time and they were fine! The only thing I would add is shoes to get lucky, as I did have to hop over a few muddy puddles walking to a country pub!

Staysfit

Veteran

I really like the Lowa’s that LaP suggests above, I may look into them myself,

I currently have three options that reliably keep my feet dry in the rain. 1. Ecco waterproof golf sneakers. They are bulkier than the Soft 7’s, and Soft 8’s, but look more stylish than gortex lined trainers. I believe Ecco makes a waterproof high top. They have flat bottoms and I worry about slipping in them on a smooth surface. 2. Aasics gortex lined trainers. I believe trainers are in style for general use, but I only use them as gear. 3. Ahnu gortex lined hiking shoes. I like these so much I have two versions, one is both thinsulate and gortex lined for winter. These are very lightweight and keep my feet dry and comfy. They have nice non-slip soles. They are bulky, so they may not be what you are looking for in terms of style.

My recent experience taught me that dry feet are more important than style. The dermatologist reminded me that moisture and friction create blisters!

RobinF

Veteran

I would wear leather sneakers or combat/moto boots. I wore my old moto boots all over the Mediterranean in January 5 years ago and they were great. Also wore my leather Ecco sneakers in Amsterdam a few years ago in September, it wasn't particularly wet though. We are planning a trip this fall to London so I will be paying attention to how you do!

Diana

Veteran

Combat boots, booties, leather oxfords, sneakers. If you’re going to London the rain is usually just drizzly and you won’t get soaked anyway.

I think the thing with canvas sneakers like cons is that not only do they get wet, they stay wet. And it feels gross to have to put damp, cold, clammy shoes back on! Like the canvas takes forever to dry. If you have more athletic styles with the mesh they tend to dry faster.