Shoes for Scotland? - YouLookFab Forum

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Shoes for Scotland?

Astrid

Veteran

I'm going to Scotland for three weeks in August (see here). We now have it all more or less planned out and we will be on tour for two weeks and stay in a holiday flat for the third week. The first two weeks we'll stay overnight at each place for one to three nights before driving on, the last week we will do stuff near our "homebase" north of Edinburgh. There's also the Edinburgh Festival during that time.

I have a pair of hiking boots that I'm probably going to wear most of the time we're on the road, but I also want a more lightweight normal looking shoe option for days in the city. I have the sneakers in #1, but I think they won't be robust enough and they're not weatherproof either. What kind of shoe do you think I should be looking for? Any suggestions?

I'm also wondering whether I should pack any sandals or not. You always hear about all the rain etc., but looking at the average temperatures for that time of the year it could be quite warm and sunny too. Who knows. I could take either my birks or my teva sandals (mine don't look exactly like #3, they have a bit of pink mixed into the black).

ETA

Pictures of my actual shoes in #4/5, I took some pics now that I'm home.

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General

16 replies

Latest reply was from Astrid

El Cee

Veteran

How exciting, Astrid! I have never been to Scotland, but I live in hilly, wet New England, USA. For the times when I am on my feet all day (especially outdoors and/or sightseeing) I love the following brands: Merrell, Clarks (especially Haley and Privo lines), Naot, and Vasque (specifically for lightweight, breathable hiking boots and shoes). I definitely think you should throw in your Tevas in case of warm weather. They are such great travel sandals -- lightweight, waterproof, comfy and relatively indestructible. Plus -- they are great if you have a day at a beach… even a rocky one.

JAileen

Veteran

We went to Scotland in August several years ago. Our trip was about two weeks. The first day is was very warm, and I think we got sunburned! Every single day thereafter it rained. Every day. I don't think I had any sandals, but if I had had sandals, I wouldn't have worn them. Even when it rained, though, it wasn't cold. So I didn't need a sweater under my rain jacket, for example.

Having said that, I like all three pairs of shoes shown. I would have gotten a lot of use out of the first pair. Very cute!

Liz A.

Veteran

I've been to Scotland in August (I was in Edinburgh for the Fringe festival as well). We traveled all around the highlands and the city. I mostly remember being cold. I didn't pack enough warm clothes, because I thought it was summer, but they don't have that season in Scotland

Anyways, I wore something like these but all leather most of the time, and they are just the comfiest shoes in my opinion. Reminds me I should get another pair. They have super fun colorways. Also, I don't remember it raining so often... more in the highlands than the city I think.

froggiebecky

Veteran

Edinburgh local here (for now, at least)! If you'd like recommendations for anything, or would like to meet up for lunch or something, give a shout. I'll be here in August.

I'd go with #1. I think "cold" depends on your definition of the term. My understanding of the summer is that it's in the 60s, maybe low 70s. Upper 70s/80s is a heat wave. We didn't get much snow in Edinburgh this winter, and, according to the folks in my office, they "actually had a summer" last year. But that's the British definition of summer (not my Texas/Australian one).

In general, I'd recommend something walkable, and without a heel (or with a wedge). Even if you weren't going to be walking around all day, the brick streets make heels quite tricky.

rabbit

Veteran

I think the first pair is great, or something similar in an oxford, dark sneaker, or bootie that is very comfortable for you. City walking in Scotland tends to involve lots of puddles so a bit of a rubber platform or a weather-proofed leather is nice. I think sandals that aren't strappy heels might not be worn as much? (It's been a very long time but I can't remember wearing them living there or seeing them outside of clubs), but if they are light weight, why not? I'd go with the Birks for city walking as they are a little dressier and less 'touristy'.

Again it's been a very long time, but my memory is that young people in cities often dress fashionably/edgy, and older people wear a lot of conservative dark colors, maybe with lighter tops. A lot of classic tailoring/nice shoes in business districts.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks El Cee! I'm going to look up those brands. I also first thought the Tevas because of the waterproof factor, but I don't think I would wear sandals when it's wet to start with and the Birks are more comfortable and double up nicely for slippers in the evening/night.

Thanks JAileen! I do like my sneakers, but they're not the best for a wet climate. I bought them for Mallorca and they've been a much loved addition to my wardrobe, I wear them all the time with casual denim looks. But I try not to wear them when it's raining a lot, because they're suede and I don't want to ruin them. As for general dressing, I'm definitely going to take pieces I can layer depending on the weather.

Thanks Liz! I already knew it wouldn't be that warm - I thought packing as if I would go to one of the German North Sea Islands in late spring or early summer would be a good idea (meaning being prepared for cold, rain and wind). I think getting some sturdy sneakers in a material that can stand some rain is a good idea.

Thanks Becky! I'll keep it in mind. Although the whole family is coming, so I'm not sure about a meet up. That would mean explaining to them about YLF first and I'm not sure I want them stalking me online afterwards. I'm definitely not taking heels or any kind of dressy shoe, my whole travel capsule will probably be very casual and gear heavy and the shoes have to be practical first and foremost. Of course still being somewhat stylish would be nice. #1 are the only sneakers I have at the moment, but I think I would buy another pair for the trip that isn't suede.

Thanks Rabbit! That's what I've been thinking, puddles etc... I'm leaning towards the Birks too, they're just more comfortable and don't have that gear look. And they're definitely whole day walking shoes for me, no problem.

Gaylene

Veteran

My favorite all-around walking shoe for northern summers is some version of this Ecco leather sneaker look. I've worn the Soft style pictured here on several trips as well as some of Ecco's other sneaker versions. Spraying the shoes with a water resistant product usually is enough to keep my feet dry on rainy pavement. The shoes look good with my casual clothes and are super light to pack. Ecco has a variety of styles and soles in this type of shoe. It might be a nice adjunct to your heavier hiking boots and Birks. I think you'd have most situations covered with those three pairs of shoes.

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Astrid

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Thanks Gaylene! I've actually just had a look at Ecco, they make great shoes. They have one similar to the one you've shown that is completely waterproof:

http://shopeu.ecco.com/de/de/e.....?navId=279

Or I could get one of those sporty looking ones called "Biom", a friend of mine has a pair of those and they look very cool. The ones below are from last year and marked down in my size on Amazon. Also supposed to be fairly weatherproof. Or do you think they might be too similar to my hiking boots and something dressier might be more useful?

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Gaylene

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Oh, I like those Biom ones, but they do resemble a hiker more than a sneaker, don't they. I'd say it depends on what you think you'll be doing and your own preferences. Would you be able to get away with just the Bioms for both hiking and city walking? If so, that would make them really useful, especially if you'd enjoy wearing them once you were back home.

I've actually worn a pair of the Crisp style Eccos on a UK trip and they worked very well because the sole had enough tread to work on wet, slippery cobblestone streets and the Goretex liner kept my feet nice and dry even when I ended up walking through puddles. The shoe was also soft enough to fit easily in my smallish carry-on bag. They were excellent 15-hour shoes for me on the trip.

Maybe it might come down to whatever shoe would work best for you on the trip but also once you are back home?

Astrid

Veteran

Yes, you're right Gaylene. There's actually a sneaker version, but I thought the higher ones looked cooler. I'm definitely not taking the new shoes instead of my hiking boots, those are great quality classic boots with a thick sole that are very comfortable and broken in already. I'm searching for something in addition to that, for the city or for outside for a small walk. When we do some real hiking (or have very bad weather) I'm going to wear my boots. I can definitely see how the Ecco Crisp could work very well for all kinds of situations, but the look doesn't really knock my socks off.

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Gaylene

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I've got to agree that those Crisps, while functional, aren't exactly exciting. Have you looked at Wolky--a Dutch company? I've liked some of their designs because they are a bit more creative. I think they have outlets in Berlin.

I've actually got a pair very similar to the first picture that I wear constantly in the spring and fall.

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Astrid

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No, I didn't know them. Thanks! I'm going to go have a look on their website.Those first ones look awesome.

ETA

Oh, I LOVE these:

https://www.wolkyshop.de/damen...../7286/7672

Bookending high top sneakers. 145€ though.

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Ornella

(website)

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No need for sandals, I am sure. In my experience from living in similar climate for long enough, it will never be too warm for too many days in a row to justify precious luggage space. If it does get that hot that long, well - you have a story to tell and will survive those few days in whatever other shoes you bring anyway.

I'm impressed by the fact everything is planned already!

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Ornella! You're probably right and I won't need them. I think I'm going to wait until I pack to see how it works out with the space I have. Of course we haven't planned all the details yet but there's a rough itinerary so that the booking of the accommodations could be done. Booking early has always been necessary when we went on holiday - you just can't find affordable lodgings for six people on short notice. Because, which family is there that consists of six people?

Anonymous

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Good luck in your shoe hunt.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Diane.