Do I need waterproof shoes for Scandinavian summer trip?

No. I went on this tour in May 2022 and we did have some rain, drizzle one or two days, but we had no need for waterproof shoes or raincoats. You will love this tour, it’s one of my favorites!

My opinion is do what long distance through hikers do. They spend more time walking in their shoes than pretty much anyone on the planet. They universally avoid waterproofing and use regular athletic shoes with quick dry uppers.

Don't do waterproof for a climate where the shoes might get wet but can then dry out. Instead do a shoe with a quick dry upper, and bring socks then have synthetic content. Look at trail runners, although many types of walking shoes have this profile.

The problem with a waterproof shoe, even Gore-Tex, is that it's significantly hotter then a quick drying shoe with a breathing upper. Once waterproof shoes get wet inside, either from sweat or water working this way in in one way or another, they take a long time to dry.

In my travels I do not go to a waterproof shoe until it's winter AND the temperature is going to routinely be below 50° F.

By contrast If you get a shoe with a quick drying upper wet, no big deal - they will literally dry on your feet in short order, particularly if you have socks that don't sponge up an enormous amount of water and have synthetic content.

The aforementioned long distance trail walkers literally just walk through streams in their non-waterproof shoes, and keep walking. In 20 minutes the shoe is dry.

I'm not talking about some kind of special shoe when I say a shoe that dries quickly. Basically any athletic shoe with a relatively meshy upper works great. On my last trip to Europe I got endless rainy days and my only shoes were Saucony Xodus trail runners (they come in a calm black color). I was riding a bike outside nearly all day everyday. I have zero regrets about not having waterproof shoes, and would bring the same shoes again in an instant.

One thing you can do is throw an extra pair of socks in your day pack, this will make the process of shoe drying even faster.

Do I need waterproof shoes for Scandinavian summer trip? No. What works for me....and has for years, is wearing high quality running shoes combined with Lightweight Hiking Quarter Socks from REI. If my feet get wet, the socks keep my feet comfortable until such dry overnight. The socks are great on hot days as well. Check the wool content of socks before buying as often mentioned major name brands are significantly below the 78% mark of my choice.

I was recently going to trip may not require waterproof shoes every day, but it’s a good idea to have one. If you encounter rain or wet ground, a good pair of waterproof shoes or boots can help keep your feet dry. Look for waterproof hiking shoes or boots to keep you comfortable and dry on your trip.
read now :- [https://northwestterritory.co.uk/][1]

The only waterproof shoes I have ever had were winter boots. I've traveled for decades, only once to Sweden, and have never needed waterproof shoes. They keep your feet from breathing and cause other problems like blisters. Bring a second pair of shoes if you must. If you use walking sneakers or such, they might get wet but they will dry overnight. I've never experienced that issue, but, IMO, that's the best scenario. So, rather verbosely, I'm saying "no". Don't overthink it. Love, love. love Sweden! Have fun. I need to visit Norway...

No, don't spend ur money. It'll most probably rain a bit but it's not gonna be more than that.

I waterproof all of my shoes before every trip and it works perfectly. I just use the Kiwi one from Target and works like a champ. I put it on my jackets too.

You never need waterproof shoes unless your feet will be submerged in water, or snow, for most of the time you're outside.
That is not Scandinavia in the summer.
In most applications, waterproof shoes have more downsides than ups:

• They're only waterproof until the water level is high enough to come in through the top or through the lace holes
• They are much hotter than fully breathable shoes
• They take a very long time to dry

Do, however, wear merino wool socks. They are extremely effective at keeping your feet dry, whether from your own sweat or whatever moisture comes in from outside and keep your feet warm in winter and cool in summer.

Thanks for all the replies. I am home from the Scandinavia tour and, based on the advice here, did not take waterproof shoes. That worked out just fine. And we didn't have much rain, fortunately!

Catherine, You had a successful trip and you saved yourself the money on waterproof shoes and the agony of then deciding which waterproof shoes and posting about that choice and filtering and researching through all of that. It all worked out. It was probably worth the chance of wet feet now and then which is really no big deal.
All the advice you received above, did that help you make that choice?
I will be on a week hike trip in Ireland next month. Rainy Ireland as I have heard it. I will hike in non waterproof shoes.