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No idea what shoes for Scandinavia tour

Going on a cosmos bus tour of Scandinavia in August. Never done a trip like this where I need to pack in a single suitcase and have no idea what to bring in way of shoes. I wear a 10 wide, and that makes it a bit harder. I can't tell from looking at the weather if I should be taking sandals or rainboots or both...Any suggestions are appreciated, as I am a flip flop kind of girl and all of the walking and weather possibilities on this trip are making me crazy!

Posted by
7029 posts

You need at least 2 pairs of comfortable walking shoes in case one gets wet and also to give your feet a rest from just wearing one pair all the time. It's never going to be blistering hot in Scandinavia but it could be quite warm so I'd bring a good pair of walking shoes and a pair of sandals (walking sandals, not flip-flops - unless you're going to a beach).

Posted by
8141 posts

Most temperatures range from 50 degrees low to 65 degrees high. The weather gets wetter in September, especially toward the end of the month.

Posted by
81 posts

My personal favorite shoe brands are Fly Londons, Merrells, and Mephistos. I can and do wear Fly Londons (I have 5 or 6 different styles of FLs) for 12 to 14 hours daily. The styles that I have are all wedges with good arch support. I can walk for miles in them even though they are funky looking shoes for office or casual to moderately dressy wear. Merrells & Mephistos make good casual walking shoes with a bit more flair than regular sneakers. Whatever you decide on, make sure to get them and wear them for a while before you leave on your trip to make sure that you are going to be able to wear them for all the walking and during the environments you will encounter. If you are interested in boots, Blundstone makes great boots that are weatherproof and would be good for all types of walking. You can find Blundstones at Zappos.com.

Posted by
16250 posts

I cannot imagine what David is talking about, but average temperatures are meaningless. You may or may not face "average" weather. Best to be prepared for a range. In some six trips to Norway and Denmark, three in August, I have faced everything from hot (33 degrees) to light snow in the mountains of Norway. If you "average" the high temperatures I experienced in August over several visits,,from 31 to 91 degrees, you get 61 degrees. I would have been woefully unprepared for the actual weather I experienced had I relied on the average.

For footwear, you need at least two pair of shoes, and three is better. If two, a good pair of walking sandals could be the first pair, and a sturdier pair of more covered shoes for rain would be good for the second. Rain boots are not a good idea.

Posted by
2602 posts

I care as much about looking stylish as I do about having comfortable shoes and thus happy, energetic feet and will second the recommendation of Fly London footwear, particularly the styles with the moderate rubber wedge soles--like walking on pillows, good arch support and took me over all sorts of terrain (especially cobblestones) for many miles with absolutely no issues. Their Yel lace-up boot breezed through my recent 2 week trip, and I just bought a pair of sandals, Yile--a bit more covered with open toe and heel. I always take 2 pairs for variety and whatever sandal you choose should be secure on your feet.

Posted by
293 posts

I am in Copenhagen right now at it was 81 degrees today and very sunny. I was very pleased I'd packed my comfortable walking sandals.

Posted by
2 posts

Thanks all! Definitely doing travel sandals and will figure out a pair of Walking shoes!

Posted by
16250 posts

Good choice. I like Fly London too, and have a pair with a moderate wedge as my dress shoes. But for general walking I prefer something more casual, like a modern sneaker. Just bought Adair of Clarks Wave "Trek" shoes to try for our next two trips---Alaskamin August and Venice/Rome in October.

Posted by
5835 posts

You can get a general idea of Scandinavian climate looking at historical data realizing that you need to be prepared for extreme conditions if you are in the bush:
http://www.yr.no/klima/

Now that said, footwear and clothing requirements will be activity as well as seasonally driven. Some useful tips for outdoor travel:
http://english.turistforeningen.no/index.php?fo_id=3622

If you follow the link to the Norwegian Mountain Code "Fjellvettreglene", elements of the code include:

Be weatherwise
An old adage advises that you should always be alert to forecasts of bad weather yet not rely completely on forecasts of good weather. Regardless of the forecast, you should be prepared for bad weather. Even a fresh breeze (Beaufort Scale 5) combined with sleet or frost can produce frostbite. Weather forecasts aren't sufficiently detailed to forecast local weather in mountain areas. Despite forecasts usually being right, it's difficult to predict when weather will change. So you should heed forecasts in adjoining lowlands as well as in the mountains, and follow weather changes.

Be equipped for bad weather and frost.
Always take a rucksack and proper mountain gear. Put on more clothing if you see approaching bad weather or if the temperature drops. A roomy anorak, long wind trousers, wind mittens and warm headgear are good outer clothing. Put them on in good time. Stand with your back to the wind and help others put on their clothing. Use a survival bag for additional protection.