Waterproof Shoes for Ireland

I travelled to Ireland in July of 2015. I am so glad I had my North Face Gortex waterproof shoes and smart wool socks. I was the only one on our tour (out of 14 people) that had dry feet. I would also recommend a good quality waterproof jacket. It was strange packing those items for July - but I was so glad I did. (I even took a pair of gloves for when we went horseback riding across the beach). Enjoy Ireland it is beautiful.

Margaret

Waterproof shoes are great if you can find them, they fit well, and you are comfortable wearing them all day. At the very least you will need leather water resistant shoes. It is also a good idea to carry an extra pair of dry socks in your day bag just in case. They have helped us get through wet days on several occasions.

I love my Keens, they kept my feet dry and toasty when we were in Germany last December. Very comfortable too!

I must give a shout out to Blundstone boots. I've almost worn out my 3rd pair and will be getting a fourth. They aren't guaranteed waterproof, but they are pull on boots with minimal areas for water to get into. I wear them winter, spring and fall (too hot for summer) in slush, snow and rain - and have NEVER had an issue. They are the boots I always wear when we travel. Mens and ladies, black or brown (and red!) , look good with pretty much anything. They could take some breaking in - I worked selling shoes for 12 years and when we first started carrying Blundstones, I didn't get what the big deal was because to me they felt like galoshes - but after selling so many pair, and people coming in wearing a pair and buying another, I gave them a shot and have never looked back!

I am going to echo Nicole's comments about Blundstones. They come with a packet Nikwax for waterproofing them and when you add a pair of merino wool socks, your feet will be not only protected from the water, but also warm. You will have to break them in so be sure to get them in plenty of time before your trip--in fact, get them and wear them all winter and they will be ready for June in Ireland.

If you are used to a sneaker type walking shoe I'd like to let you know about shoes I bought today for my daughter in law. She chose a nice, attractive, lightweight, waterproof shoe made by the Cobb Hill division of New Balance. The style is Freshexcel and it comes in 4 color choices and multiple widths and half sizes. We bought the shoes in rainy Oregon where they value their waterproof shoes. My daughter in law needs good arch support and she said these were very comfortable.

We went in June 2015 and my girls and I wore Bogs the entire trip. We didn't have to worry about puddles and had dry, warm feet.

Ahnu waterproof hiking shoes. I don't leave home without them. I bought mine at REI.

Check out waterproof Merrill's. Mine have kept my feet dry all over the US (including rainy Alaska) and Europe. The waterproof shoes have a built in membrane different than the regular shoe. My son just came back from a winter trip to Ireland and said his waterproof Merrill's were perfect. Probably it will be drier in June than in January.

I took the advice from Nicole P and ukkrazy and bought my first pair of Blundstones. I absolutely adore them! I've been wearing them most days with a thick pair of wool socks and plan to take them to Paris next week.