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Waterproof, warm, wide/"relaxed fit" for women?

Posted by (Nova Scotia, Canada) on

Hey ladies. Anyone got a good winter touring shoe/low boot you love that will serve me well at Christmas markets? I honestly have never liked hiking boots because they are so stiff. When I can't wear sandals (uh, definitely not for December--that's pushing it even for me!) I prefer something really cushy and light, like Skechers. Also don't want my feet to get sweaty!

Would love your tried and true. I am in Canada so have access to fewer brands/styles, but we are driving to Maine next month so might be able to pick up something there.

Thanks.

Posted by
1112 posts

we go the the Xmas Markets almost every year. Know that shoes are different for us all, but I wear a WIDE too and I LOVE the KEEN Targhee 3, waterproof.

I also LOVE Hoka Bondi 7 (only they're NOT waterproof)

I'm a nurse and STAND ALL DAY - and both of those are my favorites.

You can get them on Amazon and Zappos and the individual websites.

Posted by
8418 posts

I love my Oboz Low Leather shoes - I took my first pair to Germany and wore them almost exclusively for the entire month. My feet are WIDE so I love it when I can find shoes that fit, but also, these don't slip in the back because my heel is regular width. They were so supportive and comfortable that when I got home from Germany, I immediately bought another pair. They're also good if you have a higher arch, which i do.

You can read more here in this "shoe report" I wrote. :) https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/best-travel-shoes/just-found-my-true-love-shoes

EDIT: I just saw that you are looking for something cushy and light so the Oboz may not be what you are looking for. As I said, they are very sturdy and supportive and feel great, but I would not call them cushy or light. :)

Posted by
5311 posts

I have a wide foot, but I find the foot bed of SOME Merrells and SOME Danskos works well for me. Clarks makes wide in some styles.
If it is waterproof, you are likely to sweat, but the type of socks you choose can help with that. Look for an outdoorsy stor eor something like The Walking Company in Maine for the best selection.

Posted by
6676 posts

You could consider Allbirds Mizzles. I love them. I purchased them for travel to wear in damp/rainy weather, and I was very pleased. When COVID hit and I was having to do my walking outside instead of a health club, the Mizzles worked great during the winter months, too. They kept my feet warm and dry. The only caveat would be that I probably wouldn't wear them in accumulating snow, and I'm not sure what they'd be like on ice. They are the right weight, I also have feet that can be on the warm side and they are breathable and my feet do not get sweaty.

Edited to Add: I also have wide feet and the Mizzles fit me well with a "thinish" sock.

Posted by
2584 posts

Skechers On-the-Go Joy chukka boot
Skechers Women's On-The-go Joy 15501 Chukka Boot https://a.co/d/faEGQNA

I bought these for a November trip to Normandy and Paris. They are soooo comfortable. I bought a second pair for when these wear out. Walking the cliffs and beaches in Normandy in winter, these were MUDDY. A quick wipe down and they looked brand new.

These are my go-to winter boots here in Oregon. They’re as comfy as house slippers. Not too hot, despite fuzzy lining.

Posted by
1548 posts

I wore Boys Leather Oxfords with rubber soles to the UK in Sept/October. It was great having room for arch support and for warm socks. I never wear boots because I have short legs. Just bring some slip-on shoes for going out somewhere fancy or just staying in at the B&B. I think Bass or brand similar has Outlet stores in Maine.

Posted by
1746 posts

My go-tos in Italy last November were my Clarks Wave Walk shoes with Gore-tex. They are similar to this: https://www.amazon.ca/Clarks-CLARKS-Womens-Wave-Go/dp/B07GH2L588/ref=asc_df_B07GH2L588/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=486864415619&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13615990889470770677&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001335&hvtargid=pla-671227342545&psc=1

I have wide feet and a high instep, so I really struggle to get comfortable shoes, but these have been great.

My other waterproof (also with Gore-tex) shoes that work really, really well for me are Legero shoes. I don't have these ones, but I've considered them. https://www.boutiquelemarcheur.ca/en/item/women/shoes/legero-shoes/948-00/

I've bought mine in Europe (Vienna and Florence).

Posted by
420 posts

I was looking for the same thing in February when I was preparing for my March/April RS trip to Belgium and Holland. I bought Skechers “Easy going Cozy Puffer”. It is water repellant with Air-cooled Memory Foam. I wear an 8 and 1/2 with non-athletic shoes, but I bought a 9 and it was plenty wide with a medium weight merino wool sock. Our weather in Belgium and the Netherlands was mixed. We had snow on April 1 and rain on several other days. We also had some sunny warm weather. They kept my feet dry and comfortable. I walked on a lot of cobblestones and they gripped well. It has a zipper and a little bit of fur at the top. They supported my ankle well and also my arches. I was surprised at how comfy they were. I ordered from Zappos, but I just looked at the Skechers website and they have a couple of options. I love Skechers!

Posted by
270 posts

Thank you all for the great ideas. I plan to sift through this weekend with some quality browser time. Love hearing your experiences, very helpful.

Posted by
1 posts

Altra saves my wide feet. It offers the wide fit version. They are waterproof and great for winter traveling. Such a design is especially important if your feet got swollen after a long trip. If you’re setting off in December you could wait for Black Friday deals, when many deal finders would help save, such as Honey, Retailmenot and CouponBirds. You could save up to 20% if lucky.

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