Question for the ladies: Suggestions for footwear, etc.

Do not have shoes with leather soles as the leather absorbs damp from pavements etc. Make sure that whatever shoes you take, that you have checked them out first at home.

It does not rain as much in Britain as some Americans think. London is actually drier than Sydney, Australia!

I live near Seattle, which is very similar to the climate of England, and I have to say I rarely think about it raining, especially in summer. For dressy occasions, you might take along a pair of leather flats with rubber soles to avoid getting soaked, and of course take extra socks just in case. You can get spray weatherproofing in shoe stores for most leather shoes. In my trips to England I've found it's more important to have a pair of durable walking shoes with good support. You will walk a lot!

Just wear shoes you're comfortable in, and bring a spare pair to wear the next day if one pair gets a bit wet. Stuff newspaper in them to dry them out if they get wet. If your shoes or sandals will take a waterproof spray, do that.

To be honest, I'm British and I'd never carry rain boots. I just don't really bother about my shoes. Most of my leather shoes and my trainers have had a good soaking at some time or another. Then they dry out. It's just what happens. Sometimes I just wear flip flops in the summer rain because then it's just my feet getting wet, and they'll dry quickly.

In June, the rain might be heavy for a bit but then the sun might come out straight afterwards. Or even at the same time. It's not like monsoon season. Plus - it may not rain at all.

The more important thing to pack would be a light fold-up waterproof jacket with a hood, the sort that weighs nothing and will pack easily into a bag or daypack.

Its not that wet. I went last May...going again this year. I stupidly took 2 pairs of boots and 1 pair of sneakers thinking it would be very wet. Ended up wearing sneakers the entire time-even when it showered off and on. Wear sneakers- your feet will love you. I would not bring "nice shoes." You will probably end up walking a great deal and that could get painful. Sneakers made for walking are really the best- especially going up and down old stairs, dusty places, uneven surfaces, and whatnot.

I wear Blundstones any time it isn't warm enough for sandals. Pull on so easy on and off. I just bought my 3rd pair last month, but am still wearing my boots that I got in - I think it was 2010. I wore them yesterday walking my dog thru the worst slushy snow with 2 inches of water underneath (why did I go that way?!?) - and still - after 7 years - no wet feet. They aren't 'guaranteed' waterproof, but have minimal openings (they are pull on) for water to get into. Keep them conditioned so the leather doesn't dry out (use Nikwax) and they'll wear for many years.

And - I am learning - fit is important. I generally wear their sz 5 (which is a Canadian 7.5-8). I got a 4 1/2 in my new pair, because they were on clearance, they didn't have a 5 and I thought - meh, I can do it (I should know better, I sold shoes for 12 yrs). I am having a harder time breaking the new ones in, but I'm determined!

Otherwise, I pack a pair of Teva sandals, which are waterproof leather so they won't get ruined if they do get wet. Tirra is the style I have - got them in 2014, live in them all summer and will def be buying another pair when these wear out.

I swear by Keens. Last November wore both the Kaci slip on about London and the Koven waterproof hiking shoe in the Cotswolds.

One thing about Keen I've discovered is to order a half size larger. Normally wear a 7.5 but order an 8. Perfect fit.

Love this brand of shoe. Own 8 pairs.

I took previous advice from Nicole P and bought my first pair of Blundstones and wore them for a week in Paris in February. They were amazing, especially partnered with a good pair of wool socks!

Blundstones and wool socks would probably be a bit much for June in the U.K., especially in towns and cities. While weather is unpredictable, I'd expect June to be in the 20s Celsius.

I'd tend to wear something lighter like Skechers Go Walk - and I'd also have my trusty FitFlops.

I purchased a pair of waterproof Rockport boots about a month before our trip to London and wore them a few weeks to break them in. Breaking them in turned out to be completely unnecessary. They were perfectly comfortable. We got lucky and didn't get to try out the waterproof feature on our trip, but I did walk around London for days and took a short hike in them and they were perfectly comfortable. I've since worn them at home in the rain and I can attest that they are in fact waterproof.

So I recommend Rockport. I may never purchase any other brand after this experience.

I like Skechers GoWalk2. Last year I wore them in London, along with Skechers sneaker-like tie-ups that were billed as some sort of work shoes.
Rather like these:
Work Shoes

It only rained one day and I wore the work shoes on that day. I was fine.

Thanks for your advice. I appreciate the clarifications about the weather and your suggestions about what to wear.

I'm going to echo what a lot of others have said:

Rain heavy enough to soak your footwear is rare in England. Not unheard of, of course, but a rainy day is usually just sprinkly. Unless you're out trekking and can't find shelter (or step in a big puddle while crossing the street) your feet will still be reasonably dry by the end of the day in sneakers or hiking shoes or loafers.

The rain in England is nothing like the torrential summer downpours you get in OKC.

Skechers Go Walk slip-ons are almost perfect. Lightweight, excellent support, and non-slippery on wet cobblestones or rocky fields. I applied several coats of NikWax and they were then waterproof as well.
Best of all, they cost me $30 at Costco.

I just purchased a pair of Keen walking shoes which I am breaking in for a 2 month trip in April-June and really like them. It was based on reviews on Rick's website that I decided to try them. Also I will bring my Merrell sandals which are worth bring for days when you may have sunshine and want to get out of walking shoes. I've worn them in Germany, Italy, England, Portugal and never had issues as they have good support for sandals. I have feet issues and so I find these to be best for me.

NikWax can be purchased at shoe stores, or from online vendors like Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001984E18?psc=1
We bought some for my husband's Merrell Jungle Mocs which are nubuck. Since we had it, and my Costco Skechers only cost $30 I decided to try it on them even though they were fabric. Worked like a charm. Didn't make the Skechers look any different nor did it change the stretchy fabric body of the shoe. Stepped in a few puddle and my feet stayed dry, as well as lots of walking in the rain. Even used them in snow- shoveled sidewalks not wading through big drifts.