Another shoe question - winter

When I've taken winter trips I have relied mainly on my Columbia hiking shoes. I wore only casual clothes, though -- didn't have to dress up for anything. I also took a pair of slippers, with hard rubber soles, that could double as shoes in the evening to give the other shoes a break.

Boots are probably overkill for urban touring, but get some really good wool socks. They keep your feet warm more effectively than boots, anyway.

I like Propets walking shoes for all but high summer wear--I use the black washable slipons as my basic European travel shoe.

Eli - this past March we were in Zurich & Strasbourg. This was the first time I had been to Europe in winter in a very long time. I brought two pairs of shoes (as usual) - one is a Merrell black sport type shoe - looks like a black sneaker with laces. I could wear that with jeans and tramp around during the day. I also brought a pair of low heeled Eccos that look like almost like a boot-I mean a fashionable boot, not a hiking boot. I could wear that with black pants and it looked nice - not great but definitely okay for nice dinners out. This was also a good shoe to wear when it was rainy.

I used Smartwool in the summer and loved them, though the time we went was quite chilly in England. I may get some taller ones, because these were the short socks that don't show for wearing with capris.

Do you all recommend spraying our shoes with water repellant spray?

I always spray my shoes with water repellent no matter when I go.
One thing to keep in mind about traveling in the winter, at least in Paris, is that everyone is more formal than during the more touristy months.

We will probably only spend one or two days in Paris, the rest will be near the seaside in Brest.

My daughter was asking about UGGS. Anyone used those boots for winter in Europe? Somehow I don't see them managing with the rain.

We are going in 3 wks to Germany & it was suggested not to wear Uggs. They won't feel too good walking on all those cobblestones. We are taking hiking boots & a black shoe that looks like a slip on Merrel but it is Easy Spirit. Can't wait to go!

This is a great question as we are leaving for the holidays in Europe (Rome, Paris and Amsterdam) soon. My daughter and I have been waterproofing our Uggs and hope this is appropriate, we can't be separated from our Uggs in winter. We will be taking tennis shoes and a third pair of Borns/Dansk a euro style dressier shoe for evenings out. Will have to figure something else out there if its raining cats and dogs. My question would be is this too So.Cal? tennis shoes in winter?

Lori, I'm kind of wondering about the footwear right now.

I like the idea of hiking boots though, but would need some regular walking shoes I'm sure. I will take my Mary Janes (Merrell) with me for the airport and dress up.

My husband and I wore REI Merrills while in Switzerland 2 weeks back. We also wore Smartwool socks. Both worked awesome during the snow, rain(our feet were warm and not wet) and fair weather. The boots did seem a little stiff when we first bought them 3 months ago but we wore them in and now they're fine. We each also took another pair: I took my Addidas and he took his Earth shoes. This was just so our feet would get a break from our other shoes although in reality we would have been fine with just the Merrills.

My husband and I love Land's End's All-weather Mocs.

They aren't as bulky as boots, and look a bit more polished. They are water resistant and with good socks (2 pair like with boots) they keep our feet warm enough. They are my normal winter footwear up here in the wet and chilly NW. I only wear boots on the snowiest days - they are also Land's End.

http://zeta.zappos.com/product/7443262/color/275

Those are the shoes my daughter was looking at.

I am wondering if they say these are rain boots and lined, if her feet would be warm enough...

How about the Merrells Wintrlude?

http://www.shoes.com/Shopping/ProductDetails.aspx?p=EC1106779&pg=5071628

Good point Karen! I wasn't thinking snow but warmth. Never been to NY in winter, and though we get snow/ice here, those are the days I avoid going out, or it's a matter of from car to door, so no real walking.

I'm so glad I didn't order those! You think we should be okay with wool socks and regular walking shoes?

Eli - are you actually going to be skiing or something like that? These last shoes you showed look like what I would bring as afterski boots in Colorado. But for London, Paris & Oxford you'll be in the city and unlikely to be tramping about in deep snow, right? And Brest is a seaside town so while you'll get rain everywhere, I'm not sure about snow deep enough to need snow boots. I know for me, when I do use this kind of shoe at ski resorts, it is not the most comfortable to be walking for long periods of time. They are just so heavy and stiff. Have you ever been to New York City in winter? That should give you a good idea of what kind of shoe to wear in London & Paris. Have a great trip!

I never travel without my Merrell Chameleons. I've found them to be a great all-weather, all-purpose shoe.

I can't find the exact shoe that I took with me this past March. It is what I would call a black sneaker - not a huge trail shoe but a regular size laceup sport shoe. We did have some snow (but not really ice) on the ground in Zurich and I was fine with these. My feet never really got that cold because we were always in and out of churches, cafes, etc.

I wore a black wool coat and scarves. The only thing that was cold for me were my hands. I brought fairly thin gloves and my fingers got cold so I would bring a heavier, lined pair next time - actually I'd bring two pair, because just like my shoes, they would get wet during the day and it was nice to have another pair to put on to go out for dinner.

I've tried several boots, some that look like snow shoes but they're very heavy and I just know with the walking we do, I'll be in pain.

Any other suggestions? Would regular walking shoes and wool socks work? We do get snow and ice out here, but I don't have to do much walking in it so we've never really invested in serious cold weather shoes.

When I travel in cities in the winter, I always wear my ankle length Lands End Boots. One winter trip, I didn't wear them, but this year I went back to these boots because they are so comfortable and they look dressed with slacks. They are warm, and I always wear either wool or cotton socks with them. I buy a larger size boot so they'll fit well with the socks. But if you are doing some hiking, I wouldn't wear these. But because these are warm and look dressed, I love wearing them, walking a lot around cities.