Gore-Tex Ankle Boots

I guess it depends on how you are planning to pack and travel. Is this going to be in addition to another pair or two of shoes?

If you are doing city site seeing I wouldn't bother dragging a second pair of shoes you might not wear. Adding weight to your bag is not worth a contingency plan (in my opinion).

They will be in addition to other shoes and I did consider the weight and volume issues for packing. About 1/3 of the time we are likely to be in locations without pavement. The other shoes I'm taking will not be good for that. If either of these boots are comfortable enough, I would wear them more than just in the muck.

Unless you need the high top boot, we have been very pleased with the Ecco city walker or hiker -- gore-tex, lugged sole. It has everything from the streets of Paris to the mountains in Switzerland.

Just wondering... where are you going in the fall that would necessitate heavy-duty ankle boots?

Iceland, Germany, England, Scotland, Ireland and France are my main concerns. I want something that will support my ankles and keep my feet warm and dry if I find myself slogging through mud in the rain or walking on wet grass or slippery cobbles. I have traveled in Sep-Oct in northern Europe before and my feet got miserably soaked even just walking around cities. I hate wearing enclosed shoes at all so I'm hoping the Gore-Tex will be waterproof and allow my feet to breathe. The two shoes I mention are a little too fashionable to be heavy duty hikers, and I don't want real hiking boots.

Hi there. I am also in the same situation...expecting some wet weather in Ireland and Scotland this fall. I just bought a pair of shoes from New Balance. GoreTex lined and good grips. Not above the ankle though, but solid enough. Getting the right size/width is key ( I like to put in extra insoles. Check out their web site.

Good luck
Keith

These sound terrific for touring in Scotland, but if you want to do walking in the countryside then I really recommend real hiking boots. The trails are always slippery and rough and can be wet, not damp, wet. I've done 5 walking holidays in Scotland. I suggested basic walking shoes for my first trip and the leader laughed and said get real hiking boots. I truly understand about not wanting to lug them, but if you're doing any serious (or semi-serious) walking in Scotland, then you really need them. You want the thicker sole and you need the support.

Pam