Boots and Raingear for a Feb-March trip

I suggest a combination of smart wool socks and a waterproof hiking shoe (looks like a tennis shoe). Your feet will stay warm and dry and you won't need to pack extra shoes. Any hiking/sporting goods store will carry waterproof hiking shoes and smart wool socks are easily purchased online.

You will want a warm fleece and a good raincoat with a hood to use the layering approach. Columbia is usually my choice for raincoats, but there are others out there.

what do you wear when it rains in New Hampshire?

"We are all from New Hampshire and face cold snowy winters and wet springs. For this trip we want to be prepared and not overpack. "

Odds are you already have what you need. As you start to pack check the weather prediction for Ireland and take what you would wear in NH for that weather (or when the first car falls through the ice). You already know how to layer, so just keep that in mind. Generally speaking, the rain in Ireland is not like a Nor'easter. It's not so punishing.

Thanks all for your responses. I attend Patriot Football games in all kinds of weather so yes I have plenty of rain gear. Just looking for testimonials for coats that really live up to their "waterproof" claim. Thanks for clarifying that Ireland's weather is no worse than our Nor'easters! I guess boots are my biggest concern. If you have a brand to recommend, I'd love that. Mine are more for warmth than waterproofing. Many thanks!

I really think you are over-thinking this. Just use what you have unless you plan to be outdoors hiking a lot.

Here are some examples of waterproof casual shoes/boots at REI:

https://www.rei.com/c/womens-casual-shoes/f/f-waterproof?ir=category%3Awomens-shoes%3Bfeatures%3AWaterproof&r=category%3Awomens-shoes%7Cwomens-casual-shoes%3Bf

For some reason they do not list the Merrill Jungle Moc as “waterproof”; they say it is water-resistant.

https://www.rei.com/product/658515/merrell-jungle-moc-shoes-womens?sku=6585150730&store=11&cm_mmc=PLA_Google%7C21700000001700551_6585150730%7C92700057791484295%7CNB%7C71700000074091927&gclid=CjwKCAiA5t-OBhByEiwAhR-hm9HQTMYZen7YwZDUavrRBwPWD-SoqBYJwTCxGQpPAs-azhX6WPHsIxoCPDQQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

But the Merrell website says they are waterproof ( and asks a higher price):

https://www.merrell.com/CA/en_CA/jungle-moc-waterproof/16958W.html

Maybe the one REI is selling is a different model, but it looks exactly the same and has the same name. All I know is that I have had a pair of these in the “gum smoke” color for 4-5 years, use them as my main walking shoe (when we are not actually hiking on rugged trails), and they have kept my feet warm and dry in our wet climate, even when I walk through puddles or even into the lake at the shore to retrieve a tennis ball the dog drops there instead of bringing it right to me. As long as the water does not go over the tops, my feet stay dry for the brief dip. I wouldn’t plan on standing in the lake or puddle for extended periods.

They are also very comfortable and supporting for walks of 5 miles on pavement ( did a lot of that last year). Maybe it is just that Merrells fit my feet really well, but REI does not have my size.

Do pay attention to Carol’s recommendation for Smartwool (or other merino wool) socks. They are great for blister-avoidance and general comfort, even if your feet do get wet. We had to walk through a thigh-deep flooded area while hiking the Milford Track in New Zealand, and then hike another 10 miles more (after we emptied the water out of our boots and “wrung out” our socks. No issues at all with cold feet or blisters. I was already a believer in merino socks, but that was an unexpected benefit.

Now all I wear is merino socks (Smartwool, Icebreaker, Darn Tough, Bombas, or Farm to Feet). Smartwool even makes “no show” footie sox for sneakers—and they don’t slip down. You can usually find something on sale if you look around . . .

I can’t recommend a specific shoe, but I always caution people to bring a spare pair. In 2019 I was in Germany with my German family and we were staying in a rental house. The bottom of one of my aunt’s shoes disintegrated. Thankfully she had another pair to wear. I would bring an extra pair anyway in case your primary pair gets wet, so you would have something else to change in to.

Aimee, you are a wealth of information! Thank you for explaining. I don’t really need true waterproof shoes, so I will look around for the less expensive ones when I am ready to replace mine.

Thank you all! It's nice to be able to rely on fellow travelers. Your responses, most of them, were helpful and reassuring.

I traveled to Ireland/Northern Ireland in March of 2019 and enjoyed the cool, crisp weather. Beautiful clear blue skies. It only rained in Galway and Derry. I had a down packable puffer-style jacket and wore my North Face rain jacket over it on those occasions. I wore a pair of waterproof walking shoes with Smartwool socks and my feet stayed warm and dry. The nice thing about Smartwool, and any wool, is that it’s a natural fiber so it won’t absorb body odor so easily so you can wear them for several days. 1-2 pairs would be a worthwhile investment if you don’t already have them. I would not hesitate to travel to Ireland during your time frame.