I bought decent boots to wear to ireland but they are heavy and I really don't want to take them. Would it be better to buy lighter slip over the shoes galoshes if I can get a pair before I leave?
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
Do you even need boots? Do your plans include spending hours at a time walking through wet grass? If not, you can get by with just normal shoes.
Posted by
1172 posts
I am with Tom... unless you are doing some real, off the beaten path hiking, not sure that you need boots at all.
Posted by
Atlanta, GA, USA
215 posts
I just returned from Western Ireland and it rained everyday and then sun and then rain. I did a lot of walking and was so glad I wore my waterproof hikers. I debated and almost wore boat shoes and glad I did not do that. My second pair were my tennis shoes. I travel light so wear my hikers on the plane. But they are not boots. Alsace carried an extra pair of socks in my day pack.
Regardless, make sure whatever you bring, they are well broken in. And I lived in my raincoat and hood.
Enjoy,
Kathy
Posted by
Atlanta
5196 posts
Regardless of the footwear, it's a good idea to have a pair of dry socks in the day bag in case your feet get completely soaked or immersed. They come in handy on several occasions.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area
5697 posts
And maybe even carry the socks in a Ziploc bag in case the rain gets through your day bag. (Happened to me in a downpour in China.)
Posted by
15 posts
I, too, just returned from two weeks in western Ireland (Connemara coast, near Renvyle) and, yes, it did rain on more days than not. In fact, at one point, several roads were flooded. We did a lot of hiking and walking and did not have or need boots. I agree that extra socks might be a good idea, although I got along fine with just 4 pair.