Typical Early December Day in Amsterdam--Just How Bad (or Wet) Is the Weather--and Shoe Suggestions

The problem is that our climate and therefore our weather is changing. There is no normal early December weather any more. This November for instance is one of the wettest Novembers ever. There were days like today with constant non-stop rain. Add freezing temperatures to that and you have absolutely miserable weather.
But that doesn’t mean that December will be the same. Right now, the predictions for this weekend show everything from snow and rain to dry and sunny days.
You need to be prepared for everything. I would definitely bring water proof shoes and a water proof jacket. Water repellent shoes aren’t enough, because you definitely don’t want wet cold feet!

I was there when it rained every day and wore Vessi shoes. Was dry thruout. Don't know about snow

caveat first so as not to get talked down to/waste time: weather is of course variable day to day, particularly so in the Netherlands.

Now then OP, in my estimate it's a tough call. I live in a similar wet, cool-cold winter climate to the Netherlands. Not as many, but plenty of day when it is both wet/rainy and in the 30's.

Some people are very into dry feet. Even in light precipitation and warmer weather they recommend waterproof shoes. I'm on the other end of the spectrum: like Pacific Crest Trail through hikers et al, in my experience it's better to have non-waterproof shoes that dry quickly, and quick drying sock. It rained (and rained, and rained, then rained some more) cycle touring all day outside in Europe last summer, and never once did feel like I'd rather be in waterproof shoes.

The cold, however, makes it a harder call. 30's are no joke, think the inside of your refrigerator. Cold feet are a real potential.

On the other hand, I've backcountry backpacked 4 straight days in very cold rain and wet snow, same trail running shoes as always, zero memory of discomfort from cold feet. And we are talking dozens of hours in camp, not pumping blood hard the whole time.

And you can go to any Seattle high school on the coldest, wettest day of the year, and every kid, including my own, is in soaking wet Chuck Taylor's (or Airforce One's, etc) and cotton socks and they are fine. Thousands of them.

The weather might be variable enough that your trainers are fine. And then you are carrying uncomfortable shoes around for no reason.

So all considered, if it was me I'd take my usual travel trail runners, my quicker drying but still a bit warm socks (like a smart wool or balega synthetic etc). I'd very likely both have wet feet sometimes, and also be just fine. And if I did regret that choice, I'd buy some comfortable waterproof shoes in Amsterdam, which has a LOT of shoe stores. Yours from home are already uncomfortable, so no big loss rolling the dice on something new. Just go with a type that tends to offer immediate comfort (waterproof Crocs brand shoes for instance) if you decide you need waterproof.

Just be sure your shoes dry out relatively fast - sometimes a lot of softer foam in the upper can create sponge issues. And bring an extra pair of socks or two so you always have dry ones. Stay on top of the shoe and sock drying in your down times in your room. Remember to pull out insoles, know the "wring socks inside a towel" trick, and that the hair dryer is you friend on low settings, worse enemy on high (don't melt your shoes!).

There! If you end up needing foot amputations send me the bill :)

My wife and I spent 4 days in Amsterdam earlier this month. It was cool, occasionally windy and rained every day, but we loved our time in the city. We packed layers and warm outerwear as well as dependable raincoats. The daytime temps were in the mid 40s to low 50s - not a problem. The rain was mostly mild, but we did get caught out during one deluge. My shoes, water-repellent Keen Targee leather Oxfords, which had just survived 2 weeks of rain in France, got wet. "Waterproof" shoes most likely would have too, given the situation. They dried quickly. I bet you'll be fine.

Thanks to all who responded. Hank, I will need your contact information for the future medical expenses.

I will actually be arriving this Saturday for several days. As I noted, the waterproof Ecco shoes are not an option (I bought them by mail, I should have sent them back, and I am getting blisters trying to break them in). I have an old pair of water-repellent Rockport shoes and my cross-training shoes to be used only if the Rockport shoes are too wet to wear. If I have to buy shoes in Amsterdam, so be it; surely, the selection of the type of shoe I need is far better there than the selection I have at home.

One reason I was asking about the weather is that the early weather forecasts show rain every day but only a small amount like a tenth of an inch (which to me seems like a drizzle for a short period or a harder rain for a very small time period).

just think of the boy's finger in the dike. There is a reason that everybody has oilskin slickers on and are wearing clogs.

The wooden shoes are waterproof and lift your feet out of the floods. The slickers keep the rain out and those huge overhanging hats work as built in umbrellas.

That's how everybody dresses there, all the time.

(not really)

(but they used to, or they wouldn't have been drawn that way)

🤣🤣🤣

surely, the selection of the type of shoe I need is far better than
the selection at home.

yep, tons of local weather appropriate choices in Dutch shoe shops :)

Re small amount of rain forecast, it can be spritzy for a long while, or a quick dump. But in winter if forecast amounts are quite low, it's more likely to be the first. Usually you're not going to get all day rain if forecast precipitation amounts are small. But of course you never know :)

Have a great trip!