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Another jacket and shoes question - for travel in France last week march, first week April

Posted by (New York) on

I'm leaving for Paris and then a Rhone river cruise in 4 weeks. I was planning on taking my Lands End Squall Packable Waterproof Raincoat intending to layer underneath and use scarves for added warmth. But I've been reading recommendations for a warmer jacket. My Lands End Wanderweight packable down jacket is warmer but not waterproof. I don't have room for both. Thoughts? I'll have an umbrella which hopefully will live in my backpack but I'm also realistic that I might see a lot of rain.

Also - a forum writer said waterproof shoes are a must. As someone who always wears extra-wide width lightweight sneakers I can't imagine finding waterproof options that fit and aren't heavy and ugly. My plan was to wear one pair and pack the second (as I have on all my cool weather trips). Will that do?

TIA to anyone who has advice

Posted by
433 posts

What an amazing trip! I can't help with the shoes but I took a wind and waterproof lightweight hooded anorak (3/4 zip) to Patagonia, to pull out of my day pack as needed over my lightweight puffer jacket.
I only needed it twice in two weeks and it was a bit lumpy feeling, but with a light merino sweater I stayed warm enough, and dry.
Maybe this could work for you?

Posted by
30216 posts

I think you might run into the Mistral, in which case you might be glad to have that puffer jacket. When you say you "don't have room for both", do you mean both jackets won't fit in your suitcase or they cannot be layered?

People's tolerance for wet feet (not to mention wet, cold feet) probably varies significantly. My tolerance is low, so I've started wearing waterproof shoes on all my trips, because they are long enough I will inevitably run into some significant rain somewhere. My shoes are klutzy, black, lace-up walking shoes. They don't look good, but they feel great, and that's what's important to me. YMMV.

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