End of May middle Europe shoes/clothes light packing help

We've been in all of those areas in May. I would strongly recommend that whatever footwear you take make sure it's waterproof. We had very cold wet weather one year. I was SO glad we had good warm rain coats and waterproof shoes! I would really think that one pair of capris would suffice. You are right about planning layers. I bring tshirts, long sleeves that can be worn over, a fleece jacket and rain jacket. I have only brought 3 pairs of shoes on one trip - our first. Never again. I ended up mailing 2 of the pair home. I have limited myself to 1 pair for most of our trips. I do plan on taking 2 for our trip this summer. One good waterproof hiking shoe and a really comfy, super lightweight pair of crocs tennis shoes (you would never know they are crocs:)

Check elsewhere on this web site for the topic of Rick's Packing List plus a forum on footware also on this web site.

Thanks Jill! Good to know. I will skew the packing towards warm, waterproof stuff! I have lived in the south for so long, I forget that May isn't summer everywhere ;)

I was on the Rhine same time in 2016 and it was wet, wet, wet (record flooding) and in the high 50s/low 60s. I mostly wore jeans, short sleeve shirts, and a lightweight waterproof jacket. I was not cold at all but I live in the Pacific Northwest where we consider 60 degrees shorts and flip flop weather. That said, I'd suggest you probably don't need shorts for that time of year and locations. Capris are more versatile for most travel situations (museums, etc.) and since you're not doing heavy duty hiking, they'll be fine for that. I'd focus on layers for clothes and a waterproof outer layer. As for shoes, focus on the walking aspect and bring very well broken in shoes that are waterproofed or dry quickly (not sure if the Allbirds will fit that bill?). I "hiked" all over the Rhine (on very well trod foot paths, nothing rocky or challenging) in my Keen mary-janes and a pair of Rockport lace up walking shoes. If you're worried about having sandals, throw in a pair of light weight flip flops (I love my Teva Mush flips) in case it suddenly becomes warm (they can double as slippers in the hotel).

I don't know about overthinking, but you are definitely going down the overpacking road. You don't say how long you will be there, but you can pack for 1 week and travel for weeks on end. Just make sure everything goes with everything else and that you have layers to put on or pull off as needed. Do sink laundry, do it yourself at a laundromat or have it done for you.

I understand the dilemma. I hate layering, but sometimes it's necessary.

After years of traveling, always carry-on, but still taking more than I really needed, I hope the formula for my next trip, Amsterdam and Scandinavia in June, will be the winner. The weather should be similar to what you described.

These are the basics. And, yes. I do weigh everything on a kitchen scale.

Shoes first: Never more than 2 pair. These Montara boots for comfort and support all day, regardless of weather, terrain or city location, 14 oz per boot. These Abeo 3590 Mary Janes for evening relief shoes, 7 oz per shoe.

Socks: 2 pair Sockwell Circulator, 2 oz each pair.

Tops: 4 period. Ranging in weight from 8 oz to 12 oz. I started out packing 8 tops, then went down to 6 and finally realized that I only wore 4 of them consistently.

Layering: Wintersilks -- 1 short sleeve tee, 1 sleeveless tee. 4 oz and 3 oz respectively.

Pants: 1 pair SlimSations straight leg jeans, 16 oz. 1 pair SlimSations straight leg pants, 12 oz. 1 pair Mountain Hardwear Dynama pants, 10 oz.

Scarves: 2 types. 4 oz each.

Outerwear: All Lands End. 1 Primaloft quilted jacket, 14 oz. 1 packable rain jacket, 4 oz. Because I almost froze in the cold rain and wind in the UK May-June, 1 fleece hat, 1 oz. 1 pair gloves, 1 oz.

You have traveled before, but it's unclear if you have carried on before or researched packing light. Whether you are going by boat, bus, car, train or plane to your destinations, packing light will make the journey much easier.

Here are some other useful links besides the Packing Forum to learn more about that.

Packing Light from the Travel Tips.

Sarah Murdoch's Packing Light & Right from Travel Talks.

One final thought. I lived in Nürnberg, Germany for 3 years. We had one slight short summer when I could hang my washed clothes on the lines off my balcony. The rest of the time it was strictly indoor drying. It was damp to wet and mostly gray, like Seattle. I wouldn't waste packing space on shorts, sandals or even capris. If the weather gets truly warm, go shopping!

1. Germany is approximately same latitude as Minnesota. Pack for Minnesota.
2. Though the magic of the internet, you can look at the latest weather forecast for wherever you are going, up to the last minute, and change your packing accordingly, up to the last minute.
   
3. If you find you guessed wrong, you can find what you need there.

[I forget that May isn't summer everywhere ;)]

I have to train myself to remember this too-I have a collection of jackets and sweatshirts I had to buy when I forgot!

I like Lo’s list, with some modifications:

I wouldn’t take hiking boots. I just take a nice ankle boot with a good tread. I’d also bring my barefoot runners for the hiking trails. I’d have a ballet flat for the city.

I’d swap out one of the 3 pairs of pants for a pair of capris

I’d add in a cardigan.

We were in Amsterdam a few summers ago during July. Never needed shorts or capris. Never ventured out without a light sweater and light rain jacket and scarf. I was just looking over my pictures and there is only one day where we are carrying our jackets. Still have long sleeves and scarf.

And I've been farther south in Italy in May a couple of times, and worn many layers including gloves.
Northern Europe will probably be cool and rainy.
I like those stretchy dollar store gloves; they're cheap and do the trick.

I typically travel to Europe for 2 weeks in mid to late May and have a pretty reliable plan worked out for clothes that can cover a range of temps from 40-100, all can be layered and the colors mix and match. I bring one checked suitcase and do sink laundry as needed, and this is my mix that covers all weather variances (this is all normal, wear-at-home stuff):

2 pairs jeans
1 light cardigan
1 light pullover
1 jacket--either hooded rain jacket OR mid-weight one
2 rayon scarves
4 short sleeve tops
2 3/4 sleeve Ts
3 sleeveless or tank tops
5 pair undies
4 pair socks--Smartwool and Wrightsocks

I'm not a sandal person at all, but I have a few pairs of tried-and-true shoes and boots and always bring 2 pairs. I prefer a good walking boot; I have some Fluevog Babette ankle boots or Fly London wedge soles that are ridiculously comfortable, second pair is either Ecco Soft VII leather sneaker/oxfords or Finn Comfort Soho.

Thanks everyone-this has been very helpful. I think perhaps I was being too optimistic about the weather (and rain) lol...And I cannot imagine only bringing 1 pair of shoes for 12 days...I will be happy if I can get it to 3. I took 4 to Italy (knit sneakers, trail shoes, dressier comfort sandal, flip flop). And I wore all of them and I was glad to have the variety. We will be traveling mostly by train, one bus ride. I know that traveling light is so much easier when getting on and off trains-but one pair of shoes...yikes. More power to the ladies who travel with one pair of shoes for 2 weeks-I am impressed by all the super-light packers!

Thanks CL-that is all good to know.

I "hiked" all over the Rhine (on very well trod foot paths, nothing rocky or challenging) in my Keen mary-janes and a pair of Rockport lace up walking shoes.

So did you find that the terrain made for easy hikes? If that is the case, I may not need my trail shoes-one less thing.

Thank you Lo-that is some intense and amazing planning/packing. I have read a lot about packing light, we did carry on only for 10 days in Italy last year and I was very proud of how light we traveled. We did sink laundry a few times. But packing for that trip that was relatively easy (temps in 70s/80s every day, lots of shorts and Ts, tanks, summer dresses, didn't rain more than a few drops the whole 10 days). This trip is harder for a few reasons, but I do appreciate your help-the lists and tips are great! I will re watch the packing light videos. It has been a while and I could use the refresher.

LOL stan-I don't know if you were trying to be funny but this made me laugh. Of course I have been looking (and will continue) to look at the forecast-thank you internet. But even if weather prediction was perfect for 10 days out, our trip is longer. And of course weather prediction is not perfect, even 1 day out it can be really wrong. And I have to plan for my kids too (and probably pack for them-don't judge!), so changing things at the last minute is not something I want to be doing. But I see what you're saying. I'd also prefer to bring what we need and not have to shop for new things for 4 people bc we packed poorly. ;)

Though the magic of the internet, you can look at the latest weather forecast for wherever you are going, up to the last minute, and change your packing accordingly, up to the last minute.

Thanks Cindy-I think we are on the same page...

I like Lo’s list, with some modifications:
I wouldn’t take hiking boots. I just take a nice ankle boot with a good tread. I’d also bring my barefoot runners for the hiking trails. I’d have a ballet flat for the city.
I’d swap out one of the 3 pairs of pants for a pair of capris
I’d add in a cardigan.

Oh wow Barbara-that was July?! Sounds like long sleeves and layers will be key.

We were in Amsterdam a few summers ago during July. Never needed shorts or capris. Never ventured out without a light sweater and light rain jacket and scarf. I was just looking over my pictures and there is only one day where we are carrying our jackets. Still have long sleeves and scarf.

Thank you christa-your list looks good, I don't want to check luggage but if I reduce by a few items, I think I can swing it in a carry on. :)

I will be working on my list and testing shoes over the next few weeks.

LOL cala-yes-the struggles of traveling to cold places when you live somewhere warm :)
I am sure I will be coming home with a new jacket/sweater or something...

ferrin, I'll take funny when I can get it. But I was also seriously pointing out that you dont have to commit until you're leaving for the airport. Our last trip, I changed the jacket I was taking, added a sweatshirt, threw out the shorts and short sleeve shirts, etc., based on what the local forecast for the UK was, the morning before departure. That option is worth more to me than the charts of annual averages or guessing based on past experiences.

Plus, I never go anywhere, anytime, without a rain jacket.

Maybe over thinking? You have a short list for clothes. Pack accordingly dependent on weather checked the week before. 2 pairs of shoes...then move on.
One thing I do is make a note of what I wear for a week or two at home when temps are similar to where I will be traveling....and I pack those sorts of items.
Next week in Nashville it is 55 -71F. Make a list of the items you wear, put it in your suitcase. Come packing time, pack those items and forget about what you might be wearing at home in late May.

Averages are of really questionable value. An average of 60 can hide extremes in the upper 40s (or worse) and the 70s. Since you can't see predictions for the entire trip before you leave, I recommend some quality time on Wunderground.com. By choosing History - Monthly for your destinations you can see day-by-day stats going back lots of years. Doing that also avoids the challenge of guessing how weather at the end of the month might differ from the overall monthly stats.

I've linked to Amsterdam's May 2017 data; it doesn't look bad. But don't stop there; check at least a few more years.

Re: packing. I travel for the entire summer with one pair of shoes. When you have to head out with 3-4 months' worth of vitamins and supplements, you don't have room in your suitcase for shoes.

Thanks all-

Maria-good point-and I actually have been paying attention these past few weeks bc the weather here in Nashville is similar to what I think we will get-40s up to 70, rain lots of days. I am learning what I need to wear to be comfortable outside :)

stan-I totally agree that last minute changes can be done if the weather outlook is different than expected, and I will be doing that as well.

acraven-excellent points! I have also looked at the daily stats because you are right-averages are not particularly useful, esp if you are there at the tail end or beginning of the month. Thanks for the link, I will have to look at it again. You are one of my light packing heroes!