Hi. It will be raining in Rome for quite a few days we will be there. Wondering if we should bring rainboots? My kids have Bogs and I would buy an ankle height Bogs boot or Sporto rain/shoe......
If we have rain jackets, umbrella, rain boots - should we also bring clear plastic ponchos?? nothing says tourist more!
help please.
If you are going over spring break and can see this information on a 10 day forecast it could be reliable. However, I don't think any of you need Bogs or rain boots. There can be slippery pavement in Rome and I don't think rain boots are a good idea. Another option is to take a more waterproof walking shoe or spray what you have with a water repellent product. Everyone should take 1 extra pair of shoes so if the pair you are wearing get wet, you can dry them in your apartment or hotel room overnight. Some people stuff paper in their shoes to help them dry. In 40 years of traveling to Europe I've never had my shoes get that wet! Take a pair of dry socks along in your day bag also.
April
I just looked at the 10 day forecast for Rome and I only see one day with a 100% chance of rain and it says 1/4". Another days says thunderstorms, my favorite experience of all time in Rome was hearing the loudest thunder ever. I still think rain boots are overkill and don't over good footing on cobblestone and slick sidewalks. You might have to scamper into a store or under an awning on a day or two and I wouldn't want to be scampering in rain boots
There is rain Sat. Sun. Mon - cant' see after Monday b/c 10 day - but asking the question now in case the other days are rain too - I need time to order rain shoes online and get shipped to me.
What about rain ponchos? They look ridiculous - but don't want the rain to ruin our fun. We'll be there Monday March 25-April 2.
All my kids have high quality rain jackets.
Thanks.
I have never brought boots or special shoes for rain on trips and have done fine in lots of rain... I pack my excellent PreCip jacket by Marmot and a travel umbrella. I do not remember seeing rain boots being worn on any of my twice yearly international trips. Sneakers dry quickly.
I looked at a 15 day forecast for what it's worth and it says 50s with cloudy skies and a (50-30%) chance of showers for each day you will be in Rome. A good hooded raincoat will be great with a nice fleece layer underneath. If one of you is carrying a day bag for the group, that person might want a poncho to help cover the backpack/daybag. In 15 days a lot can change and the chance of those showers may dwindle. Two pair of walking shoes and good quality raincoats with hoods (wind can be a problem with ponchos and umbrellas) will be necessities for comfortable touring.
I just spent a couple rainy days in Paris. One very rainy. I had waterproof Totes boots, which were partially for warmth, but was glad I was wearing them. If you have good quality rain coats no poncho should be needed but I really wish I had covered my crossbody bag. It got soaked. Unless you are in a torrential downpour or step in a huge puddle like I did in Malta ;) your shoes should dry quickly. The hotel hairdryer works wonders.
I bought a pair of gore tex athletic shoes a few years ago that worked out well in the rain. Also, I went to REI and got a lightweight, waterproof raincoat with a hood. My husband always takes a travel umbrella, but I have noticed that most European hotels have those great, big umbrellas available for guests.
No need for boots, just good shoes AND i vote for wool socks. Darn Tough, Smart Wool or Costco...doesn't much matter, but if your feet do get wet wool socks will keep your feet warmer longer. Naturally antimicrobial, so no need for ‘a pair a day.’ Just pack two pair, three at the most.
Most rain boots are NOT walking shoes - they have no support, often have poor traction, and frankly you do not have time to break in a new pair of footwear at this late stage. Waterproof the shoes you plan to take, bring socks that dry quickly, and a rain jacket and umbrella should literally cover the rest of you. If it's raining really hard, there will be pop up street vendors you can purchase ponchos, hats, umbrellas, and the like.
I travel with my Merrell black boots (almost knee high) and Merrell Jungle Mocs. Both of these are waterproof and excellent in rainy/snowy weather. They also have good traction on the bottom which is something that will be useful for you on slippery cobblestones. Ponchos are a pain. Like others have said, wool socks (I wear mine year-round) and a hooded waterproof jacket should be all you need. If it rained I put my camera on the inside of my jacket.
One thing that might be useful and doesn't seem to have been mentioned is a hat that can be worn under the hood of the rain jacket to keep rain off your face at times when it is too windy for umbrellas. Something like a baseball cap works. I use my regular fabric hat. As CL says, you should be able to get hats from street vendors or market stalls. I don't depend on umbrellas from such sources because some of them are extremely cheap and flimsy.
I’ve been in severely rainy trips and have done well in them. Here’s what you need:
In heavy rain I also carry my Montbell Versalite ultra light rain pants. They roll up to about 1/2 the size of a soda can (2.5x2.5x5 in). They easily store in my purse in their own little bag. The price appears high until you realize that they are only slightly more expensive than big bulky heavy rain pants. They are worth every penny.
Thanks for the rain pants tip, Cindy. I can envision a trip on which I'd judge it worthwhile to take something like that, and I didn't know a lightweight version existed.
acraven - I take the rain pants on any trip that has a hiking opportunity (most trips).
Montbell has now come out with a lighter version of the pants, both in men’s and women’s cuts.
They also have an ultralight jacket in men’s and women’s cuts.
These are slightly lighter than the older versions, which are on sale in the outlet portion of the website.
I agree, Darn Tough socks are the best out there.
I'm with Cindy on rain pants (combined with jacket) are better than a plastic poncho. Ponchos may work on calm windless days, but are sails when rain is combined with wind. My rain pants have side zips allowing them to be put on without having to take of my boots. The downside is the side zips, even with velcro weather flaps seem to allow leakage during heavy weather and my socks get soaked even with waterproof (Goretex lined) boots and ankle gaiters. We pack dry socks for mid-day changes on long wet walking days.
The above said, if you are in a urban area, just duck in for a cappuccino when a rainstorm hits.
Edgar - The Versalite pants are do not have any zippers. They are wide enough to pull over your boots though (I've done it plenty of times).
Sounds like everyday weather here in portland, Oregon.
Wear the shoes you can walk the furthest in and dont worry if they get a little wet.
Everything in Rome is walking.
No bogs... unless you can walk days on end in them and just love them hehehe
Theres rain and then theres downpour.
Little rain you'll enjoy and maybe your toes get wet but it wont matter so much and will matter less if you wear wool sock.
Your rain coats will keep you comfy and enable you to go anywhere.
Only bring a poncho for backpacks... or even better pick up a waterproof cover for your backpack at a sporting goods store...or just use a poncho hehe
I never use an umbrella if I have a rain hood and one with a baseball cap under it even better.
hi April from Italy.
Weather may be wet during the next 15 days in Italy but Rome is famous for heavy but short rain showers so anything to keep you and your family dry will work fine...in case of rain and bad weather Rome offers lots of opportunities: museums, art exhibitions, churches with art masterpieces and also shopping. For the very young tourists also Explora, a kids'attraction in Flaminio area (Close to piazza del popolo).
Enjoy Roma!
