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What footwear to pack for Scandinavia tour in Summer

My next tour will be Scandinavia in the summer. I am a bit indecisive as to what to pack as summer weather in Scandinavia can be very unpredictable. Weather record for most cities in the past two weeks showed 6-8 rainy days; with temperature ranging from 58 - 78 F.

I have these three options to choose from; option A is what I packed for my previous tours (Southern Europe, May or September):

Option A

  • Sneakers (wear)
  • Sneakers (pack)
  • Flip-flops (pack)

Option B

  • Sneakers (wear)
  • Waterproof sneakers (pack)
  • Flip-flops (pack)

Option C

  • Sneakers (wear)
  • Outdoor sandals (pack)
  • Flip-flops (pack)

I would appreciate very much any recommendation from people who have been to the region in the summer. Thanks a lot!

Posted by
436 posts

I'm going to Scandinavia in a few weeks and am taking shoes that align to your option C. However, instead of taking flip-flops, I'm taking an additional pair of super lightweight sneakers. Both pairs of my sneakers are On brand (which are so light) and the sandals are Keen. If one pair of shoes gets wet, I'll just wear the other.

Posted by
173 posts

@JS,

I usually wear flip-flops in the hotel room and bathroom to prevent foot infection; and I don't like wearing shoes in the hotel room either. But I might consider doing what you plan to do, i.e. two pairs of sneakers and outdoor sandals. I still have a pair of disposable slippers from an airline amenity kit; I could wear it in the hotel room instead. Thanks for your suggestion!

Posted by
3 posts

I did Scandinavia in 2024 (August) and brought sneakers and flip-flops to wear around the hotel and to give my feet a break. It rained one day but only for a couple of hours. My sneakers weren't waterproof but still did fine. Outdoor sandals would have been nice. I would go with option C.

Posted by
823 posts

I like your idea of wearing the disposable slippers in your hotel room/bathroom. That is what I do and then I don't feel the need to pack flip flops. I wear sneakers on the plane and pack one pair of outdoor sandals. I travel with a carryon size suitcase and lightweight crossbody bag.

So, I vote for Option C but substitute the disposable slippers for the flip-flops.

Posted by
173 posts

@kcstarseeker & @Christine:

If my tour were to be somewhere in Southern Europe; I probably would have gone with option C. But I do worry about the combination of consecutive rainy days and cold weather; which can happen in Scandinavia during the summer. In this situation outdoor sandals might not be a good substitute for sneakers. So like @JS I probably will pack sneakers and outdoor sandals; but one of these will have to be lighter than what I currently have (Skechers slip-ins & Teva Terra Fi; the latter is very heavy).

I really appreciate your inputs!!

Edit:
For the convenience of discussion I'm adding a fourth option; this is the option I likely will go with. I still have a pair of disposable slippers from an airline amenity kit which I can wear in the hotel room.

Option D

Sneakers (wear)
Sneakers (pack)
Outdoor sandals (pack)

Posted by
7635 posts

When? Have a look at the forecast before you leave and see what the weather looks like. It might be 15° and rain, or it might be 25° and sunny.