Are waterproof shoes a necessity?

I'm not sure what you have planned for Scotland, but on our recent visit we found no need for waterproof shoes.

For general touring, I think you would be OK without, rain can be an issue, but unless it is most days, you'll be fine.

If you were planning on wandering the Highlands tromping through the dew on the heather...then look for some waterproof hikers.

Hi Silvana, whenever I take a RS tour where there might be some rain, I always take my waterproof tennies. I really love the ECCO biom shoes. I don't see the ones that I get on sale right now, but here's a sale on some nice black ones https://www.6pm.com/p/ecco-sport-biom-venture-gtx-tie-black-black/product/8777160/color/183092

I also wear Salomon waterproof tennies, but they are a bit more clunky and I like them for when I go on a tour that might include hiking, like the GAS tour. I just don't like to worry about wet shoes. Many people just put up with them, but I like to be comfortable.

Have a great trip.

Lots of options here:
https://www.llbean.com/llb/search/?freeText=waterproof+shoes&init=1
I have these and love them:
https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/89457?page=storm-chaser-slip-on-shoe-1912-edition-womens&csp=a&feat=83154-item_page.recsmiddle

I always bring a pair of waterproof shoes when traveling to Europe. On one of our early trips to Italy I had a pair of shoes that got so wet that they took several days to dry. I have a pair by Nunn Bush that looks like regular shoes, and have in the past worn Clark’s. I also have waterproof shoes that
look like regular sneakers. On the South England tour we were out on the moors in the rain. The waterproof shoes worked except for the fact that water actually dripped down into the shoes.

Thanks everyone the quick replies and the suggestions. It sounds like I should look for waterproof footwear of some sort. Unfortunately, my choices are limited because I need a wide width shoe. The selection in wides really is limited but I will figure it out. Thanks again!

I suffer from wide feet myself (EEEE), and for what it is worth, have had good luck finding about any style on Zappos, and in my size. I shop shoes for Men, but Nunn-Bush, Dunham, Florshiem, New Balance, as well as several other brands pop up as options. You can input size and style and compare many brands, so it is really handy.

Thanks Paul & Bob for the shoe suggestions but I am a woman :) and am looking for women's shoes. And yes, Zappos is wonderful.

Although they are not described as waterproof, my LL Beansport casual lace-up shoes stayed dry during a downpour in Wales.I don't know if D width is wide enough for you? Personally, I would not go anywhere in the UK without shoes that are at least somewhat waterproof. Disclaimers: 1) I prioritize comfort and performance over appearance. 2) I often travel with only the pair of shoes on my feet. I know that's risky, but so far I've gotten away with it and it really helps me pack light!

I have a wide foot. A very helpful shoe store employee put me in a men’s shoe since the women’s weren’t wide enough and they are fabulous. Right now I am wearing the Merrell’s Moab 2 waterproof sneaker and hiking boot. Try the men’s department. I will be headed to Scotland for the first time this year and plan to bring a waterproof shoe. On trips to Ireland I have been happy I had them.

This has been such a helpful community! I am grateful for all of the feedback. Hope I can pay it forward some time.
I am likely going to travel with a pair of waterproof shoes as my primary footwear and bring a lighter pair as a backup. I'm leaning towards a pair of Moab 2 Mother of all Boots Waterproof by Merrell. Purchasing soon as I want them well broken in before I leave.

Hi, Sivana,

If there is a Cabela or REI near you, they usually always have Merrell Moabs in stock, and frequently on sale. REI also does great mail order, and guarantees everything. I'm wearing my four year old Moabs right now. I bought a new pair for last year's trip to Scotland, and they were perfect for hiking in the rain on Rum. Also for city street walking. My wife wears men's Moabs as well, as she has wide feet. They are definitely not clunky. (The shoes, that is, not my wife's feet!)

Enjoy Scotland!

Mike (Auchterless)

We've been to Scotland quite a bit and never really needed waterproof shoes. But no one can predict the weather. You might consider having a pair of dry socks in a zip lock bag in your day bag. There are times when any shoes will be overwhelmed if you encounter intense rain, small rushing streams, or gutters.

If you cant find waterproof shoes, I’d just take 2 pr walking shoes so if one gets wet and doesn’t dry overnight you’ve got a backup pr. Have the back up pr in plastic bags (something like newspaper bags) so if one pr is damp when you need to pack you can protect the rest of the stuff in your suitcase.

I did the Best of Scotland in June. It was pouring buckets on the Mull/Iona day and my shoes were soaked when I got back to the B&B. I pulled out the insole and placed them on the bathroom floor under the towel heater and they were dry in the AM.

I did finally find some waterproof shoes this Fall to accommodate my very wide foot. They are Altra Lone Peak waterproof ( they also have non waterproof ones) and I got mine at Zappos. This brand of shoe is a Zero Drop platform so you need to get used to not having your heel raised higher than your toes. I always wear Altras and can walk miles in them on tour.

BTW, mens sizes don’t work for me as my heel is too narrow. Even using an alternate lacing system I can’t get them snugged down enough to not slip on my heel.

This is a fun tour. DO have a waterproof jacket. It was windier than I expected and ponchos and umbrellas were useless. Of all the days on 10 RS tours, the Mull/Iona day was the only day I wished I had waterproof rain pants as well!!

It looks like you are thinking about these:
https://www.merrell.com/US/en/moab-2-mother-of-all-boots-mid-waterproof/27933W.html

Are you used to wearing high-top hikers like that? I would not be comfortable in that much shoe for general touring, and did not need anything special on either of my 2 trips to Scotland.

Hmm, hadn’t followed the Moab style link and I agree you don’t need this much shoe. IF you are looking for this boot for other purposes and have wearing them in Scotland as a secondary plan , well OK. If you are buying these only for the Best of Scotland tour, these are going to be heavy and more than you need.

Thought while I was at it I’d add a link to the waterproof Altras.

https://www.zappos.com/p/altra-footwear-lone-peak-4-low-rsm/product/9083004

We have travelled to Ireland several times and my wife was worried about waterproof shoes. She ended up getting a waterproof spray at Walmart and sprayed her shoes and it worked well for her. She always takes two pairs just in case but has never had any issue with the waterproof spray. That way she can wear her confortabe shoes and they are somewhat waterproof.

Thanks again for all of the great information! I hadn't thought of trying Men's shoes nor had I thought of going to my near by Cabella's. The Altra's look interesting too.

As for the Moab shoes, here is a link to the ones I am interested in:
https://www.merrell.com/US/en/moab-2-mother-of-all-boots-waterproof-wide-width/27946W.html?dwvar_27946W_color=J06030W#cgid=women-featured-wide-widths&start=1
Please note, these are shoes not boots. The boots would definitely be overkill!

Aha! Yes, those low cuts look good!

In case you find some of the wide forefoot shoes are slipping on your heel, the Altra website has several suggestions on alternate lacing tohelp toghten or to help create space.

Do get them soon so you can put the miles in on them. I found the most strenuous day was the full day in Edinburgh! Lotsa walking! Lotsa cobbles in the castle!

I live in Scotland and wear a pair of Merrell shoes all the time, pretty much year round. I am not sure of the exact style but they are like a training shoe with good grip, and although they may not have been sold as waterproof (I can't remember), I have sprayed them with 'some stuff' of the type that is supposed to re-proof footwear and they are fine. It can be particularly wet here on Skye, but as long as I don't actually fall into a bog they seem to do the job. When they get really muddy I just wash them off under the tap, dry them out, re-proof them, and away we go again - good as new. I have extremely wide feet and they are super comfy. I don't think they look clunky, but then fashion is not really 'a thing' up here. We are more about practicality! Have a good trip.

Skyegirl (Jacqui)

I use waterproof socks from Showers Pass. Also available from Sealskinz. I find these much more convenient and protective than shoes because they work in sandals and i can step into puddles without a care.