We are leaving on 2 weeks for Scotland and I'm trying to decide what to pack. I have some waterproof hiking shoes for walking around but I want to brink some Wellington type boots as well. I have some knee high ones that are heavy would ankle booties of the same rubber material work as well? Don't want to weIgh down my luggage or be underprepared. Thanks !
Nicki
why do you think you will need wellington type boots, the only time I ever wear mine in Scotland is when I am in the garden
Are you planning on tromping through open fields and muddy farmland? If not, no need. They do have paved sidewalks in Scotland. :-)
Mostly because we will walk around even if it's pouring. That's funny about the sidewalks. We don't even have them here.
your hiking shoes will be fine, that's what I wear most of the time
I would bring whatever you usually wear at home, when walking around in the rain (assuming, of course, you get rain at home).
For me, that means water-resistant loafers (Merrell Jungle Moc) for "city" walks and waterproof hiking boots (Keen Targhee II Mid) for anything "off-road".
Scottish cities have pavements.
Wellies may be appropriate if you are slopping the pigs but not very good for hiking if you need "breathability", ankle support and/or traction. Hiking shoes with breathable but waterproof membranes and traction (e.g. Vibram like soles) are better than Wellies for trail walks but overkill for walking on city pavement.
And it would be too late for new boots if you leave in two weeks. New boots should be worn in if you want to minimize foot distress problems while trekking.
We were on the Isle of Skye in Scotland in August 2014, where it absolutely poured. Light, ankle-high, water-resistant trekking shoes worked fine, although we stayed inside when it was raining the heaviest, and only ventured out when it wasn't coming down in sheets of water but the ground was still quite wet.
For our trek across northern England this June (Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail) we had different, all-leather waterproof shoes (didn't cover the ankles) and regular Gore-Tex hiking boots, like we use when summiting Colorado mountains. One morning, half an hour into the day's trekking stage, it poured and poured. The waterproof hiking boots weren't and I spent an hour in a pub, in front of the fireplace, drying out. I brought along gaiters which are designed to be ankle covers, protecting your socks and lower legs if you're wearing shorts, or keeping things from getting up your pant cuffs if you're wearing long pants, and those can offer water protection, but I didn't bother digging them out of my pack, as the rain was so sudden I would've gotten even wetter in the time it took to put on the gaiters.
Gaiters might work for you, but a pair of Wellies really seems like a lot to haul around, unless you're wearing them every minute of your trip. A pair of good hiking boots, waterproofed, and maybe a $20 pair of gaiters as additional gear, should work. The rain in British Isles has a way of exceeding even the best-prepared walker, but Wellies seem like overkill.
Nicki, have you spent a day walking in your Wellies? If not, if you want to bring them to Scotland, do a trial date at home for an entire day -- not at your office but while you are walking around. For me, Wellies offer no support for long walks and you will want to find out if this is the case for you so you don't take up precious packing space on boots you won't wear all day.
These are what I wear and it's like walking around with the comfort of sneakers but weather protection and support of boots. https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/83156?feat=women%20storm%20chaser-SR0&page=women-s-storm-chasers-lace-up-boot&csp=a&bc=27-2
I don't pack them either; I wear them on the plane.
During extreme weather rain events like the ones Cyn experienced, Wellies could work but you would need to have waterproof over pants without side zippers covering the Wellie uppers to keep rain out.
We trek with ankle high waterproof (Goretex lined) boots and have side zip rain pants and gaiters. During wind driven extreme rain days our socks (and feet) still get soaked. I suspect that the rain must be driving through the size zippers and running down our legs. If you are trekking in heavy wind driven rain for multiple hours expect wet feet. We bring spare dry socks to change out during lunch.
Wellies are for farms and gardens only. Leave them at home as they weigh too much and will take up too much room in your bag.
