1.) Can anyone advise me on the type of boot to wear for day walks in the Highlands during wet weather. Do the trails quickly become slippery and/or very muddy when wet? Trying to decide if rubber bottom boots or traditional hiking boots with Vibram soles are best.
2.) I read September in Scotland can be wetter. Any suggestions on bringing a packable Gore-tex rain jacket OR a heavier Gore-tex rain jacket? Thank you, KS
Posted by
Lincolnshire, UK
2320 posts
A lot depends on the trail and how heavily it gets used. Rock can get slippery. Through forest, across moorland with peat can get very muddy. I always wear traditional boots with a vibram sole.
Is there any difference between your packable gore-tex and the heavier jacket as far as waterproofing goes? I'm assuming the heavier one will be warmer? Would you intend wearing it all the time? September temperatures are still fairly warm, especially on sunny days. You should be warm enough with your usual layers and fleecy jacket. The thing you need to watch out for is wind chill on the tops of mounbtains, but putting on the packable waterproof will help.
Posted by
OP
Northeastern Minnesota
45 posts
Thank you for your reply - this information is helpful. Looking at the latitude of the Highlands I am thinking it might be cooler than we expect. KS
Posted by
Medford, OR, USA
5837 posts
Mid-weight/Mid-ankle height hiking boots with Vibram type traction soles and a "Gore-tex waterproof breathable membrane would be appropriate to walking trails in the fall. A light weight rain jacket with hood would also be windproof and adequate assuming that you will have a light insulation layer in your pack. Consider rain pants ad low height gators.
Even with the above, socks get we on heavy rain days. I pack dry wool socks for mid-day change out of soaked socks. Use synthetic or light wool underlayers, not cotton.
UK regional climate data: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/regional-climates/index
Rainfall is generally well-distributed throughout the year but there
is a marked seasonal variation. The frequency of Atlantic depressions
is normally greatest during the winter but, unlike other areas of the
UK, Scotland tends to remain under their influence for much of the
summer too. Autumn and early winter are the wettest seasons,
especially from October to January, and spring and early summer is
normally the driest part of the year, especially from April to June.
Posted by
Sacramento, CA
695 posts
We were there in early September a few years ago, and had rain some days. I wore hiking boots with vibram soles, and we all had light weight rain jackets that we could layer over other clothes, or put in our day packs if not needed. We wore those rain jackets in the cities as well as hiking, if we needed a layer to deal with rain, wind, or temperatures.
Posted by
340 posts
It was 25 degrees celcius in St Andrews today. The visibility was more than 30 miles!
We have been here through a most extraordinary stretch of weather. Locals tell us that the summer weather was extraordinarily miserable with wet, cold yuck -- until the end of July when we arrived. We got spritzed on once. We've only seen white caps in ocean waters once.
My point is that we packed according to expectations and have been shocked by how balmy it's been. Fortunately I brought two pairs of running shorts and shirts that have become my go-to wardrobe. We take our boots with us when we go hiking -- just in case -- but they stay in the car.
With all that said, before the trip I bought water-proof hiking boots with vibram soles. I wore them for one long, very sunny hike in Skye and was glad I did -- when we ventured off trail. It was quite wet (the ground off the trail was SOAKED). Later on the same hike we were on the trail and a young guy who was going opposite of our direction stepped in the wrong place and literally found himself up to his knees. It took two of us to pull him out of the muck. No hiking shoe would have saved him.
Having the vibram soles on the rocky and/or muddy terrain just makes it more comfortable for me. The water proof part... Well, they make my feet perspire, but I was happy to have the water proof shoes when I needed them. And I expect this balmy weather won't last until you get here in September...
Posted by
Kamarooka
429 posts
I usually wear my nobby soled racing flats that I race xc and trail races in. Saves the risk of ankle and knee injuries. Rinse them out and stuff them with newspaper and they dry quickly. I have done many multiday wilderness hikes inc South Coast Track ((Tasmania) Everest Base Camp (in winter) and quite a few Scottish, English, Irish hikes and runs wearing various types of these. Lighter, more comfortable and as I say less likely to lead to injury providing they are minimalist profile.