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-   -   Sandals in Germany - when does it get too cold? (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/sandals-in-germany-when-does-it-get-too-cold-864257/)

Moselle Oct 25th, 2010 09:01 AM

Sandals in Germany - when does it get too cold?
 
If you are travelling in Germany - from Bavaria to Leipzig, when do you think it gets too cold to wear sandals? (We'll be there the first half of September.) Thanks!

J62 Oct 25th, 2010 09:04 AM

Sandals are ok to wear any time during the summer.

Dukey1 Oct 25th, 2010 09:11 AM

What's more important to you..comfort or what a bunch of other people think?

Robert2533 Oct 25th, 2010 09:47 AM

You can always wear wool socks!

Moselle Oct 25th, 2010 10:40 AM

Oh, yes! I love the wools sock w/sandals look ;)

Honestly, though - I'm just not familiar with their climate. From the "average temp. chart", it looks a little on the cool side.

logos999 Oct 25th, 2010 10:44 AM

>We'll be there the first half of September.
Cccccoooooooollllllddddddddd.
If you only use the subway, you'll be fine, however.

logos999 Oct 25th, 2010 10:45 AM

I mean, don't get outside.

wanderfrau Oct 25th, 2010 10:51 AM

I'd leave the sandals home. You may get a rare sunny and very warm day,or maybe even the entire time you're traveling. But, I wouldn't risk it.

kerouac Oct 25th, 2010 11:12 AM

The thicker the socks, the more you will look like a local. ;-)

zeppole Oct 25th, 2010 11:42 AM

I live in Italy, and I am always amazed that come sept 21, it suddenly does get too cold to wear sandals without socks. In the US, where I'm from, the "seasons" are geared to the school year. But when you live in Europe, the solstice really does turn the seasons.

Italy is not Germany, so I can't really answer your question. In northern Italy, we are okay with sandals through Sept 20. (I often cheat a bit beyond the season with socks, but I need them, because the air chills.)

If your sandals are your most comfortable shoes with the best back support and overall support for your feet, bring them along. But if you have other shoes with great support, you won't get overheated in closed shoes, I would think, not in September.

Mimar Oct 25th, 2010 12:10 PM

Bring your sandals and one other pair of closed walking shoes. After a long day on your feet, it's good to be able to change to a different pair of shoes. Plus, even in summer it rains sometimes.

I always wear sandals with thin socks on long plane rides -- to allow for swelling feet.

Ackislander Oct 25th, 2010 03:22 PM

In the US, fuzzy socks 'n' Birkenstocks are the State Footwear of Vermont. Do Germans drive Subarus, too?

debjulmar Oct 25th, 2010 03:32 PM

I wore shorts and sandals in the Rhein area in June and took a lift to a higher altitude and was very happy to drink the heated wine at the top of the lift. Changed to big-boy pants when I came down and never looked back. I would recommend packing your sandles and making the decision as you go.

nytraveler Oct 25th, 2010 05:41 PM

I thnk a better question is when is it too wet for sandals. As long as you have a pair of real comfy walking shoes along you can use sandals as an alternative. But- in Sept in Germany I would expect at least some rain.

hsv Oct 26th, 2010 07:37 AM

Germans are recognised worldwide by wearing sandals and socks. If you want to join them in one of the worst fashion crimes against good taste, you could indeed wear socks in the sandals.
If you have some self-respect I'd opt for another style of footwear if it gets cold. H1 of September is hit and miss temperature wise.

Lifeman Oct 26th, 2010 07:46 AM

If you notice that your feet, starting from the toe end, are going white and numb, then it's too cold.

zeppole Oct 26th, 2010 12:08 PM

hsv,

Italians, not famous for bad taste in fashion and footwear, also pull on the socks with their sandals at the beginning of autumn.

http://stylefrizz.com/img/acne-sprin...ks-sandals.jpg

spaarne Oct 26th, 2010 06:46 PM

Do not bring sandals to Germany. Buy your Birkenstocks there for about half the USA price. I lived in Germany and adopted the local fashion, black socks with Birkenstocks, and wore them to work when I returned to the USA. I don't care what people think. They are the most comfortable things you can put on your feet.

lavandula Oct 26th, 2010 11:56 PM

I would wear sandals into early September in Germany (my experience is in the Rhein-Main area), but it depends a little on how long the summer is, if you know what I mean. I have seen some really warm Septembers and some where it gets cold and miserable by the first half of September. Because you are travelling and will probably need to economise on space I would not bother taking them. Splurge and buy some if you think you really need them, you'll probably get them on sale by that part of the year. They're not always so practical for heavy-duty walking. Or if you're really a committed sandal wearer, slip a pair of flip-flops into the lid of your suitcase. Light and handy if you just want to put on something in the hotel room or walking down the corridor for some reason, and don't take up much space that way.

Lavandula

swandav2000 Oct 27th, 2010 08:41 PM

Hi Moselle,

I moved to Garmisch-Partenkirchen about two years ago so have had two full summers here. I can tell you that there are about three weeks in July when you'll be comfortable in sandals, but after that, no.

Oh yes, as noted above, it'll be wet too!

Have fun!

s


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