My family and I will be in Ireland for three weeks in August and I am concerned about shoes. We usually travel places that are dry or if they're wet they are warm and wet so we don't really have any shoes for rain/ mud. Right now the kids and I have these mesh tennis shoes from Lands End that dry quickly--would those work? If not, what will we need and will it be easy to get it there? We will be visiting some farms/ rural areas. Can you tell I'm from California and just don't "do" rain?

Monica,

You need to invest in some sturdy, waterproof walking boots. Mesh tennis shoes are not going to hold up if it is wet, cold and boggy. I would buy them here so that you have a chance to break them in before you head over. There will be a lot of walking and trying to do that with new boots would make for a less than enjoyable trip.

I picked up a pair of Vasque Breeze shoes from Sierra Trading Post, for my first trip, and they worked quite well. I am sure you could find something comparable close to where you live. The important think is traction for hiking and that they are waterproof and easily cleaned, as well as lightweight.

Slan Beo,

Bit

Ireland isn;t cold in August - but it's definitely not hot - and although you don;t get the toreential downpours you get in the US in summer you get an awful lot of drizzle and mist - ensuring that a lot of places are fairly permanently damp.

You need sturdy walking shoes that are waterproof (not like you're going to stand in a stream - but that won;t leak if you take a step or 2 in a puddle).

NYTraveler: Do you think hiking boots (scotchguarded) would work? That doesn't solve my problem about the kids, though. Don't want to invest in hiking boots for them that they will only wear for the three weeks. Will rain boots for them work? They are six and four so not much into walking anyway.

I live in Ireland and don't have hiking boots.

August tends to be dry but there are no guarantees -- especially if the past few weeks are anything to go by.

My everyday shoes are leather with composite soles. They are proof against moderate amounts of rain, and easily cleaned.

You could go barefoot. Skin is waterproof and easily cleaned.

Padraig, you sure do put it in perspective!

We all have Gortex shoes for places that may have rain/moisture. Currently all use Merrills but we did use Ecco's when the children were younger. Living someplace and going someplace as a tourist are two different things. If you live someplace and it gets really wet you can compensate by putting on another pair of shoes if the one's you are wearing get wet. You may also not go out if the weather is poor. As a tourist you have limited time in a place so you are usually out and about even if the weather is not so good and if your shoes soak through you may not have many others you can wear while the first dry out. Walking around in wet shoes is miserable and may cause foot problems.

MonicaRichards,

I wear SAS shoes, take an extra pair and have overshoes from magellan's. mjs made some very good suggestions for you and the children. I live in the northwest and that is the type of shoes my children and grandchildren wear. Also, I like Padraig's suggestion of going bare foot. We really did at times when I was growing up. Humm, I'm very grown-up now and I notice I have no shoes on.

Any straight-up gym shoe will work--forget the mesh. Get the kids 2 pairs of Converse for 50 bucks. Do 6-year-olds really care if their feet are wet? August in Ireland with the kids--just have a good time.

I'm living in Ireland (from the US) and have trekked in some rather muddy places on our weekend outings.

I wear sneakers, but bring 2 pairs so you can alternate. I keep an old towel in the rental car so I can wipe off my shoes and to spee up drying. I would think any normal shoe sprayed with a waterproofing would be sufficient.

Unless you're talking about some extreme hiking or backpacking trips, I think that would be sufficient.

Don't forget a waterproof parka/raincoat for sure!! I wear a hat, constantly. Easier than an umbrella.

OK I do not walk in bogs every day but I do not own a rain coat nor any waterproof shoes or hiking boots. An umbrella or hooded jacket does the trick its not Noah's ark country here yet

August isn't what you would call rainy season in Ireland.
If you're going to leave the main roads I would recommend something like Merrill's or Nike Hikers. I have both but in Aug-Sep I just take low quarter Merrills

Monica,

My family just returned from a trip that included 4 days on the west coast of Ireland at the end of June. I had sketchers and 2 pairs of sandals, my husband had a pair of sketchers(leather), athletic shoes, and flip flops, and my 3 sons had various combinations of althetic shoes and flip flops (each had 2 pairs of footwear).

We encountered some rain at least every day. We travelled by car, but got out and walked around quite a bit at each of the sites and everyone's feet were fine (although my feet were a little cold on one or two occassions). Unless you are outside for hours in the rain, I don't think your shoes will get soaked through.

As far as other options, we also have those mesh sport shoes from Lands End and I think that those would've worked fine though no one chose to bring them. Mostly, I saw people in all manner of athletic shoe and I saw lots of Crocs.

One purchase that we did make just before leaving the US was to buy everyone a waterproof packable rain jacket. None of us have ever really seen a need for a raincoat, however these were invaluable. They kept us dry and served as an extra layer for warmth. It was colder than expected in Ireland, England, and France. Lands End had a good one at a good price although at the time they were out of stock for the sizes we needed.

Have a great trip!

Thanks everyone especially Momofthree. I looked in the girls' closets and no kidding each of them has like ten pairs of shoes already NO WAY am I buying another pair right now. I think I will take my chances with regular athletic shoes (they each already have a pair) and the mesh (if they get wet at least they dry). Thank goodness we are all set for packable rain jackets--we go to Costa Rica every couple of years so those are a given.

Monica,

Glad you got that settled. One less thing to worry about. I hope your family has a wonderful trip.

Regards, Joan