southerner needs help with shoes for winter in Germany
 

OK, I know everyone is sick of the stupid shoe questions but I have not never done a walking tour in a snowy region before. I can handle being properly dressed but do I need to worry about getting shoes that won't slip on ice or in the snow?<BR><BR>I will be in Germany, Austria and Hungary during New Year. I expect to do a lot of walking outside. I expect snow and very cold weather. Do I need to wear a special shoe that prevents me from slipping around on the ice? I have only walked a very short distance on snow a couple of times and remember how hard it was to keep myself from falling. What should I look for on the soles of the shoe? They don't sell "shoe shoes" in the South.

First, shoes with smooth soles aren't any good. It will be cold, so thicker more substantial shoes are better. I would recommend some moderate hiking type shoes that are water resistant and have good tread.

Check out LL Bean they might be the way to go. Good luck.

I've said it before and I will say it again...JOSEF SEIBEL of Germany, the absolute best shoes in the world bar none. Find them, buy a pair, and your feet will be HAPPY, and if your feet are happy I assure you that your whole body will be HAPPY. Thank God I found Josef and his great shoes, my tootsies thank him.

What works for one person doesn't necessarily work for everyone. For example, Josef Seibel shoes are NOT comfortable on MY feet. You just have to try different brands to find what works best for you.<BR>

I was not concerned with buying just comfortable shoes. I am concerned about what type of shoe sole does not slip in ice or snow. I can feel if a shoe will be comfortable when I try it on but there is no ice or snow here on which to try the shoe.<BR><BR>Is there a type of grid on the bottom of the shoe that works best for not slipping or should I get one with the thick wavy heal? I have seen some unusual looking shoe soles!!

I was not concerned with buying just comfortable shoes. I am concerned about what type of shoe sole does not slip in ice or snow. I can feel if a shoe will be comfortable when I try it on but there is no ice or snow here on which to try the shoe.<BR><BR>Is there a type of grid on the bottom of the shoe that works best for not slipping or should I get one with the thick wavy heal? I have seen some unusual looking shoe soles!! <BR><BR>Also, should I expect to be walking through snow or do they shovel/clean the walk ways often enough that it is unlikely that I will need to worry about this.

Look for substantial tread on the bottom. Water proofing is also helpful, esp. in Hungary where you may see more slush. LL Bean is a good suggestion. They had some fashionable boots that looked perfect for snow, waterproof and all. www.llbean.com. <BR>Have fun!

Kjulie- I don't think any type of sole will help on ice. If anybody knows differently, I'd like to know!

I can be of assistance living in far northern Wisconsin with 4-5 months of snow cover. Absolutely do not buy any leather soled shoes. You will be on your fanny quicker than you can say Europe. Look for a composition, crepe type sole preferably with some notched design for added traction. They handle snow and ice the best. I would look at an ankle type modified hiking shoe or low profile boot that has a cordura ( water resistant type canvas upper ) with laces. No velco strap please. No boots are really water proof, water resistant yes, but not water proof unless they are all rubber. Do not go for the heavy duty insulated boot. Too heavy and bulky. Rather wear a nice, thick wool or mostly wool sock. Wool is the only fibre that keeps you warm when damp or wet. Most snow, especially wet stuff above 20-25 degrees is not all that slippery. Snow and packing of it down at colder temperatures is more dangerous particularly if loosely packed over ice. Sporting goods outlets or farm stores will have what you want. A good rubber boot with traction over your regular shoe may work too but can be too heavy. Better off with the one footwear concept. We have lots of snow and subzero temps here, more than much of Alaska.

Being from Wi, I can tell you that as with driving, nothing but being careful will keep you from slipping on ice. But as far as walking in the snow, I have to recommend a good quality hiking boot. Get one that has both Gortex (to keep your feet dry) and Thinsulate (too keep them warm). I love my Rachie's my brother loves his Merrils. These will probably cost between $160-$225, but are well worth the investment, as you can wear them for camping, fishing, hiking etc. If you cannot find shoes with both Thinsulate & Gortex where you are--Choose the Gortex, keeping dry is the first step in staying warm!!!<BR><BR>If you need something dressier than hiking boots, someone else will have to answer your question. I just got back from Munich and almost everyone was wearing jeans and tennis, so unless you are dressing up for fancy restraunts you should be fine in hikers.

i ordered a shoe from L. L. Bean, that worked well in the ice and snow. It was available in two styles, a boot and a shoe style. I found the shoe style to be more comfortable.

I'm a southerner living in Germany so I understand your predicament completely. I don't think GoreTex is essential and it makes my feet too hot. Chances are that you won't be wading through 6" of water so water resistent is fine. IMO, the busier the soles, the better. Look for deeper tread and varying patterns. I'm not sure wavey soles would be so great. My latest favorites are Timberland, high ankle, leather boot-shoes. Don't go overboard with Arctic hiking shoes! It probably won't be that cold! Whatever you get, be sure and try them on with socks that you might be wearing. I also wouldn't go overboard on heavy duty wool socks. Maybe one pair, just in case, otherwise medium weight wool, cotton, fleece or whatever will probably be fine.

Definitely not smooth soles or the mostly smooth soles that have very faint ridges towards the toe area. Also make sure the shoes have a good seal between the bottom of the actual shoe part and the top of the sole (don't know if that makes any sense to you - for example, with leather boots, it would be the area where the leather meets the rubber or whatever the soles are made of). If you do not want to buy weatherproof-type fabric shoes and are taking leather or something similar, spray them with weatherproof spray when you buy them and again a couple of days before you leave. <BR><BR>I have not tried Merrell Jungle Mocs, but have heard good things about them overall and it seems like the bottom of those might be okay. Perhaps someone that wears them might post here.<BR><BR>I have lived in Nebraska for the past three years. Sometimes I choose fashion over function with my shoes (I love shoes!) and usually end up paying the price by slipping or being cold. Even with the shoes that seem the best for the snow and ice, however, it is still possible to slip. Just walk slowly and carefully. If you normally shuffle your feet a bit when you walk, it might help to pick your feet up slightly when making each step instead. Good luck.

KJulie, I'm also a southerner going to Germany this winter. I settled on Lands' End's &quot;All Weather Mocs&quot; for $29.50. They are similar to Merrill Jungle Mocs, with water resistant suede uppers, deeply treaded, thick rubber soles, and removable insoles so you can add your own arch support or whatever. I asked the LE operator about their warmth and she told me lots of their employees wore them all last winter. It probably gets colder in Dodgeville, Wisconsin, than anywhere I ever hope to be, so that was good enough for me. Ask me in January how it worked out!