Winter shoes? (Portland: garden, moving to, areas)

[spiraleyes]

Hey, guys. I've got what may come off as a strange question. My husband and I, like the many masses, are moving to SE Portland in about a month. We come from the South, where we wear sandals pretty much daily, even in winter. A friend suggested I get a "flexible hooded raincoat" for winter, but as far as shoes go, I'm wondering if you guys veer more toward boots, something really water resistant, or if it's not a worry for you and you just wear whatever. From what I understand, it's typically more drizzly/hazy than full-on constant downpour? I guess this isn't an enormous concern, and I can see what's up when I get there, but the husband asked.

[hamellr]

Yeah, they're called Nikes.

Seriously though, I only wear boots during snow and for the day after slush/melt. Or if I'm going to be out in the mud. Or hiking more then two or three miles.

[Larry Caldwell]

Any decent walking shoes will get you there 90% of the time. Women's fashions do tend toward boots in the winter. My wife favors 4" top hiking boots with a good tread, which are good in mud, light snow, plus keep her feet dry and warm. I only wear sandals in the summer, and various shoes in the winter, with one set of heavy leather work boots for outside and off pavement, plus high top rubber boots for wet conditions and neoprene chest waders for really wet conditions.

If your hair lends itself to wearing a hat, get a few with a broad brim. I wear straw hats in the summer, and felt or wool hats in the winter. With a jacket or raincoat it lets me avoid the hassle of an umbrella. You will find it colder than you are used to, so plan a little heavier clothes than the natives wear, including insulated underwear and gloves until you accustom to the climate.

[wanderbygrace]

Originally Posted by spiraleyes

Hey, guys. I've got what may come off as a strange question. My husband and I, like the many masses, are moving to SE Portland in about a month. We come from the South, where we wear sandals pretty much daily, even in winter. A friend suggested I get a "flexible hooded raincoat" for winter, but as far as shoes go, I'm wondering if you guys veer more toward boots, something really water resistant, or if it's not a worry for you and you just wear whatever. From what I understand, it's typically more drizzly/hazy than full-on constant downpour? I guess this isn't an enormous concern, and I can see what's up when I get there, but the husband asked.

I can't speak for the ladies, but for guys, sneakers and dress shoes worked just fine for casual & business wear in my first winter here, last year. The only times I even remotely considered boots were waterproof hiking boots while hiking in wet areas or during wetter periods out on muddy trails.

[spiraleyes]

Thanks a lot for your replies. It really seems like a stupid question, but it's one of those details where I don't wanna get caught looking like an idiot walking into work or something.

God, I hate boots. They tell us in the South that everyone in Portland only wears hiking boots or hideous sandals. Thanks for not constantly wearing boots. I AM good at hats, though. Thanks for that tip. I can't handle the inconvenience of dragging an umbrella everywhere. Not enough hands.

Nikes. I see what you did there.

[SETabor]

I prefer Columbia myself. They have waterproof, sneaker-type shoes that are usually brown or gray so they're not garish like some Nikes.

[spiraleyes]

Yeah, I'm not into Nikes. But I'm not into sneakers in general. Gotta have my girl flats.

[EnricoV]

Personally, I wear Birkenstocks year-round. But I'm not an outdoors person, and do occasionally get my socks wet!

[SETabor]

You may end up having to get something with a little thicker sole than girl flats so your uppers don't get wet from splashing. You don't need water proof but water resistant is good.

[mamh]

For me garden clogs are a must on rainy days...Sock caps too