The Best Shoes for Scotland & Ireland

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by Maggie Turansky


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Travelling to Scotland and Ireland is a dream holiday for many, with images of the emerald countryside, historic towns and cities, and stunning natural scenery charming millions of visitors year after year. Finding the best shoes for Scotland and Ireland can be a difficult task when you consider all of the options out there, however, it is not impossible!

If you’re struggling to figure out just what shoes or boots are the best to bring with you, then check out these top suggestions to make sure that your feet are warm, dry and happy through your entire trip to Scotland and Ireland!

Shoes for Scotland & Ireland Comparison

Shoes Description Prices
Ecco Soft 7
ECCO Women's Soft 7 Sneaker, Warm Grey Nubuck, 8-8.5
Type: Walking Shoe
Sex: Female
Material: Leather
Check on Amazon

Check on Zappos

Check on Ecco
Ecco Byway Tred
ECCO Men's Byway Tred Gore-TEX Sneaker, Black Oil Nubuck, 13-13.5
Type: Walking Shoe
Sex: Male
Material: Leather
Check on Amazon
Adidas Gazelle
Adidas Originals Men's Gazelle Lace-up Sneaker,Black/White/Gold Met.,9.5 M US
Type: Walking Shoe
Sex: Unisex
Material: Textile
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Check on Zappos
Merrell Jungle Moc
Merrell womens Jungle Moc Slip-On Shoe , Gunsmoke ,10 M US
Type: Walking Boot
Sex: Female
Material: Leather
Check on Amazon

Check on REI
Clarks Morris Peak
Clarks Men's Morris Peak Waterproof Chukka Boot, Black Tumbled Leather, 9.5
Type: Walking Boot
Sex: Male
Material: Leather
Check on Amazon
Merrell Moab
Merrell Women's Moab 2 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot, Granite, 8.5 W US
Type: Hiking Boot
Sex: Male/Female
Material: Suede Leather & Mesh
Check on Amazon (Women’s)

Check on Amazon (Men’s)

Check on REI

Check on Zappos
Columbia Newton Ridge
Columbia womens Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof Hiking Boot, Cordovan/Crown Jewel, 8 US
Type: Hiking Boot
Sex: Male/Female
Material: Leather
Check on Amazon (Women’s)

Check on Amazon (Men’s)

Check on Zappos

Check on Columbia
Timberland Chocorua Trail
Timberland Women's Chocorua Trail Boot,Brown,8.5 M
Type: Hiking Boot
Sex: Male/Female
Material: Leather & Textile
Check on Amazon (Women’s)

Check on Amazon (Men’s)

Check on REI

Check on Zappos


What to Look For in Shoes

It is worth discussing what attributes to look for when shopping for your shoes. Because, depending on your itinerary, you may need different shoes for whatever various activities you may be undertaking.

For instance, if you are not into hiking and don’t plan on doing anything more than a mild walk through the countryside, then I don’t recommend adding a pair of heavy-duty hiking boots to your Scotland packing list.

They are bulky and heavy and it is likely that you would more likely come to resent them if all you plan to do is leisurely stroll through the streets of Edinburgh or Dublin and maybe check out a couple of historical spots.

On the flip side, if you plan to spend the majority of your time outside, hiking through the countryside or even maybe taking the time to go on one of the many multi-day treks that are on offer in both countries, then a solid pair of durable hiking boots are going to be a must.

Regardless of what kind of shoes you end up bringing, there are a few attributes that all footwear types should share. The most important of these attributes is that they are waterproof.

Both countries are known for being very rainy and stereotypes ring very true, meaning that you’re going to want all of your gear to have some way to keep you warm and dry.

And there is no worse feeling than having cold, wet feet. Therefore, ensuring that your hiking or walking shoes for Scotland or Ireland are made to stand up to the wet weather in Scotland and Ireland that you’re sure to encounter (even if you’re only visiting the cities!) is essential.

Hiking on the Three Lochs Way
Hiking on the Three Lochs Way in Scotland

The other thing you should look for in a shoe that is comfortable to wear for many hours while walking. Scotland and Ireland are also fairly casual settings, even in the bigger metropolitan areas, so there is no need to bring a pair of fancy or dressy shoes or boots for your sightseeing. However, you can experience all four seasons in one day so you need to ensure you’re prepared for whatever may come!

While I wouldn’t recommend walking around the streets of Edinburgh or Dublin while wearing a pair of hiking boots (more so because it will make you stick out like a sore thumb as a tourist), there is no pressure to sacrifice comfort for stylishness. In cities, you’re fine to wear more casual footwear even in more upmarket establishments.

If your Ireland or Scotland itinerary sees you wandering through both the cities and hiking in the Highlands or other rural areas, I would recommend bringing at least two pairs of shoes to wear in Scotland.

One pair of hiking shoes or heavy-duty walking shoes and another pair of comfortable, everyday trainers or city boots is what I would recommend that you pack for Scotland and Ireland.

Connemara National Park
Hiking in Connemara National Park

Best Walking Shoes

So now that we’ve determined what features to look for when hunting down shoes for your trip, these are our top recommendations for the best shoes to take with you when you visit Scotland and Ireland.

Ecco Soft 7

If you’re looking for the perfect women’s shoe for wandering around the city streets of Dublin, Inverness, Galway or Edinburgh, then you absolutely cannot go wrong with the Ecco Soft 7 (also available on Zappos here or direct from Ecco here).

This Danish-designed walking shoe is almost instantly comfortable and requires little to no break-in period to be ready to explore those winding city streets.

They come in a range of colours to suit any personality and they have great arch support and padding to make sure that your feet do not hurt even if you’ve been on your feet all day.

These shoes are also quite durably made and they can withstand a fair amount of wear and tear without damaging them, which is why they are the top women’s shoe I recommend for travelling all of Europe along with for Ireland or Scotland.

They are also very lightweight, meaning that they won’t weigh down your luggage if you need to pack them away. As they are the shoes that I personally travel with to all of my destinations and wear basically every day, I have no hesitation in recommending them.

ECCO Women's Soft 7 Sneaker, Warm Grey Nubuck, 8-8.5

Ecco Byway Tred

While I wholeheartedly endorse the Ecco Soft 7 shoe as a great all-around women’s shoe for travel, the Ecco ByWay Tred is an excellent choice for men.

These leather shoes are smart in design without sacrificing comfort and can be dressed up or dressed down depending on the situation.

They are also made with the same great arch support and durability as their female counterparts, making them great for spending all day walking through cobbled city streets.

They come in a couple of different colours depending on your own personal style and are also very durable and can be worn for years to come.

ECCO Men's Byway Tred Gore-TEX Sneaker, Black Oil Nubuck, 13-13.5

Adidas Gazelle

If you don’t want to make the investment of the Ecco shoes listed above, then the Adidas Gazelle shoes (also available on Zappos here) are an excellent alternative option.

Coming in both men’s and women’s styles, these are the shoes that we used to travel with before we bit the bullet and purchased the Ecco shoes. They have decent arch support and are durable enough to handle a year or two of daily wear and tear, but they are not as well-made as the Ecco shoes.

They do come in a range of colours and styles to suit any personality and they are a bit more trendy than the previous shoes, however, they also do not dress up as well as the Eccos shoes.

Adidas Originals Men's Gazelle Lace-up Sneaker,Black/White/Gold Met.,9.5 M US

Merrell Jungle Moc Shoe

If you want both a stylish and practical pair of women’s waterproof shoes, then you cannot go wrong with the Merrell Jungle Moc Shoe (also available on REI here).

These leather shoes are durably made and completely waterproof, perfect for keeping your feet warm and dry throughout your trip.

They are also stylish enough to wear with a cute outfit or walking around in the city, while also being water-resistant and hearty enough to go for a gentle walk in the countryside.

The shoe is made to withstand a considerable amount of wear and tear, meaning that you should be able to wear them for years to come.

Merrell womens Jungle Moc Slip-On Shoe , Gunsmoke ,10 M US

Clarks Morris Peak

For men who are after a shoe with similar features to the above item, you can’t go wrong with the Clarks Morris Peak ankle boots.

They are durable and well-made, meaning that they will last you for many years and are comfortable and supportive enough to walk in for hours at a time without getting sore feet.

These stylish ankle boots are made from a weathered leather and are fully waterproof while still being breathable. They also have a slip-proof rubber sole making them ideal not only for city streets but also for some walks in the countryside.

Clarks Men's Morris Peak Waterproof Chukka Boot, Black Tumbled Leather, 9.5

Best Hiking Boots

If you’re planning on doing a bit (or a lot) of hiking or hillwalking while in Scotland or Ireland, then you’re going to need a sturdy pair of hiking boots for your trip.

Merrell Moab

The Merrell Moab hiking shoes (also available on REI here or available on Zappos here). are some of the best boots for Ireland and Scotland. They are sturdy, well-made, durable, and waterproof meaning that they will protect your feet from any length of Scottish or Irish walk that you might do.

They have an advanced arch and ankle support and they will make sure that your feet are comfortable and protected no matter how long you’re walking for. They are also equipped with a great grip meaning that you can easily navigate wet or slippery terrain without the worry about slipping.

Men’s versions of these shoes are also available on Amazon, REI or Zappos.

Merrell Women's Moab 2 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot, Granite, 8 M US

Columbia Newton Ridge

The Columbia Newton Ridge (also available direct from Columbia here or available on Zappos here) is a great option if you’re looking for a more heavy-duty leather boot for Ireland and Scotland, especially if you’re planning on undertaking any of the more challenging treks in the countries.

This is a proper hiking boot, equipped with fantastic full ankle and arch support meaning that you can hike for hours upon hours without risking injury.

The rubber sole has a great, non-slip grip perfect for slick and wet terrain and the waterproof material is sure to keep your feet warm and dry.

Men’s versions of these shoes are also available on Amazon, Colombia or Zappos.

Columbia womens Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof Hiking Boot, Cordovan/Crown Jewel, 8 US

Timberland Chocorua Trail

A good alternative to either of the two options listed above are the Timberland Chocorua Trail boots (also available on REI here or available on Zappos here).

These waterproof boots have good support for both your arches and ankles. They also have an advanced gripping system on the rubber soles and are comfortable to wear for hours on end. They are a great option if you plan on heading to Scotland in winter and need good rain boots.

Like the Columbia boots above, these boots are best for avid hikers looking for some solid support and are truly a great choice for hiking in Ireland and Scotland.

Timberland Women's Chocorua Trail Boot,Brown,8.5 M

Finding the best shoes for Ireland and Scotland doesn’t have to be a hard task once you know what to look out for. So long as your shoe is comfortable, supportive, and will keep your feet dry, you are sure to have a great trip to the British Isles.

What shoes are you considering for your trip to Scotland & Ireland? Have any questions? Let us know in the comments!

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Maggie is a co-founder and writer for The World Was Here First. Originally from the US, she has lived in five different countries and has travelled to dozens more, both solo and with her partner, Michael. She particularly loves exploring Spain and spending time in the Caucasus and the Baltics.

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