Poland weather-snow???

[Pinkballetfrog]

I am due to go to Poland next week. I checked the weather and it's -11.

I am somewhat prepared with a wool jumper and socks and hat.

I am anxious about shoes. I have runners but I think they might not be suitable for snow/ice.

Should I get a hiking boot/shoe for the trip? Something with a good grip at the end of the shoes? I won't be able to bring spare shoes due to baggage allowance. Would shoes be hard to break into now? I have wool socks.

You need boots for -11.

As ugly as they are the only thing that kept my feet warm in Poland was Uggs, I also wore thermal tights under jeans/trousers, thermal vest and plenty of layers and a warm waterproof coat. I also went at the end of January it was bitterly cold.

Where in Poland are you going?
I'd say hiking boots for Zakopane but not so much for Sopot.

Krakow

I have some thermal vest and leggings and wool leg warmers and socks and hats. My partner won't wear a hat usually but he has no choice in the matter. He will have to wear a hat.

You need boots of some kind , not hiking boots for Krakow but something warm and weatherproof. If you're going to Auschwitz Birkenau it was bleak and desolate there is little protection from the weather, so really wrap up.
If you have a particularly bad weather day go into the salt mines, it's really cool and interesting and has a constant ambient temperature of around 16 degrees

I don't usually wear boots. I never thought about boots. I was thinking about hiking shoes with a grip.

The city centre was very well gritted , I also took trainers but my feet were just too cold

If you are going to the city won't you be indoors most of the time.
I over wrapped when I went to Kiev and I ended up roasting even though it was freezing!! I was nearly passing out when I went into a coffee shop or pub I had that many layers on! It was supposed to be -10!

You need waterproof with a reasonably thick sole for warmth

Sorel boots. Make sure they're waterproof ones. There's loads of different styles.

Would this be suitable?

They'll need breaking in.

You can get snow grips for your shoes/boots. They act like tyre chains for your feet.

I don’t live far from Poland, it’s minus 7 here at the moment. Deichmann is your friend for the right kind of solid, fur-lined boots that look good in the city too. You don’t need a fancy brand. My boots this and last winter are the attached black ones, I wear them with two pairs of ski socks or hiking socks. And thermal tights/leggings from Primark. At these kind of temps we tend to wear ski gloves and a thick woollen hat. If we had really deep snowfall I‘d probably swap to my leather hiking boots and possibly pop on some spikes too for the first day or two, but no need if it’s just cold. Have fun!

Would a sole like this be good for snow?

My partner says he doesn't want new shoes but his shoes are very flat and I am apprehensive about them in the snow. Should I go ahead and order him shoes anyways?

His current shoes will not be suitable.

Shoe grippers as above, and foot warmer inserts (can get similar for gloves) are great. Neither too expensive and will sort your BF out. But don't worry about him, concentrate on yourself Madam.

HOTHANDS Insole warmers 5P - Adhesive - Long lasting - Up to 9 hours of heat - Odourless - Air activated : Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Outdoors

My partner prefers shoes like this. Completely flat. The soles would be somewhat a little worn now.

I know there are shoe grippers. If I was to buy a pair he probably still won't use them.

He likes his shoes flat.
That's going to be useless in snow.

Why are you mothering him so much? Just sort yourself out, and let him do his own thing, which he will anyway!

Oh, and in case you haven't seen it yet, this thread might be of interest to you.

Have a great time!

Anyone been to Krakow... advice please | Mumsnet

A family member went to the Baltic states in November and said the tourists were slipping and sliding around all over the place - mostly Americans though so i wonder if they were wearing trainers!
That said, he said was only wearing ordinary leather boots that he wears in the UK with chunky soles but took waterproof socks to wear so that if the leather got wet in the snow his feet stayed dry.

These are great. Warm and pretty weatherproof. Good grip.

https://gb.ecco.com/en-GB/product/5643268947/ECCO-GRAINER-W?_gl=1z0361d_upMQ.._gaMTIyOTA3OTU5OS4xNzA0OTcwNjYy_ga_7E8F3FERWQMTcwNDk3MDY2MS4xLjAuMTcwNDk3MDY2MS4wLjAuMA.._ga_ENS02DW3B9*MTcwNDk3MDY2MS4xLjAuMTcwNDk3MDY2MS4wLjAuMA..&gclid=eac86e1017b214056a1b0b8fde10c1ac&gclsrc=3p.ds

The other ones I’ve had in the past for city/snow scenarios were a pair of boots by el naturalista.

Both of these options were pretty indestructible imo.

I'm not mothering him. He's my partner. Why would I not look after him if I can? I don't want to see him slip and fall and possibly have to go to hospital. Nor do I want to see him get sick. He is someone who is a jeans and T-shirt type of a person. I have a baselayer top for him anyways. I have a hat for him too. He won't wear it but he will have to.

I am nearly ready and just exploring shoes/boots which I never thought about til now.