What shoes to wear on a long weekend to Berlin?

[PutThatCatOutNow]

DD and I are spending a long weekend in Berlin this half term. It's likely to be v. cold and possibly snowing. So my question is, what sort of footwear is suitable (for both me and 16 year old DD)?

I live in Berlin and it's minus 10 right now, but very little snow on the ground. You'll need very warm flat boots for walking round the town, preferably fur lined - we tend to wear our winter hiking boots in this weather. Any sort of shoes would be pretty unsuitable and even dangerous. DD1, 13, has fur-lined suede boots that go to below her knees, but in weather this cold she's gone over to wearing her winter riding boots round town. Berlin is not a 'fancy' city (unlike Munich or Düsseldorf), people tend to prefer casual and warm. However, there are very strict rules dictating who is responsible for clearing pavements of snow and ice - generally it's whoever owns the house behind that stretch of pavement, and you can sue either the house owner or local council if you fall and hurt yourself. It means that the pavements in town are usually fairly safe.

When is half term anyway? I don't think we're going to get much serious snow over the next week (although it's snowing a bit right now). Have fun!

Thanks for that! We're going on the 12th Feb. So if there is snow are pavements well gritted etc?

By law they have to be gritted. Last winter there were a few accidents because house owners weren't clearing and gritting properly sothis winter the council is being a lot tougher. It's still a good idea to take ice cleats though.

This is my first winter in Berlin and I'm finding it bloody freezing! Definitely warm boots required, and I'd say several layers of everything cold-proof. But that may just be me not yet acclimatised.

But the pavements have been OK so far - I think perhaps the snow is so cold that it isn't too slippery.

Enjoy your trip! (and hello to Tenebrist :) )

We went to Berlin for Feb half term last year with DC aged 2 and 4. It was really cold, minus 10 all the time. We layered up lots, so tights/leggings under trousers etc. Warm flat boots with an extra pair of socks worked ok.

Have you got any Uniqlo Heattech tops? I wouldn't be without them in cold weather. M&S do a version too inc a leopard print one but I can't recall the name. I think they have 25% off atm and are fantastic as a base layer or two. They do Heattech leggings and socks too in Uniqlo that are well worth it. I wear fleece insoles in my boots in winter (Celtic Sheepskin) though they take a few wears to flatten down in your shoes so worth wearing them in pre holiday.

[Waves back to Peri - what part of B are you in?]

Hi Put, I hope you've got your thermals ready. It was minus 20 the night before last, a mere minus 10 right now at midday. The forecast is that it will get a bit warmer over the next few days - as warm as minus 4 - and snow quite a bit on Thursday, but then it's going to get down as low as minus 20 again on Saturday night. It's the coldest recorded temperatures in 25 years - if the lakes are frozen we'll be out skating this weekend.

You'll need as a minimum:

Thick leggings/tights under winter trousers such as jeans. Three layers would be best, thermal leggings even better.

At least three of four layers on tops, including a windproof fleece and a thick coat.

Hat that covers your ears, thick scarf (which you can pull up to cover your mouth and nose), thick gloves (thick woolen gloves are more practical in the city than ski gloves, but ski gloves are better for walks in parks).

At least two pairs of socks, one of which should be ski/hiking socks. On top the fur-lined boots or hiking boots with a thick sole. I made the mistake of going out a few days ago in my Docs and it was miserable, despite three pairs of socks.

Send me a mail if you need any tips or advice over the weekend.