Hello,
On Monday I'm setting off for a trip that includes Cinque Terre and the Swiss Alps. I'm not a serious alpinist, but I do plan to walk the trails in Cinque Terre and to do some relatively short hikes in Switzerland. I know Europeans don't wear sneakers as much as Americans do, but in this case would American trail runners be appropriate? Also, I'd like to get some kind of warm jacket that's not a ski jacket - any suggestions as to what won't stand out? I'm a woman traveling alone and I don't want to stick out like a sore thumb. Thanks!
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
For this time of year, a light wind breaker will be all you need.
Don't worry about "standing out" in the Swiss Alps. Just wear a comfortable shoe that offers good support. Nobody will notice, and sneakers will hardly be out of place.
Posted by
OP
Boston, MA, USA
4 posts
Ok thanks!
Posted by
Seattle, WA
689 posts
Hikers will be wearing practical clothes, so trail runners will be fine. There's a big difference between wearing them on the trail and wearing them to dinner in Milan or Zurich, after all.
Posted by
OP
Boston, MA, USA
4 posts
Ha ha good point.
Posted by
Saltcoats, SK
21 posts
Have a great time. I will be going there next July.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, U.S.
55 posts
I was in both Italy and Switzerland a few months ago, and quite frankly saw more sneakers and goofy graphic jackets than anywhere in the U.S. Wear what you want. Trail runners, running shoes, teva's, flip flops, all good. The Cinque Terre requires at the very least running shoes, but Trail runners would be ideal. Switzerland there are more white sneakers than anywhere I've seen, and I've been to many countries. Don't sweat the outfits, too conservative and you will stand out more than any local. The urban legend that Europeans do not wear sneakers is a joke. I saw more New York Yankees hats and Brazilian soccer sweatshirts and shoes than any place we visited. All worn by Italians. Quite alarming. All massively garish and loud colors.
Get a light North Face jacket for Switzerland, it'll be colder and probably wetter than most places in Italy.
Posted by
OP
Boston, MA, USA
4 posts
Thanks! Sometimes it's hard to tell what to expect from the rumors about European style so I'm glad to hear they wear their fair share of sneakers. And I had no idea that the trails were at all rugged at Cinque Terre so thanks for the heads up!
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
I was just in Cinque Terre for the first time in June 2009. I took some old worn-out sneakers to wear on the trails, and my intentions were to just throw them away at the end of my Cinque Terre journies.
The trails were muddy and the rocks slippery. In hindsight old worn-out sneakers were not a good choice. I didn't understand that some parts of the trails were quite rugged, and I should have had better shoes.
But there were actually some people on the trail with much worse shoes than mine. I actually saw a lady walking on the trail in high heels!!!
I did end up throwing my shoes away (they were already worn out), and they were also caked with mud. So take the advice of someone who chose poorly (me) and wear some practical shoes for the Cinque Terre trails. The trails are serious and not just a "walk in the park".