Hiking boots/shoes needed for CT?

Yes.

Although I bring low cut hiking boots/shoes.

I don't recommend it. It I see people hiking the Cinque Terre in flips flops and dress shoes.

I've hiked it in tennis shoes.

Have hiked it in tennis shoes and also in sandals. Saw some people hiking in flip flops, which was foolhardy. If you have well-fitting, strapped or tied on shoes with some sort of tread on the bottom you will be fine. Would never pack hiking boots just for this portion of my vacation. Too heavy and take too much room in luggage.

pm,

IMO, hiking shoes/boots are not needed for hiking the Sentiero Azzurro trails. If you were hiking any of the other longer trails which extend further up into the hills, hiking shoes would perhaps be warranted. If you have a good pair of robust walking shoes, that should be fine. I usually only take one pair of good quality, outdoor shoes to Europe, and these suffice for hiking as well as waking around cities, etc.

I've seen all kinds of footwear on the trails from high top hiking boots (usually Germans & Austrians, complete with hiking poles) to cheap rubber flip-flops (often teenagers). The key point to remember is to take it slow in those parts of the trail that are more challenging (rocky or uneven areas) but you should be able to walk normally in other parts

Note that only two segments of the S.A. trails are open at the present time, and you'll need to buy a Park Pass to access those. I'd suggest starting from the Monterosso end, as that's the most challenging section and best to do when well rested. Be sure to take lots of water.

We hiked the portion from Vernazza to Monterosso last July. There was a huge thunderstorm early that morning (loudest thunder I've heard in my life!) so the trail was probably as "bad as it gets". I wore Teva sandals and did great. Saw the variety of footwear described by previous posters, plus a couple teenage girls in heels! Ground is very uneven....I spent the majority of the time looking down to watch my footing - so make sure to stop often to take in the surroundings and the views! As long as your footwear is stable- you'll be fine.

Have a great time!!!

I've done it with canvas tennis shoes only. I've seen people with sandals and flip flops. I've done with sandals only the via dell'amore only, which some people even do barefoot (not Italians).
Having closed sandals (no open toes) or tennis shoes is a good idea, in my opinion, if you do Monterosso to Corniglia. Hiking boots is overkill. You are not climbing the Everest.

Several years ago I was going to the Cinque Terre and was looking for hiking shoes/boots. In the end, because they fit his "one pair of shoes to Europe" mantra, I bought a pair of Ecco shoes that Rick was wearing on one of his lectures. They were fabulous then, and later on three other trips there, and are still great as I plan my first solo trip to Italy and France in September (again with one pair of shoes). They have a leather upper, soles that were designed for hiking and they also have Gor-Tex which prevents water from getting to your feet if it rains. They are great looking shoes and soooo comfortable, and I've worn with various kinds of clothing along with jeans even shorts. They cost around $200 and from the reviews I've read, and my own personal experience, the leather upper will outwear the soles.

You can view them on

http://www.amazon.com/ECCO-Track-Gore-Tex-Oxford-10-10-5/dp/B000H71Z0U/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1433193633&sr=8-2&keywords=ecco+hiking+shoes

Thanks so much for the advice and info, everyone! You've been so helpful! Now I'm not so worried about it.
Gotta say that I love this forum, I'm getting a lot of questions answered!
Pat

I have a pair of ecco walking shoes and have hiked the trail from Vernazza to Monterosso in them wihtout any problem. Gave them a good cleaning afterwards that was it.

I concur with Jim, those Eccos are great shoes and serve the purpose well of hiking mild to rugged trails and walking around the cities and their cobble stones. I still bring a second pair. It good for the feet to mix and match.