Hiking Footwear - Cinque Terre and the Dolomites

We hike extensively in both areas, and I would not be without my mid-ankle hiking boots. The Cinque Terre trails can be rough as there are lots of rocks and they are not groomed as many are in the U.S. For a hiking-heavy trip I take the boots, a casual street shoe and slip in a sandal in summer.

We have hiked the Path of the Gods on the Amalfi Coast, ALL of the Cinque Terre coastal trails, 2 weeks of hiking in Croatia and Slovenia, and I wear my low cut Skecher slip ons for EVERY hike.

These become my "go-to" shoe for any water activity ,kayaking or beaches, and full day walks in a city.

We live in Boulder and I wear these same shoes for hiking trails throughout Colorado.

If I was doing a strenuous climb or an all day hike for 10 hours, I might consider something else.

But my carry-on bag stays light !!

Carla, could you please, please provide a link to the slip-ons you are talking about -- I believe that is exactly the kind of all-purpose travel footwear I need...actually do you know if there is a comparable men's slip-ons?? I love the sketchers brand.

I will be doing a circuit similar to the OP, although probably not as intense.

Look at skechers.com - they are similar to the Breathe Easy Big Break or Breathe Easy Pretty Lady.

I bought mine at DSW.

I found that I did not need heavy tread boots for any of the hikes/walks/kayaking that we have ever done !

I brought low cut Asolo hiking boots for the CT trails. We also hiked outside Fiesole on this trip. Totally worth the hassle of bringing the hiking boots. The trail on the CT is pretty sandy, kind of slippery. I didn't feel secure foot wear wise in tennis shoes that have smooth soles. Perhaps a pair of trail runners - that would work in the city and on the trail. Something with more support is ideal.

GB,

Unless you're going to be doing a lot of heavy-duty hiking on really rough terrain, I doubt that hiking boots would be needed. I'm not familiar with the trails you mentioned, so don't know how challenging they might be.

I've found that a good robust pair of outdoor walking shoes has been sufficient (ECCO Trac II Low), and I use them both for hiking as well as walking in cities. I have done some hiking in the Cinque Terre and they were more than adequate for that.

Did the hike from Monterosso to Vernazza to Corniglia on the trail. Then we did the higher trail from Corniglia to Manarola that was a lot steeper and tougher. I only bring one pair of shoes whichi are more dressy then rugged, my ecco walkers and I had no issues on the trails. Friends with me all had sneakers on. none of us had hiking boots.

For any real trekking, your "hiking boots" would be mandatory Given a choice between "city" shoes and trainers, pick the one that you would feel the most comfortable wearing after of full day of trekking.

Hiking boots are not permitted in huts. I don't have Dolmites experience but clean trainers are acceptable as hut footwear in Norway. The other alternative is to wear shower sandals in the huts.
http://luxeadventuretraveler.com/10-tips-hiking-dolomites-alta-1/
10 Tips for Hiking Italy’s Dolomites Alta Via 1:

Tip 3. Bring sandals.

Most the rifugios require you to remove your boots before entering the
main areas of the hut. Also, you’ll want them for showering to avoid
getting athlete’s foot. Plus, they are great for taking your shoes off
on longer breaks or when you find a nice cold stream to soak them in.

Thank you everyone! Your feedback was very helpful

If weight is a concern look into "trail running shoes" at your closest REI or EMS store. I own a couple of pair of Salomon's and recommend that brand. Much different than tennis, cross trainers or running shoes but may look similar.
They would perfect for such hikes. Have used mine to hike the Grand Canyon, many peaks and they are also my go to whenever climbing slippery walks near the ocean.
I will be packing mine for hiking in the Cinque Terre and also the Dolomites later this year as well.
Really don't see why you would need true hiking boots over these unless going in the winter months (provided you do not have weak ankles to start with)

Main question will be waterproof or not. Waterproof obviously has benefits but they are not breathable so would recommend for these locations the non-waterproof.
Here is a link for example of what these look like, they have mens and ladies.
https://www.rei.com/b/salomon/c/mens-trail-running-shoes?r=category%3Afootwear%7Cmens-footwear%7Cmens-shoes%7Cmens-running-shoes%7Cmens-trail-running-shoes%3Bb&ir=category%3Amens-trail-running-shoes
They have great grip and offer the needed front toe protection which are the 2 things you would want I think. I like to keep my bags and also the weight on my legs light when hiking.

Whatever you choose, buy them and wear them a decent amount a month before your trip. Worse thing you can do is break out a new pair for your first hike on your trip. That is an invitation for blisters.

At 53, I am getting old, but I still remember the day I walked the Viel dal Pan. I think I was 10 or so. The track is easy and flat but the last section descending to lake Fedaia is still in my memory as quite steep; I found it a bit scary but I was a child. At the time, in spite of the track being doable with children, nobody in his/her mind would have considered doing it without at least light mountain boots: you need to be sure-footed. Trainers were for playing tennis. - I believe now the track is as busy as a Sunday afternoon urban passeggiata and I would bet everybody walks it in trainers, but I would not do it.

I have tried to find an image on google, this is very much like the images in my mind:
http://www.lookarounditaly.it/gallery-view/dolomiti-spettacolo-natura/

We did also the round trip around lago di Braies several times; I was marginally older. Much easier hike. As you start from the parking place, the track on the right side of the lake is very easy and you could almost do it in city shoes. When you come back along the left side there are a few passages where the track can get muddy, especially if it has rained the day before.

Viel de Pan looks like an adventure: http://www.rifugiovieldalpan.com/gb/accessi.htm

We would like to remind visitors that the entire Passo Pordoi - Passo
Fedaia tour takes about 3 hours and furthermore that the refuge
represents a stop on the Alta Via n. 2 route (Link)

http://dolomitesport.com/activities/hiking-2/alta-via-two/

The Dolomites Alta Via 2

Just because it’s the Alta Via 2 does not mean it comes in second. In
fact, depending on what you are looking for in a multi-day long trail,
the Alta Via 2 may well be number one.

The 1 and 2 parallel one another through the heartland of the
Dolomites, but the Alta Via 2, depending on which variation you take,
is more rugged and may even require some Via Ferrata sections.

WooHoo, I am going in Sept to hike the Dolomites. I have hike the Coast to Coast (190+ miles). and would not set foot on a rocky trail without ankle height leather boots. If one was "paying" to go on an organized hike they would insist on good broken in hiking boots. It only takes one turn of the ankle and you are DONE. I wear my hiking boots onto the plane, and have my "other" shoes in the carry on, have a quick foot wear change on the plane and you are good to go. Two carry on bags, one in the overhead and one at my seat with food, shoes, purse, book etc. have wonderful time......ciao

These days, I far prefer trail running shoes for the hiking I do here in the US. They have very chunky lug soles yet are extremely comfortable for full days of hiking. But I'm hoping to do 2-3 via ferrate while in the Dolomites this September. Do those of you who have hiked in the Dolomites have any advice as to whether my usual trail running shoes will be adequate/accepted by the climbing school/hiking guides for those? I'm thinking if I really need to bring my true hiking boots for those 2-3 days, I will try to ship them home from Trento before I drop off the rental car . . . .

Just an opinion, but I brought both Skechers low cut and Keen mid-ankle hiking boots to Italy, and the Skechers do not cut the mustard. The bottom of my feet hurt when on rough surfaces and they do not seem to be as well made as they were just two or three years ago. I thought they would be the answer here in Italy between steep hill towns and the trails, but the Keen's win out every time. For me, I believe that my particular skechers are very stretchy and move too much when walking on anything other than a regular asphalt street. My feet have problems with arthritis, and the Keens definitely give me the support and cushion I need.

As I stated in another post, I used to be in the shoe business.
Just because you see other people hiking in their tennis shoes that does not mean they know what they are doing. In fact, most people wear shoes that are inappropriate for the activity. They're just lucky not to sustain an injury. They don't think of shoes as tools. You need the right equipment for the activity.

In this case, look at the terrain. If the trail is level, paved or packed dirt without much loose rock, then low cut or "tennis" shoes would be OK.

If there are loose rocks or uneven grounds, then you need to protect your ankle from possible sprain. You need at least a mid-cut shoe. You need a thick sole (possibly Vibram) so if it rains, you will not slip.

Unfortunately, unlike tools there is no "Swiss army knife" equivalent in shoes. One pair of shoes that is good for all occasions and activities. Given what other people have written, you need some sort of hiking/walking boot. It beats spraining your ankle on your vacation.
Here is a suggestion: New Balance waterproof, mid-cut walking boot at 15.2 oz.
http://www.newbalance.com/pd/new-balance-1400v1/MW1400.html?dwvar_MW1400_color=Brown#color=Brown