Clothing Needs for 12 Day Switzerland

I always take a fleece and my puffer coat. It can be cool in the morning up in the mountains.

I would want closed toe shoes. Some of the trails have little stones that I think could get in an open toe shoe. I always just wear my brooks ghosts running shoes, but I don’t do any serious hiking.

Another thing to be mindful of is that the mountain sun can feel very hot even if the temperature is not that high. So, I would recommend sunscreen and a protective hat. I hate hats, but I learned my lesson one year and now won’t travel to Switzerland without it.

Have a great trip. Sept. is a good time to go.

I’m with Carrie in preferring closed toe shoes for hiking. I’d want a waterproof rain jacket with a hood. I’m pretty cold tolerant so would prefer a puffy vest in case it’s cool but would take lightweight glove liners.

Layers. I personally get by without coats through September by having layers - tshirts, long sleeves, sweatshirts/fleece, headband and waterproof jacket would be fine. I wear bedrock open toe sandals hiking sometimes, but also have trail runners. There are people who hike thousands of miles in hiking sandals, so if that’s what you’re used to, it’s fine, but you’d want some sort of closed toed shoe for higher elevation visits, as September can be sunny and in the 90s or snowing and below freezing. I’ve experienced both within a week of each other in August and September.

Thanks so much for the great suggestions. I guess I will buy closed toe hiking shoes for this trip. I have six pairs of Ecco sandals that I love for Europe, but are all open. I really want to pack light. I was planning on layers and hate the idea of shlepping a puffy coat around if the weather is nice.... but it sounds like I might be wise to bring one. Appreciate your wonderful advice!!!!!

The cities can still be quite warm in early September, and you could wear your open-toed shoes then. I bring a packable down jacket for the summits, which doesn't take much room at all when it smashed down in its little sack. For a brisk evening or mornings in the Alps, especially if it's raining, I combine my packable down jacket with my packable raincoat.
Enjoy this beautiful area. September is a great time to visit.
Safe travels!

Where are you going? I was at Lake Geneva, BO, and Lake Lucerne in late October two years ago, and I wore tshirts often, but I did need light layers and a jacket in mountains, at night.
Def. closed toe shoes.

My friend and I are going on the Rick Steves tour which goes to Luzern, Appenzell, Lake Lugano, Zermatt, Lausanne, Murren, Schiltihorn, and Bern. I still have research to do because I don't know much about this gorgeous country. Nothing worse for me than packing wrong. Thats why I usually go to Europe in warm weather to be able to dine outside at little cafes in summer clothes and sandals. This will be my 16th trip since 2000. I am obsessing about the coat and shoe situation. Thanks for all the helpful advice!!!!
Happy Travels Everyone!