Footwear for light packing Switzerland in May

Posted by susan (lake forest park, washington, usa) on 09/25/25 10:55 PM

Hi all: I have set itinerary and booked hotels. Ouch! Switzerland really is expensive! Our 5-week trip starts April 18 in France , then Italy, then Switzerland May 2-13 and out to France again. Need to pack light. Earlier someone recommended for that time of year I only need good waterproof sneakers -- We have waterproof On-Clouds. Good tread and are black so can be dressed up a bit.

But, is this sufficient for 5 days in Wengen area, then 3 days Lucerne (Mt Rigi and Mt Pilatus?
Would Yaktrax be a sufficient add-on - or too much for May??? Really at a loss. Would like to avoid packing boots for husband and me, but don't want to be unable to do light/easy hiking. Thank you for all Ideas and information from experience.

Posted by travel4fun

Oregon

09/25/25 11:57 PM

2904 posts

YakTrax are for ice. If it is icy, the trails will be closed. Expect many of the higher elevation trails to be closed until mid June.

If you end up needing them, buy them there.

Posted by Barkinpark

Bay Area, California

09/26/25 12:07 AM

1829 posts

I don't know your brand of shoes, but make sure they protect your ankles and provide decent tread.

Posted by SwissNomad

Switzerland

09/26/25 07:28 AM

333 posts

There is potential to find patches of ice on trails that are open - as with all things the Swiss expect people to use common sense when hiking, you can't expect an open trail to mean that you will face no obstacles and you should always be ready for them.

I would say that it is still possible to encounter icy patches at the beginning of May. All hiking/outdoor stores here carry Yaktrax or a comparable brand. If you really don't want to pack them you can wait until you are here and get some if needed. Just a small patch of ice has the potential to ruin your holiday.

On Cloud are sneakers, are you able to bring footwear that just as light weight but made for hiking? This will give you proper traction for hiking trails (this is even without any ice, footwear that is made for paved roads is not the same as those made for trails).

Edited to add: I have encountered ice on the Schilthorn viewing platform (and other mountains as well, in April and right through late May) - there were signs up saying that the platform was slippery, so anyone who didn’t want to deal with that could stay inside, but it would be a shame not to be able to enjoy it fully, just looking out the window is not quite the same.

Posted by jasonindenver

10/05/25 05:56 PM

423 posts

The On Cloud waterproof sole tread is primarily for urban walking. Not hiking trails and certainly not for snow, slush or ice. Trust me - I rely on this shoe (on my 3rd pair) for urban travel but cannot wear them safely here in Colorado in the winter (zero traction and dangerous as hell) and do not find the traction suitable for anything more challenging than a flat gravel path.

For what you want you need the tread of their trail shoes like the Cloud Rock or Vista.