Packing for Switzerland now. I plan to hike but don't have a particular plan. Nothing too strenuous. I have one pair of waterproof hiking boots and one pair of waterproof hiking shoes. Trying to pack as light as can. Not sure of the trail conditions and would like a recommendation from someone who has hiked there. The shoes would obviously lighter and less bulky but would not have the ankle support. What do you think?
Posted by
Nederland, CO
1437 posts
Almost all trails in the Lauterbrunnen area (haven't hiked anywhere else) are very well groomed - with the exception of the ridge trail between First and Schynyge Platte - which I have done "most of" (a whole nother story) in hiking shoes and was just fine. The only real advantage of boots over shoes is ankle stability. We always limit ourselves to one pair of shoes, do quite a bit of biking and hiking and get along fine with hiking shoes. We've also done the Sprutz waterfall hike in hiking shoes and were just fine. I live in Colorado and do hike in boots - usually when hiking over 4 miles, but the terrain here is generally very rocky and not groomed like the trails in Switzerland. Hope this helps!
Posted by
OP
3 posts
It does. Thank you so much.
Posted by
Long Beach, California, USA
3391 posts
I have hiked through quite of bit of Switzerland in boots, trail runners, and regular tennis shoes. I have only used the boots once and, after that one time, didn't really feel they were necessary. Heavy to pack and overkill. Most trails are not overly rugged and are easily navigated with just heftier shoes. Leave the boots at home. I just bought a new pair of Keens hiking shoes and have used them once in the Dolomites which is very similar to Switzerland...they were perfect!
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Hiking shoes it is. I bought ahnu sugarpines. Leaving tomorrow. Thank you for your help!!
Posted by
Nice, France & San Francisco
678 posts
Enjoy your trip! If your hikes are the major ones that tourists tend to go on, you should be fine with the shoes. I've been on a lot of the less common, less touristed hikes and have found some where I appreciated the boots, but I have wonky ankles.
Posted by
USA
2 posts
I wore Lowa Renegade hiking boots (leather with Gore Tex lining) for two weeks in Switzerland while hiking all around the Wengen area. Just returned two days ago. It rained a lot, which I don't think is uncommon since moss grows quite thick there. Still beautiful though and we hope to return for a lot more hiking. We hiked mostly white-red-white (mountain) trails that were not technically difficult but required steep climbs and descents over rocky and tree-rooted terrain; as well as wet and muddy cow pastures and a couple of shallow, small stream crossings. The Lowa Renegade boots were great, except when making steep descents; this model - for me at least - didn't have aggressive enough tread or enough of a heel to prevent rolling on rocks during steep downhill walks, even though I always used good hiking sticks. Before I hike this type of terrain again, I will invest in the next level of Lowa boots. I do not know, but I'm guessing that lighter weight people might not slip as much when walking down steep hills; I weighed about 200 pounds not counting my backpack, water bottles, food, rain gear, and other things. My wife is not much more than half my weight and I don't think she ever did roll over a rock while wearing similar Lowa boots - so there! By the way, Lowa is pronounced "Lova" in German. I also would never do these hikes without a pair of good walking sticks; we used Lekis that collapsed into a size that fits within a small backpack of ease of taking trains, cables cars, etc.