Hiking Footwear

Do you need a second pair? As it's summer I would settle on just the trusty hiking shoes and not have to worry about bringing extra footwear. I've been hiking in just my new pair of Merrell shoes for the last few months and as much as I love my Dolomite hiking boots they're just overkill at this time of the year.

This is a major hike, I would go with the hiking boots.

And there we have it....two people, two opposing views lol.

I'll step aside and let the Swiss person advise you.

A week isn’t much time to break a solid pair of boots in. I would go with what you have and save the trail runners for the lesser trails when all you have is a light day pack.

I just looked it up and I sure wouldn’t do trail runners on a 65 mile hike in our mountains let alone Switzerland.

Hello again Tricia, this is a hike that is way above my ability and is not something that is discussed much on this travel forum. Most people here are hiking less ambitious routes - a few hours and a few hundred meters ascent/descent, sometimes a bit more.

I have no personal experience with this hike, but for it’s limited value, my opinion comes from living here in Switzerland, reading the news, being a member of a local hiking group, regularly receiving information put out by REGA (rescue helicopter), and being connected to very serious hikers in the area. I also tend to be as prepared as possible to mitigate any accidents or problems, so my own personality comes into play when I advise things like this...I do know of people who have had to pay dearly for not following advice given by exerts in the field, and when you know personal stories like that it causes you to think differently. In my mind it is best to be as prepared as possible in order to enjoy your experience to the fullest!

For the Bergwanderwege (mountain hiking trails) marked with white/red/white stripes. It is recommended to have sturdy hiking boots. The Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) also recommends boots for long hikes - which this certainly is!

Here is a link to the Swiss alpine club, they have a lot of good information.

https://www.sac-cas.ch/en/training-and-safety/safety/safety-when-hiking/

As you likely know you will be following the Via Alpina stages 10 - 15. You can see them in great detail here with lots of photos that help you to see what your footing might be like at exact locations:

https://schweizmobil.ch/en/hiking-in-switzerland/route-1

I wish you a very wonderful, memorable experience!

I would bring your great pair of hiking shoes that you are used to hiking in. For a second pair, I would bring something comfy like Chacos for when you are not hiking.

Thanks to everyone who responded. I will take hiking boots. :)