We are doing the RST Switzerland tour in mid September. I’m thinking I should be prepared for snow at the higher elevations. I am 70 so we won’t be doing a lot of hiking, but want to spend some time on trails to see the beauty. Any suggestions on shoes for that time of year, keeping in mind we will be doing a carry on only.
Posted by
30 posts
I do carryon, too. I wear trail runners with a good vibram sole on the plane, so no need to pack them.
Posted by
Bend, OR
2221 posts
No one is doing well on predicting the weather these days. We were in Switzerland in October a few years ago and I was wishing I had packed lighter weight clothes for several of the days. I would have a pair of trainers with good grips as already suggested but IMO, they should also be GTX (or waterproof). I really don’t think you should be worried about packing snow boots in September but who knows.
Posted by
101 posts
I went on the Switzerland tour last September. I had tennis shoes and they were fine. The only time we encountered snow was on the top of Mt Schilthorn. It had snowed several inches the night before we were there. I was glad to have a hat, gloves and my mid-winter jacket when we were tromping around the observation decks taking pictures.
Posted by
30 posts
Just to clarify for the OP, GTX means the uppers are Gortex. It has nothing to do with the tread.
Posted by
43 posts
I was on this tour last September/October. No snow except for at the tops of Mt. Pilatus and the Schilthorn. I wore Merrell hiking sneakers and they worked great.
Posted by
Minneapolis
163 posts
Monitor Meteo Swiss before you go to get an idea of the weather the first few days. Last September it was in the 20's celsius so I swapped a pair of long pants for shorts. I started using arm warmers instead of an extra long sleeve shirt, more flexibility and less luggage space
Posted by
OP
35 posts
Thanks for the replies. I know here in Kentucky the best way to forecast the weather is look out the window! It’s so variable anymore. Sounds like I may try to find a fairly light and comfortable pair of trail shoes. If Im going to be tromping thru airports in them they need to be comfy, although our connections this trip should be much easier with no European flight connections. We fly direct to Zurich from Chicago. Still debating on waterproof or not, my feet are sweaters!
Posted by
Chicago
4538 posts
I’ve been to Switzerland multiple times from Chicago and have always just worn the shoes on my feet—Brooks Ghosts.
I’m returning to Switzerland this September on the Rick Steves My Way Alps Tour, and I’ll again be wearing only my Brooks Ghosts.
I’ve never found the need for waterproof shoes, even in Scotland and Ireland. I always carry a small umbrella, and I’m generally not out walking through puddles. If my shoes do get wet, I just let them dry overnight. My Darn Tough wool socks also do a great job of keeping my feet warm.
Have a great trip!!