This forum has been such a great help on planning European travel! Here is another question.
Our 5 week trip in April/May includes Italy, Switzerland, and France with 5 days in the Alps (Wengen 9-13 May). We are 80 and carry our own luggage on/off trains etc. We don’t want to haul parkas and boots around western Europe and understand that rental is available if needed when we visit colder parts of the Alps Has anyone done this? Any recommendations on vendors, when to contact them, or other suggestions would be appreciated. We always pack layers and light-weight waterproof jackets, but may need warmer jackets and better footwear at the higher elevations. Thank you for your thoughts.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
16692 posts
I have not rented winter gear in Switzerland but long ago and far away rented winter gear for snowmobiling in Yellowstone. The suits were gross and then putting your feet in used boots was yucky. The Swiss probably have better hygiene standards than West Yellowstone in the 90’s,
I do recommend considering an inexpensive puffy jacket from the brand 32 Degrees. This is a brand sold by Costco if you’re members but you can also get them at the 32Degrees.com website. They squish down small and you’d want your rain layers to be big enough to wear over them.
I’d also get the wool socks from Costco (if they have any left this late in the year) to wear with your usual touring shoes.
Are you planning to actually do hiking or just sightseeing?
Posted by
OP
lake forest park, washington, usa
167 posts
Thank you for your information. The point for me is that I don't want to take a puffy jacket and boots in my luggage.
Every bit of packing space is precious when I have to carry my small roller and backpack while traveling for 35 days.
So I am hoping for more info about renting in Switzerland from people who have done that.
Posted by
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
5612 posts
That's a question I've never seen asked on the Forum before so out of curiosity I had to look it up. Here's one website I looked at. https://www.flexrent.ch/en/
Posted by
Arctophilia, Northamptonshire, England
36389 posts
it is a difficult question.
Unfortunately the place linked by Allen is in Zermatt when susan will be in Wengen, and they are not open after April.
Thanks for the further detail, susan.
I am unclear how much outdoors activity at high altitudes you plan for. Do you intend a day of activity at altitude, such as tubing or hiking the Jungfraujoch, or will you go up, look around, and go down?
By mid May some days may be quite warm, or you can get late mud and snow. Too late for winter activities, not yet ready for summer.
Posted by
Arctophilia, Northamptonshire, England
36389 posts
you could try this webpage with a list of rental places in Mürren - probably mostly for the winter season but you could try...
https://muerren.swiss/en/discover/shopping-and-rental.html?filtercategories1841%5B%5D=muerren_rental
Posted by
Arctophilia, Northamptonshire, England
36389 posts
The main Intersport in Mürren (from that link) is open year round, they say this:
The main shop Intersport Mürren, in the middle of the village centre, offers fashionable and sporty clothing - whether for summer or winter. In particular, we hire out bikes and equipment for the Via Ferrata climbing route.