Another shoe post - hiking boots?

For easy to moderate summer “hiking” in the Rockies or the Alps (Berner Oberland), I’ve worn Nike cross trainers in the past. I have a pair of Salomon hiking shoes and have used them in places like Yellowstone or RMNP before, but I prefer the cross trainers for their lightweight construction. If you were planning something a little more challenging, a hiking shoe/boot might be a better choice. I am not a serious hiker but will stay out on the trails all day once I'm out there...the cross trainers are comfortable all day. The only drawback is that they could get wet. I can’t fill up my carry-on with extra shoes/gear, however. Just my opinion on what has worked for me. I should mention that I wear the Salomons when in RMNP in the spring with snow still on many of the trails.

I don't know HOW people go on a serious trek with only one pair of shoes (like Rick, who's always got a van load of producers and camera operators in tow, recommends.)

But please think twice about bringing THREE pairs of shoes!

Dressy walking hybrids for in town, hiking boot/running shoes for the scenic trails. That should be plenty, no?

We've always taken hiking boots to hit the trails, but this year we're trying lightweight running shoes in order to save an extra pound of schlepping.

The boots are indeed bulky. And now that we're nearing fifty, for one or two half-day hikes a week, it just doesn't seem worth it any more.

I took hiking boots on my first trip to Switzerland and it was a huge mistake. Granted, I did a lot of hiking, but since they were so heavy and bulky I had to wear then when traveling from place to place, which looked really, really stupid (I cared less about that back then, but still). If you're only doing one hike and think your feet would be okay, tennis shoes should be fine. I'm going to Switzerland this fall and will be doing a bunch of hiking so I'll bring a lightweight hiking shoe.

Mary, I do not know how difficult the terrain will be on "one of the less challenging trails" you plan to do. I do know that the Swiss idea of a challenging trail is a notch or two above our American idea of such a trail because they are accomplished alpine hikers whereas few Americans are. When I've hiked in Switzerland, I have been glad I had hiking boots for the trails, as has my wife. If the Timberlands you have are a mid-height they certainly would work; an ankle height might be too much, although my wife and I found them essential on some of the challenging trails we did. Hiking boots offer two advantages--ankle support and sole protection from rocks underfoot. Running/tennis shoes are designed for smooth surfaces and do not give under-foot protection. That makes such shoes inadequate for mountain trail hiking even if the trails are not challenging. Lightweight hikers are for that purpose.

I agree with Bill about making do with only two pair of shoes--one for hiking and another for city/street wear. As for the Birks and Danskos, I do have this question--do you think they will give you enough cushioning for walking hard city streets, if you are going to do that? I only ask because my sister recently returned a pair of Dansko clogs she had purchased for a trip to Italy after she came to the conclusion they would not cushion her feet on the hard streets of Rome and Florence.

Enjoy your hiking!