Boots or runners (sneakers)?

I wouldn't hike in Alps without some kind of ankle support. Unless you plan to stick to the most gentle of all trails, you will likely encounter some uneven and rocky terrain.

I think it depends on a few factors: How much hiking? What types of conditions? And how old are you? IME, downhill hiking at a steep grade is the hardest/most likely to injure you and warrants actual hiking boots. Especially if you're in the Alps which have a lot of crumbling rocks, tree roots, and other obstacles in the paths. And as my husband painfully learned this summer, age definitely is a factor. I have a hard time admitting I'm not as agile as I used to be. If you don't want actual hiking boots, I'd say that trail walking or even trail running shoes are definitely worth it. Street running shoes would be okay only if you're sticking to flat, smooth paths. I survived a week in the French Alps with my trail running shoes and did okay. But my husband would have been better off with real hiking boots, as he twisted his ankle.

My husband and I hiked in Chamonix last September. I found a stylish pair of maryjanes with hiking soles at an outdoor store that were just right. Since they weren't as clunky as hiking boots, they were lighter to travel with, and I wore them with capris the rest of the 3 weeks we were in France. Have fun!

Karen, I agree with Tom and would add that even a stone bruise can make you wish you had brought the right shoes. Hiking boots for the mountains, sneakers are OK for the cities and villages.

Thanks so much for your help. I was looking for a way to pare down the baggage. We're going to wear our boots on the plane - and take them off, of course! Taking runners as well.