We will be in Wengen for 3 days in early September. Then we will do a 2 week Insight bus tour of Switzerland.
Is there any need to bring sandals?
It's so hard to know what we will need. It could be cold & snowy in the high altitudes .
Any advice is helpful.
Thanks.

When I go to Switzerland, usually at that time of year I take a pair of walking shoes for wet weather, a pair of sandals for evenings when I'm not wearing trousers (by the way I'm female and trousers are my usual day wear) and a pair of trainers or walking boots for any days walking. Because I know I have weak ankles and want some support. For a coach tour I would probably take the same, with a pair of comfortable shoes to wear while sitting on the coach, which could double up as my wet weather shoes or wear sandals, it's down to personal preference. Weatherwise I doubt if Wengen will be cold or snowy,you might want a light jacket or sweater in case it is cool

You never "need" sandals except at a beach resort. In Switz in Sept you are more likely to need closed, wateproofed shoes.

Sorry NYtraveler. September 2007 I spent two weeks in Kandersteg and had no rain at all, In 2006 the same time of year in Interlaken same weather, yes there can be wet days but I would not say you would not need sandals, it's a matter of personal choice

I personally like comfortable sandals for walking, and to wear around the hotel, etc. And would use them for Switzerland early fall.

I also take a pair of running shoes (Nike Air) and a pair of walking shoes (like Merrill mocs).

I am firmly in the waterproof shoes camp personally but in my hikes around Switzerland's peaks in September, I saw lots and lots of people wearing Birkenstocks and tough sandals -- and it was plenty hot and dry during the day.

The towns themselves are paved to a fare-the-well, so if you are more comfortable in open shoes than closed up ones, you might want to bring them.

But if you are agonizing over packing light, all you really need to know is that your feet need to be VERY comfortable and dress is totally casual. If you are being bused up to the glaciers, you'll need closed, waterproof shoes.

I guess you never know what the weather will be.
I am still leaning towards sandals(like tevas)-so it doesn't matter if they get wet.
On the other hand--cold & wet is awful.
I think meshy running shoes are light & comfortable, & can dry overnight if wet(I think!!!).
If the weather is anything like Montreal-it's been raining almost every day.
Keep the advice coming. It all helps.
Thanks.
Fleuve

Hi Fleuve,

I was in Switzerland in May and brought a pair of gore-tex sneakers and a pair of walking sandals. I actually never wore the sandals as our B&B was quite far from the funicular stop and we never stopped back to change during the day.

The sneakers were absolutely perfect and I was glad I bought them. The only time my feet were wet was when we decided to hike around in the snow and were in snow past our knees. Just a lovely excuse to spend the afternoon relaxing in the sun

Hi fleuve,

I've used comfort mocs like these (from LLBEAN):

http://tinyurl.com/6jqxap

for several years of visiting Switzerland. They take most trails well and can handle most puddles or water you'll find on the trail. They're also good for dinner with slacks. They have them for men and women both.

Have fun!

s

Funny, swanda, those are almost identical to the Merrill mocs I mentioned in my post.

Ah, sorry, suze! Didn't intend to repeat your information.

Maybe we'll just say it's two great minds . . . ?

s

Swandav2000,
I bought those exact LLBean mocs last month when we were in North Conway. They are even the same color!.
Being from Montreal--we unfortunately don't have an LLBean store(anywhere in Canada).Bummer! It's not even worth ordering from the catalogeu as we get taxed at the border..
I also was looking at Gore-Tex merrils today_ (as Suze mentioned).
Both look like great choices.
Can you recommend places for dinner in Wengen?
Thanks. The advice really helps.

I always advise closed-toes thick sole well broken shoes, at least 2 pairs, so you don't wear the same ones every day.

I had something like these:

http://www.shoepavilion.com/dexter-lindsey.html

The advice from FainaAgain is the best - wear your shoes well before the trip and take at least 2 pair!

I discovered many years ago that even the most comfortable shoes are better if I don't wear them more than 1 day in a row.

I always take a little pair of dressy sandals (kitten heel) for evenings with a long black skirt that mixes with any top and keeps my knees warm if it's cooler.

PS I will be in Interlaken the first week of September so maybe we'll bump into each other!

Peace, Lily

Oh no, I wasn't scolding! I just think it's funny we wear identical shoes for touring Switzerland -lol!