To go to mer de glacé in trainers?

[stripycats]

So bit of a stand off with dh. We're in Geneva for 3 days with ds and have just paid for an insanely expensive excursion to chaminoux and mer de glacé. We have trainers with us but the woman said we need trekking shoes. I say we need to go to decathlon to get some, dh says not and trainers will be fine. We already rowed about the bloody excursion in the first place...

Anyone been and have a definitive answer?

Are you actually hiking or doing the tourist train and the walk down the steps?

For the tourist bits any shoes with decent grip should be fine, trainers or walking sandals.

If you are actually hiking the whole way up you might want proper shoes but depends on how dry it is and whether you have proper trainers

If the person running it says trekking shoes, you may not be allowed to go in trainers.

I walk lots of stuff in trainers that other people would only walk in boots. I think it depends on what you're used to doing and your trainers of course.

As above though, if the leader is insisting on boots, you may not be allowed to do it in trainers

As above, if you're taking the cable car up to the top of mer de glacé then trainers would be fine- we did it last year and all the party wore trainers /non hiking shoes. If you're hiking the whole way then I'd expect you'd need quite a bit more specialist equipment.

Is there a clear dividing line between a 'trainer' and a 'trekking shoe'?

Divided opinions. The woman only mentioned it when I asked so honestly don't think they'd insist on it. She said they've had people go in flip flops and rolled her eyes bit it wasn't clear they were prevented from going. We're not trekking- bus and mountain railway.

I'd go in trainers then, I certainly wouldn't bother buying new shoes for one excursion.

100% trainers.

I'd ask if there's the likelihood of run off/melt and maybe at a stretch take spare socks or something

After your update, I think trainers are fine. DH and I are in the area right now. I've been rolling my eyes at him sliding around in trainers, but you're not hiking so don't need hiking boots.