has anyone just worn trainers on the Inca Trail?

im looking to do the salkantay trek this july but hate carrying a heavy pack (i usually use a 35l backpack) and dont want to pay out for hiking boots ill never wear again. im thinking about just wearing apair of adidas low trainers but is this a ridiculous idea? cant see the point in paying for hiking shoes ill only wear for 5 days…

I did it in trainers.

They were shit trainers, too.

Had no problems.

just for anyone else wondering this, i did the inca jungle trek in the worlds worst adidas trainers which were full of holes. i felt very smug when all the people kitted out with walking boots, stupid zippy trousers etc complained that their feet were hot/uncomfortable! dont spend hundreds on a pair of ridiculously heavy boots that youre gonna have to cart around for the rest of your trip.

Agreed.

I jogged the Inca Trail. Could never have done it in boots.

And I’ve just purchased new hiking boots and a pair of the forementioned zippy at the knee trousers.

:(

I did a hike along an old run down part of the great wall of China - not only did i finish before nay other member of the group, but i did it in Flip Flops!

That’s the sign of a real man!!!

I’m a fan of hiking boots for hiking (and zippy trek trousers incidentally) but I can carry off the hiker look ;)

Seriously though, I’d personally take some lightweight boots with you, particularly if you plan to do a lot of walking. I needed hiking boots for the Salkantay trek (did it last September) as we were constantly wading through streams, going over old landslide mud piles and up loose scree slopes.

I took my boots on my RTW trip because I knew I’d be doing lots of walking - Great Wall, Volcan Pacaya, jungle walks etc and for me, I use my boots at least twice a year for multiple day treks so they were a wise investment for me.

All that said, a good quality pair of mid trek trainers/approach shoes would suffice for the Salkantay trek - just watch your step to save your ankles!