I'm hiking New Zealand's Milford Track in a couple of weeks

I'm off to hike the Milford Track in a few weeks with my 82-year-old grandfather. Five days, almost 60km, across rivers, up mountains, through forested valleys, down mountains, the works. At the end of each day I get to sleep in a bed in a lodge with staff who cook meals and serve cold beer!

Has anyone done this hike, and can you give me any advice on what kind of shoes to wear? I hate boots, they have no grip on rocks and going downhill, and once they're wet inside they stay wet. I prefer trail runners -- better grip, comfortable, and they dry quickly. A friend recommended Merrell Chameleons, and I saw a pair of North Face Vindicators that look the goods. I don't want Gore-Tex -- it's a very wet hike (17 days of torrential rain in February), but once water's inside a Gore-Tex shoe it's misery.

Or the weather could surprise me and be sunny for four days. Everyone advises to be prepared to get wet though. The South Island in summer can be warm and dry one minute, pouring rain and freezing the next.

I'd also like something I can wear hiking the Inca Trail later this year, or walking around Japan. I don't want to spend too much on a pair of hiking shoes I'm only wearing for four days. The last time I went hiking, I wore a pair of $20 Dunlop Volleys -- very comfortable, great grip. But I don't think I'll be looked at seriously if I turn up with Volleys in New Zealand! I'm a strong walker, but 60km in $20 shoes is pushing it.