Are the shoes safe outside?

[Alun26]

Hello!

Sorry, if my question is negative.
I'm just buy my new Hoka, for the Camino and for me the price was high Unfortunately, I tried other shoes but I had knee pain after 10 km.
I read, when you stay for night you have to leave the shoes out (what is reasonable for that amount of people, after 15-30 km), but I'm afraid a bit. Is it safe?
I can't really afford another one, and I'm not sure if I can buy the same, and I not planned to take other shoes with me, because of the weight.
I know, those who walking in the same route will not steal my shoes, I'm afraid of "fake pilgrims" and the accidents when someone pick it up by accident.

Should I worry? Can I do something, to keep it safe?

Thank you!

 

[Bala]

As with all our possessions, caution is always important. However, the likelihood of someone deliberating stealing your shoes is very low. Please put your mind at ease on that account.

However, someone mistakenly grabbing them in the morning rush and heading out without realizing it -- unlikely, but it does happen.

I wear custom insoles, so I remove them and then tie the shoes together. The insoles on your Hokas should pull out, I think, and it's not a bad idea to air them and the shoe, anyway. I also make a mental note where I put them -- so I don't grab someone else's, as much as that someone might take mine.

Some people use colored shoe strings, tie small colored pompoms on the back, paint their name or initials somewhere obvious, place a reflective strip on the sides, all sorts of ways to identify your own. And many don't do anything.

The likelihood of anything happening is really very small. Most of us are deeply attached to our shoes, and for good reason. But with anything, a bit of precaution is never out of line.

 

[jony jony]

Hello Alun26.........When pilgrims talk about leaving shoes outside they mean just outside the dormitory of course , but still inside the Alburgue . There have been a couple of stories on here about people taking the wrong shoes /walking poles etc so i suppose it can happen . You could always stuff some paper into the toe of the shoes which would at least alert the person to the fact that they were trying on the wrong pair . Some thin cord through a couple of lace holes securing both shoes together would also have the same effect .

Not many people would want to take my old boots so this problem would be low down on my Camino negative thoughts , but never the less , i would hate to continue the camino in my shower flip flops

Regards......John

 

[Vacajoe]

After the first day of dirt and sweat are added to your shoes, no one will steal them! . However, you can physically separate the shoes in the storage area so no one mistakenly takes them. Ribbon, removing insoles, tying them to a partner’s shoes, etc all work to avoid mishaps.

 

[Former member 49149]

Hello!

Sorry, if my question is negative.
I'm just buy my new Hoka, for the Camino and for me the price was high Unfortunately, I tried other shoes but I had knee pain after 10 km.
I read, when you stay for night you have to leave the shoes out (what is reasonable for that amount of people, after 15-30 km), but I'm afraid a bit. Is it safe?
I can't really afford another one, and I'm not sure if I can buy the same, and I not planned to take other shoes with me, because of the weight.
I know, those who walking in the same route will not steal my shoes, I'm afraid of "fake pilgrims" and the accidents when someone pick it up by accident.

Should I worry? Can I do something, to keep it safe?

Thank you!

No, you should not worry. You should believe the other people who have replied! Maybe buy a really bright colour of shoelaces as well. I hope that you have a wonderful camino.

 

[trecile]

Most thiefs steal things in order to sell them. Highly unlikely that dirty, sweaty shoes would be easily sold or fetch a good price.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

tying them to a partner’s shoes

That is what we did. Two him & her pairs.

[Edit: I wish I skipped this thread. A couple nights after writing this post I had a stupid dream about a missing shoe. ]

 

[Gabe_Way]

My plan to avoid any mistakes, accidents, or temptations, is to put my shoes inside a sealable plastic bag and slip it into my rucksack. Nobody would care at that point, and neither my clothes would, since the bag will be perfectly sealed. I'm definitely not going to take the risk of getting my shoes taken for whatever reason. Not only are they expensive, but they are also vital to the Camino.

 

[Dorpie]

As others have said I'd put the chances of someone deliberately taking your shoes at virtually nil but your brand is quite a popular one so agree that some distinguishing mark is a good idea.

@Gabe_Way Not sure sealing your shoes in a bag when they will maybe be wet through rain or sweat is a great idea .

 

[RJM]

My plan to avoid any mistakes, accidents, or temptations, is to put my shoes inside a sealable plastic bag and slip it into my rucksack. Nobody would care at that point, and neither my clothes would, since the bag will be perfectly sealed. I'm definitely not going to take the risk of getting my shoes taken for whatever reason. Not only are they expensive, but they are also vital to the Camino.

I did that too, many times. Took the shoes, put them in a closed bag and hung it on my pack in the albergue. Whenever I did leave my shoes on a shoe/boot rack in the albergue, I took out the insoles (put in outer compartment of pack) and tied the shoelaces together.
Also, whenever I could, I washed my shoes outside and hung them out to dry. On the warm, sunny days they dry fairly quick and would be dry by the next morning for sure. It was nice to put on a pair of clean shoes to start the walk, and they just plain smelled better. Wash your clothes, wash your footwear. No different.

 

[Gabe_Way]

As others have said I'd put the chances of someone deliberately taking your shoes at virtually nil but your brand is quite a popular one so agree that some distinguishing mark is a good idea.

@Gabe_Way Not sure sealing your shoes in a bag when they will maybe be wet through rain or sweat is a great idea .

I know But I also know that I probably wouldn't sleep very well.
The next day I'll just throw the plastic bag in the trash. And since I'm alternating Albergues with convenient Hotels, I could take care of my dirty shoes when I'm there.

P.S. I have a pair of Salomon for Trail, so they are easy to handle and fit into a plastic bag.

 

[TheTinkerBell]

...I can't really afford another one, and I'm not sure if I can buy the same, and I not planned to take other shoes with me, because of the weight...

Have I got this right - are you only taking your hiking shoes with you on the Camino? I did this on my first Camino and had to buy a pair of runners when I reached Pamplona. It's just my opinion, but you might want to think about reviewing what's in your pack and try to make some room for an extra pair of footwear (whether that's runners, crocs, flip-fops, or whatever).

I found that I just had to get out of those boots in the evening and not look at them again until the next morning!! And if boots could talk, they'd tell you that they need a rest too!!!

All the best with your Camino.

 

[AlexanderAZ]

I met someone on my Camino who had another pilgrim inadvertently take their shoes which were the same brand & color but different size. I had the same concern you do before my first Camino and so I decided to make mine different from all others by putting bright survey flag tape on them. Was very thankful I did and will do so again this year. (Pic attached)

 

[Anamiri]

My plan to avoid any mistakes, accidents, or temptations, is to put my shoes inside a sealable plastic bag and slip it into my rucksack. Nobody would care at that point, and neither my clothes would, since the bag will be perfectly sealed. I'm definitely not going to take the risk of getting my shoes taken for whatever reason. Not only are they expensive, but they are also vital to the Camino.

I saw someone discover their shoes had been taken, a smaller size of the same style was left on the rack.
To avoid that I put mine in a light cotton bag, but many of the other options would also work.
Enough to make someone go, 'oops not mine"

 

[Gabe_Way]

I saw someone discover their shoes had been taken, a smaller size of the same style was left on the rack.
To avoid that I put mine in a light cotton bag, but many of the other options would also work.
Enough to make someone go, 'oops not mine"

And you leave the cotton bag on the rack? Or you put it into your backpack?
I'll slide mine into my sack.
Yeah, those methods can work, but sleepy eyes might not spot those markers anyway.

 

[Mary Doll]

Just thinking a mesh laundry bag might be a better idea than a cotton bag. Still allows shoes to air while keeping them together. Insoles could be take out also and left in the bag to air.
Vivifying Large Net Washing Bag, Set of 4 Durable Coarse Mesh Laundry Bag with Zip Closure for Clothes, Delicates (White） https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0719DQQ7G/?tag=casaivar-21

 

[Karl Oz]

It can happen. On my very first stint on a camino I was leaving the albergue at Melide one morning, one of the last to do so, since I am a late-as-possible riser. I found a distressed lady, running hither and thither through the rooms where the boots had been stored. Only a couple of pairs remained, from memory, and none were hers. She was left to somehow buy footware for the last leg of her camino, or take public transport train to Santiago.
I was of the opinion they had been stolen, and still am. I think it unlikely that an early riser had put on her boots by mistake and departed. I think after so many days on the road you would notice instantly. It seemed more probable that an individual had boots that were disintegrating, and found a pair in the albergue that sufficiently fitted for the remaining days into Santiago. I might be wrong, but I have observed opportunistic theft to be a fact of life. Either way, it was a rotten thing to have happened.
I don't know that there is a solution. Switching boots with a partner is ok if you have a friend with whom you walk. Putting coloured identification on your boots makes them visible, at least in the light, but the premise of the 'mistakenly taken in the darkness' theory is that the miscreant cannot readily see such indentifiers.
The only consolation I can offer is that which has already been offered above: such events are rare, unlikely to happen to you, and not worth stressing over.

 

[Former member 38395]

I prefer shoes kept outside of the dorm rooms. Shoes can get pretty smelly.

 

[Anamiri]

And you leave the cotton bag on the rack? Or you put it into your backpack?
I'll slide mine into my sack.
Yeah, those methods can work, but sleepy eyes might not spot those markers anyway.

I usually left it on the rack, sometimes inside.

 

[patgreen]

After the first day of dirt and sweat are added to your shoes, no one will steal them! . However, you can physically separate the shoes in the storage area so no one mistakenly takes them. Ribbon, removing insoles, tying them to a partner’s shoes, etc all work to avoid mishaps.

It never occurred to me to physically separate them. What a good idea.

 

[John H.]

The shoes may be outside your room, but still inside the property near the entrance. Never had a problem.

 

[Annette london]

Most thiefs steal things in order to sell them. Highly unlikely that dirty, sweaty shoes would be easily sold or fetch a good price.

Now who on earth would want to take these stylish pair of boots...but you never know as style is so important on the Camino!!!
Nevertheless I still take the insoles out at night ...just in case

 

[Vacajoe]

Funny, but personally embarrassing shoe story for you:

My wife and I stayed at the municipal albuergue in O Cebreiro after a long slog through the rain. Prior to going to sleep, I removed my insoles to let the shoes dry, then found her shoes and did the same. In the morning, I went to retrieve her shoes but they were gone, though the insoles were still there on the shelf! I told my wife her shoes were gone, but she promptly showed me them sitting in a separate place from mine after complaint that I forgot to remove her insoles...

In short, I accidentally removed the insoles from SOMEONE ELSE’S SHOES!!! and then that poor pilgrim put them on in the dark morning and left without realizing it.... . So to whomever that was, I’m truly sorry.

The point being: shoes DO look alike. Point number two: don’t get up and leave in the dark...

 

[Former member 49149]

Funny, but personally embarrassing shoe story for you:

My wife and I stayed at the municipal albuergue in O Cebreiro after a long slog through the rain. Prior to going to sleep, I removed my insoles to let the shoes dry, then found her shoes and did the same. In the morning, I went to retrieve her shoes but they were gone, though the insoles were still there on the shelf! I told my wife her shoes were gone, but she promptly showed me them sitting in a separate place from mine after complaint that I forgot to remove her insoles...

In short, I accidentally removed the insoles from SOMEONE ELSE’S SHOES!!! and then that poor pilgrim put them on in the dark morning and left without realizing it.... . So to whomever that was, I’m truly sorry.

The point being: shoes DO look alike. Point number two: don’t get up and leave in the dark...

Poor, poor pilgrim! At least you know you had absolutely the best of intentions!

 

[Mark Barnes]

I wrote my initials on the toes in Sharpie.

 

[Annette london]

I wrote my initials on the toes in Sharpie.View attachment 53864

Red shoelaces!!!
These look like my boots...without the legs of course!!
Your initials are MB ...my proper initials are BM!

 

[trecile]

my proper initials are BM!

I'm sorry

 

[Annette london]

I'm sorry

Hi Trecile,
Am a bit slow here I'm afraid!!
Sorry for what?
My given name is Bridget ....am called Annette ..although my middle name is Antoinette ...it's a long story ..it's an Irish thing ...causes much confusion I'm afraid .and my surname begins with M!

 

[jimmyc]

In 2015 I met an Australian girl in Ponferrada walking barefooted looking for a shoe shop. Her shoes had been stolen at an albergue.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

In 2015 I met an Australian girl in Ponferrada walking barefooted looking for a shoe shop. Her shoes had been stolen at an albergue.

Confuse the crooks. Wear an old right boot and a new left running shoe and put them in different places.

 

[Hiawatha]

On more than one occasion my Merrell Moabs were moved from where I had left them , sometimes by a number of feet or a shelf or two . On one occasion the lace on one had been half re laced into a different pattern , this really made me worry . Fortunately for me I had brought along a thin stainless steel cable and a small combination padlock in case I wanted to secure my pack to a pole or such for a short time , I used this to secure my shoes to each other ,it wasn't very heavy at all and it allowed me to sleep with the assurance of having both shoes waiting for me each morning .

 

[Walli Walker]

My husband’s boots were taken from the albergue in Tui many years ago. It was an innocent mistake, and he did get them back, but it made for a very stressful day. I am now very reluctant to let mine out of my sight.

 

[JabbaPapa]

Needing to leave shoes outside or not varies from albergue to albergue, route to route, and season to season -- but most importantly, according to how many people are sleeping there that night. If there's 1 to 5 people sleeping in a dormitory made for 20 to 50, it's typically unnecessary, unless of course your boots are so smelly and/or muddy that it's simply the correct thing to do for propriety' sake. But then some places have a boot rack inside the dormitory instead.

I'd concur that thefts of shoes are very rare indeed, and likely non-existent after they start to be properly dirty and smelly and worn.

 

[c0484]

Hello!

Sorry, if my question is negative.
I'm just buy my new Hoka, for the Camino and for me the price was high Unfortunately, I tried other shoes but I had knee pain after 10 km.
I read, when you stay for night you have to leave the shoes out (what is reasonable for that amount of people, after 15-30 km), but I'm afraid a bit. Is it safe?
I can't really afford another one, and I'm not sure if I can buy the same, and I not planned to take other shoes with me, because of the weight.
I know, those who walking in the same route will not steal my shoes, I'm afraid of "fake pilgrims" and the accidents when someone pick it up by accident.

Should I worry? Can I do something, to keep it safe?

Thank you!

There is almost always a place to store your shoes in the albergue. I have yet to find an albergue that did not have indoor storage.

 

[Jodean]

I use red laces, tie them together and turn them around. Most of the shoes and boots are pointing in the other direction. Anything you can do to make them look different is helpful.

 

[linkster]

I'm sorry

The response was classic ... sarcasm does not always translate across languages and cultures ... but that does not stop me.

 

[Viva Terlingua]

On more than one occasion my Merrell Moabs were moved from where I had left them , sometimes by a number of feet or a shelf or two . On one occasion the lace on one had been half re laced into a different pattern , this really made me worry . Fortunately for me I had brought along a thin stainless steel cable and a small combination padlock in case I wanted to secure my pack to a pole or such for a short time , I used this to secure my shoes to each other ,it wasn't very heavy at all and it allowed me to sleep with the assurance of having both shoes waiting for me each morning .

How about one of these locks? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0744FGV4D/?tag=casaivar02-20

 

[JillGat]

I doubt anyone will accidentally take my Chaco sandals with red African design straps. Nobody else would even wear them on purpose.

 

[Hiawatha]

How about one of these locks?

They appear to be perfect , 20 gms is amazing .
A determined thief will always be able to defeat any lock you might use . The aim is really to make it clear to a morning befuddled , caffeine deprived Pilgrim groping about in the dark that your Moabs , Hokas or Salomons are not theirs and that they should look elsewhere for them .
I did hear a young woman complaining bitterly about how her shoes had stretched '' So much '' in only a few days of walking and did wonder if some poor wretch was hobbling along behind her in a pair two sizes too small .

 

[domigee]

I briefly walked with a peregrina who told me her heavy ‘secret’. She had accidentally taken a pair of identical shoes to hers only to realise after a few kms they were just a bit too large! She never found again the pilgrim whose shoes she had taken (by mistake!) and felt soooooo bad about it......(quite understandably!)
‘I wear two pairs of socks and the shoes are about ok but think about HER! ‘.
Too easily done when one is still sleepy.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

There is almost always a place to store your shoes in the albergue. I have yet to find an albergue that did not have indoor storage.

You're supposed to put them outside on the balcony at Rabanal

 

[Jeff Crawley]

If you're traveling as a couple tie the two left shoes together (and the two right ones too)

 

[gerardcarey]

Rules are made to be broken, but only in certain important circumstances, like being rilly rilly concerned someone might nick your shoes.
Take them off at the door. Put em in a spare plastic, whatever type bag and bury them in your pack.
Make a stand against these Xunta inspired Social Justice Warriors and their wished-for state sponsored Totalitarianism!
That's what I reckon mate.
Anyway next time I'm gonna stay in Casa Rurales and Hotels.
Better class of pilgrim there.
They wouldn't nick your shoes would they?

Gerard

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Rules are made to be broken, but only in certain important circumstances, like being rilly rilly concerned someone might nick your shoes.
Take them off at the door. Put em in a spare plastic, whatever type bag and bury them in your pack.
Make a stand against Social Justice Warriors and their wished-for state sponsored Totalitarianism!
That's what I reckon anyway mate.
Anyway next time I'm gonna stay in Casa Rurales and Hotels.
Better class of pilgrim there.
They wouldn't nick your shoes would they?

I get a bit carried away sometimes.
Gerard

Up the Rebels! You've nothing to lose but your plantillas!

 

[simeon]

My plan to avoid any mistakes, accidents, or temptations, is to put my shoes inside a sealable plastic bag and slip it into my rucksack. Nobody would care at that point, and neither my clothes would, since the bag will be perfectly sealed. I'm definitely not going to take the risk of getting my shoes taken for whatever reason. Not only are they expensive, but they are also vital to the Camino.

That mightent be a great idea, boots in a plastic bag wouldn't get any chance to dry or air. I could only imagine all sorts of nasties building up over the course of a month.

 

[simeon]

Rules are made to be broken, but only in certain important circumstances, like being rilly rilly concerned someone might nick your shoes.
Take them off at the door. Put em in a spare plastic, whatever type bag and bury them in your pack.
Make a stand against Social Justice Warriors and their wished-for state sponsored Totalitarianism!
That's what I reckon anyway mate.
Anyway next time I'm gonna stay in Casa Rurales and Hotels.
Better class of pilgrim there.
They wouldn't nick your shoes would they?

I can get a bit carried away sometimes.
Gerard

You then would have the added advantage of your clothes and pack all smelling like your feet. The perfect protection against theives!

 

[AndrewDavOz]

or leave a note in them saying "don't forget the tinea cream" which should generate some second thoughts.

 

[gerardcarey]

			You then would have the added advantage of your clothes and pack all smelling like your feet. The perfect protection against theives! That's the reason a town grew up at Lavacolla. Jump in when you arrive. A bit of a rinse up, here and there, under and over, then your clothes, and you're good to go cobber. Fresh as a daisy for the entry to Santiago. No reason for the Botafumero to swing now is there really? Regards Gerard

 

[NorthernLight]

On arrival, comply with the hospitalero's instructions and put footwear in the designated spot. If the set up causes you concern, wait until before going to bed, go visit your footwear and at that stage smuggle it in, in a bag. It will have had some hours to dry out and the shoe thieves won't have gone into action yet. Keep it airtight for your neighbours.

 

[Former member 49149]

Alun, you have a lot of ideas above. I think that there are two or three that stand out: remove your insoles, place your boots upside down/facing the other way from the rest of the boots, mark them in a personal way - get bright coloured laces, use neon strips at the back. I know the pain of paying a lot of money for shoes, so I understand your fear. It is really important though to leave that fear behind, otherwise your bag will be too heavy.

 

[Re-tired]

Alun26,

Looks like you got all the advice you need about shoe placement...

I'm curious about which model Hoka's you will be walking with. I've been using their Stinson ATR4 trail runners for a little over a year (on my second pair). They were prescribed for me by my podiatrist and have virtually solved my nagging plantir fasciitis issue.

 

[treeman43]

I wear men's size 14 US or 48.5 EU. Most people would find them a bit big.

 

[cbacino]

Hello!

Sorry, if my question is negative.
I'm just buy my new Hoka, for the Camino and for me the price was high Unfortunately, I tried other shoes but I had knee pain after 10 km.
I read, when you stay for night you have to leave the shoes out (what is reasonable for that amount of people, after 15-30 km), but I'm afraid a bit. Is it safe?
I can't really afford another one, and I'm not sure if I can buy the same, and I not planned to take other shoes with me, because of the weight.
I know, those who walking in the same route will not steal my shoes, I'm afraid of "fake pilgrims" and the accidents when someone pick it up by accident.

Should I worry? Can I do something, to keep it safe?

Thank you!

NEVER leave your shoes outside at night where dogs might reach them. Some dogs love shoes. One night a dog at the hostel where I stayed took both of my shoes. Fortunately after searching for 30 minutes I found both in the grass and neither were chewed up.

 

[T0M]

I wrote my initials on the toes in Sharpie.View attachment 53864

To distinguish my shoe as mine, you have inspired me to write left on one and right on the other... or maybe left on both. Or maybe right on the left one, etc.

 

[Saint Mike II]

Wow - 54 posts/replies. Yes the shoe security can be an issue. I saw a post on the forum some years back where a couple tied pilgrim one left shoe with pilgrim twos right shoe and vice versa with the other two shoes. Given that one shoe was a US11 and the other a female 8 or 9 anyone deliberately or mistakenly taking them would soon have discovered their error. Oh and they stored the shoes on different shelves. Maybe over kill but when you have shoes/boots that are fitting your foot like the proverbial glove you do not want to loose them!!

 

[JabbaPapa]

I wear men's size 14 US or 48.5 EU. Most people would find them a bit big.

Similar, I'm wearing EU size 50s. It certainly helps reassure one about leaving them unattended for the night ...

 

[Theskygeek]

Hello!

Sorry, if my question is negative.
I'm just buy my new Hoka, for the Camino and for me the price was high Unfortunately, I tried other shoes but I had knee pain after 10 km.
I read, when you stay for night you have to leave the shoes out (what is reasonable for that amount of people, after 15-30 km), but I'm afraid a bit. Is it safe?
I can't really afford another one, and I'm not sure if I can buy the same, and I not planned to take other shoes with me, because of the weight.
I know, those who walking in the same route will not steal my shoes, I'm afraid of "fake pilgrims" and the accidents when someone pick it up by accident.

Should I worry? Can I do something, to keep it safe?

Thank you!

Thank you for asking this Alun26