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foot wear & care

  1. rickyt

    sock cleaning

    Hello all, I have read suggestions to coat your feet in Vaseline or something like that in an effort to prevent blisters. My question isn't about the effectiveness of that as I have also read many differing opinions. My question is for those who do use the Vaseline method, how difficult is it...
  2. SirRon

    How many miles to put on your shoes before the Camino

    I have a pair of shoes I like but my trip isn't for another 8-9 months. Should I buy another at some point and break them in. But how many miles (or KM lol) on a pair of shoes are too much before starting the Camino? Trying to find the sweet spot of knowing my shoes and not having them fall...
  3. William hopper

    Wool socks

    Has anyone tried the wool socks at Decathlon stores in Portugal (Lisbon) ?
  4. EdN

    Hiking sandals or hiking boots?

    I will be walking the Portuguese Costal Route (Senda Litoral) the first 2 weeks of September. I wore Keen mid hiking boots while walking the Camino Frances, which worked out well. Given everything I've read about the Portuguese Costal Route, I'm planning to toss the boots and switch to Keen...
  5. Stephanie Martin

    Salomon trail runners for 800K

    Hi all, I recently got a HOKA Anacapa for the Camino Frances which I'll be doing in October. After walking around in them for a few days, my toes are hurting, not sure if it's because the shoes needs breaking-in or what's causing it. Thankfully I can return this pair and I'm very keen on...
  6. Wandalina

    Womens wide feet trekking shoes

    Hi everyone Looking for a bit of advice. Im based in Ireland so a lot of American brands are sadly not available. Ive done my last two caminos CP central and Primitivo in Meindl Respond. No blisters but i feel the soles are a bit too hard no cushioning. After 200km my feet were throbbing.. Im...
  7. FourSeasons

    Show me your winter footwear, boots and socks.

    Please don’t flog me as I know footwear is a personal preference and it’s been discussed to no end. I’ve always worn trail runners/hiking shoes which have worked great for my three Camino’s. However, I definitely wouldn’t wear them in the Winter. I’m clueless when it comes to a hiking boot let...
  8. Mananath

    Help with shoe sizing

    Hi- On Tuesday I am starting the Camino Frances from Pamplona and, well, i haven't figured out what shoe to wear and it is starting to get stressful. I don't know how this happened. I've spent the past month trying on well over 60 pairs of trail runners and have yet to find the perfect shoe...
  9. B

    Comfy shoes/boots and laces that don't come undone

    My apologies if this is teaching your grandmother to suck eggs. Your shoes or boots were comfortable for the first hour or so, but then they began to pinch across the toes. What do you do? Relace your shoes/boots missing out the lowest two eyelets (one on each side). This means there is no...
  10. Hiking Traveler

    Pedicures along the Camino

    Hi, all! I'm very excited about walking my first camino - Porto Coastal. I leave the US in less than 2 weeks and am working on my final prepping and packing. I'm trying to keep my pack as light as possible and would prefer to leave my heavy nail clippers home. I should be okay but just in case I...
  11. Mananath

    How important is a rock plate for CF?

    Hi- spent some time in REI the other day trying on lots of trail runners. I found the Topo Ultraventure 2 to be a good fit and I think I will use it when I start the CF next month. However I noticed it lacks a rock plate. How important is that feature for the Camino, specifically the Frances...
  12. D

    Best footwear for Camino del Norte & Primitivo

    Greetings I will be walking the Camino del Norte and diverting to the Primitivo starting in September. I have been using Vasque St. Elias on my recent very rugged Bruce Trail in Ontario Canada (910 km). I was planning to use a pair of Merrill boots which are lighter for the del Norte, but...
  13. L

    Hiking Sandals

    Hi, I'm looking for recommendations for hiking sandals. Would like to alternate between Hoka Stinson shoes and hiking sandals. Will start the Camino Frances at the end of August. All input will be appreciated.
  14. Coverbid

    heel pain

    Hi, I will be starting my third Camino in about 3 weeks. Recently I have started to increase my activity per my usual training prior to beginning a Camino. Just the other day a had a sharp pain on the inside of my right heel. It is sharp for a second and then seems to go away. But then after...
  15. C

    Foot Care

    Hi all, I learned one very important thing doing the first half of my Camino back in 2019, and that is that I have the soft feet of a delicate princess (43,M). Does anyone have any tricks or treatments that I can use to toughen up my plates before I proceed in September? All advice greatfully...
  16. Del Sur

    LIVE from the Camino On Camino Del Norte , Shoes starting to disintegrate.

    Hi, I’m currently on the Camino Del Norte, about two days before Gijion, my shoes are starting to disintegrate, i.e, the material on my inside heel has worn/split and some of the stuffing/padding has fallen out . I’m thinking this willl be a problem in terms of an irritation point causing...
  17. A

    Non binding socks

    Hello, I have recently developed swelling in my lower legs, likely due to a medical condition. Does anyone have suggestions for socks which won’t cause indentations? I tried calf sleeves with my favourite Wright socks, but they made me much too hot. Any other solutions welcomed, thanks.
  18. SirRon

    Summer and 2 Pairs of Socks

    Man my feet can sweat in the summer. I apologize if that is TMI. You don't even know my real name yet. Well it's Matt. Nice to meet you. So back to my sweaty feet. I completely understand the notion of wearing two socks to minimize the chances of blisters but I'm worried about overly hot and...
  19. mazzarina

    Cleaning my boots ritual

    I've spent the first morning of my Easter holiday cleaning my boots (aided and abetted by my rescue dog). I thought of everyone in this community as I went through a ritual I love: first I brush and wipe off the dirt, then rub leather balsam in with my fingertips. After they've had a good soak...
  20. G

    Merrel MOABs

    I first heard about MOABs on this sight and have walked 2 Caminos - first in a shoe the second in a light weight mid boot. Loved both shoes, particularly the boot as it gave my week ankles more support while still comparitively light. They are comfortable, suit my wide feet and tick almost...

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