Footwear for coastal route

[Keith Martin Davis]

Hi. Those that have walked the coastal route what would you recommend with regards to footwear. I ask this question because, I think of walking on sand, and the sand creating blisters. The options for me is either walking boots or walking shoes, I was not thinking about sandals.
Thank you Keith

 

[Mark Francis Auchincloss]

Hi Keith,

I always use walking shoes mine are Salomon X-Ultra as they are light and waterproof. I use good, thick walking socks from Decathlon. After reaching coast after Matosinhos the first 10 km is along the wooden walkways so in reality interspersed with cycleways, tarmac ans some forest trails you don't need to walk that on the beaches all the time. You must download in PDF luis Freixo's maps he's marked in green the shoreline route which does sometimes cross a beach or two see http://www.caminador.es/?page_id=117

 

[Theatregal]

I walked the coastal route from Porto this past July / August wearing Merrell walking shoes. They were great. Didn't have to walk on sand at all on this route. As @MyDestinationGalicia mentioned, there are wooden walkways crossing most of the beach area and tarmac paths alongside the beaches.

This is a beautiful walk. Buen Camino!

 

[formysons]

Hi, I am trying to decide which route to walk this year, I have only done one other camino, the Frances in 2009 with a friend. Now I want to do a camino solo and the northern routes are calling, but now I am also thinking of the Porto to Santiago route. Sylvia suggested the Via Francigena with her group? I am 72y old female, and this could be my last camino, unfortunately I do not have unlimited funds and the Rand/Euro exchange is very bad at the moment, so I have to choose well.