New shoes

[Pieces]

I think I have decided that new shoes are in order for this years Camino even if i was very happy last year with my Salomon speed cross (no blisters and all together happy feet). I do however, think they wear down a bit too fast and also I am afraid that the fact that they were made for people with a slight pronation may have attributed to my continuing aches and pains.

What I most like about them is the fact that the sole is so soft that one without any effort can bend them toe to heel and also that they fit like a glove.

Then when i went to the store last week the saleslady suggested Mammut Ruler because I was looking at a pair of other Mammuts and they seemed to have some og the same qualities.

The question then being, does anyone have experience with eiher Mammut (shoes, i will never wear a boot) or know of a third glovelike easily bendable alternative I could look for ?

Also I am going to Italy in a few days, so have been looking at La Sportiva which may be an option and also Vaude (which is german, but apparently easier to find in Italy than Denmark) if anyone has any experience with the durability of their trailrunners...

 

[spursfan]

Try Merrell trail gloves

 

[Pieces]

Thanks, but not really into doing the barefoot thing.

But if you have experience with the mentioned or know of anything like them I'd be happy to hear...

 

[dougfitz]

I have something similar made by Scarpa.

The Mammut Rule is an 'approach shoe' - a hybrid hiking and climbing shoe used most commonly by the climbing fraternity. Its not the sort of shoe I would have expected to be recommended for a long walk like the Camino - did the salesperson ask about what activities you had in mind when they recommended it?

These shoes typically have softer soles that grip well, but as you have found, don't wear well. Its a tradeoff - longer wearing sole materials are harder and less flexible. The softer soles also offer less protection to the soles of your foot from surface irregularities like rocks and sticks. Mammut has had to use a special insert to address this on the Ruler, which would indicate to me that the sole is particularly soft, and easily penetrated by sharp stones, sticks, etc.

Regards,

 

[jdpiguet]

Hello,

I'm using the Lowa "Renegade GTX Mid" since several years and I'm very happy with them.
They are soft enough to be very comfortable, but have a good profiled sole which grips everywhere.
I've got brand new ones in SJPP per post (I was already walking from Vézelay): no problem, no blister.
http://www.lowa.ch/kataloge/Lowa_Outdoor_Sommer_ 2012.pdf
I think I'm using now my 5th pair...

But shoes stays an adventurous process... try to walk/run around the shop if you can and take time to choose.

Small tip: try to try new shoes at the end of the day: your feet will be tired and a little bigger...

Best regards and good luck, Jacques-D.