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Decathlon Trail Runners...

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I'm looking strictly at cost here, as I'm trying to shave off a few dollars from my equipment list. I'm contemplating buying trail runners at a Decathlon store in Spain (vs. Amazon pre-trip). In browsing online, I see the prices are much cheaper on Decathlon.
As I've never been inside a Decathlon store, can anyone confirm this?
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
In my opinion shoes are the last thing that you should skimp on. I'm not saying that inexpensive shoes can't be good, but I wouldn't wait until you get to Spain to buy shoes - you will have no time to be sure that they work for you.
 
I know a lady from another forum that swears by the 13-15€ hunting shoes from Decathlon.
But shoes are very personal. If you can find a model that fits you, go for it. If it is a cheap one, why not. They likely will last a camino (even expensive trailrunners tend to fail somewhere around 500-1000km).
On the other hand, never take a shoe that is not comfortable just to save money. Foot issues are likely the more unpleasant things that can happen on the camino and will cost you more than a more expensive shoe. Pretty much everything else you can go low budget.
 
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Decathlon also has a few stores here in the US now. You can order from them online here if you think that is what you want to try. The first Decathlon store you will encounter on the Camino, may not be the town you start in and not all decathlon stores carry all items. Some are huge and others are very small with limited stock. We have purchased shirts, socks, etc. at Decathlon, but they don't always have all sizes you want of something. The items are usually inexpensive though and my husband loves the Decathlon winter socks.

Personally I have found the best Camino (and every day) shoes for me (brand, style, size) and I always order them when the seasons change (last season's colors are cheaper even if they are a horrible color sometimes) and keep at least one new back up pair in my closet in case they quit making them or something...I try to order a pair when the REI discount code comes out or sometimes find them somewhere else on sale online, but I always order the same brand, size, model.
 
In my opinion shoes are the last thing that you should skimp on. I'm not saying that inexpensive shoes can't be good, but I wouldn't wait until you get to Spain to buy shoes - you will have no time to be sure that they work for you.
I actually totally agree and will revisit my gargantuan list...
 
I like Decathlon. I have their clothes, hiking poles, backpack, "butt" pack, socks, etc.

However, I agree with the first answer, that you should never skimp on footwear, especially when planning a Camino. Your feet are your most valuable piece of equipment. Waiting until you get to Spain to get footwear is very risky, IMHO.

I buy Merrell hiking boots, which fit me feet like a glove, yet always get them in advance of my walk just in case.

Suggest you do the same - find a company that has "lasts" that fit your feet, then get a sturdy pair in advance.

Buen Camino!!
 
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I like Decathlon. I have their clothes, hiking poles, backpack, "butt" pack, socks, etc.

However, I agree with the first answer, that you should never skimp on footwear, especially when planning a Camino. Your feet are your most valuable piece of equipment. Waiting until you get to Spain to get footwear is very risky, IMHO.

I buy Merrell hiking boots, which fit me feet like a glove, yet always get them in advance of my walk just in case.

Suggest you do the same - find a company that has "lasts" that fit your feet, then get a sturdy pair in advance.

Buen Camino!!
Thank you. On my previous casinos I've worn both Keen hiking boots (so many blisters!) and Vasque trail runners (so comfy but out of production). I think I'll need peruse previous shoe threads on the forum.
 
Thank you. On my previous casinos I've worn both Keen hiking boots (so many blisters!) and Vasque trail runners (so comfy but out of production). I think I'll need peruse previous shoe threads on the forum.
Click on the tag "foot wear and care" attached to the tile of this thread and you may never emerge! Good luck.

I wear hiking sandals or lightweight runners.
 
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Click on the tag "foot wear and care" attached to the tile of this thread and you may never emerge! Good luck.

I wear hiking sandals or lightweight runners.

I'm walking mid-January to February so I think trail runners (dry quickly) with rain pants and gaitors will be my outfit du jour.
 
Decathlon also has a few stores here in the US now. You can order from them online here if you think that is what you want to try. The first Decathlon store you will encounter on the Camino, may not be the town you start in and not all decathlon stores carry all items. Some are huge and others are very small with limited stock. We have purchased shirts, socks, etc. at Decathlon, but they don't always have all sizes you want of something. The items are usually inexpensive though and my husband loves the Decathlon winter socks.

Personally I have found the best Camino (and every day) shoes for me (brand, style, size) and I always order them when the seasons change (last season's colors are cheaper even if they are a horrible color sometimes) and keep at least one new back up pair in my closet in case they quit making them or something...I try to order a pair when the REI discount code comes out or sometimes find them somewhere else on sale online, but I always order the same brand, size, model.
In Canada where there are also Decathlon stores, the stock is very different from Europe. Here in Ottawa they mostly carry their own products. In Spain the shoe selection crosses all major brands. I found the prices for name brands (New Balance, Merrell etc.) to be a bit cheaper in Europe.
 
I'm looking strictly at cost here, as I'm trying to shave off a few dollars from my equipment list. I'm contemplating buying trail runners at a Decathlon store in Spain (vs. Amazon pre-trip). In browsing online, I see the prices are much cheaper on Decathlon.
As I've never been inside a Decathlon store, can anyone confirm this?
This is just a side comment but I have been dreaming about my "ideal gear" list and find that if money was no object, fine, you can have whatever you want. But for me money is an object. I already have a lot of gear which is suitable for my purposes but not my dream. I need a reality check, because if I buy my dream items, it could be very expensive. I am reminding myself to be satisfied with what I have and not put myself into debt just for my camino. :)
 
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The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
I am reminding myself to be satisfied with what I have and not put myself into debt just my camino.

Money is very much an object for me. I've been rifling through my things, ascertaining what items can withstand another camino. Sure I could use another Osprey pack. My current one has withstood two Camino Franceses and the Podiensis, then spent nearly two years in Bali where the tropics worked its own magic on the material. But upon further examination, I realized the backpack one more camino in it.

I just wish I didn't leave my trail runners in Bali, but there you have it. Those shoes were so, so comfortable.
 
I'm looking strictly at cost here, as I'm trying to shave off a few dollars from my equipment list. I'm contemplating buying trail runners at a Decathlon store in Spain (vs. Amazon pre-trip). In browsing online, I see the prices are much cheaper on Decathlon.
As I've never been inside a Decathlon store, can anyone confirm this?
Prices at decathlon are good. I am not sure I’d buy shoes on the fly, but that’s me.
 
I'm looking strictly at cost here, as I'm trying to shave off a few dollars from my equipment list. I'm contemplating buying trail runners at a Decathlon store in Spain (vs. Amazon pre-trip). In browsing online, I see the prices are much cheaper on Decathlon.
As I've never been inside a Decathlon store, can anyone confirm this?
Yes. My husband and I were both surprised at the low prices. We each bought a pair of long pants in October that fit well and were well made. My pair was 25 euro and his were convertibles at 35 euro. I may be a little off on the prices but remember thinking that the products were a bargain.
 
Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

€83,-
I like Decathlon. I have their clothes, hiking poles, backpack, "butt" pack, socks, etc.

However, I agree with the first answer, that you should never skimp on footwear, especially when planning a Camino. Your feet are your most valuable piece of equipment. Waiting until you get to Spain to get footwear is very risky, IMHO.

I buy Merrell hiking boots, which fit me feet like a glove, yet always get them in advance of my walk just in case.

Suggest you do the same - find a company that has "lasts" that fit your feet, then get a sturdy pair in advance.

Buen Camino!!
Totally agree. I also use Merrell, but the trainers, rather than boots and have had no problem. Going to sadly have to recycle my pair from my first Camino, 2 years ago, which became garden shoes and this week, decorating footwear. I can't throw them away, so next year, they will become flower pots. I've found they're good for at least 1500km, so not bad for €70!
 
I used to love Merrill's just to wear every day, but on two different long back country hikes they gave me terrible blisters in the same place each time (you would think I might have learned after the first time!) Each person's foot is different. Glad I have found a good fit for me now and hope they never stop making it...
 
I used to love Merrill's just to wear every day, but on two different long back country hikes they gave me terrible blisters in the same place each time (you would think I might have learned after the first time!) Each person's foot is different. Glad I have found a good fit for me now and hope they never stop making it...
Oh, I have learned the hard way that when I find a shoe I love, I should buy up multiple pairs, because inevitably the next few versions will change features, and too often the new versions are not as perfect for me as the old version.
 
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I, being retired army will share only one of the lessons learned over 20 years….take care of your feet, and they will take care of you.
 
Totally agree. I also use Merrell, but the trainers, rather than boots and have had no problem. Going to sadly have to recycle my pair from my first Camino, 2 years ago, which became garden shoes and this week, decorating footwear. I can't throw them away, so next year, they will become flower pots. I've found they're good for at least 1500km, so not bad for €70!
Sue, I feel your pain. If I could figure out how to hang my first Merrells off the rear view mirror of my car, like people did with baby shoes, I would. However, well, hiking boots . . .
 
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Good morning, everyone - my first post on this excellent-looking forum.

This French pro guide, Alex, who specialises in the GR20 route through the mountains of Corsica and who consults with Decathlon, has several excellent YouTube videos on equipment. This is the one on Decathlon footwear:
. There's only one low-cut pair in this video, as the GR20 has some very demanding terrain, but it gives a good idea of what is available there. Alex has excellent videos on other Decathlon equipment including clothing and backpacks (and, btw, Decathlon have very good ethical controls for, say, Merino wool products). I'll use his guide for my lightweight clothing selection when I know which month I will be walking the Camino Frances. I live 20 mins drive from the large Decathlon Amsterdam store and my family has bought all sorts of equipment there: usually excellent price:quality and very good returns policy.

PS. If you don't understand French, just turn on subtitles (to do so, click on the Settings button and select, which gives you French sub-titles; then select Settings a second time and you can select just about any language).
 
I'm looking strictly at cost here, as I'm trying to shave off a few dollars from my equipment list. I'm contemplating buying trail runners at a Decathlon store in Spain (vs. Amazon pre-trip). In browsing online, I see the prices are much cheaper on Decathlon.
As I've never been inside a Decathlon store, can anyone confirm this?
I bought a pair of trail runners from Decathlon (in Spain as it happens). They stank and then fell apart. I bought a pair of Decathlon sandals last month. They are now coming apart. A lot of stuff from Decathlon is fine but I won't be buying their shoes again.
 
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I bought a pair of trail runners from Decathlon (in Spain as it happens). They stank and then fell apart. I bought a pair of Decathlon sandals last month. They are now coming apart. A lot of stuff from Decathlon is fine but I won't be buying their shoes again.
Good to know. Meets what I had expected might be the case.
I was very happy with my folding poles from them (donated in Santiago because I have BD-FLZ at home), and I love love love their bottle sling (similar to Hydroflask and about 1/6th the price), and I have some merino t-shirts and a pair of jodhpurs. For those sensitive to such things, I love that their labels are sewn to a piece of fabric made of the same materials as the item; when you cut away the labels, nothing remains except for a soft bit of fabric that is indistinguishable from the clothing.
I've had great durability from the clothes but I've been wary of the packs and shoes as I have seen many young people suffering with those items on caminos.
 
I would never skimp on shoes or pack. For anything else, Decathlon is fair game, but the quality is overall much lower than name brands.

One of my hiking poles broke while walking this year. In Santiago, I was lucky to get a pair from Pilgrim House for my walk to Finisterre. They were telescoping, not folding, so maybe @Perambulating Griffin’s experience was different. They were fine, didn’t break, but the tips were hard plastic and made that annoying clacking sound. Given the popularity of Decathlon in Spain, it is not hard to figure out why so many pilgrims make so much noise in cities with their hiking poles!
 
I'm looking strictly at cost here, as I'm trying to shave off a few dollars from my equipment list. I'm contemplating buying trail runners at a Decathlon store in Spain (vs. Amazon pre-trip). In browsing online, I see the prices are much cheaper on Decathlon.
As I've never been inside a Decathlon store, can anyone confirm this?
You can look on the decathlon.es website to find out what they sell. I do remember seeing large shoe sections in the decathlon in Pampalona.

I think the choice is more nuanced than other posters say. Are you a person who has a lot of problems finding the right shoe, or does any decent one do. Do you wear a size that’s hard to find?

I think it’s a viable plan if shoes aren’t difficult for you, and you have a couple days to break them in before you put a pack on and start hiking down the trail. And I would imagine if you’re going to be somewhere like Madrid, the stores there will have the best selections.
 
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