Shoes for the Salvador

[Bexster]

Hi, Jen, welcome to the forum! Hoping you will find this place to be a welcoming and supportive community. We get cranky and snarky every now and then, but I think in general we are a very well-intentioned bunch. Lots of people here have walked from Lisbon and the Litoral, so if you have questions or doubts, you’ll likely get more advice than you bargained for! Bom caminho, Laurie

Hi! I saw that you wrote about the San Salvador awhile back. I’ll be walking that stretch in June and then onto the Primitivo for the second time. My Altra trail runners did fine on the Primitivo, but I’m wondering if I’d be better off with my Oboz boots for the San Salvador? Any advice you can offer is greatly appreciated, Becky

 

[peregrina2000]

My Altra trail runners did fine on the Primitivo, but I’m wondering if I’d be better off with my Oboz boots for the San Salvador?

I have worn my trail runners on the Salvador/Primitivo several times, no problem. The Salvador has a few long stretches of asphalt, and I think your feet will be happier in shoes with more cushion.

 

[Bexster]

I have worn my trail runners on the Salvador/Primitivo several times, no problem. The Salvador has a few long stretches of asphalt, and I think your feet will be happier in shoes with more cushion.

Thank you so much peregrina! Much appreciated.

 

[Dilbin]

Hi! I saw that you wrote about the San Salvador awhile back. I’ll be walking that stretch in June and then onto the Primitivo for the second time. My Altra trail runners did fine on the Primitivo, but I’m wondering if I’d be better off with my Oboz boots for the San Salvador? Any advice you can offer is greatly appreciated, Becky

Hi. Just saw your post. Same as Peregrino 2000 I'd also suggest Trail runners, shoes. I wore my Assics gel for the Salvador in August and despite the heat no blisters and feet fine. No need for boots. Daniel

 

[trecile]

If it helps your decision making, I wore hiking sandals on the Salvador.

 

[peregrina2000]

I love that @trecile can be counted on to add this perspective (we always seem to have one moderator who walks the camino in sandals — I’m thinking of @Kanga and @Susannafromsweden). She is not telling you what to do, but I think her experience helps those who are wondering if big heavy boots are necessary, or whether lighter and more padded options will work.

 

[Perambulating Griffin]

I wore Altra LP 6 mids, but it was October and a bit cooler. This time I will be going in Altra LP 7's without the raised ankle mid-height.
And as I recall, there were several people wearing other kinds of trail shoes and trail runners on the San Salvador when I was there.
This time I will take light-weight ankle gaiters for keepings stones (and mud when necessary) from flicking up into my shoes. Outdoor Research and Altra both make these gaiters designed for wearing with shoes.

 

[Pafayac]

My advice for the Salvador is trail shoes with Vibram soles.

 

[antepacem]

Another weigh-in for Altra LPs here. Perfect for the Salvador (in summer, anyway). Low-tops, not the boots.

 

[trecile]

I love that @trecile can be counted on to add this perspective (we always seem to have one moderator who walks the camino in sandals — I’m thinking of @Kanga and @Susannafromsweden). She is not telling you what to do, but I think her experience helps those who are wondering if big heavy boots are necessary, or whether lighter and more padded options will work.

That's right. I'm not saying that hiking sandals are the best for everyone, but the fact that they work for me, tells you a little bit about the terrain. Were there times on the Salvador that shoes might have been a better option than sandals? Possibly, but not enough for me to carry the extra weight.

 

[David Tallan]

Hi! I saw that you wrote about the San Salvador awhile back. I’ll be walking that stretch in June and then onto the Primitivo for the second time. My Altra trail runners did fine on the Primitivo, but I’m wondering if I’d be better off with my Oboz boots for the San Salvador? Any advice you can offer is greatly appreciated, Becky

I wore my Hoka Challengers on both the Salvador and Primitivo (after having worn them on the Madrid). I didn't find the footwear requirements very different between the two.

 

[ksoltysiak]

I saw this thread by luck a few days ago, it had never crossed my mind that my LP could be a valid choice for a Camino. Well, they made a big difference today, so thanks and cheers

 

[KariannNor]

Same here, Challenger on both routes. My choice because, in hot climate, I would rather get wet from the outside than from the inside in sweat goretex. But I have to admit, 10% of the time, I could have used a harder sole and more support on the sides in rocks and gravel downhill. There was a lot of ankle-high mud, but I don't think boots would have stuck to the ground better. They would have dried more slowly.