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  1. Rick M

    Trail runners vs road runner shoes

    I have walked all my Camino's in standard road running shoes, including Saucony. I do this because the shoes are comfortable enough to walk in all day, every day. If you are a distance runner at home (?), Then the distance shoe you use now is the obvious choice. I take two pairs because the...
  2. Rick M

    Wet shoes, cold feet, blisters

    Precisely so. Wet feet won't end a Camino, but blisters, compression fractures and tendonitis from wearing the wrong shoes will. The one you can wear all day is the right one, waterproof or not.
  3. Rick M

    Wet shoes, cold feet, blisters

    This is a major reason to also use merino wool socks. I like a fairly heavy sock, even in hot weather. The advantage is that the sock performs much better when wet than other types. I also change them out during the day when it rains. Yes, my feet get wet, but I have not had any problems with...
  4. Rick M

    Equipment question!

    Yep, it's personal preference. If you DO take poles, learn to use them before you go. A majority of pilgrims I have observed do not use them correctly, meaning they have a spare pound of useless baggage. If you use them correctly, the can take some strain off feet and knees.......and share it...
  5. Rick M

    Optimizing Pack Weight: Layering Tips for Camino in August-September

    That time of year I would not expect colder than about +3C, but every year is different. I walk with a short sleeve merino base layer, a long sleeve polyester shirt, a polyester zip up hoodie fleece, and a rain jacket. Crossing the Pyrenees in April, this combo keeps me warm to 0C in a moderate...
  6. Rick M

    Optimizing Pack Weight: Layering Tips for Camino in August-September

    If it is cold weather that concerns you, imagine the coldest morning you might face. Then imagine wearing everything in your pack at once. With ALL your clothes on and your pack empty (sans socks and underwear ), would you be warm enough? Could you put on everything at once? As soon as your...
  7. Rick M

    Rain galoshes or similar

    I hate to break it to you, but if it rains, you will get wet. It's not an apocalypse. When the rain stops you will dry out. The best strategy is to duck into a cafe during the heaviest rain, and make sure you have some dry socks to change into throughout the day. I found gaiters to be pretty...
  8. Rick M

    Left adapter in wall & can't charge phone

    If they don't have the right plug adapter (give it a chance!) then buy a standard Euro power adapter. They are not expensive. I gave up on taking my power adapter with a euro plug adapter from home long ago, and just use Euro adapters. I'm surprised it took you this long to leave your plug...
  9. Rick M

    How to pack Tilley hat (ltm6) into backpack?

    I resent that remark. I prefer to think of myself as a carefully curated stranger.
  10. Rick M

    How to pack Tilley hat (ltm6) into backpack?

    I have packed mine, carelessly as usual, many times. They'll replace it if it loses its shape, but it won't.
  11. Rick M

    Vigo-Santiago: Will cushioned road shoes be OK?

    I have walked with several different NB runners, never the two models you mentioned. They are all a bit different for durability as well, so I can't say for sure what your experience with a specific model is likely to be. In general though - yeah - you train in a pair, and take a new pair when...
  12. Rick M

    Vigo-Santiago: Will cushioned road shoes be OK?

    Keep looking, but bear in mind that finding the right shoe is one place where saving money should not be a primary consideration. Stow away on a steamship, walk in tatters and dine from a dumpster if you must, but have the right shoes! And while I'm bearing unwelcome news, your suspicion about...
  13. Rick M

    Gaiters?

    I took gaiters on my first Camino, and found they were not really very helpful when walking on improved trails. Excellent for deep snow, but not in Spain in the spring time.
  14. Rick M

    Waterproof trail shoes. Yes or no?

    I have crossed the Pyrenees four times, once in September. In April, there was snow on the ground at the top of the Napolean in each case. For the record, I walk Camino in standard running shoes. Many do it in sandals. Whatever keeps blisters away is the right choice for each of us, and should...
  15. Rick M

    Waterproof trail shoes. Yes or no?

    That time of year you will not have a single river to ford, and mud will be minimal. Its still summer! It might rain, but this is still the dry season. Take a rain coat of course, but there is a decent chance you will not use it until Galicia right at the end.
  16. Rick M

    Rainy forecast? Too humid for clothes to dry!

    I am a little curious as well. It's true that laundromats are not to be found in every village, but in all the towns of any size, they are readily available and generally pretty convenient to use. I have been able to find one every couple of days on the Frances, and my success rate at the...
  17. Rick M

    Short gaiters with trail runners on CF

    Totally agree. I took gaiters on my first Camino. Didn't take long before I realized they served no purpose on what are mostly improved trails. It's true that I get as many as three rocks in my shoe during the course a Camino. A good reason to find a place to sit, have a drink, and enjoy the...
  18. Rick M

    Trail runners on the Norte

    I wore standard running shoes.
  19. Rick M

    Vigo-Santiago: Will cushioned road shoes be OK?

    You do not need specialty footwear to walk the Camino. People often wear trail shoes, but lots wear standard athletic shoes and sandals, as well as a variety of other types. Comfort and a shoe that fits YOUR foot perfectly is what matters. Whatever you are comfortable wearing now is a good place...
  20. Rick M

    Merino wool socks wrecked?

    Me too. They go into the washer and dryer like a dirty shirt. In the end, all my merino socks wear out at the heels like any other sock I own, except that they last a lot longer.

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