2 shoe/sandal related questions

[bushhiker]

hi everyone I have 2 quick questions to ask people regarding shoes.

1) My main hiking shoes are Keen Marshill Mid shoes... i like them allot and have walked a fair bit in them. But the tread at the bottom is starting to wear down. I plan on starting my camino walk first week of May. Should I stick with my current shoes ? or Buy exactly the same pair again and start breaking them in?


2) where do people place there sandals when they are walking the tail? Inside their packs? or strapped to the outside? or some other way? (I was curious as I am still deciding on the pack I will take and where i store my sandals will help me decide this)

Cheers.

 

[SYates]

1) It really depends on how far they are worn down and how long the planned Camino is. If in doubt, yes, buy new ones.
2) I really dislike having anything dangling from my backpack, so I keep my sandals, in a simple plastic back, in the main compartment of my backpack (last in, first out).

Buen Camino, SY

 

[dougfitz]

Have you checked if that style can be re-soled? It might need to be by a specialist rather than the Mr Minute in the Mall, and you would want to ensure that the costs are reasonable.

I carry my spare footwear inside my pack, in the bottom compartment and beneath or behind my sleeping bag. I figure that when I get in, I get the sleeping bag out first and let it air on the bed. The rest of my evening routine follows.

 

[bushhiker]

Thanks for the comments, I will check if they can be re-soled. And more I think about it I suspect I will be putting my sandals into my pack .

Thanks again.

 

[MKalcolm M]

I too walk in Keen shoes, primarily because they fit my banana shaped feet, but I find that the two layers of the soles separate quite easily, and this can be a real nuisance when walking. I would suggest buying another pair and break them in before you go.

 

[domigee]

Does your rucksack have an outside pocket? That's where mine go...

I'd look into having them re-soled as Dougfitz suggested, i heard 3 Austrian pilgrims who walked to Jerusalem sent theirs home to be re-soled several times...

 

[Anemone del Camino]

I would not only look at the sole of your shoes but their general structure and padding. If you consider that a shoe should be good for 600-800 km, and a CF is 800 +, then perhaps new and broken in would be best.

 

[ebrandt]

REI has a helpful article on its web site on how to tell if your shoes are worn out here. They are trying to sell new shoes so you have to take it with a grain of salt, but I thought it was helpful. Liz

 

[dougfitz]

They are trying to sell new shoes so you have to take it with a grain of salt

Liz, I can understand your caution, but the tests look pretty sound to me. I have used a very similar approach with my sports shoes and with walking boots that have a highly compressible mid-sole. I also watch out for uneven wear patterns. These can aggravate any existing foot issues, such as pronation.

 

[Bajaracer]

REI has a helpful article on its web site on how to tell if your shoes are worn out here. They are trying to sell new shoes so you have to take it with a grain of salt, but I thought it was helpful. Liz

I think the guide is spot on, I walked in a brand new pair of New Balance running shoes, the cushioning was sacked out by Leon and the sole worn down. If the footwear you have been training on has some considerable distance, better to buy a second pair along with new aftermarket insoles of your choice, the cushioning only lasts so long.
If you decide to walk in old footwear with some miles on them, you could create more feet issues for yourself.

 

[Bajaracer]

hi everyone I have 2 quick questions to ask people regarding shoes.

1) My main hiking shoes are Keen Marshill Mid shoes... i like them allot and have walked a fair bit in them. But the tread at the bottom is starting to wear down. I plan on starting my camino walk first week of May. Should I stick with my current shoes ? or Buy exactly the same pair again and start breaking them in?


2) where do people place there sandals when they are walking the tail? Inside their packs? or strapped to the outside? or some other way? (I was curious as I am still deciding on the pack I will take and where i store my sandals will help me decide this)

Cheers.

Get the same exact pair and start breaking them in, shouldn't take much to break in. Start your Camino with fresh new socks, if the socks you have walked with have some considerable use, they will break down even faster.

Some carry their sandals inside the large outer pouch where you usually stuff a jacket in, or they get a plastic carabiner (nite-ize S-hooks) and clip it on the outside of the pack, or you can carry them inside your pack. Bring all your items in your packing list to the store and do a test packing to see what works for you.

 

[cher99840]

I don't understand the press test. Where do you press on the outer sole? And where do you watch for creases??

 

[ebrandt]

I don't understand the press test. Where do you press on the outer sole? And where do you watch for creases??

I looked for a picture because its hard to describe and found this additional article here. Picture C in the article is illustrating the press test. Liz

 

[cher99840]

Thanks Liz.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Liz, I can understand your caution, but the tests look pretty sound to me. I have used a very similar approach with my sports shoes and with walking boots that have a highly compressible mid-sole. I also watch out for uneven wear patterns. These can aggravate any existing foot issues, such as pronation.

I just question the idea of buying 3 pairs and rotating them. Can't you just buy one and then another when the time comes? What would be the economical benefit to buying 3 at one time?

 

[dougfitz]

I just question the idea of buying 3 pairs and rotating them. Can't you just buy one and then another when the time comes? What would be the economical benefit to buying 3 at one time?

I don't think I recommended buying three pairs at once. What I do for my competition shoes is that when I purchase a new shoe, the old shoe becomes my training shoe, and the old training shoes become my lunchtime walk shoe at work.

With trekking boots, I normally have a pair with good cushioning that I use where there is a lot of footpath, paved or gravel road, etc and another pair with a harder and more durable sole structure for bush tracks. This spreads the wear - both on the boots and on my feet.

 

[Rajy62]

2) where do people place there sandals when they are walking the tail? Inside their packs? or strapped to the outside? or some other way? (I was curious as I am still deciding on the pack I will take and where i store my sandals will help me decide this)

This is typical during summer months...

 

[dougfitz]

This is typical during summer months...

Are you sure its not for a December pilgrimage? It looks like a Xmas tree.

 

[petitewalker]

We kept our Crocs in a plastic bag in our pack. We had an Osprey Stratus and Sirrus which also opens from the front along with the top and we just put them in the front before heading out for the day.

 

[Felipe]

I don't think I recommended buying three pairs at once. What I do for my competition shoes is that when I purchase a new shoe, the old shoe becomes my training shoe, and the old training shoes become my lunchtime walk shoe at work.
With trekking boots, I normally have a pair with good cushioning that I use where there is a lot of footpath, paved or gravel road, etc and another pair with a harder and more durable sole structure for bush tracks. This spreads the wear - both on the boots and on my feet.

Carrying two pair of boots/shoes seemed unnecesary to me -just another bulky and heavy item. But last week I was explaining to a friend the "blister issue", and she asked me why not using boots and, at the first feeling of a sore point, softer running shoes, so the pressure is relieved. I could not offer a good answer, because this is exactly what I do to break new boots.
I know about sandals, but I like solid ankle support.
I suppose I have already got a case of typical "pre-Camino" anxiety, that you have no matter how many times you have done it. Well, let's say that I am just curious -that seems more proper for a veteran walker

 

[Tia Valeria]

Crocs in the pack, in plastic bags. Our new boots are being broken it gradually at present as our others are well worn. We have considered repairs before but often the inner liner can be wearing and if that starts to cause problems then the old boots could cause blisters. We keep our old boots to wear out at home, or for on-road practise as at present.

 

[Piccata]

Other than water, my sandals are the densest and heaviest single thing in my pack (they are 1 lb., 5 oz. Chacos, because they help keep my plantar fasciitis at bay when trekking). Therefore, they go pretty high up in my pack, in a plastic bag, but as flat against my back as I can get them. If I didn't need such heavy evening/back up shoes, I'd still keep them in my pack but I'd be less concerned about exactly where.