NorwegianWalker
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Plan to walk Camino de Santiago April/May/June 2016.
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Well, I'd say don't buy boots - buy hiking sandals! You will get as many opinions as people on this forum. What do you wear on hikes at home? Provided they have durable soles, why not wear those?
I think that is the case for most pilgrims. High boots may not be necessary, but footwear should provide support for the extra weight of a pack and the millions of steps over a month. Sandals do little more than protect your soles from pebbles.I could not wear just sandals over this length of walk
in March/April sandals only might be too little for some stages. I have no experience with Alpha, but taking a brief look at the webpages their hiking boots are clearly overkill for CF. they are more suited for shorter distances in rough terrain, than rather long distances on pretty smooth camino. if my choice would be limited to Alpha, then I would go with Dyna Dynamic at most.
As noted above, you will get many opinions but from me, just my experience as a large fellow (aka not light on my feet). I could not wear just sandals over this length of walk as I need the cushioning and ankle support of boots. I wear mid-high boots (mine are Lowa but that's just a personal preference for my foot size/shape) that are also GTX which could quite likely make your feet much happier with a rainy Camino in April/May! I looked at their website and think the Lyng Dynamic M certainly could be a decent long distance Camino boot! Good luck with your choice, I'm sure you'll pick the ones that feel right.
Buen Camino, Jordon.
Solomon Ultra trail shoes, my footwear of choice and not one regret.Yes, in a few days I will purchase my hiking boots. Yesterday I went in a sport store that have a medioco selections on a variety of different types of footwear. One that got my attention was a pair of hike boots called Alfa a Norwegian brand (not that it matters were my next pair of hike boots are made, as long it's not made very cheap in Taiwan). Anyone with experience when it comes to Alfa boots? A real shame was that there was no one in the sport store that could give me any good advice, but one thing I noticed was that I had to go one size up from what I normally wear.
I'm going to start my walk from SJPdP probably end of March and walk most of April to the End of the World so any advice when it comes to boots around the time that I'm walking would be most appreciated.
Sincerely
NorwegianWalker
I think that is the case for most pilgrims. High boots may not be necessary, but footwear should provide support for the extra weight of a pack and the millions of steps over a month. Sandals do little more than protect your soles from pebbles.
Solomon Ultra trail shoes, my footwear of choice and not one regret.
imho, there is a pretty big difference regarding camino waking conditions in march/april or july/august. sandals might be perfectly fine in summer, and my recipe for blisterless camino was alternating them with trail runners depending on the path condition. I would still advice against boots, the ones which are designed for walking in colder climate and/or in mountains. of course, because of individual features one may need different footwear, but then this choice should be validated before departure. the worst case I witnessed in summer 2014, was a pilgrim in pro mountaineering boots, forced to abandon camino, because trying to keep up with his camino family what completely ruined his feet. actually he had bought those boots being advised in the local sport store, therefore it is not shame at all if a salesman hesitates to recommend particular footwear when in doubt will it be appropriate for you.[/QUOTE
wow feel for him with wrong types of shoes. Lesson learned I can't understand why he didn't get another pair of boots. The person should just sent them home, since it was probably a high end big boot costing money, rather to have the hole journey ruined. Very proud of the big size mountain boots. A hard and surly an expensive lesson that.
42Goodbye and thanks for all the fish!
Sorry that was messy - my FireFox kept quiting on me and not showing what I'd typed. So I deleted it all and just put in the answer to all questions.Yes, but I will return them if it's not what I expected. No harm done.
Yes, but I will return them it its not what I expected. No harm done.
Yes, but I will return them it its not what I expected. No harm done.
Nice Kanga, I'm very impressed with your story. Ecco has been around for years and years, I remember I used to hava a pair of ecco shoes some 20 years ago and I remember them for the comfort and the quality. I'm probably gonna buy a pair of ecco for myself. Anyway, how do they handle cold and rainy days. Thanks for sharing@falcon269 after walking nine long distance caminos I think I have some experience. My Ecco Off-Road hiking sandals have rugged soles and are designed to provide support and cushioning. In spite of a weak ankle (fractured a few years ago), crappy knees with old skiing injuries, and a history of back problems they have carried me plus heavy pack containing camping tent and sleeping equipment pain and injury free 840 km on the Norte, then a further 500 km on the CF. The proof of the pudding is in the eating. I have walked in boots, I have walked in shoes, I now prefer sandals. Like all footwear they would not suit everyone but they work for me and they work for others. I might consider something else for a winter camino, although I doubt it - Sealskinz socks keep my feet warm and dry if necessary.
I'm fine with black shoes, any shade of black will do.Salomon Speedcross 3. Lightweight, quick drying, available in horrendous colours.
What more could you ask for
I will let you know in a week or so@NorwegianWalker , I am impressed that this company did not "pink up" for the ladies but when blazen red!
When you get your pair I hope you let us know what you think of your purchase because 150€ is steep! The same number as my Salomons but they are in the super collapsed Canadian $.
Then again hot mama red may clash with my North American teal and fuschia clothes.
I heard good things about Keen. Usually get what you pay. The most important thing is that the shoes are holding its quality and gives you what you expect from them. If you're not happy, then wrong shoes.Feet vary so much. In the UK I can only find one brand to fit me and that's Keen. The more I walk, the more comfortable I'm getting with lighter weight shoes. Heavyweight Meindl boots ruined my feet on the first camino.
I walked that Camino twice, once in 2008 and again in 2010. Both times I used Merell Moab Ventilators and found them awesome. Not a single blister both times. I wore them with medium thick merino wool socks and thin liners and put on vaseline every morning as well. Of course, leaving in March may require different boots.Yes, in a few days I will purchase my hiking boots. Yesterday I went in a sport store that have a medioco selections on a variety of different types of footwear. One that got my attention was a pair of hike boots called Alfa a Norwegian brand (not that it matters were my next pair of hike boots are made. Anyone with experience when it comes to Alfa boots? A real shame was that there was no one in the sport store that could give me any good advice, but one thing I noticed was that I had to go one size up from what I normally wear.
I'm going to start my walk from SJPdP probably end of March and walk most of April to the End of the World so any advice when it comes to boots around the time that I'm walking would be most appreciated.
Sincerely
NorwegianWalker
Solomon Ultra trail shoes, my footwear of choice and not one regret.
I'll be doing the Regordane (Saint-Gilles) Way soon (Iacobo volente!), which doesn't get mentioned much in anglo circles, but seems to be popular with the French. It'll be cool walking in different country to the Frances, so I think I'll wear light boots with plenty of room for liners and Superfeet.
Rob
I have these Keens with the closed toe and really like that they keep the pebbles out when I'm doing short hikes around home. In the summer the ventilation is great and I've been known to even golf in themThanks Kanga. I have a thing about wanting whatever I pack to be able to do double duty. Add to that that I need more support than flip flops provide for walking around visiting towns. The only question about sandals for me becomes "closed toe (less ventilation) or open toe?"
Hi, I love the way your toes are protected, how is it to pick up walk/hiking gear along Camino Frances?I have these Keens with the closed toe and really like that they keep the pebbles out when I'm doing short hikes around home. In the summer the ventilation is great and I've been known to even golf in them
View attachment 23808
There are numerous stores along the CF (search for the threads in this forum and you'll find many about gear) but unless you are picking up something akin to the Salomon trail shoes, maybe hiking sandals similar to above, the bigger problem you could likely face is having to break in a brand new footwear while on the Camino. I use a type of boot known for being very comfortable out of the box but still put 300-400kms on them before I started the Camino.Hi, I love the way your toes are protected, how is it to pick up walk/hiking gear along Camino Frances?
Hei!Yes, in a few days I will purchase my hiking boots. Yesterday I went in a sport store that have a medioco selections on a variety of different types of footwear. One that got my attention was a pair of hike boots called Alfa a Norwegian brand (not that it matters were my next pair of hike boots are made. Anyone with experience when it comes to Alfa boots? A real shame was that there was no one in the sport store that could give me any good advice, but one thing I noticed was that I had to go one size up from what I normally wear.
I'm going to start my walk from SJPdP probably end of March and walk most of April to the End of the World so any advice when it comes to boots around the time that I'm walking would be most appreciated.
Sincerely
NorwegianWalker
Hey, thanks m1. You're the first Regordane walker I've encountered on the forum. I'll take your advice and hang on the GR. (A sinus problem has affected my fitness badly, so I may settle for the Stevenson or maybe Brittany canals, but hopes are high for the Regordane still.)I walked the Saint-Gilles Way a couple of years ago. Very beautiful - particularly the first few days. The walking was not difficult although there were definitely some places where you needed to keep your eye on the path. We started out trying to stay quite close to the historical St. Gilles route - but it often went close to the road so we ended up just following the GR (the Regordane). If I were to do it again - I would just start out on the GR and stay on it.
The chestnut forests are wonderful and we had good food - although there are many villages without any services. We did see other walkers during the first few days - but they were all following The Stevenson Way. After that we saw only a 4 or 5 people for the rest of the time. We walked in mid-May and it did get very hot as we went south.
Bon chemin,
ml
... advice when it comes to boots
Just got my Alfa shoes and I'm very happy, perfect fit, not to small, not to big@NorwegianWalker , I am impressed that this company did not "pink up" for the ladies but when blazen red!
When you get your pair I hope you let us know what you think of your purchase because 150€ is steep! The same number as my Salomons but they are in the super collapsed Canadian $.
Then again hot mama red may clash with my North American teal and fuschia clothes.
Worth the price?Just got my Alfa shoes and I'm very happy, perfect fit, not to small, not to big View attachment 23854
Yes, definitelyWorth the price?
If not the price quoted on their website then .... A whole lot more?Yes, definitely(150€ is not the correct price, just so you know).
Hi, Anemone del Camino. Here's how you navigate to the reduced price on Alfa, Dyna Dynamic M. First. You go to the Web page and find Alfa, Dyna Dynamic M hiking shoes and the price 1 299 NOK. Second. You then navigate to the bottom of that page and find a key word "kampanjevarer" bottom left. Third. Press "kampanjevarer" and then scroll down to you find Alfa, Dyna Dynamic M B VARE. Voilà, finaly your REDUCED PRICE 849 NOK - THAT'S ABOUT 89€. I hope that's would answer your question. If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact meIf not the price quoted on their website then .... A whole lot more?Please say it ain't so.
Feet vary so much. In the UK I can only find one brand to fit me and that's Keen. The more I walk, the more comfortable I'm getting with lighter weight shoes. Heavyweight Meindl boots ruined my feet on the first camino.
One of my camino pod in 2014 walked from Lourdes to Pamplona before she got ticked off with her boots and bought Ecco sandals. Pat wore the Eccos from Pamplona to Muxia and Finisterre and then some time in Barcelona. I b0ught the same Ecco's, wear them often but not sure if I'll walk in them for my meseta camino in April. I have 56 days to decide!@falcon269 ..My Ecco Off-Road hiking sandals....
I've had Keen's like those (about 93 pair in different colors - exaggerating? Maybe not.) since the were released in the early 2000's. Used to hike up Badger Mountain wearing them all year round. Sooooooo comfy. Then one day I wore my hiking boots for the same hike. Hmmm, I was so much more efficient in boots. YMMV but boots going up and down the rockie/sandy/scree covered trail cut my average travel time.I have these Keens with the closed toe and really like that they keep the pebbles out when I'm doing short hikes around home. In the summer the ventilation is great and I've been known to even golf in them
View attachment 23808
What Hiking sandals do you use?Well, I'd say don't buy boots - buy hiking sandals! You will get as many opinions as people on this forum. What do you wear on hikes at home? Provided they have durable soles, why not wear those?
soloman x ultra mids.....piut them on on the plane...butter to santiagoYes, in a few days I will purchase my hiking boots. Yesterday I went in a sport store that have a medioco selections on a variety of different types of footwear. One that got my attention was a pair of hike boots called Alfa a Norwegian brand (not that it matters were my next pair of hike boots are made. Anyone with experience when it comes to Alfa boots? A real shame was that there was no one in the sport store that could give me any good advice, but one thing I noticed was that I had to go one size up from what I normally wear.
I'm going to start my walk from SJPdP probably end of March and walk most of April to the End of the World so any advice when it comes to boots around the time that I'm walking would be most appreciated.
Sincerely
NorwegianWalker
I alternated every few days between those sandals and Brooks Cascadia trekking shoes and didn't have any blisters or foot issues. The Keen sandals are so comfortable!I have these Keens with the closed toe and really like that they keep the pebbles out when I'm doing short hikes around home. In the summer the ventilation is great and I've been known to even golf in them
View attachment 23808
I've just been watching a video on another thread, of some through-hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail - 4,286 km long and through deserts, mountains, in every imaginable condition. Interestingly all seemed to be wearing trail runners, not boots.
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