Boots Recommendation

[vlebe]

Dear fellow pilgrims;

As some of you know, I'm heading for the Camino Aragones, Frances and Finisterra in November/December.

I'd like to have some recommendations from the Boot Lovers (only) out there. This is not another "trainner vs boots" thread. I won't change my mind regarding the use of boots for the camino. I have done it once in trainners and it was a terrible experience.

My size is usually 48EU, but as I have already problems with nails due to high altitude mountaineering (I suffered severe frostbite in Alaska in 2013), I'm pretty sure I have to go for a size 49EU which makes my search for the perfect boot a bit harder than usual.

What I look for:

- Manufacturers that have big sizing (Eg: Salomon usually is a no-go)
- Mid's
- Good Waterproofing and Breathability (it'll be cold and wet);
- Modern insoles ( I have boots for alpine climbing that the insoles kind of mold into your feet after 2 or 3 uses... they are awesome);
- Light weight: 49EU boots are already massive big, so they have to be modern and lightweight.
- Good toe box: I can't afford loosing any toe nails as this would ruin my rock,alpine climbing Training for my next climbing projects for at least 5 months.

Well;
I appreciate any inputs you might have ( links , models, brands are very welcomed)

Thanks everyone!

Ultreia!!!

 

[Deleted member 43985]

I have done very well with Lowa Renegade GTX Mids. They are relatively light, at least compared to moutaineering boots, waterproof, good traction with soft Vibram outsoles and come in your size (https://www.lowaboots.com/about-lowa/size-chart). The only criteria they don't conform to is the insoles and they are pretty vanilla but also pretty easy to buy some better ones if you deem necessary. That said, I used the factory ones twice and had no issues. Good luck!

 

[SabsP]

Hanwags. Expensive but made in Europe. Broad toebox.
http://www.hanwag.com/products/outdoor/trek?id=436&gender=1611

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Once upon a time, when I thought the pain I suffered on C1 (Camino no. 1) was lack of stuffing on the sole of my shoe I pirchased a pair of Mammut boots. Did not help as the problem was not the footwear but my flat feet.

This being said, if onewants to wear a boot this was an excellent pair made with memory foam.

But that ks not why I am writing, but rather your toenail issue. I lost toe nails on a few Caminos and even now still seen them change as I walk. But since they stay on I let them be.

But if it was still an issue I would consider using what ballet dancers use in their point shoes. With your sizefeet I don't thing the premolded sillicon or foam tips would help, but wool may help. One it is shapped to your feet you don't feel them. They are also not an issue with sweat.

 

[homebuilt]

Vasque - St. Elias gtx

http://www.vasque.com/USD/product/m...g/st-elias-gtx-slate-brn-belug-07160#pdpTabs1

 

[PLOK]

I walked the Camino from Irun to Burgos and then on to Santiago. My boots were Teva e-vent and reckon they fit your requirements. Big toe box, very light weight, strong and supportive. Not sure about waterproofing as they are not goretex - a disaster in warm weather - but I am sure you can research that part. I suffered absolutely no problems and they now look, after at least 1000 kilometres, as if they have hardly been worn. Sorry I can't work out how to add a photo of them but would if I could
Best of luck with your search

 

[Xali1970]

Hello,

I hike with the meindl rapide gtx, with superfeet green insoles during spring and early autumn, it's a shoe rather than a boot, very large volume toe box, rigid sole and waterproof. Can get a bit warm but very comfortable.

For winter I use meindl Meram GTX boots, also green superfeet insoles. Lightweight full grain leather with light ankle support. Fully waterproof provided they're waxed every few weeks when encountering lots of wet weather. I just appreciate the higher ankle to keep water out in very wet terrain.


Enjoy.

 

[jdpiguet]

Same as @jozero, I am now using my 5th (or may be 6th...) pair of Lowa Renegade GTX mid.
No problem so far, out of the fact that they are quite quickly used.
Very good in wet and cold conditions.

Buen Camino, Jacques-D.

 

[vlebe]

I have done very well with Lowa Renegade GTX Mids. They are relatively light, at least compared to moutaineering boots, waterproof, good traction with soft Vibram outsoles and come in your size (https://www.lowaboots.com/about-lowa/size-chart). The only criteria they don't conform to is the insoles and they are pretty vanilla but also pretty easy to buy some better ones if you deem necessary. That said, I used the factory ones twice and had no issues. Good luck!

Hi @jozero and @jdpiguet ! THank you so much for you recommendation. I have owned Lowa boots before ( for alpine, snow, mixed climbings) and I think the Renegades would meet my needs.

I have one more major problem and maybe you guys could help me:

Im currently living in Brazil and I wont be able to buy those boots and try them before buying as I'll be working non-stop until my next Camino holiday next november so, someone will have to get them for me in Europe and bring them here so I can break them in before my trip.

My problem: As I have this huge "nail protection" concern, Im planning to buy half size to 1 full size, bigger than what I usually wear. The issue is every brand and model has different size shapes.

I usually wear 48EU so for the boots ( feet swelling + double socks) I though of getting either a 48,5EU (14US) or 49EU(14,5US) but, There is no way I can guess which one will be my best bet!

I sent Lowa an email asking for them if they could kindly send me some drawings from the insoles. I guess this could help me make a decision but, I'm not sure they will be that kind.

Do any of you by any chance have any of those sizes of these boots? (48, 48,5 or 49 EU)

Im pretty concerned about buying the wrong size. I have only one shot which is my syster as she is coming to visit me from Spain later this month.


I appreciate any new inputs you guys could give me.

Thanks a bunch!

Vagner

 

[vlebe]

I walked the Camino from Irun to Burgos and then on to Santiago. My boots were Teva e-vent and reckon they fit your requirements. Big toe box, very light weight, strong and supportive. Not sure about waterproofing as they are not goretex - a disaster in warm weather - but I am sure you can research that part. I suffered absolutely no problems and they now look, after at least 1000 kilometres, as if they have hardly been worn. Sorry I can't work out how to add a photo of them but would if I could
Best of luck with your search

Thanks a lot @PLOK . I'll have a look at those online right now!

 

[Deleted member 43985]

Do any of you by any chance have any of those sizes of these boots? (48, 48,5 or 49 EU)

Hi Vagner - I wear US 13 / EU 47 so not sure if that would help you? Plus I replaced my Lowa insoles after my last Camino with some after market ones with a little more/new cushion. However, if you think that is of any help, happy to do it for you. I should also mention I purchase the same size shoes and these boots regardless of whether they are for sports, dress shoes, etc, all the same so for me Lowa is pretty accurate with their sizing. Good luck.

 

[vlebe]

Hi Vagner - I wear US 13 / EU 47 so not sure if that would help you? Plus I replaced my Lowa insoles after my last Camino with some after market ones with a little more/new cushion. However, if you think that is of any help, happy to do it for you. I should also mention I purchase the same size shoes and these boots regardless of whether they are for sports, dress shoes, etc, all the same so for me Lowa is pretty accurate with their sizing. Good luck.

awesome @jozero ! thanks mate.

You're saying that you did not had to add any extra size in order for the boots to fit you properly ( even considering feet swelling and socks), right?

In that case, if I decide to go for a bigger size, half a size would probably do the job.

 

[SYates]

Another vote for the Lowa Renegade line of boots here ;-)
Buen Camino, SY

 

[Deleted member 43985]

awesome @jozero ! thanks mate.

You're saying that you did not had to add any extra size in order for the boots to fit you properly ( even considering feet swelling and socks), right?

In that case, if I decide to go for a bigger size, half a size would probably do the job.

Happy to share my experiences. I hope your sizing idea works for you but honestly for me I'd be worried about blisters coming from boot slop if I purposely bought oversized footwear. I wear a medium weight smart wool hiking sock (I don't walk in the summer months) and while I'm sure my feet must swell some this doesn't seem to be a big thing for me. This may sound odd to some but I also lace my boots according to the day ahead. Uphill days I lace looser and low ( I don't lace to the top so my ankle is more free to move) and on downhill days I lace a little tighter with a heel lock and right to the top to keep from getting sore, black toes. Yup, now that I read that, I'm pretty sure many will find this odd but it works for me so it is what it is...

 

[vlebe]

Yup, now that I read that, I'm pretty sure many will find this odd but it works for me so it is what it is...

Hey @jozero ! thanks again for your inputs.
Your lacing strategy is not odd at all but it is, indeed, the proper way to use boots. In mountaineering we often do that for long traverses with ups and downs.

Keeping the same lace strength regardless of going up or downhill is a receipt for disaster. As a matter of fact this might be one of the reasons why some of us dont like wearing boots: Wrong lacing techniques.

Im still confused on what size to order for the Lowa boots... It's shame Im not able to try them beforehand....

Hopefuly I'll make up my mind soon.

THanks again!!

 

[Melensdad]

I wore LaSportiva Synthesis GTX Mid hikers. Its half way between a hiking shoe and a light hiking boot. It was a good choice for my recent Camino. I had previously worn Zamberlain GTX Crosser 130 light hiking boots on other long distance hikes (USA + England) but they were well worn and I was unsure they would last another 500 miles so I tried the LaSportiva Synthesis.

I really like both of the above boots. Both are very light. Both essentially need minimal to no break in. Both are great for day-hike trips like the Camino where your backpack load is very light (typically 25# or less). Both are waterproof. The LaSportiva uses and active ventilation and honestly my feet never got hot despite the 90+ degree (F) temps on most of my Camino.

The Zamberlain GTX Crosser 130 was named boot of the year in 2012 or '13 and the LaSportiva Synthesis GTX was the hiking boot of the year in 2015 according to Backpacker magazine.

 

[C clearly]

your backpack shouldn't weigh more than 10 - 15kg

Surely you mean 10-15 pounds (4.5 to 7 kg) and not 10-15 kg (22-33 pounds)!?

I would probably say that people don't typically need more than 5-8 kg, or 12-18 pounds.

 

[gerardcarey]

I note Altra have a waterproof mid version of their Lone Peak.

MEN'S LONE PEAK 4 MID RSM Trail Running Shoe | Altra Running

The Lone Peak 4 Mid RSM is made to face the elements. Features a brand new eVent® upper, which offers leading breathability, maximum comfort, and protection in the widest range of conditions. This new fabric material is also lighter and more durable than our previous version. The 4-point...

www.altrarunning.com

Regds
Gerard

 

[Deleted member 43985]

Surely you mean 10-15 pounds (4.5 to 7 kg) and not 10-15 kg (22-33 pounds)!?

I would probably say that people don't typically need more than 5-8 kg, or 12-18 pounds.

Maybe this will depend on the time of year. I've yet to manage <10kg in the winter months.

 

[trecile]

Surely you mean 10-15 pounds (4.5 to 7 kg) and not 10-15 kg (22-33 pounds)!?

I would probably say that people don't typically need more than 5-8 kg, or 12-18 pounds.

Right. The heaviest base weight that I've carried was about 6.5 kg. I can't imagine that I would need more than another kg or so for a winter Camino.

 

[JabbaPapa]

Lake District (in England) and 1935.

But I do very much like those boots !!

 

[Kanga]

Wonderful photo @JabbaPapa