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1. Do not skimp on shoes, socks or cream for your feet when you do the Camino Primitivo. Spend whatever it takes to make sure your feet are comfortable.
2. Only use hiking boots if you have moderate to severe ankle issues.
3. Hiking sandals will most likely not be enough - especially in the muddy and rock portions of the trail. I recommend a sturdy comfortable hiking or running shoe.
At last sosmeone admitting shopping on the Camino offers limirpted options. And thank you for the heads up regarding storage.Just finished my Camino Levante a week ago. On the first day my right boot literary disintegrated. It was last used a few years ago on rhe camino del norte and I probably had underestimated the effects of long term storage and the salt water from walking near the norte's beaches from time to time.
Got a pair of running shoes on the second day (not much options in a small town/city and finished the rest of the camino with those shoes. Just a small blister (nothing like what I get when wearing boots). Even the 1400 meters mountain before Ávila was not a problem.
I am sold now to these shoes. Not the normal running shoes but probably trail runner like the ones from Salomon as they offer better external protection and ruggedness. My running shoe I needed super glue to attached a bit of an outer sole on the last week and not as rugged as I would like it to be.
No more boots for me.
All good suggestions though I'd also suggest changing socks at least once a day - or alternatively examining your feet a number of times each day just in case
And, if all else fails, bring a pack of Compeed blister plasters
Just finished my Camino Levante a week ago. On the first day my right boot literary disintegrated. It was last used a few years ago on rhe camino del norte and I probably had underestimated the effects of long term storage and the salt water from walking near the norte's beaches from time to time.
Got a pair of running shoes on the second day (not much options in a small town/city and finished the rest of the camino with those shoes. Just a small blister (nothing like what I get when wearing boots). Even the 1400 meters mountain before Ávila was not a problem.
I am sold now to these shoes. Not the normal running shoes but probably trail runner like the ones from Salomon as they offer better external protection and ruggedness. My running shoe I needed super glue to attached a bit of an outer sole on the last week and not as rugged as I would like it to be.
No more boots for me.
Hi Mamen
I see time after time brand new footwear worn, then days later the person has gone home, not having done enough practice.
even those with worn in footwear can be the worse offenders for not having there feet re-measured again before a long distance walk......at least once a year.
The amount of time. money and energy put into fixing blisters ,having to go home due to foot problems can be equal to doing it right with practice in the first place.....even after selecting a footwear any niggles while training before take them back...again and again if need be...
one day when I ever finish walking caminos my feet will probably be happy feet then
Wait, wait, that's it! Please come back with more stories.
Yes, good solid shoes are fine, no need what so ever for super hicker stuff.
But more stories please!
Or maybe they didn't take it off fast enough.Good point about the Compeed. I had some along and never used them. 4 of the other people walking with us, however, used compeed and still decided to retire - perhaps they didn't use it fast enough.
Good point about the Compeed. I had some along and never used them. 4 of the other people walking with us, however, used compeed and still decided to retire - perhaps they didn't use it fast enough. I'm not sure about that, but I believe that the point is worth making that avoiding blisters however possible is much better than dealing with them once they form.
Just finished the Camino Primitivo (Ovied0-Santiago) on 7 October 2015 and wanted to share my thoughts on the topic of taking great care of your feet during your journey.
Out of about 25 people who started the Camino with us on 25 September, only 1/2 finished. Of those who didn't finish, all but one retired either because of blisters or other foot issues. I'm sharing my experiences here so that you can make the best decisions for your feet and finish the amazingly beautiful Camino Primitivo.
For my trip I was really torn between leather hiking boots and low cut hiking shoes. In the end I opted for low cut hiking shoes and a pair of Merrell sandals for after walking and I'm very glad I did. I never even had a hint of a blister which I attribute to the shoes as well as a couple of other things I did.
Everyone I met on the Camino that wore hiking boots - even ones that were well broken in - had blisters or other foot issues. Hiking boots are really too much for this Camino in my opinion - unless you absolutely need the extra ankle support. If that is the case make sure you have your boots well broken in and follow the advice I give below for avoiding blisters.
I too was originally concerned for my ankles with the low cut shoes, but in the end I learned to walk carefully over the rocky parts of the trails and did just fine. (FYI, i have sprained my left ankle seriously 2 times dating back about 20 years). I was also concerned that my feet would get wet in the hiking shoes. They most certainly did - it rained like crazy for 2 days straight - but it didn't make a difference at all in terms of blisters or warmth. Why?
The day before I left, I invested in 2 great pairs of merino wool hiking socks made by a company called IceBreaker. I also purchased a special cream called "Hirschtalg Creme" (in Austria) and applied that to my feet daily while on the Camino It's a more natural version of Vaseline that many people recommend on these forums. The high quality socks kept my feet warm and the cream kept them from rubbing on the sock or shoe during the 13 stages of the Camino Primitivo.
Based on this experience, here is how I would summarize my recommendations.
1. Do not skimp on shoes, socks or cream for your feet when you do the Camino Primitivo. Spend whatever it takes to make sure your feet are comfortable.
2. Only use hiking boots if you have moderate to severe ankle issues.
3. Hiking sandals will most likely not be enough - especially in the muddy and rock portions of the trail. I recommend a sturdy comfortable hiking or running shoe.
4. Get the highest quality merino wool hiking socks you can find - bring 2 pairs and wash one and wear one.
5. Bring some "Hirsctalg Creme" or vaseline and use this on your feet everyday.
6. If you feel any hint of a blister forming during the day stop immediately and apply more cream.
Hopefully this will help you finish the Camino with happy feet!
Mark
I echo those who say boots. I walked about 900 miles in 90 days, and the only foot problem was losing a small toenail on one foot by Pamplona---which I expected since I always lose that nail from long road marches or marathons (ever since my Nijmegen march, when I damaged the nail bed with steel toed flight boots). The boots were relatively new but not brand new. I had not trained. I wore one pair of seamless running socks each day. But the boots and socks fit well, I covered my feet with ointment each morning and night, and changed my socks ASAP if my feet were wet (especially if they were wet and hot). On the few hot days I walked, I took my boots off every hour or two to cool and check my feet, and rotate socks. I gave boots and feet a chance to breathe at the end of the day and wore Tevas. I believe in ankle support, and I think no matter what else you wear, the important thing is that it fit well, and your feet stay cool and dry.
Just finished the Camino Primitivo (Ovied0-Santiago) on 7 October 2015 and wanted to share my thoughts on the topic of taking great care of your feet during your journey.
Out of about 25 people who started the Camino with us on 25 September, only 1/2 finished. Of those who didn't finish, all but one retired either because of blisters or other foot issues. I'm sharing my experiences here so that you can make the best decisions for your feet and finish the amazingly beautiful Camino Primitivo.
For my trip I was really torn between leather hiking boots and low cut hiking shoes. In the end I opted for low cut hiking shoes and a pair of Merrell sandals for after walking and I'm very glad I did. I never even had a hint of a blister which I attribute to the shoes as well as a couple of other things I did.
Everyone I met on the Camino that wore hiking boots - even ones that were well broken in - had blisters or other foot issues. Hiking boots are really too much for this Camino in my opinion - unless you absolutely need the extra ankle support. If that is the case make sure you have your boots well broken in and follow the advice I give below for avoiding blisters.
I too was originally concerned for my ankles with the low cut shoes, but in the end I learned to walk carefully over the rocky parts of the trails and did just fine. (FYI, i have sprained my left ankle seriously 2 times dating back about 20 years). I was also concerned that my feet would get wet in the hiking shoes. They most certainly did - it rained like crazy for 2 days straight - but it didn't make a difference at all in terms of blisters or warmth. Why?
The day before I left, I invested in 2 great pairs of merino wool hiking socks made by a company called IceBreaker. I also purchased a special cream called "Hirschtalg Creme" (in Austria) and applied that to my feet daily while on the Camino It's a more natural version of Vaseline that many people recommend on these forums. The high quality socks kept my feet warm and the cream kept them from rubbing on the sock or shoe during the 13 stages of the Camino Primitivo.
Based on this experience, here is how I would summarize my recommendations.
1. Do not skimp on shoes, socks or cream for your feet when you do the Camino Primitivo. Spend whatever it takes to make sure your feet are comfortable.
2. Only use hiking boots if you have moderate to severe ankle issues.
3. Hiking sandals will most likely not be enough - especially in the muddy and rock portions of the trail. I recommend a sturdy comfortable hiking or running shoe.
4. Get the highest quality merino wool hiking socks you can find - bring 2 pairs and wash one and wear one.
5. Bring some "Hirsctalg Creme" or vaseline and use this on your feet everyday.
6. If you feel any hint of a blister forming during the day stop immediately and apply more cream.
Hopefully this will help you finish the Camino with happy feet!
Mark
Sorry to disagree. Vaseline, Vick's Vapour Rub or a anti chaffing product like ProShield Plus that uses dimethacon will save your feet. I also use St-John's Wart oil. Harden your feet at home 3 weeks before leaving home, "oil" well en route.Bring some "Hirsctalg Creme" or vaseline and use this on your feet everyday.
This really doesn't seem a good idea to me at all. Vaseline would make the feet soft, and to my mind more prone to blisters. I took precisely the opposite approach: rubbing surgical spirit on my feet for several days beforehand to toughen them up a bit. Can't say I didn't get any blisters, but those I got seemed to be on the bits that were less toughened.
Good socks though I agree with.
Kanga, how does it work if you are putting the plasticky side on your skin?I am a fan of @Stephen Nicholls panty liner trick. I did not get any blisters wearing my sandals 840km on the Norte (with no socks) but I attribute that in part to sticking a panty liner to the sole of each sandal - for me that worked best - so opposite sides to the way Stephen used them - ie sticky side on the sandal. If I had to wade through water I would just put on a new dry panty liner. So did my husband. It caused much hilarity and some curiosity among other pilgrims.
If it sticks to the bottom of my feet, then socks/shoes can't rub my feet - they rub againt the liner. However .... I'm not convinced all blisters are caused by rubbing. I think some people have 'princess' feet - I do - they are very suceptible to PRESSURE. If I walk 2,000 paces per mile and walk 12 miles, that's 24,000 pressures of my [excessive] body weight on the sole of my feet.Anemone I don't put the plasticky side next to my skin - I put that on the sole of my shoes with the soft absorbent side up next to my skin. Stephen does it the other way round. It seems to work for him but not sure how.
Here is a useful study if you want to prepare and be pro-active in avoiding blisters totally.:
http://www.blisterprevention.com.au/the-advanced-guide-to-blister-prevention#.Vhzn5_ntmkp
By having educated myself from this report, I had absolutely no blister problems whatsoever on my last Camino.
All good suggestions though I'd also suggest changing socks at least once a day - or alternatively examining your feet a number of times each day just in case
And, if all else fails, bring a pack of Compeed blister plasters
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