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I actually totally agree and will revisit my gargantuan list...In my opinion shoes are the last thing that you should skimp on. I'm not saying that inexpensive shoes can't be good, but I wouldn't wait until you get to Spain to buy shoes - you will have no time to be sure that they work for you.
Thank you. On my previous casinos I've worn both Keen hiking boots (so many blisters!) and Vasque trail runners (so comfy but out of production). I think I'll need peruse previous shoe threads on the forum.I like Decathlon. I have their clothes, hiking poles, backpack, "butt" pack, socks, etc.
However, I agree with the first answer, that you should never skimp on footwear, especially when planning a Camino. Your feet are your most valuable piece of equipment. Waiting until you get to Spain to get footwear is very risky, IMHO.
I buy Merrell hiking boots, which fit me feet like a glove, yet always get them in advance of my walk just in case.
Suggest you do the same - find a company that has "lasts" that fit your feet, then get a sturdy pair in advance.
Buen Camino!!
Decathlon has closed both of their US stores, but you can order from them online.Decathlon also has a few stores here in the US now.
Click on the tag "foot wear and care" attached to the tile of this thread and you may never emerge! Good luck.Thank you. On my previous casinos I've worn both Keen hiking boots (so many blisters!) and Vasque trail runners (so comfy but out of production). I think I'll need peruse previous shoe threads on the forum.
Click on the tag "foot wear and care" attached to the tile of this thread and you may never emerge! Good luck.
I wear hiking sandals or lightweight runners.
In Canada where there are also Decathlon stores, the stock is very different from Europe. Here in Ottawa they mostly carry their own products. In Spain the shoe selection crosses all major brands. I found the prices for name brands (New Balance, Merrell etc.) to be a bit cheaper in Europe.Decathlon also has a few stores here in the US now. You can order from them online here if you think that is what you want to try. The first Decathlon store you will encounter on the Camino, may not be the town you start in and not all decathlon stores carry all items. Some are huge and others are very small with limited stock. We have purchased shirts, socks, etc. at Decathlon, but they don't always have all sizes you want of something. The items are usually inexpensive though and my husband loves the Decathlon winter socks.
Personally I have found the best Camino (and every day) shoes for me (brand, style, size) and I always order them when the seasons change (last season's colors are cheaper even if they are a horrible color sometimes) and keep at least one new back up pair in my closet in case they quit making them or something...I try to order a pair when the REI discount code comes out or sometimes find them somewhere else on sale online, but I always order the same brand, size, model.
This is just a side comment but I have been dreaming about my "ideal gear" list and find that if money was no object, fine, you can have whatever you want. But for me money is an object. I already have a lot of gear which is suitable for my purposes but not my dream. I need a reality check, because if I buy my dream items, it could be very expensive. I am reminding myself to be satisfied with what I have and not put myself into debt just for my camino.I'm looking strictly at cost here, as I'm trying to shave off a few dollars from my equipment list. I'm contemplating buying trail runners at a Decathlon store in Spain (vs. Amazon pre-trip). In browsing online, I see the prices are much cheaper on Decathlon.
As I've never been inside a Decathlon store, can anyone confirm this?
I am reminding myself to be satisfied with what I have and not put myself into debt just my camino.
Prices at decathlon are good. I am not sure I’d buy shoes on the fly, but that’s me.I'm looking strictly at cost here, as I'm trying to shave off a few dollars from my equipment list. I'm contemplating buying trail runners at a Decathlon store in Spain (vs. Amazon pre-trip). In browsing online, I see the prices are much cheaper on Decathlon.
As I've never been inside a Decathlon store, can anyone confirm this?
Yes. My husband and I were both surprised at the low prices. We each bought a pair of long pants in October that fit well and were well made. My pair was 25 euro and his were convertibles at 35 euro. I may be a little off on the prices but remember thinking that the products were a bargain.I'm looking strictly at cost here, as I'm trying to shave off a few dollars from my equipment list. I'm contemplating buying trail runners at a Decathlon store in Spain (vs. Amazon pre-trip). In browsing online, I see the prices are much cheaper on Decathlon.
As I've never been inside a Decathlon store, can anyone confirm this?
Totally agree. I also use Merrell, but the trainers, rather than boots and have had no problem. Going to sadly have to recycle my pair from my first Camino, 2 years ago, which became garden shoes and this week, decorating footwear. I can't throw them away, so next year, they will become flower pots. I've found they're good for at least 1500km, so not bad for €70!I like Decathlon. I have their clothes, hiking poles, backpack, "butt" pack, socks, etc.
However, I agree with the first answer, that you should never skimp on footwear, especially when planning a Camino. Your feet are your most valuable piece of equipment. Waiting until you get to Spain to get footwear is very risky, IMHO.
I buy Merrell hiking boots, which fit me feet like a glove, yet always get them in advance of my walk just in case.
Suggest you do the same - find a company that has "lasts" that fit your feet, then get a sturdy pair in advance.
Buen Camino!!
Oh, I have learned the hard way that when I find a shoe I love, I should buy up multiple pairs, because inevitably the next few versions will change features, and too often the new versions are not as perfect for me as the old version.I used to love Merrill's just to wear every day, but on two different long back country hikes they gave me terrible blisters in the same place each time (you would think I might have learned after the first time!) Each person's foot is different. Glad I have found a good fit for me now and hope they never stop making it...
Yes, I always keep a new pair or two in the closet!Oh, I have learned the hard way that when I find a shoe I love, I should buy up multiple pairs, because inevitably the next few versions will change features, and too often the new versions are not as perfect for me as the old version.
Sue, I feel your pain. If I could figure out how to hang my first Merrells off the rear view mirror of my car, like people did with baby shoes, I would. However, well, hiking boots . . .Totally agree. I also use Merrell, but the trainers, rather than boots and have had no problem. Going to sadly have to recycle my pair from my first Camino, 2 years ago, which became garden shoes and this week, decorating footwear. I can't throw them away, so next year, they will become flower pots. I've found they're good for at least 1500km, so not bad for €70!
I bought a pair of trail runners from Decathlon (in Spain as it happens). They stank and then fell apart. I bought a pair of Decathlon sandals last month. They are now coming apart. A lot of stuff from Decathlon is fine but I won't be buying their shoes again.I'm looking strictly at cost here, as I'm trying to shave off a few dollars from my equipment list. I'm contemplating buying trail runners at a Decathlon store in Spain (vs. Amazon pre-trip). In browsing online, I see the prices are much cheaper on Decathlon.
As I've never been inside a Decathlon store, can anyone confirm this?
Good to know. Meets what I had expected might be the case.I bought a pair of trail runners from Decathlon (in Spain as it happens). They stank and then fell apart. I bought a pair of Decathlon sandals last month. They are now coming apart. A lot of stuff from Decathlon is fine but I won't be buying their shoes again.
You can look on the decathlon.es website to find out what they sell. I do remember seeing large shoe sections in the decathlon in Pampalona.I'm looking strictly at cost here, as I'm trying to shave off a few dollars from my equipment list. I'm contemplating buying trail runners at a Decathlon store in Spain (vs. Amazon pre-trip). In browsing online, I see the prices are much cheaper on Decathlon.
As I've never been inside a Decathlon store, can anyone confirm this?
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