First timer? Shoes? August

[Steph92]

Hi Guys,
Its my first post and I'm planning to do the camino in August of this year . I know there has been tonnes of posts about shoes with many saying it really all depends on personal preference but with a tight budget (being a student and all) I am just wondering how has anyone got on with doing the whole camino in a pair of runners? Would I be mad to do it in a pair of Nike 5.0s? I've been looking at the north face hedgehog fastpack gortex shoes are they any good? I know I've left this with short notice eek.

Much appreciate any help!

 

[Melensdad]

No problem with walking in trail runners.

I would strongly advise against the Nike 5.0 shoe, however. I coach olympic style fencing at 2 high schools, those shoes are all the rage with the kids. They fall apart way too easily on gym floors, I would think they wouldn't handle any sort of off-pavement trail for long.

Real trail runners often look like running shoes, but are much more rugged, while still being fairly lightweight.

I will not recommend any brand, that is an individual choice. But your shoe needs to hold up to 500 miles across Spain + a couple hundred miles of training before you leave. Look for a real trail runner that will actually stay together over a long distance without falling apart.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Trail runners rock!

 

[HalfDomeOrBust]

I'm also a trail running guy!!

 

[slynchy]

I did the Camino this year from April to May in a pair of Asics Kayanos. Loved it. No blisters. Only time I would have liked a pair of waterproof shoes was on the first day over the Pyrenees when we encountered snow, but that shouldn't be an issue for you.

I did buy a pair of insoles to swap into just for a different feel under my feet.

 

[Adejh]

I did the Camino this year from April to May in a pair of Asics Kayanos. Loved it. No blisters. Only time I would have liked a pair of waterproof shoes was on the first day over the Pyrenees when we encountered snow, but that shouldn't be an issue for you.

I did buy a pair of insoles to swap into just for a different feel under my feet.

Wow, the 500 miles in your Kayanos? I love my Kayanos, and I'd love to walk the whole way in them.

But how many days did you spend off-road walking? So rocky or grassy terrain? Just yesterday I bought a pair of Merrell Moab Ventilators, they have Vibram sole so should be quite robust on the off-road sections. The only reason I wouldn't wear the Kayano all the way is I'm not too sure how they'll hold on the off-road sections.

Your thoughts?

 

[Mike Savage]

Trail runners are my choice too and I am not a runner.

 

[Wolfdog]

Hi Steph, I wore Brooks Cascadia 9s and Keen sandals last Sept/Oct. No foot problems and no issues on the trails. Buen Camino, Pete

 

[spursfan]

I'm at the extreme end - I wear Merrell barefoot Trail Glove 1's that weigh only 200g each - the lightest shoes with Vibram soles and, most importantly for me, they fit perfectly so there is no movement of my heels and hence very few blisters

The most important feature is that you are comfortable walking in them for up to 8-11 hours a day - the Camino features a mix of hard tarmac roads with softer shoulder sections and cross-country paths that might have some gravel and occasional rocks - some paths can be muddy during certain times of the year, particularly if shared with cyclists - but nothing that requires boots

 

[Adejh]

Just yesterday I bought the Merrell Moab Ventilators, good reviews and they looked and felt the part in the shop.

I took them out for a run/walk today, perfect for off-road - very strong, thick and sturdy underfoot on grass, mud and rocks. Only trouble was that running with them was like running with bricks on your feet, especially compared to my usual Kayano Gel 20.

About 5km in I noticed pain in the outer of both of my feet (impact zone), after a further 3 km that pain got worse; resulting in my tip toeing home very slowly!

Tomorrow I'll take them back to the store and get a pair of Salomon Speedcrosss 3s instead. Apparently very similar to Asics with added lace technology, some other bits and trail-type rugged sole.

Although I'm thinking about just doing the 780km in my Kayanos, my concern is the sole is quite slick, soft and very flexible. From what @slynchy says though - it's possible!

What do you think of this tread @spursfan (Asics Kayano 20)

 

[slynchy]

Wow, the 500 miles in your Kayanos? I love my Kayanos, and I'd love to walk the whole way in them.

But how many days did you spend off-road walking? So rocky or grassy terrain? Just yesterday I bought a pair of Merrell Moab Ventilators, they have Vibram sole so should be quite robust on the off-road sections. The only reason I wouldn't wear the Kayano all the way is I'm not too sure how they'll hold on the off-road sections.

Your thoughts?

Not sure how many days were off-road...lots? Lol. I found them to be fine, but if I did it again I'd bring a second pair. I do think most sneakers have a shelf life of 500km, so with wearing them in beforehand, at about the half way mark I wished I had brought a second pair.

 

[mvanert]

Hi Guys,
Its my first post and I'm planning to do the camino in August of this year . I know there has been tonnes of posts about shoes with many saying it really all depends on personal preference but with a tight budget (being a student and all) I am just wondering how has anyone got on with doing the whole camino in a pair of runners? Would I be mad to do it in a pair of Nike 5.0s? I've been looking at the north face hedgehog fastpack gortex shoes are they any good? I know I've left this with short notice eek.

Much appreciate any help!

Yes, I did last year, New Balance. Just make sure they're bigger than you would normally wear, at least 1/2 size, better 1 size larger to allow for your feet to expand as they will in heat, guaranteed. Oh, I used a petroleum jelly each morning to coat my feet. After my first 4 days of not using it and getting blisters I made the switch and began coating my feet. I had no more blisters for the rest of my camino.