Footwear advice for May

[batty]

I am looking for advice regarding what type of shoe to choose for my camino frances walk in May of next year. I was thinking of trailrunners but now i have second thought after reading blogs about the amount of rain and muddy conditions on this route. Please voice your opinion or insight

 

[Devereaux]

Trail runners are fine! That's what I wore. But, make sure they're broken in.
If you're doing the full CF, consider having a second pair somewhere around Leon. I had made a reservation there ahead of the start and sent myself a "care package" to that place from the Madrid Aorport. 250 miles and a pair of trail runners with a full backpack will test those mid soles! I sooo enjoyed that fresh pair of shoes! I sent the used ones ahead to Ivar in CDS,
I also treated myself (in the package) to treats I knew I'd enjoy

 

[dick bird]

Trail runners should be fine. They dry out faster than other types of shoe, are just as good in mud and they´re comfortable (and in May, the weather won´t always be perfect but it won´t be that bad). Rather than sending shoes ahead, you could probably buy a replacement pair along the way e.g. in Léon. Spanish cobblers are magicians, by the way.

 

[MARSKA]

I wore Altra Olympus shoes (trail runners) on my camino. No blisters. A friend of mine wore leather boots (no blisters). Another wore sandals (bad blisters).

Welcome to the forum!!

 

[Anniesantiago]

Trail runners

 

[trecile]

I wore hiking sandals last MayJune on the Francés, Norte, and Primitivo. On the really wet and muddy days I wore waterproof socks over my regular socks and they worked brilliantly to keep my feet clean and dry. It was easy to rinse the mud off of my socks and sandals and they dried faster than shoes.

 

[Anhalter]

Started twice in May, wore trailrunners and was fine. Both times I had very little rain. Yes, there is a chance with weather what it is nowadays, that it will be raining for extended periods of time and that the way will get very muddy. And boots work better in conditions like that. But then i personally found that trailrunners worked that much better for me and that said risk was rather small and in the worst case i can buy muyself a pair of boots. So thats how i made my choice. I try not to pack for every thing that CAN happen but only for things that WILL (most likely) happen. Having a rough idea about what to do in a szenario you're not prepared for and having a few extra bucks does certainly help.

(For example my rain gear is not made for walking in hours of hard pouring rain. So in the unlikely event i would maybe cut my day short or even spend an extra night somewhere or, if available, just buy a poncho)

 

[Helge]

I am looking for advice regarding what type of shoe to choose for my camino frances walk in May of next year. I was thinking of trailrunners but now i have second thought after reading blogs about the amount of rain and muddy conditions on this route. Please voice your opinion or insight

I bought my third pair of La Sportiva ultra (white x-mark soles) weeks before the Camino in 2023. They were "exhausted" after the walk. Probably too soft soles, but perfect grip. The shoes were widely used as a preparation. I still had some problems with blisters. This year I've bought two new pairs – Merrell and Asics hiking shoes. It means a little more weight with, but with two pairs the plan is to vary (different models) as soon as I notice discomfort. The shoes are the most important in terms of preparation.

 

[ObeeOne]

Does anyone have an opinion on the Hoka Transport trail runners? Thanks.

 

[MauiGail]

I wore hiking sandals last MayJune on the Francés, Norte, and Primitivo. On the really wet and muddy days I wore waterproof socks over my regular socks and they worked brilliantly to keep my feet clean and dry. It was easy to rinse the mud off of my socks and sandals and they dried faster than shoes.

Which hiking sandals did you wear? Thanks!

 

[trecile]

Which hiking sandals did you wear? Thanks!

Last year I wore men's Timberland Garrison sandals. In other years I've worn Merrell sandals - but they keep discontinuing the ones I like!