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Yep.Trail and street runners absolutely will not last for as long as a boot or a heavier hiking shoe.
Excellent reasons, but then so many antithetics for any Camino except a shorter 800K - 1,000K one (or less) along one of the major Spanish or Portuguese routes.Why would I choose that type of footwear? My preference was for a shoe with significantly lighter weight, lessened drain on energy levels caused by lifting the weight on my feet - step after step - for 24 to 26-miles each day, lessened risk for injury (fatigued ankle and lower leg muscles and supporting structures are more prone to injury), and the extra comfort provided by the cushioning.
As do I -- and those same considerations have led me to wearing French Army boots 6-12/7/365.I do not let longevity of footwear determine what I wear. I focus on comfort of the footwear's fit and feel, and what the overall energy expenditure will be in using them. Then I consider what the conditions are expected to be like (cold, snow, ice). From there, I make my decision.
DaveBugg, I am curiously waiting for your upcoming post on the newest footwear review you have become enamoured with; I consider you our "Gear Guru".I will soon be posting a review of such a piece of footwear which after 6 months of heavy testing, have grown a bit enamored of.
Thanks so much for posting. I've been trying to decide which to bring this year. I started on the Camino del Norte through Llanes last October. On Oct 1 ( 6 days!) I'll be in Llanes again to finish up on the Norte/Primitivo. Last year I wore trail runners and I was usually fine....
Why would I choose that type of footwear? My preference was for a shoe with significantly lighter weight, lessened drain on energy levels caused by lifting the weight on my feet - step after step - for 24 to 26-miles each day, lessened risk for injury (fatigued ankle and lower leg muscles and supporting structures are more prone to injury), and the extra comfort provided by the cushioning.
...
I do not let longevity of footwear determine what I wear. I focus on comfort of the footwear's fit and feel, and what the overall energy expenditure will be in using them. Then I consider what the conditions are expected to be like (cold, snow, ice). From there, I make my decision.
Thanks so much for posting. I've been trying to decide which to bring this year. I started on the Camino del Norte through Llanes last October. On Oct 1 ( 6 days!) I'll be in Llanes again to finish up on the Norte/Primitivo. Last year I wore trail runners and I was usually fine.
I have since bought a pair of hiking boots and have been hiking with them. They are good on rocky trails. I like both! I've been trying to pick one over the other. I was only going to bring my boots, but after reading your post, I'm going to bring both. The trail runners should be good for days when my legs need a break. The trail runners have some life still in them, but they wouldn't last the whole way. I can ditch them when they are finished.
I've had people say, that the boots provide better ankle support, but there's always a cost. If the ankles are supported better, there's got to be a strain some where else!
Both the boots and the runners are Topos. I prefer them over Altras, by far!
There are also those with ankle malformation problems, for whom the support is not small, but essential.Ankle Support: There are those who may have weak ankle supporting structures where a higher top boot could help provide some small level of assistance with those supporting structures. However, the best thing to do if there is no degenerative issues involved
All true, but this is less important on any shorter Caminos less than ~1,000K.is to incorporate exercises of the ankle structures - muscles, ligaments, and tendons - which will allow those structures to build strength. Examples include walking on gentle, uneven surfaces with a shoe that is designed with a wide mid and outer sole at the heel. . . as seen in many trail runners. Other exercises include balancing on one foot, using a teeter board, doing rotational foot exercises wearing increasing levels of weights on the foot as ankles grow stronger, etc.
Without my army boots, this would be a constant risk.Ankle Protection: Above-the-ankle boots are not rigid enough up their sides to provide any meaningful splinting action to protect ankles from a twisting or bending caused injury.
However, the best thing to do if there is no degenerative issues involved, is to incorporate exercises of the ankle structures - muscles, ligaments, and tendons - which will allow those structures to build strength.
C'mon, JP, I don't think you are being helpful to minimize the importance of such exercises for people walking "only" 800 km with weak ankles. Which covers the vast majority of people seeking advice here on the forum. I would think that the "best thing" would be to do those exercises. Some people may require more, but the exercises will still be beneficial.All true, but this is less important on any shorter Caminos less than ~1,000K.
I am not sure which statement was "incorrect." Dave provided enough qualifiers to exempt/recognize exceptional people like you from his generalized advice.your above statement is still incorrect as towards pilgrims/hikers who are in a significantly greater state of risk from twisting, bending, sprains than is typical.
I disagree -- pilgrims who actually need stronger ankle support do not need to be discouraged from acquiring it.C'mon, JP, I don't think you are being helpful to minimize the importance of such exercises for people walking "only" 800 km with weak ankles. Which covers the vast majority of people seeking advice here on the forum. I would think that the "best thing" would be to do those exercises. Some people may require more, but the exercises will still be beneficial.
Dave and I have been sparring on this detail question for a while, and my detail issue with his latest post is that whilst he properly made excellent allowance for degenerative conditions, he did not make similar allowance for questions of outright anatomical malformation, that is unlikely to be corrected through exercises or by using lighter footwear.I am not sure which statement was "incorrect." Dave provided enough qualifiers to exempt/recognize exceptional people like you from his generalized advice.
OK, but you quoted a recommendation to do exercises.I disagree -- pilgrims who actually need stronger ankle support do not need to be discouraged from acquiring
Surely, anyone with outright anatomical malformations would understand that generalized advice for the normal anatomy may not fully apply. It isn't necessary to continue the "sparring on this detail question."he did not make similar allowance for questions of outright anatomical malformation
That was mentioned. That was intended to be covered under 'degenerative' issues. I do see your point, however. I will edit my post to include anatomical malformations. . I think that will be inclusive of the wide general range of abnormalities that are not corrected by therapy or exercise. What say you?There are also those with ankle malformation problems, for whom the support is not small, but essential.
Not at all. It is important for normal function in everyday life as well. From helping with balance issues to dealing with aches in the ankle area due to weak structures. The strengthening does not distinguish between a foot slipping into a depression on a path or on a long camino or while walking to the mailbox. A strengthened ankle is better able to handle such things.All true, but this is less important on any shorter Caminos less than ~1,000K.
I have very loose ligaments around my ankles (heredity). My ankles will bend more than 90 degrees In all directions. However, when I roll an ankle, I may fall, but don't sprain my ankles easily. I've worked hard on building up supporting muscles around my ankle area, but combined with a super high arch, I'm not as stable as others. I do have very strong feet, calfs.I appreciate your kind words. Let's explore the difference between ankle 'support' versus ankle 'protection' as those terms sometimes are used interchangeably, yet they are terms which have distinct meanings.
Ankle Support: There are those who may have weak ankle supporting structures where a higher top boot could help provide some small level of assistance with those supporting structures. However, the best thing to do if there is no degenerative issues involved, is to incorporate exercises of the ankle structures - muscles, ligaments, and tendons - which will allow those structures to build strength. Examples include walking on gentle, uneven surfaces with a shoe that is designed with a wide mid and outer sole at the heel. . . as seen in many trail runners. Other exercises include balancing on one foot, using a teeter board, doing rotational foot exercises wearing increasing levels of weights on the foot as ankles grow stronger, etc.
Ankle Protection: Above-the-ankle boots are not rigid enough up their sides to provide any meaningful splinting action to protect ankles from a twisting or bending caused injury.
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Rather than bringing a pair of running shoes if I am backpacking or walking in back-country terrain where I will use my Lowa boots, I will bring a lightweight camp shoe or sandal. . .most of these will be sufficient to walk around town in, go to dinner, do chores, etc. Something like the Xero-Z-trail hiking sandals weigh just over 8 ounces/227 grams per pair. Xero Z-Trail Women's Sandal (click on blue link)
i always bring camp shoes. Right now my favorites are OofosAnkle Support: There are those who may have weak ankle supporting structures where a higher top boot could help provide some small level of assistance with those supporting structures. However, the best thing to do if there are no degenerative or deformational issues - either from birth or from prior injury - is to incorporate exercises of the ankle structures - muscles, ligaments, and tendons - which will allow those structures to build strength. Examples include walking on gentle, uneven surfaces with a shoe that is designed with a wide mid and outer sole at the heel. . . as seen in many trail runners. Other exercises include balancing on one foot, using a teeter board, doing rotational foot exercises wearing increasing levels of weights on the foot as ankles grow stronger, etc.
Ankle Protection: Above-the-ankle boots are not rigid enough up their sides to provide any meaningful splinting action to protect ankles from a twisting or bending caused injuries
Rather than bringing a pair of running shoes if I am backpacking or walking in back-country terrain where I will use my Lowa boots, I will bring a lightweight camp shoe or sandal. . .most of these will be sufficient to walk around town in, go to dinner, do chores, etc. Something like the Xero-Z-trail hiking sandals weigh just over 8 ounces/227 grams per pair. Xero Z-Trail Women's Sandal (click on blue link)
Great.That was mentioned. That was intended to be covered under 'degenerative' issues. I do see your point, however. I will edit my post to include anatomical malformations. . I think that will be inclusive of the wide general range of abnormalities that are not corrected by therapy or exercise. What say you?
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