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Footwear for VDLP in March

Simon B

Active Member
Time of past OR future Camino
Camino Ingles and Camino Frances. VDLP Spring 2019
I know this is a perennial question but would be grateful some thoughts about footwear. I am walking my third Camino in March - the VDLP. My main footwear is a pair of Keen Targhee II boots. But I am in a quandary about a second pair of footwear. For my first Camino I took flip-flops [thongs] not very good when the weather is cooler and fort the second a pair of standard Crocs. Flip-flops used also in the shower but not the Crocs. I am thinking Crocs for March but they are a little bulky - weight difference is minimal.

Any thoughts?
 
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@Simon B, I know what you mean regarding extra footwear, my main is Meindl and as a back up I use Tevalite sandals, these will be heavier that our flip Flops or Crocs, but for me they are invaluable when i did my first camino had i not had the walking sandals I'm sure i wouldn't have completed the journey, they go with me everywhere now.
I guess that doesn't really help your quandary, me I'd go for the Crocs, you can use them in the shower and I guess at such walk in them should the need arise.
 
Was there something not satisfactory about what you used last time? Are you looking for a back-up walking shoe, or just something for evenings?

If it is simply an issue of bulk, you could probably find a less bulky plastic slip-on shoe than brand name Crocs. That's all I use.
 
Altus ANDES 400 H30 sleeping bag
Down bag (90/10 duvet) of 700 fills with 180 g (6.34 ounces) of filling. Mummy-shaped structure, ideal when you are looking for lightness with great heating performance.

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I also use/love/swear by the (now barely available!) Keen Targhee II mids. In Oct and Nov 2018 when walking the Portugues and then the Ingles I actually took a pair of Altra Lone Peaks as back up in case the Targhees got wet or too hot or whatever. (I had already walked the CFrances x 2 in another pair of Targhees so was not concerned about them being right, just wanted some options. Was glad to switch shoes in the evening into something other than Crocs and at times wore the Altras as my walking shoe. I would repeat that next time in fact and they were so light it was not an issue. The Altras (trail shoe) were far more comfortable than Crocs in the evenings.
 
I carry a pair of Ecco sport sandals. They can get wet, dry quickly, and in a pinch can be worn instead of the Keen Targhee II boots that I also prefer. If the Ecco sandals get wet, I hang them outside my rucksack until they air dry.

The sandals are better for evening and rest day wear. I can wear them with or without socks. Yes, I know that socks and sandals are a fashion 'no-no,' but the Camino is not a fashion parade. When walking over level ground on a hot day, they are even a good substitute f r the heavier boots.

Hope this helps.
 
If I would walk the Plata again, I would take my crocs for the stream crossings ;-)
Buen Camino, SY
 
Altus ANDES 400 H30 sleeping bag
Down bag (90/10 duvet) of 700 fills with 180 g (6.34 ounces) of filling. Mummy-shaped structure, ideal when you are looking for lightness with great heating performance.

€149,-
Hi Simon
I walked it last April from Seville to Salamanca. Wore Lowa renegade boots which allowed me to get across most water areas without any problems. In fact many other walkers were Europeans and in one albergue half the footwear was Lowa Renegades. See photo
My second pair are sketches, a shoe style which are extremely light and cover my feet in cold weather. Have used sandals and crocs but find the sketchers work well. No good for showering. Hope this helps.
Happymark
 

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Waders for stream crossing. Always flip flops for shower and croc sandals for evening
 
as gaillimh said:
Waders for stream crossing. Always flip flops for shower and croc sandals for evening
Click to expand...
Would you propose carrying all three? Trying to get overall carry weight down without adding to it. I think I am veering toward just Crocs at the moment. But thank you.
 
Altus BALI Sleeping bag liner
Ideal sleeping bag liner whether we want to add a thermal plus to our bag, or if we want to use it alone to sleep in shelters or hostels. Thanks to its mummy shape, it adapts perfectly to our body.

€46,-
Simon B said:
Would you propose carrying all three
Click to expand...

NO!

I did the VdP South from Sevilla to Salamanca in Crocs Cross. My only pair of shoes on the VdP South! I walked about 100 km on the CF in Crocs, 100 on the CN, 100 on the CP. I really can recommend Crocs. As first or second pair. Depends on the weather, yes. Dry feet in airy shoes. Extremely good for people with blisters, too. Take a shower at night and get new shoes!


The other pair are Inov 8. That setup works and is lightwight, fast drying and you have a second pair of useful shoes to walk.

Greetings
DonCamino
 

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