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Footwear on the Portuguese

M

MQB

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
del norte or santiago (2016)
I went to a presentation last night and the young woman wore sneakers aka running shoes for the Camino Frances as well as the entire Appalachian trail! She firmly advised against hiking boots as heavy and blister-prone. I'd like advice given we will be doing the Portuguese and I am a 65 year old woman with not great feet- bunions and flat. Any thoughts appreciated
 
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I think you must appreciate that not everyone has the same needs when it comes to footwear, what is good for one may not suit the other.
I walked in walking shoes and sandals, (I have to say that I didn't consider boots, I felt they might be too hot) but I know people who did the journey in trail runners, it's everyone to their own.

If you have time you might want to try out different footwear for yourself, also remember the socks are as important as the shoes/boots/trail runners.

By the way age has got nothing to do with it, I met some young people who were really suffering from blisters, and older people like myself (67) who only had one small one the whole journey.
 
I've been reading quite a bit about the Portugese route and it seems as though there is LOT of pavement, and many occasions of large, uneven cobblestones so you might keep that in mind when buying shoes. (Extra cushioning? Firmer soles so as not to feel cobblestones?)
 
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You will definitely benefit from substantial cushioning. The cobble stones will get to you sooner or later, and seek out every tender spot on your feet. I walked in boots in a heatwave in 2014. I had no problem with overheating, but I wished for thicker soles.
Bom caminho!
 
Just a note - there are many camino paths in Portugal so choice of footwear also depends on which 'Caminho Portuguese’ you’ll be walking. I did the short route from Porto in trail shoes (they look a bit like running shoes) in August but for the CPI (Interior) in October I used my normal trekking (firm/harder sole) shoes. I’d also choose these for the longer route from Lisboa (more time walking, more feet swelling etc). Many factors to take into account as well as the fact that we’re all different.
 
Thank you all for those thoughts...
 
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It is completely ones own preference. You can wear what ever works for you. There is a lot of road walking and even more cobble stone walking and they 's get very uncomfortable to walk on. It depends on your feet and ankles, I was surprised on some of the climbs and was thankful for boots but regreted the boots on miles and miles of blacktop. Last spring was very warm and at times I wished for my feet to be more comfortable but my boots protected my feet sufficiently. Entirely ones choice,tthink foot protection first.

Or not. ;-)
 
Like other forum members have said Cobblend stone is the surface of choice in Portugal. The stones will get to you. You will also walk many miles on the Via Romana. The same roads walked by Roman Legions. I'm 66 and wouldn't dream of wearing running shoes on the caminos. Old feet require more support than young feet. A low or high top boot is the way to go. Actually in rained so much that swim fins would have worked.
 
For us walking in Portugal -what we do once or twice a year -is wearing a good quality of walkingboots. Thick soles and cushioned inside. We used the same boots- make Meindl-I think they are German -walking on Island and Scandinavia through lava fields and dirt tracks- Together with first layer panty socks-thin nylon things-and second outer layer, thin walking socks, two of our three caminhos were blisterfree.
 
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Several years ago "Dutch" referred facetiously to the numerous sections of cobblestones as foot massages for blisters.
 
It really seems to be a personal choice, but this is my experience. I walked the camino frances in 2014 in trail shoes. The problem I experienced was not excessive blisters, but the bottoms of my feet really ached. For the Portugues starting from Tomar in 2015, I got Hoka One One running shoes. They are super-cushy, and I started with the 20-22 mile days with absolutely no problems. Hoka makes running shoes, trail shoes and hiking boots, and I highly recommend trying some in a store to see if they are to your liking. I do hike in mountains, and use boots for ankle support for that type of trail, but I don't think that's necessary for the camino. By the way, I'm a woman in my 60's. Whatever you decide, ben camino!
 
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Good thoughts- I will see if I can get my hands on a pair to try on.
 
Glad to hear this! I will be walking from Lisbon this Fall and have been training in my Hoka trail runners.
 
Greetings, I'm new to the forum and Caminos...this is a great resource and I can already say thank you for the good information. I'm walking from Lisbon this September 1, so just starting to try to find something for the feet. I bought about a mid-weight hiking boot (Vasque) which has good support but all leather and they are HOT. I walked about 10 miles over two days and the blisters were starting....not sure I have the socks right. I was using a silk liner and fairly heavy wool socks. I like the support part of the boot (cobblestones scare me) but not the heat. Not sure yet whether to give them the 'boot' or stick with them...thanks
 
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