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Certainly notDo you think that shoes or boots with Gor Tex is necessary?
I happily used Goretex on several caminos in October-November and March. However, I did not find that they kept my feet dry in hours of rain. I have switched to non-Goretex for spring walks. I would probably choose Goretex for wet-season walks, IF my favourite walking shoe came in a wide width in the Goretex version. It does not, so I sacrifice waterproofness for the most comfort fit.What is you experience on the Camino?
Certainly not
I happily used Goretex on several caminos in October-November and March. However, I did not find that they kept my feet dry in hours of rain. I have switched to non-Goretex for spring walks. I would probably choose Goretex for wet-season walks, IF my favourite walking shoe came in a wide width in the Goretex version. It does not, so I sacrifice waterproofness for the most comfort fit.
I started using waterproof socks this spring, in Canadas Wet west coast and love them. So far every day I have use my feet stay dry, while previously my feet on same trails would be soakedDo you think that shoes or boots with Gor Tex is necessary?
What is you experience on the Camino?
My experience says goretex walking shoes in Spain are not necessary and with the dry climate make my feet damp from the inside and promotes blisters . I hike with breathable walking shoes and still air my feet out once or twice a day .Do you think that shoes or boots with Gor Tex is necessary?
What is you experience on the Camino?
They give me hot feet. On one long tropical walk I tore the lining out because my feet were so hot and damp. I find that when it is really wet your feet get wet anyway because the water wicks down your socks.Do you think that shoes or boots with Gor Tex is necessary?
What is you experience on the Camino?
Dry climate and Galicia seem at first glance to be incompatible. The lush green grass is a bit of a giveaway clue as to the fact that it can actually rain there . However you may have been ever so lucky in your personal experience. Plan for rain, enjoy life if it doesn't.My experience says goretex walking shoes in Spain are not necessary and with the dry climate make my feet damp from the inside and promotes blisters . I hike with breathable walking shoes and still air my feet out once or twice a day .
No. In fact I believe they contribute to blisters. I go the opposite way. Well ventilated open mesh no fabrics that absorbs water. Yes your feet may get wet, but the dry quickly. So called water shoes work well. I do not wear socks. I have walked 7 camino in them. https://coolofthewild.com/best-water-shoes-for-hiking/Do you think that shoes or boots with Gor Tex is necessary?
What is you experience on the Camino?
Do you think that shoes or boots with Gor Tex is necessary?
What is you experience on the Camino?
What is you experience on the Camino?
Do not wear waterproof shoes for the camino if you are walking during warm weather. There is no ability for breathability for your feet. I didn't have a clue when I walked the Portuguese camino in 2017. I developed nasty blisters. Better to take a second choice of walking sandals for any possible wet weather days. Just my personal thoughts hope it helps.Do you think that shoes or boots with Gor Tex is necessary?
What is you experience on the Camino?
The point of goretex is that it is a layered membrane that is supposed to be waterproof and breathable. This works for a rain jacket, but in my opinion, it's just a gimicky sales pitch for shoes. As soon as the shoes get dirt on them, they are no longer really breathable. And if there is stitching on the shoes, they are not waterproof, either. And they take longer to dry out. Better to wear lightweight, completely breathable shoes (or sandals, because then, after walking through the mud, you just rinse em off at the next fountain and keep going).Do you think that shoes or boots with Gor Tex is necessary?
What is you experience on the Camino?
I'm all aboard the sandal train too. I didn't have my SealSkinz waterproof socks yet the first time I walked a Camino in sandals instead of trail runners, and despite quite a bit of rain my feet did fine with regular socks. However, now that I have waterproof socks they go into my pack.My two cents worth - sandals - and waterproof Sealskinz or Dexshell socks if it is cold and/or very wet.
I am also a big fan of sandals on the trail. On a Camino I wear regular hiking socks with the sandals but at home I don't.I'm all aboard the sandal train too. I didn't have my SealSkinz waterproof socks yet the first time I walked a Camino in sandals instead of trail runners, and despite quite a bit of rain my feet did fine with regular socks. However, now that I have waterproof socks they go into my pack.
I had Gortex boots on my first Camino. They got wet. Gortex is not supposed to shrink. It did! I did research in the material properties of Gortex with a Brazilian materials engineer to verify my hypothesis of the material ever do lightly but dangerously shrinking. The result was blisters then gangrenous toes followed with three months of antibiotics.Do you think that shoes or boots with Gor Tex is necessary?
What is you experience on the Camino?
Post #6nobody answers the OP's question
Do you think that shoes or boots with Gor Tex is necessary?
What is you experience on the Camino?
Agreed! But now I use running gaiters in rainy weather and I don’t have the “shin rivulets” anymore. Mine are Mountain Hardwear and they are so light they feel much like tissue and I have to double-check that I’ve packed them in my rain gear pocket of my pack.They give me hot feet. On one long tropical walk I tore the lining out because my feet were so hot and damp. I find that when it is really wet your feet get wet anyway because the water wicks down your socks.
Gore-Tex is preferred by many in this thread. People can have different results with footwear, product materials, backpacks, use of merino, how much stuff they bring, and whatever else. What works for me may work really well for another or may not work at all or work somewhere in between.All these replies saying what they like to wear when they walk the Camino, yet nobody answers the OP's question. Is Gore Tex footwear necessary to walk the Camino? The answer is quite obviously no.
second that,My priorities for a Camino are shoes with the right size toe box, and to avoid blisters the right socks and insoles, and then ankle guards (mini gaiters or some name) to keep the stones and grasses from getting into the shoes. 3 or 4 pair of socks rotated every hour or so.
Then all the other stuff.
YesPost #6
Sure nuff, but the answer to the original question is still no, lol.Gore-Tex is preferred by many in this thread. People can have different results with footwear, product materials, backpacks, use of merino, how much stuff they bring, and whatever else. What works for me may work really well for another or may not work at all or work somewhere in between.
I think the OP has a lot of information on this subject now and only time on the trail will determine what works for her. Testing out shoes before the trek is good and testing on the Camino is a pretty good time. If the shoes don't work out buy something different in Pamplona. The sports stores there know a lot about footwear and sizing.
My experience with Keen Targhee II Mid boots, which have a proprietary GoreTex-like "Keen.Dry" membrane, was that they kept my feet dry through storms so severe that the CF over the Pyrenees was closed soon after I went through, and through days of rain later on. When the weather was clear and hot (28C - 82F +) I didn't feel like my feet were suffocating due to the water-resistant membrane. I suppose it's made so that oxygen molecules can pass through but larger water molecules cannot. Keen has evolved the product line to version III now.Do you think that shoes or boots with Gor Tex is necessary?
What is you experience on the Camino?
Good. You can get away with socks and sandals on the Camino, but at home (at least where I live) sandals with socks is a fashion crime.I am also a big fan of sandals on the trail. On a Camino I wear regular hiking socks with the sandals but at home I don't.
Id prefer sandals too (without socks) but my feet are too soft and I either get blisters or some dang stone in there !!Good. You can get away with socks and sandals on the Camino, but at home (at least where I live) sandals with socks is a fashion crime.
Those darned designers need to do something about the water ingress through that hole they leave at the topIncidentally, we were out for a long hike last Wednesday and our feet got soaked, despite wearing weather proof clothing and goretex footware.
I was disappointed....... ..
NeitherDo you think that shoes or boots with Gor Tex is necessary?
What is you experience on the Camino?
I don’t think Gortex really adds any value. It does trap some moisture inside the show which can promote blisters. Also when you walk in the rain eventually the water runs down your legs and into the shoes. Gortex traps that water in the shoe as it can’t drain. It think it is best to get a pair of trail running shoes that drain well. I have used this type of shoe for hiking and for mud running and have had no foot problems.Do you think that shoes or boots with Gor Tex is necessary?
What is you experience on the Camino?
I had serious blisters wearing expensive Goretex boots. A materials’ engineer I met on the Camino examined my boots which had dried subsequent to being soaked. She showed me the proof on the boots where the Goretex had shrunk enough to be the source of my blisters. No more Goretex for long walks like the Camino.Gaitors - Absolutely, I'm gonna get some light weight ones as mentioned above, to see how I get on with them
For me the best is no waterproof shoe! I use hoka bondi, wide, one size larger to account for swelling and breathing. If wet conditions I put on waterproof socks. This combination has worked for me over many caminos with no blisters and great comfortDo you think that shoes or boots with Gor Tex is necessary?
What is you experience on the Camino?
I nearly lost my two baby toes because my expensive Goretex Boots shrunk after drying. Blisters formed and despite topical treatment serious infection set in. No Goretex ever again on long hikes for me.It depends upon the conditions. For a camino, in Spain under most circumstances NO! In fact, the Gortex in warmer weather may contribute to the development of blisters. In cold weather they can be harder to dry out.
The only time I use Gortex is when I am anticipating to walk in a lot of snow in very cold weather for an extended period of time. That does not usually happen in Spain. As far as boots verses shoes, my preference is shoes, but it depends on your preference.
Do you think that shoes or boots with Gor Tex is necessary?
What is you experience on the Camino?
That has more to do with wrong type of boots/wrong size of boots than with the GoreTex. Synthetic boots doesn't shrink (and doesn't expand much either). Leather might shrink or become stiffer after it has dried, but stretches more during the day. Feet will swell when you walk several days in a row, some feet will swell A LOT. Lengthwise AND in width.I nearly lost my two baby toes because my expensive Goretex Boots shrunk after drying. Blisters formed and despite topical treatment serious infection set in. No Goretex ever again on long hikes for me.
I don't understand waterproof socks. Why?For me the best is no waterproof shoe! I use hoka bondi, wide, one size larger to account for swelling and breathing. If wet conditions I put on waterproof socks. This combination has worked for me over many caminos with no blisters and great comfort
I agree with the critics above. I think Gore-Tex is basically a fraud. Water gets in but doesn't get out, and on top of that the shoe is hotter.
Waterproof socks with sandals in heavy rain are great.I don't understand waterproof socks. Why?
Because of cold? I'm thinking my feet are already waterproof.Waterproof socks with sandals in heavy rain are great.
Yes, because of cold. When it is dry I also sometimes wear them if it is very cold. Or around the albergue, as a pair of slippers. They are toasty warm.Because of cold? I'm thinking my feet are already waterproof.
What is the brand?Yes, because of cold. When it is dry I also sometimes wear them if it is very cold. Or around the albergue, as a pair of slippers. They are toasty warm.
What type of ankle guards did you use?My priorities for a Camino are shoes with the right size toe box, and to avoid blisters the right socks and insoles, and then ankle guards (mini gaiters or some name) to keep the stones and grasses from getting into the shoes. 3 or 4 pair of socks rotated every hour or so.
Then all the other stuff.