Debra Dunsmore
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- June 2017
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No it is not necessary.I walk 3 miles daily just wearing tennis shoes. I was wondering if it is absolutely necessary to wear hiking boots on the Camino.
Surely after they'd been used for a five mile walk the shop wouldn't receive the boots back??..It sounds like the boots you have are not the right choice and you should return them. ..
Someone else on the forum can confirm, but REI is an large outdoor equipment store in the US that is well known for its satisfaction guarantee. I don't live in the US so I've not used it, but I understand from others on the forum that they happily accept back items that have been trialed and found unsatisfactory. In Canada we have a similar store, MEC.Surely after they'd been used for a five mile walk the shop wouldn't receive the boots back?
Actually, Debra was lucky that she bought her boots at REI. I know of cases where somebody returned boots with more than 790 Km on them (I swear it was not me)!Surely after they'd been used for a five mile walk the shop wouldn't receive the boots back?
Suzanne
My daughter and I will hopefully be walking the Camino next summer. I bought some REI hiking boots, which I used the first time a couple of weeks ago. We took a 5-mile hike and my feet hurt terribly. I walk 3 miles daily just wearing tennis shoes. I was wondering if it is absolutely necessary to wear hiking boots on the Camino. We will be starting in Spain as I have bad knees and I do not think I would be physically able to do the Pyrenees. Thanks for reading and giving any suggestions. They will be very much appreciated.
Debra.... trust me when I say this. You DO NEED GOOD WALKING SHOES. No doubt about this. Tennis shoes are NOT walking boots. Your feet are going to get u "there", so pamper them with a good good great pair of awesome shoes and they will love you as you will love them (your feet that is). I have a pair of Lowa Renegade boots which I absolutely LOVE, ADORE, LIVE IN. Your boots will become your best friend. Buen Camino,My daughter and I will hopefully be walking the Camino next summer. I bought some REI hiking boots, which I used the first time a couple of weeks ago. We took a 5-mile hike and my feet hurt terribly. I walk 3 miles daily just wearing tennis shoes. I was wondering if it is absolutely necessary to wear hiking boots on the Camino. We will be starting in Spain as I have bad knees and I do not think I would be physically able to do the Pyrenees. Thanks for reading and giving any suggestions. They will be very much appreciated.
Diane... I have never used walking poles... and never will. Each to their own. Buen Camino Sister,Hi Debra, I am a shoe minimalist. I hate shoes and if I could, would walk in flip flops. Having said that I did walk in Merrell Moab, very stable and comfortable. And Teva hiking sandles. Amazing on pavement and packed surfaces. But whatever you buy, make sure they are at least a half to one full size larger than usual as your feet swell/spread.
My friend walked in hiking boots but they were fairly light weight and just above the ankle as she has issues with her ankles. But they were very well broken in and were great for her.
Finally I highly recommend walking poles. They help with balance and talk pressure off your joints.
I am planning my next Camino late May. I may run into you. I'll be the one in flip flops
Buen Camino
I have walked 2 complete camino Frances in trail runners. The first were New Balance Leadvilles and this last time North Face Ultra 109 GTX. They were perfect!My daughter and I will hopefully be walking the Camino next summer. I bought some REI hiking boots, which I used the first time a couple of weeks ago. We took a 5-mile hike and my feet hurt terribly. I walk 3 miles daily just wearing tennis shoes. I was wondering if it is absolutely necessary to wear hiking boots on the Camino. We will be starting in Spain as I have bad knees and I do not think I would be physically able to do the Pyrenees. Thanks for reading and giving any suggestions. They will be very much appreciated.
Welcome to the 'No walking poles club' My other gripe is pilgrims who do not use rubber caps on their trekking poles. It drives the inhabitancies of the villagers around the bend. The constant tap tap of poles on footpaths outside their windows.Diane... I have never used walking poles... and never will. Each to their own. Buen Camino Sister,Caesar
tennis shoes / hiking boots
Yes, almost as irritating as people criticizing others for using poles........... but not quite.Excellent post Nicole........and for first-time pilgrims, please be mindful of villagers and keep those rubber tips on your poles; better yet, no poles at all. The constant clicking is can be extremely irritating.
I simply meant to think about carrying your poles when walking through the villages…..as a courtesy to the locals, nothing else.Yes, almost as irritating as people criticizing others for using poles........... but not quite.
If you get them from REI they will take your shoes back even if you wore them for 20 miles outside.Surely after they'd been used for a five mile walk the shop wouldn't receive the boots back?
Suzanne
Choose a trail running shoe and read reviews by pros who test them. Make sure it has a thick enough sole for rocky terrain. I wore La Sportiva Helios Last year, have switched to La Sportiva Bushido for my next walk, with a slightly thicker sole. They are light and cool, exactly what you need on the Camino.My daughter and I will hopefully be walking the Camino next summer. I bought some REI hiking boots, which I used the first time a couple of weeks ago. We took a 5-mile hike and my feet hurt terribly. I walk 3 miles daily just wearing tennis shoes. I was wondering if it is absolutely necessary to wear hiking boots on the Camino. We will be starting in Spain as I have bad knees and I do not think I would be physically able to do the Pyrenees. Thanks for reading and giving any suggestions. They will be very much appreciated.
Good hiking boots from a reliable manufacturer and well fitted should be a goal. The footing, although I did not find it difficult, can be stressful on your knees and ankles. You could encounter muddy roads and ruts, slippery rocks as well as well ones, fields with stones and rocks. Good support and hiking poles will make the walk a pleasure. I love my Lowas, and have had excellent luck with Scarpa, Vasque and Merrill. Buen camino.My daughter and I will hopefully be walking the Camino next summer. I bought some REI hiking boots, which I used the first time a couple of weeks ago. We took a 5-mile hike and my feet hurt terribly. I walk 3 miles daily just wearing tennis shoes. I was wondering if it is absolutely necessary to wear hiking boots on the Camino. We will be starting in Spain as I have bad knees and I do not think I would be physically able to do the Pyrenees. Thanks for reading and giving any suggestions. They will be very much appreciated.
I know of research by the US military that goes to this point. The factor of ten appears to be hyperbole - I recall the multiple being about half that and influenced by other factors. The conclusion that one should choose footwear to be as light as practicable for the conditions is valid in any case.I don't know if "a pound on the foot is equivalent to ten pounds on the back" has any scientific accuracy, but I always prefer light footwear.
Yes, REI will give a full store credit. It's a great company!Surely after they'd been used for a five mile walk the shop wouldn't receive the boots back?
Suzanne
My daughter and I will hopefully be walking the Camino next summer. I bought some REI hiking boots, which I used the first time a couple of weeks ago. We took a 5-mile hike and my feet hurt terribly. I walk 3 miles daily just wearing tennis shoes. I was wondering if it is absolutely necessary to wear hiking boots on the Camino. We will be starting in Spain as I have bad knees and I do not think I would be physically able to do the Pyrenees. Thanks for reading and giving any suggestions. They will be very much appreciated.[/QUO
I love your question. I fall rather easily. In fact I was complimented on The Camino last year how, when I fell, I could tuck and roll. . I wore boots because my weakness is in my ankles, so when the ground has rocks, pebbles, cobblestones, etc I lose my balance.
The boots were considerably heavier. I did fall. Nothing broke or twisted though.
I did purchase my boots at REI and had to try a couple of pairs before I came up with the correct ones. The best time for me to figure out the correct ones was when I had walked eight plus miles and then stumble in to the wonderful people at REI and they could see what the problem was.
I also strongly recommend the support socks for your arches.
I have walked the Camino twice, once with my daughter too, the best experience in the world with her! Both with tennis shoes, and both times I was not only peregrino on the Camino with tennis shoes but also both times I had blisters in both feet. First rule of thumb I learned the hard way is that you have to train your feet and your body in general real hard, at least three months in advance daily, prior to taking the Camino. The last week of training try to do it with your backpack weight on so your body will get used to the added weight too. This way you will get your feet and your body used to the Camino and you will not have as much body/muscle pains and your feet will create the necessary calluses. You need to put more miles on those hiking boots to break'em in. Also, they should be soft and comfortable and should not hurt your feet at all. As most here have said, it's up to you to decide tennis shoes or boots, but whichever, you have to train. BUEN CAMINO!My daughter and I will hopefully be walking the Camino next summer. I bought some REI hiking boots, which I used the first time a couple of weeks ago. We took a 5-mile hike and my feet hurt terribly. I walk 3 miles daily just wearing tennis shoes. I was wondering if it is absolutely necessary to wear hiking boots on the Camino. We will be starting in Spain as I have bad knees and I do not think I would be physically able to do the Pyrenees. Thanks for reading and giving any suggestions. They will be very much appreciated.
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