David from Freo
"These are the best years of our lives"
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Via Francigena (current) 2023
For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation) |
---|
Not every model of a brand is born equal. Out of which model of Salomons did you get 2,000 miles??? I want a pair.I am curious about how long members expect a new pair of walking shoes to last on the Camino. I bought a new pair of Salomons after finishing one Camino, broke them in with various preparatory walks in Australia over several months (probably walking a total of only a couple of hundred kilometres) and then wore them on a Camino from Le Puy to Santiago (1400 kms). I was very disappointed to find the stitching at the heel of both shoes started to pull apart only about a month into that walk. I finished that camino by putting tape on the heels of the shoes as the split stitching was giving me blisters. With that running repair, they served me well enough, although by the time we arrived in Santiago the soles and toes of the shoes were also quite worn down.
So, in effect, the shoes lasted only one Camino -- or perhaps about 2000 kms including preparatory walks. Is that what other walkers would expect from a good pair of walking shoes? I'm about to go out and buy a replacement pair for my next walk in August and am not sure whether to avoid that brand because of its performance, or whether that is pretty much all one can hope for from any comparable brand.
[By contrast, I'd pay only about half the price for a new tyre for my car and expect about 10 times the wear at far high speed!!].
If your Solomon's were used for 2,000 km, that is darned good.
I find good quality, yet lightweight shoes/boots ( Lowa, Meindl, Adidas Terrex) last about 1200 to 1500 km. Hard out heavier duty hiking boots longer. Eventually the sole compacts and gets hard and the pain starts.I am curious about how long members expect a new pair of walking shoes to last on the Camino. I bought a new pair of Salomons after finishing one Camino, broke them in with various preparatory walks in Australia over several months (probably walking a total of only a couple of hundred kilometres) and then wore them on a Camino from Le Puy to Santiago (1400 kms). I was very disappointed to find the stitching at the heel of both shoes started to pull apart only about a month into that walk. I finished that camino by putting tape on the heels of the shoes as the split stitching was giving me blisters. With that running repair, they served me well enough, although by the time we arrived in Santiago the soles and toes of the shoes were also quite worn down.
So, in effect, the shoes lasted only one Camino -- or perhaps about 2000 kms including preparatory walks. Is that what other walkers would expect from a good pair of walking shoes? I'm about to go out and buy a replacement pair for my next walk in August and am not sure whether to avoid that brand because of its performance, or whether that is pretty much all one can hope for from any comparable brand.
[By contrast, I'd pay only about half the price for a new tyre for my car and expect about 10 times the wear at far high speed!!].
Wow! Now THAT is serious durability in a hiking shoe/boot! I am not familiar with that brand. Perhaps it is not readily available in Western Australia where I live. I must keep my eye out for it when I am next in Europe. Thanks to everyone who is responding to my query. I am finding all responses enlightening.My Meindl boots started falling apart around 3500 km. The ones before that (also Meindl) lasted me 4000 km.
It will depend on the category Meindl. They go from lightweight soft boots to hard out mountain climbing boots. These will last longer than the soft ones.Wow! Now THAT is serious durability in a hiking shoe/boot! I am not familiar with that brand. Perhaps it is not readily available in Western Australia where I live. I must keep my eye out for it when I am next in Europe. Thanks to everyone who is responding to my query. I am finding all responses enlightening.
They are serious hiking boots, that I also use for hiking in mountains with a large backpack. So for many people a bit much for a camino. But for me, the only shoes that do not give me blisters and are comfortable.Wow! Now THAT is serious durability in a hiking shoe/boot! I am not familiar with that brand. Perhaps it is not readily available in Western Australia where I live. I must keep my eye out for it when I am next in Europe. Thanks to everyone who is responding to my query. I am finding all responses enlightening.
As I said before, the lightweight Meindls dont last much longer than Lowa or other good brands. The mountaineering heavy Meindl do. There are a lot of categories in between. Rated ABC etc which indicate the sturdiness of the boots.They are serious hiking boots, that I also use for hiking in mountains with a large backpack. So for many people a bit much for a camino. But for me, the only shoes that do not give me blisters and are comfortable.
Meindl is a German brand, very durable and popular in Europe. They are not cheap, but because they last for a very long time, they pay back in that way.
I used North Face shoes on my first Camino. They lasted through the training and then the Camino. I tried a new model two years later, but despite NF's assurances they were better, they were not. In Astorga when my new NFs wore out, I bought some Mammuts which I loved. Now I have Salomon low cuts and Merrell high tops. Love them both, but probably prefer latter.I am curious about how long members expect a new pair of walking shoes to last on the Camino. I bought a new pair of Salomons after finishing one Camino, broke them in with various preparatory walks in Australia over several months (probably walking a total of only a couple of hundred kilometres) and then wore them on a Camino from Le Puy to Santiago (1400 kms). I was very disappointed to find the stitching at the heel of both shoes started to pull apart only about a month into that walk. I finished that camino by putting tape on the heels of the shoes as the split stitching was giving me blisters. With that running repair, they served me well enough, although by the time we arrived in Santiago the soles and toes of the shoes were also quite worn down.
So, in effect, the shoes lasted only one Camino -- or perhaps about 2000 kms including preparatory walks. Is that what other walkers would expect from a good pair of walking shoes? I'm about to go out and buy a replacement pair for my next walk in August and am not sure whether to avoid that brand because of its performance, or whether that is pretty much all one can hope for from any comparable brand.
[By contrast, I'd pay only about half the price for a new tyre for my car and expect about 10 times the wear at far high speed!!].
I’m from Oregon and used timberland hiking boots for the first 100km and developed blisters due to overheating...from there I used my Chaco hiking sandals for over 700km and I am still using these same sandals 2 years later. Holding up quite well. Breaking in a new pair of Chaco’s to wear this June on Portuguese camino. No hiking boots for these feetI am curious about how long members expect a new pair of walking shoes to last on the Camino. I bought a new pair of Salomons after finishing one Camino, broke them in with various preparatory walks in Australia over several months (probably walking a total of only a couple of hundred kilometres) and then wore them on a Camino from Le Puy to Santiago (1400 kms). I was very disappointed to find the stitching at the heel of both shoes started to pull apart only about a month into that walk. I finished that camino by putting tape on the heels of the shoes as the split stitching was giving me blisters. With that running repair, they served me well enough, although by the time we arrived in Santiago the soles and toes of the shoes were also quite worn down.
So, in effect, the shoes lasted only one Camino -- or perhaps about 2000 kms including preparatory walks. Is that what other walkers would expect from a good pair of walking shoes? I'm about to go out and buy a replacement pair for my next walk in August and am not sure whether to avoid that brand because of its performance, or whether that is pretty much all one can hope for from any comparable brand.
[By contrast, I'd pay only about half the price for a new tyre for my car and expect about 10 times the wear at far high speed!!].
A pair cheap ($50 US) New Balance 481 lasted over 2000 km on the Via Francigena. No break-in period; worn straight from the box. Works with trainers that fit. I don't understand why people wear boots, i.e. big and relatively heavy. Pilgrimage isn't talus slope scrambling, it's mostly easy trail and road walking.I am curious about how long members expect a new pair of walking shoes to last on the Camino. I bought a new pair of Salomons after finishing one Camino, broke them in with various preparatory walks in Australia over several months (probably walking a total of only a couple of hundred kilometres) and then wore them on a Camino from Le Puy to Santiago (1400 kms). I was very disappointed to find the stitching at the heel of both shoes started to pull apart only about a month into that walk. I finished that camino by putting tape on the heels of the shoes as the split stitching was giving me blisters. With that running repair, they served me well enough, although by the time we arrived in Santiago the soles and toes of the shoes were also quite worn down.
So, in effect, the shoes lasted only one Camino -- or perhaps about 2000 kms including preparatory walks. Is that what other walkers would expect from a good pair of walking shoes? I'm about to go out and buy a replacement pair for my next walk in August and am not sure whether to avoid that brand because of its performance, or whether that is pretty much all one can hope for from any comparable brand.
[By contrast, I'd pay only about half the price for a new tyre for my car and expect about 10 times the wear at far high speed!!].
[By contrast, I'd pay only about half the price for a new tyre for my car and expect about 10 times the wear at far high speed!!].
I have had traditional hiking boots last 30 plus years with the occasional resole. In 2008 i bought a pair of Merrells MOAB basic suede shoes that have finally wore out after 11 years of weekend hillwalking/Vacations/Gym/General use. I bought a new pair of Merrels Gortex this year and sent them back since the shoe "last" appears to have changed and caused me blisters with only five minutes of walking.I am curious about how long members expect a new pair of walking shoes to last on the Camino. I bought a new pair of Salomons after finishing one Camino, broke them in with various preparatory walks in Australia over several months (probably walking a total of only a couple of hundred kilometres) and then wore them on a Camino from Le Puy to Santiago (1400 kms). I was very disappointed to find the stitching at the heel of both shoes started to pull apart only about a month into that walk. I finished that camino by putting tape on the heels of the shoes as the split stitching was giving me blisters. With that running repair, they served me well enough, although by the time we arrived in Santiago the soles and toes of the shoes were also quite worn down.
My new Merrill lasted a third of the Norte trail from Irun to Santiago. Ending in Santiago I had 3 pairs of inner soles in them. They now hang in my garden with plants in them. Didn't need to make to holes for drainage as the were holier than my watering can. Must say I didn't have even the tiniest of blisters...I am curious about how long members expect a new pair of walking shoes to last on the Camino. I bought a new pair of Salomons after finishing one Camino, broke them in with various preparatory walks in Australia over several months (probably walking a total of only a couple of hundred kilometres) and then wore them on a Camino from Le Puy to Santiago (1400 kms). I was very disappointed to find the stitching at the heel of both shoes started to pull apart only about a month into that walk. I finished that camino by putting tape on the heels of the shoes as the split stitching was giving me blisters. With that running repair, they served me well enough, although by the time we arrived in Santiago the soles and toes of the shoes were also quite worn down.
So, in effect, the shoes lasted only one Camino -- or perhaps about 2000 kms including preparatory walks. Is that what other walkers would expect from a good pair of walking shoes? I'm about to go out and buy a replacement pair for my next walk in August and am not sure whether to avoid that brand because of its performance, or whether that is pretty much all one can hope for from any comparable brand.
[By contrast, I'd pay only about half the price for a new tyre for my car and expect about 10 times the wear at far high speed!!].
I like and have had three consecutive Moab’s, and they have been very good to me. I wear them daily in my construction business, so who knows how many miles that is, but I am walking 7,500-10,000 steps a day. When I walked from SJPP to Santiago in 2017, I broke in a new pair for a month and then wore them, happily, on the Camino. Plus, I wore them all summer and fall after that - probably at least 2,000 km. At that point, all the cushion was gone and the stitching beginning to unravel. I will take that performance anytime...Lowa Zephyr "Mid" style: 2012 to 2015 - 2,500 km before retirement
Merrell Moab "Mid" style: 2015 to 2016 - 600+ km, still used for casual walking around town and such but not serviceable for Camino-ing any longer. While I estimate the soles are good for another 500 km, my pair developed an unfortunate tendency to start absorbing water despite regular cleaning and waterproofing restoration. The usual trick of newspaper stuffing overnight was of little benefit. After a a short Winter Camino, they required nearly two weeks airing (in a very dry climate) to lose the damp.
Lowa Renegade "Mid" style: 2017 - ? They have 1,000 kms on them currently and seem to be in the same condition as the Zephyrs were at the same age.
(Edit: "Moab" distances converted to km for consistency. Had a "senior moment" after a phone call distracted me. Probably never happens to anyone else here.)
I like your brief mileage disclaimer- much shorter than pharma commercials!Trail and street runners absolutely will not last as long as a boot or heavier hiking shoe. As was pointed out in the thread, when a lighter weight and cushioning for the feet are the primary focus, the materials are more friable than those used on heavier footwear. The actual reasons for choosing a trail or road running shoe is what makes their overall lifespan shorter.
I used 5 pairs of trail runners on my thru-hike of the 2,650 mile long Pacific Crest Trail. I bought 6 pairs ahead of time and mailed one pair to a resupply point at defined intervals. Only one pair was truly trash-worthy when replaced; the other 4 pair had some good life left to them. I did not have the luxury of waiting for the BEST and optimal time for replacement of shoes as the hike proceeded, so I had to be exceedingly conservative on determining the margin for usability before replacement.
Why would I choose that type of footwear? Significantly lighter weight, lessened risk for injury, comfort with the cushioning, and the lessened drain on energy levels caused by lifting the weight on my feet while walking 24 to 26 mile days.
Those are my reasons. They are shared by the majority of backpacking enthusiasts in the US (I do not know about the rest of the world). Others prefer heavier footwear including more traditional hiking boots.
I do not let longevity of footwear determine what I wear. I focus on 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.
My Lowa boots. . Camino GTX. . are used when cold weather conditions in late fall and winter demand a change. They are stiff enough and insulated enough for snow shoes and lite partial crampons. For mountaineering and ice climbing, I have used (and still have) an even stiffer and heavier boot that can take and hold onto full length crampons.
I have had a long history of wearing hiking boots and hiking shoes. I was overjoyed when I switched over to road or trail runners, and gladly trade the shorter life cycle for happier feet.
Your mileage may vary
...
These days I tend not to buy big brand-name hiking boots as I found out by accident a few years ago that my feet are equally happy in cheap solid work boots sold for the building trade plus gel insoles. My best performance so far was one pair which lasted for a short Camino in Spain, everyday wear at home for several months, then the 2000km or so from Canterbury to Rome. Pretty sad when I got there though and one of the first things I did in Rome was to visit a hardware shop and replace them with a near-identical pair.
I'd say 2000k is pretty darn goodI am curious about how long members expect a new pair of walking shoes to last on the Camino. I bought a new pair of Salomons after finishing one Camino, broke them in with various preparatory walks in Australia over several months (probably walking a total of only a couple of hundred kilometres) and then wore them on a Camino from Le Puy to Santiago (1400 kms). I was very disappointed to find the stitching at the heel of both shoes started to pull apart only about a month into that walk. I finished that camino by putting tape on the heels of the shoes as the split stitching was giving me blisters. With that running repair, they served me well enough, although by the time we arrived in Santiago the soles and toes of the shoes were also quite worn down.
So, in effect, the shoes lasted only one Camino -- or perhaps about 2000 kms including preparatory walks. Is that what other walkers would expect from a good pair of walking shoes? I'm about to go out and buy a replacement pair for my next walk in August and am not sure whether to avoid that brand because of its performance, or whether that is pretty much all one can hope for from any comparable brand.
[By contrast, I'd pay only about half the price for a new tyre for my car and expect about 10 times the wear at far high speed!!].
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?