How much distance do hiking shoes last?

[Matt from Canada]

Newbie member here...walking my first Camino with my wife in mid-September this year.

I'm wondering how many kilometers a typical pair of hiking shoes can take before they start suffering from wear? We've started our training and have completed a couple 25 km walks already (shorter ones too). I suspect we'll ramp up our training even more as we approach our "launch" date. By then, it may well be the shoes will have 400+ km logged on them just in training. Should we be considering getting a 2nd pair that we would ultimately use when we start the Camino - ones that would have < 100 km logged on them?

Thanks.

 

[Bajaracer]

Newbie member here...walking my first Camino with my wife in mid-September this year.

I'm wondering how many kilometers a typical pair of hiking shoes can take before they start suffering from wear? We've started our training and have completed a couple 25 km walks already (shorter ones too). I suspect we'll ramp up our training even more as we approach our "launch" date. By then, it may well be the shoes will have 400+ km logged on them just in training. Should we be considering getting a 2nd pair that we would ultimately use when we start the Camino - ones that would have < 100 km logged on them?

Thanks.

Get a second pair along with fresh new socks of your choice to start your Camino.

 

[MTtoCamino]

My Keens made it all the way to the ocean with the aid of super glue & duct tape. They were coming apart by Mansilla de las Mullas around the 600k mark. I had about 100k On them when I started. From others you can do better.

 

[rglongpre]

Newbie member here...walking my first Camino with my wife in mid-September this year.

I'm wondering how many kilometers a typical pair of hiking shoes can take before they start suffering from wear? We've started our training and have completed a couple 25 km walks already (shorter ones too). I suspect we'll ramp up our training even more as we approach our "launch" date. By then, it may well be the shoes will have 400+ km logged on them just in training. Should we be considering getting a 2nd pair that we would ultimately use when we start the Camino - ones that would have < 100 km logged on them?

Thanks.

Apparently a pair of Merrell Moab GTX boots can last about 1,200 miles or 1,900 kilometres. If you get maximum distance (reports of these distances achieved on the Appalachian route in America) you should be able to do the Camino Frances twice.

 

[FelixBC]

I've done 2 caminos in my Vasque boots, 1400 km so far. They look great, planning a third with them. Haven't even needed to replace the laces.

 

[annakappa]

My Merrel's have done at least 1,600 Km's and could still do more!

 

[gerardcarey]

Friend checked my "vibram soled" Merrells after my doing 1 & 1/2 Camino Frances and is unconvinced that I walked the entire way due to lack of wear.
As annakappa attests they sure wear well.
Regds
Gerard

 

[Kiwi-family]

My Inov8 shoes did close to 2,000km before they got a hole in the sole. I have repaired the hole a number of times because they are so comfortable and that style is no longer manufactured.

 

[Jetgirl]

Please know that the shoes May last but the insoles will NOT. bring a second pair of insoles. Your feet will thank you.

 

[Houlet]

I think it's a bit like the "length of string" question, much depends on the underfoot conditions walked.

At home a high percentage of my walking is on soft going and the uppers tend to go before the soles, This year on the VdlP, and more road and hard surface walking, my boots were pretty well finished after the 1000 km.

 

[wayfarer]

I use Brasher Traveller, I have clocked up about 1500km so far, a little wear but still good. They are a Hybrid Town/walking mid boot.
I have been told that Brasher are now using a new manufacturer and that their new line is not as good as the old ones.

 

[Al the optimist]

My Lowa boots lasted over 2000k before the tread had worn on the heel making them dangerous. The rest of the Vibram sole and the uppers were still good. I am having a mid freeze trying to remember the name of the other boots. But they had an own brand sole which was supposed to be like vibram. It wasn't! After only 1000k the heel was worn through.

 

[Houlet]

I use Brasher Traveller, I have clocked up about 1500km so far, a little wear but still good. They are a Hybrid Town/walking mid boot.
I have been told that Brasher are now using a new manufacturer and that their new line is not as good as the old ones.

You are right, my son, daughter and myself used Brasher Hillmasters for years and they were excellent. I then bought a pair of the Chinese made new improved and lighter Hillmaster II which were rubbish. They were lighter, because they had less tread, thirteen months from box to bin.

I believe Berghaus and they are now the same so I think that's another brand to avoid.

 

[simeon]

I think it might depend on your weight as well. The heavier or lighter you are would have a bigger effect than the km covered I would have thought!

 

[peregrina2000]

Another factor that may affect the life of soles is the amount of road walking. I wore a new pair of Salomon shoes on both my Lebaniego/Vadiniense and this year's camino. Now that I'm home, I've compared the shoes, and the ones from several years ago are in much worse shape, though I walked more kilometers this year. My guess is that that's because of the tremendous amount of asphalt on the Lebaniego/Vadiniense.

 

[Aristotle Axolotl]

Hi there. I bought some Scarpa Ranger boots many moons ago whilst walking in Derbyshire. I reckon I've walked at least 5000 km in them, probably more like 8,000, with only slight wear on the heels. Before I walked the Camino Portugues Central, I took advice that heavy boots were not needed (true) and, because I liked the Scarpa's, I bought a pair of Mojito's GTX. Very comfortable from the start and I walked about 1000km in training beforehand. Having said that, I also took a pair of TEVA Terra FI 4 with me to Portugal. I was recommended these because they have a wider edge on the sole so they afford more protection. I ended up alternating daily between the two. As for Brasher - I bought some Brasher socks and they lasted one day. Happy trails.

 

[Urban Trekker]

Everyone walks different. I wear out the soles of Keens in less than 300 miles. I have tried Merrells, they give me blisters and I have tried Vasgues, they kill my feet so I can't say how well they hold up. My Adidas TerraX on the other hand have over 400 blister free miles on them and will carry me the entire French way next May. Buen Camino

Happy Trails

 

[Alan Pearce]

I have worn 2 pairs of Scarpa Trek full leather boots on my caminos. Including training I have got about 6000km out of each pair. On the Camino de Madrid in June a cobbler in Medina de Rioseca glued a loose sole back on the upper, and advised me to give the boots to Santiago at the end of my camino, because only he would be able to fix them by then. Despite his pessimism I plan to take them on the Primitivo next year.

Alan

Be brave. Life is joyous.

 

[Kanga]

In runners I always got much better wear from my old Asics than Brooks or New Balance. Different materials in the sole is my guess.

 

[Mooncat]

In training I have put 600+ miles on my Merrell Moab Ventilators and they are feeling more comfortable than ever. But, I bought a new pair for my September Camino. Per suggestions from Camino veterans, I bought a size larger and wider than my usual. Also, I tried a couple different gel insoles (to replace the Merrell insoles). The best by far have been Dr. Scholls, believe it or not! Not one blister in 600 miles of walking paved walkways, streets, dirt streets, mountain paths. A winning combination. Mooncat

 

[Mooncat]

Oh, yeah, one more thing. I have been wearing thin, silky liners under my wool socks and believe they have helped me avoid blisters. Some people might be reluctant to wear wool, because they think it is too hot in summer. I live in Southern New Mexico and it has been in the upper 90's and 100's for a couple of months. The wool socks are not too hot. They feel fine. One of my hiker friends here also suggested changing out liners and socks midday to keep feet drier. I haven't done that, but feel it is also good advice. What I have done on long hikes is during breaks, take off the boots and socks and let my feet air out before gearing up again. I guess that was more than one thing. Mooncat

 

[jirit]

I've done 2 caminos in my Vasque boots, 1400 km so far. They look great, planning a third with them. Haven't even needed to replace the laces.

I have worn Vasque boots too. After walking the Via Francigena in Italy I had the soles replaced and did three more longdistance walks, each time replacing the soles.

Finally bought a new pair of Vasque boots and used these on the VdlP

 

[zzotte]

I also have worn Vasque (breeze) gore-tex for over 1000 miles still going strong, keep it clean and dry it as soon as you can ( news papers works good) and any decent pair of boots/shoes worth it laces should hold up.

Zzotte

 

[lunaburgos]

Get a second pair along with fresh new socks of your choice to start your Camino.

 

[Anniesantiago]

This feels like deja vu. Didn't I just answer this?
Weird.

Anyway, I wore a pair of New Balance Trail runners Model #1540 on the Madrid Route and then the Camino Frances LAST April/May/June and they're still going strong.
I'm buying a new pair for next year.

 

[lunaburgos]

I walked in Montrail mountain shoes, they are great. Never had a blister and they lasted the Camino and are still good enough to hike in, very light weight for their durability, maybe some need boots, I have strong ankles. Go to a good outdoor store and find an experienced shoe sales person and please try the shoes on and walk around the store for at least 15 min. Then walk in them for a few weeks or more before setting out for the Camino. If you get blisters or your feet hurt, take them back!!

 

[jpflavin1]

Newbie member here...walking my first Camino with my wife in mid-September this year.

I'm wondering how many kilometers a typical pair of hiking shoes can take before they start suffering from wear? We've started our training and have completed a couple 25 km walks already (shorter ones too). I suspect we'll ramp up our training even more as we approach our "launch" date. By then, it may well be the shoes will have 400+ km logged on them just in training. Should we be considering getting a 2nd pair that we would ultimately use when we start the Camino - ones that would have < 100 km logged on them?

Thanks.

Matt:

I think it really depends on the shoe or boot. I use Merrill's with vibram soles and replace them every year. After a Camino they are worn enough and have lost that original cush. I also buy new socks every year. I wear medium thick Smartwool socks.

A good question with lots of variables due to quality of product and personal comfort.

Ultreya,
Joe