In Memorium - my boots

[Jo King]

It is with profound sadness I announce the demise of my faithful, wonderful boots.
Having worn them most days for several monthis prior to walking the Camino, they became like a pair of comfortable old slippers, very precious and homely and, very importantly, part of me.
Unfortunately a bit of stitching broke and they became "unmendable". They have been left in the shop in which they were "born" one year ago and in return I have been given an identical pair. However, they might look the same, be from the same manufacturer BUT they aren't the same.
Maybe one day, after I have walked the Camino again next year, I might think about them differently. Meantime, I grieve the loss of my dear old ones.
Anyone else ever felt the same?

 

[Mana di Castanja]

I can understand your grief Jo King. I hope mine will last the camino in 2018. I have my pair of shoes a few years with more than a thousand K's and its really a part of me.. But it begins to moan now with every step i make. So the Camino will be the last 900 km. If i could make it all the way to fisterra i wouldn't dare to burn my shoes like other does. They have brought me to many places and its been a part of you in every step i made. They deserve a place at home, maybe on a shelf. So i can tell my grandchildren about the shoes that carried me all the way to my destinations. They will definitely not burn..No Way! honor your shoes..;-)

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

It is with profound sadness I announce the demise of my faithful, wonderful boots.

May God bless their soles.

 

[Icacos]

Please don't burn anything in Finisterra.

 

[Juspassinthru]

Jo,

I understand completely. I had a pair for years that took me on many adventures. While preparing for my Camino, which I completed in June, I blew the sole out on a local trail. Besides the pressing concern of finding and breaking in a new pair of boots on short notice, I felt a great sadness in losing my old friends. Many people may find that odd. Fortunately, they’re probably not those visiting this forum.

 

[Jo King]

I think the grief also stems from that - the length of time it takes to break-in new boots to get them to the standard of the old ones. - and never a blister at all.
Thank you for all the replies. You have consoled an old lady!

 

[Jotown]

Old Boots never die....

 

[Larazet]

It is with profound sadness I announce the demise of my faithful, wonderful boots.
Having worn them most days for several monthis prior to walking the Camino, they became like a pair of comfortable old slippers, very precious and homely and, very importantly, part of me.
Unfortunately a bit of stitching broke and they became "unmendable". They have been left in the shop in which they were "born" one year ago and in return I have been given an identical pair. However, they might look the same, be from the same manufacturer BUT they aren't the same.
Maybe one day, after I have walked the Camino again next year, I might think about them differently. Meantime, I grieve the loss of my dear old ones.
Anyone else ever felt the same?

I understand completely. Sad. Mine are resting in a dark place waiting to be shown The Way again.. unfortunately this can’t happen as I need to preserve my knees and hips for my older age! I can’t even clean them as dust from the Camino still lingers.... however perhaps I should clean them and allow them into the countryside again?

 

[Juspassinthru]

I feel lucky, my new Keen’s held up well and handled the 900+ km well, they’re my new, old friends. How quickly we forget.

 

[Telelama]

I get it Jo! My old Camino boots sit silently in the dark of a closet, forever a part of my life. While they're not on "display" they hold a special place in my heart - along with my walking sticks!

 

[Saint Mike II]

Hola @Jo King I totally understand the attachment. You & your feet consider them old friends. However with time & love they will become your next new best friends. I too think I am approaching a similar situation, mine had 200, maybe more KMs before they took me out of St Jean. Best of luck, oh, btw, break the new ones in slowly!

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Before departing with your camino walking wear you could spread paint on the soles and then imprint the sole's pattern on some paper. Then store that away with your credentials and compostella.

 

[hel&scott]

Before departing with your camino walking wear you could spread paint on the soles and then imprint the sole's pattern on some paper.

We did this, and then used the foot prints to make personalised sellos. We wore out a pair of hiking shoes in training and then walking for each Camino, my sixth pair are brand new with only a few kms under their souls waiting for our be next Camino, sello is sitting on the bookshelf by the guide books.

 

[Tim Greig]