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I have done twelve Caminos and never have had a blister. I believe it's the boots I have worn Keen boots are the best comfortable and you do not have to break them in.8 caminos later, I finally figured it out.
Buy two pairs of the lightest, most ventilated shoes you can find. Preferably different from each other. I like generic slip-on athletic shoes. And I like the Norvan from Arc'teryx very much.
I use the lightest, thinnest socks that Darn Tough makes.
But here's the crux of it. You wear one pair of shoes today. You wear the *other* pair of shoes tomorrow and switch every day.
That little hotspot that you feel on your heel or toe or gets a chance to rest with a different pair of shoes and your shoes are dry every day and don't get funky and start to eat your feet.
I always. And I mean always get blisters on the camino in the past two month long caminos I've gotten zero blisters.
Great advice thank you8 caminos later, I finally figured it out.
Buy two pairs of the lightest, most ventilated shoes you can find. Preferably different from each other. I like generic slip-on athletic shoes. And I like the Norvan from Arc'teryx very much.
I use the lightest, thinnest socks that Darn Tough makes.
But here's the crux of it. You wear one pair of shoes today. You wear the *other* pair of shoes tomorrow and switch every day.
That little hotspot that you feel on your heel or toe or gets a chance to rest with a different pair of shoes and your shoes are dry every day and don't get funky and start to eat your feet.
I always. And I mean always get blisters on the camino in the past two month long caminos I've gotten zero blisters.
Have you tried Altra Olympus? They have the same width as the LPs but a lot more cushion (this is assuming the width of the shoe was the factor that helped out).Glad you found what works for you! But of course - everyone's feet are different. I know this wouldn't work for me for a couple reasons: 1) IF I am going to blister in shoes - the blister ALWAYS forms in the same spots - so finding the lightest most ventilated shoes wouldn't work for me unless they also happened to be a shoe that I don't blister in (so far I have ONE shoe that works). And 2) I do best with toe sock liners (injinji)and a thicker/medium cushioned merino wool sock (darn tough or injinji). And 3) Altra Lone Peaks so far are the only blister free shoe I have found (sized up). Not the lightest nor the most ventilated, and I don't have to alternate the shoe.
But thanks for sharing - what works for you will probably work for others who may not have thought to try this.
Not only does the Olympus have more cushion, it also has a Vibram sole.Have you tried Altra Olympus? They have the same width as the LPs but a lot more cushion (this is assuming the width of the shoe was the factor that helped out).
This is what worked for Peg too. She also just needed two pairs.One man I saw on del Norte in September puts a pair of mini nylon socks underneath his other socks and never had a blister - 2 pairs last for a long Camino route - that is what I am going to try my next one!
Yes - I wanted so much to like them - but my Camino was riddled with tiny blisters this summer with them. They have more cushion - but the sides are much more rigid which I think affected my experience with them. I think they were a little less breathable too. Going back to Lone Peaks for sure! With my Lone Peaks - I wear them with their normal soles at home - but I did switch out the insoles while in Spain until I found the perfect pair. Still no blisters - but more cushioned insoles made my feet happier. The Olympus were very disappointing - especially given their pricetag!Have you tried Altra Olympus? They have the same width as the LPs but a lot more cushion (this is assuming the width of the shoe was the factor that helped out).
Fair enough! Interesting comment on the more rigid sides. I’m currently using the LP 6s which I love. What Olys did you use? I haven’t tried the current ones yetYes - I wanted so much to like them - but my Camino was riddled with tiny blisters this summer with them. They have more cushion - but the sides are much more rigid which I think affected my experience with them. I think they were a little less breathable too. Going back to Lone Peaks for sure! With my Lone Peaks - I wear them with their normal soles at home - but I did switch out the insoles while in Spain until I found the perfect pair. Still no blisters - but more cushioned insoles made my feet happier. The Olympus were very disappointing - especially given their pricetag!
@tercile,Not only does the Olympus have more cushion, it also has a Vibram sole.
You can save money by buying the previous year's model.
I don't hear Body Glide used that much on this forum but when I was in buying a couple dry sacks for my camino the other day I noticed they had body glide near the checkout. Never noticed it before so I thought I might give it a try.I used Body Glide on my feet, Salomon shoes that "breathed" (recommended because they would dry fast in rainy weather -- and they did!) and Smartwool socks, changed every 2 hours. Not a blister the entire way. I'm thinking the Body Glide (from my days as a distance runner) did the trick..
I know three gals/relatives that have struggled with plantar fasciitis and they all "swear by" Oofos sandals which help them immensely.Used Oofos sandles as soon as I ended my day and if the weather and road was correct for them I would use them an hour or so on the trail. These were originally designed for recovery after running marathon. They give great support and are very comfortable
I’m a long time Lone Peaks fan but I read reviews on the Olympus and thought they sounded perfect for the Camino I’m planning to do in the spring of 23. I ordered both the brand new Olympus 5’s and the Lone Peak 6’s and tested them around my house for a few days. (Thanks to REI’s nice return policy.) I also ordered the Hoka Bondi but they weren’t even a contender after trying them on. Too narrow. I REALLY wanted to love the Olympus but they just weren’t as comfortable as the Lone Peak. Putting the Lone Peaks on was like comfortable slippers. The Olympus felt constricting. They also felt much stiffer. They both have the “original” footbed which is supposed to be the widest but the Olympus didn’t feel as wide to me. Maybe because it was stiffer. Anyway, that’s my take. Everybody’s feet are so different. Mine are wide with a high arch. Best of luck to all looking for the right shoe solution!Not only does the Olympus have more cushion, it also has a Vibram sole.
You can save money by buying the previous year's model.
The cushion can make a huge difference at the end of the day but that really depends on how the rest of the shoe feels. If they’re uncomfortable an hour or 2 in then it really doesn’t matter how good your feet would feel at the end of the day. I would recommend, as someone else mentioned above, getting new insoles for the LPs to add cushion. Maybe something like Superfeet Greens or similar.I’m a long time Lone Peaks fan but I read reviews on the Olympus and thought they sounded perfect for the Camino I’m planning to do in the spring of 23. I ordered both the brand new Olympus 5’s and the Lone Peak 6’s and tested them around my house for a few days. (Thanks to REI’s nice return policy.) I also ordered the Hoka Bondi but they weren’t even a contender after trying them on. Too narrow. I REALLY wanted to love the Olympus but they just weren’t as comfortable as the Lone Peak. Putting the Lone Peaks on was like comfortable slippers. The Olympus felt constricting. They also felt much stiffer. They both have the “original” footbed which is supposed to be the widest but the Olympus didn’t feel as wide to me. Maybe because it was stiffer. Anyway, that’s my take. Everybody’s feet are so different. Mine are wide with a high arch. Best of luck to all looking for the right shoe solution!
Olympus 4 is what I wore this summer.Fair enough! Interesting comment on the more rigid sides. I’m currently using the LP 6s which I love. What Olys did you use? I haven’t tried the current ones yet
You described pretty much everything I felt about the Olympus compared to the Lone Peaks. And Lone Peaks are lighter, more breathable, more flexible, and yes - seemed a bit roomier which I attribute more to them being less stiff I think. They also felt broken in from day one, whereas I felt I needed a little more walk time in the Olympus before starting the Camino. With the Lone Peaks - I had tried a couple pairs before my first Camino - and ended up buying a brand new pair to bring with and it worked perfectly. I would NOT have done that with the Olympus.I REALLY wanted to love the Olympus but they just weren’t as comfortable as the Lone Peak. Putting the Lone Peaks on was like comfortable slippers. The Olympus felt constricting. They also felt much stiffer. They both have the “original” footbed which is supposed to be the widest but the Olympus didn’t feel as wide to me. Maybe because it was stiffer.
Exactly... my only complaint with the Lone Peaks was the cushion when I was on the Frances... so I switched out the insoles. Insoles were fine on the Olympus - but the rest of the shoe just didn't work for me. One more note - the traction on the Olympus does seem a bit sturdier - but I had no issues with the Lone Peaks. Anyhow - that is my assessment of both shoes for me and MY feet. You might find you like the Olympus better. Only negative "giving them a try" is they cost so much - so if you have a shoe store with a generous return policy - I would buy there (like REI in the US).The cushion can make a huge difference at the end of the day but that really depends on how the rest of the shoe feels. If they’re uncomfortable an hour or 2 in then it really doesn’t matter how good your feet would feel at the end of the day. I would recommend, as someone else mentioned above, getting new insoles for the LPs to add cushion. Maybe something like Superfeet Greens or similar.
@jeanineonthecamino ,Olympus 4 is what I wore this summer.
Wondering how many socks did you take with you and what was the average mileage covered in 2 hours?I used Body Glide on my feet, Salomon shoes that "breathed" (recommended because they would dry fast in rainy weather -- and they did!) and Smartwool socks, changed every 2 hours. Not a blister the entire way. I'm thinking the Body Glide (from my days as a distance runner) did the trick..
For the entire CF I just took one pair of Merrel mid walking shoes to protect my ankles never wore them until then , except to make sure they were rhe right fit and comfortable .. I treated my feet with Vaseline at the start of each day , en route I took the chance to bathe my feet in water whenever I came across a stream and suffered from no blisters .8 caminos later, I finally figured it out.
Buy two pairs of the lightest, most ventilated shoes you can find. Preferably different from each other. I like generic slip-on athletic shoes. And I like the Norvan from Arc'teryx very much.
I use the lightest, thinnest socks that Darn Tough makes.
But here's the crux of it. You wear one pair of shoes today. You wear the *other* pair of shoes tomorrow and switch every day.
That little hotspot that you feel on your heel or toe or gets a chance to rest with a different pair of shoes and your shoes are dry every day and don't get funky and start to eat your feet.
I always. And I mean always get blisters on the camino in the past two month long caminos I've gotten zero blisters.
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