The footwear questions come up repeatedly because many folks choose to use footwear they already own, or automatically buy their customary size, or they excuse away the advice given freely here. IMHO, here are the concrete aspects of Camino footwear:
1. All shoe style and manufacturers lasts run either smaller, true, or larger than the listed size. IMHO, there is no such thing as a perfect size 9, etc. I have shoes in my closet that run from 1/2 to 2 full sizes smaller than listed.
- You MUST try the shoes on wearing the socks you plan to wear on Camino.
- You really should add a further half-size more to allow for two pair of socks, or the actual socks you plan to wear.
- You should be able to wriggle and spread your toes in the toe box.
- Consider footwear that have a broad, high toe box. Keen boots are famous for this.
Basically, this amounts to a shoe or boot that is about one full size larger than the supposed size when considering them. This would be one full size MORE than the Bannock foot measuring device suggests. So, a size 9 becomes a size 10, etc. And many, including me, argue for additional space beyond that. But, I realize that ALL feet are different.
2. Many people fail to understand that their feet WILL swell from heat and long distance under load for several weeks. Some people do not have this issue. But, you know who you are, Caveat emptor...
- Walking the Camino every day is waaay different than being on campus or shopping in a city or mall setting.
- If your feet are prone to swelling at the end of a work day or full day wear shoes, you MUST add extra sizing for this expansion.
3. Too many people fail to understand the physics of foot travel in the shoe or boot, especially on a downhill. When you walk downhill, your feet slide forward in your shoes or boots. You can limit, but not stop, this tendency.
Forward motion is stopped only by (1) proper lacing, or (2) your foot striking the inside front of the 'toe box.'
- Repeated striking of the toe box causes: lost toenails, blisters, infection, bleeding, and 'black toe.'
- Avoid this by wearing shoes with enough space in the toe box, and learn to properly tie your shoes.
- See You Tube for videos on how to tie hiking boots.
Take a copy of this with you when you shop for shoes or boots. It will save a lot of pain and inconvenience later.
Hope this helps.