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Definitely heavier, but I appreciate the burly sole when walking on rocky trails (both before and during the Camino).I find chacos pretty heavy. I prefer Tevas, but sandals could save your Camino if it is warm weather.
I am happy that you have found the footwear that suits you so well, but wish you would not be so smug in your conclusions.I suspect that these opinions come from sandal hating grumps who probably haven't ever walked the Camino in sandals.
I suspect that these opinions come from sandal hating grumps who probably haven't ever walked the Camino in sandals.
Trail runners are great, but really do break down after putting some mileage on them (I get about 800 miles out of my Altras). Pilgrims who buy their shoes and then “break them in” by walking in them for months before pilgrimage are setting themselves up for sore feet, bruised heels, and blisters - possibly even shoes that literally fall apart! Trail runners should simply fit and one day of walking in them should let you know if they will work or not.they were an old pair of trail runners
You can have your Chacos resoled.After, I feel, the sole is not as grippy due to trend wear, I wash them and they become a nice pair of kick around sandals
Those are some well traveled feet!This is a public service announcement for any aspiring pilgrims who are considering making their journey in a pair of Chacos. DO IT!
As you prepare, you'll probably be reading the same sandal criticisms that I read on forums. I suspect that these opinions come from sandal hating grumps who probably haven't ever walked the Camino in sandals. I started at SJPP in the summer and ditched my shoes after awful blister problems. And by ditched, I literally left them in Pamplona (they were an old pair of trail runners).
I purchased these Chacos second hand on ebay and I brought them as a backup for the blister circumstance. As for specifics, I'd recommend you buy a pair with vibram soles. The latest productions are not made in the USA and the new production also lacks vibram soles.
I'd also note that I had no problems hiking the mountainous detours such as the alternate route from Villafranca del Bierzo.
A few suggestions:
-Size up.
This will prevent you from stubbing your toe. I didn't intend to "size up", but found this as a tremendous unintended benefit of having the larger size.
-Bring a lightweight pair of flip flops to wear around town.
The chacos will smell like crap - since you're literally walking through cow pastures - and you won't want to be the smelly pilgrim. You'll also be washing your feet thoroughly each day (see photo below).
-Go slow on the downhills.
A sacrifice, but well worth the benefits of wearing Chacos
-Wash your Chacos each day upon arrival at the albergue
Soak them in your leftover laundry detergent water.
I do think Chacos limit mileage a bit. I did 18km/day comfortably, 18-23km was tough, and 23km+ had my arches aching, but I did go up to 35km on one or two occasions.
View attachment 135053
And....if you must know. I did meet a pilgrim in Astorga who had walked from SJPP in basic Birkenstocks.
This is the only part of your post I completely disagree with. I know, I for one, LOVE to hike in Sandals (shorter distances) and I LOVE Chacos. But Chacos and other hiking sandals do not love my feet for long distances day after day. Regardless of whether or not I wear socks or size up or or go slower or shorter distances (18km/day is WAY too short of a walking day for my liking). I also don't like all the rocks slipping between my foot and the sandal while walking and I don't like taking the chance I will stub my toes while walking. To that end - I found the perfect trail runner and sock combination for my feet and that will always be my FIRST choice shoe for long distance hiking. That said - I refuse to bring "flip flops" or "crocs" or other sandals to wear in the evenings - unless they are hiking sandals. Chacos are too heavy to carry in your pack while hiking (in my opinion). I prefer either Tevas or Xero Sandals as my backup shoe. Both have a bit of grip in the outsole. Both have quality toe and heal straps. Both can be worn in the shower. Both are adjustable in case your feet swell. Both can be worn with socks (I almost always wear socks with sandals on the Camino). Difference? Teva is more cushioned. I brought Tevas in 2021 and Xero Sandals in 2022. Going forward - I will probably stick with Xero Sandals unless the soles of my feet are more tender before starting the Camino as they were last year - when I needed more cushioning for my trail runners.As you prepare, you'll probably be reading the same sandal criticisms that I read on forums. I suspect that these opinions come from sandal hating grumps who probably haven't ever walked the Camino in sandals.
To each their own. If I hadn't washed mine each day = very foul smelling. I found a daily wash and sun dry to help with the odor.I hand washed/scrubbed them 4 times on the CF. They did not smell. I would not recommend washing them everyday.
Sarria to Santiago you say. Hmmmmm.Going slow on the downhills, particularly when wearing Chacos or sandals in general, may very well be sound advice. But….on the Sarria to Santiago section of our Camino earlier this year, we saw a young couple literally jogging the downhills, tacking as they went. We gave it a try - more slow skipping than jogging to be fair - and it was much easier on the toes and knees, and much faster. Obviously, you have to have the right kind of downhill as in wide(ish) path with good underfoot conditions but it worked for us, admittedly wearing boots not sandals. Get a good song in your head (Keep It Coming Love by KC and the Sunshine Band did it for me) and dance your way down the downhills.
perhaps not. Old, but not that old, perhaps well-worn. I definitely wasn't doing 13 mile runs in them before the Camino though.Perhaps the real reason of your initial blisters can be found in a single phrase of yours:
Trail runners are great, but really do break down after putting some mileage on them (I get about 800 miles out of my Altras). Pilgrims who buy their shoes and then “break them in” by walking in them for months before pilgrimage are setting themselves up for sore feet, bruised heels, and blisters - possibly even shoes that literally fall apart! Trail runners should simply fit and one day of walking in them should let you know if they will work or not.
As for sandals, I tend to drag my feet a bit and find that they pick up every Little Rock and twig along the way, plus sometimes I stub my toes while wearing them. Just me, but it’s a no-go if it’s at all gravely or rocky. Additionally, my church-going mother would have to light a table of extra candles if she saw me entering church with them on!Finally, my feet resemble those of Frodo and Bilbo, so I’d frighten everyone I passed…
However, your post does show that there are many ways to walk a Camino and what’s really key is to discover YOUR personal way prior to embarking on it!
Buen Camino!
PS: I loved the humor of your writing
For the avoidance of doubt, the Sarria to Santiago section that took us five days. Walking. Skipping. Dancing. Hmmmm.Sarria to Santiago you say. Hmmmmm.
In the spirit of 'do as I say and not as I do'. I, too, jogged the downhill into Triacastela in my Chacos.
Make that multiple consecutive days. The real test of your footwear comes from day after day walking. A few long hikes on weekends won't give you the full picture.For ALL PILGRIMS: your shoes are THE most important piece of equipment you will take. Whatever you decide to take, definitely give them a trial run of MULTIPLE hiking days before you go!
I walked my first 10 days in Merrill Moabs then tried my Chaco Z1 sandals. Never put my hiking shoes back on for the next 26 days! I didn’t have any particular issues with the shoes but felt so much better in the sandals. No blisters and my feet felt fine even walking 18-20 miles. Occasionally slight irritation on the back of the heels but comped worked charms to avoid any blisters or skin breakdown. I did get my size in wide and they were a bit big but it prevented any stumped toes or strap irritation. You can call me a nerd but I worn liner socks and darn tough smart wool as well. Was even amazing in the rain. It was rare for my skin to even get wet. And then no issue with shoes that are slow to dry. Also no issues with smelly sandals. So this 73 year old has a thumbs up for Chacos but do what is right for your feet! We’re all different. The main thing is pay very close attention to your feet and deal with minor issues early so they don’t become major ones….buen caminoThis is a public service announcement for any aspiring pilgrims who are considering making their journey in a pair of Chacos. DO IT!
As you prepare, you'll probably be reading the same sandal criticisms that I read on various forums. I suspect that these opinions come fromsandal hating grumpsforum users who are surely wonderfully pleasant walking companions, but probably did not wear sandals on The Way. I started at SJPP in the summer and ditched my shoes after awful blister problems. And by ditched, I literally left them in Pamplona (they were an old pair of trail runners).
I purchased these Chacos second hand on ebay and I brought them as a backup for the blister circumstance. As for specifics, I'd recommend you buy a pair with vibram soles. The latest productions are not made in the USA and the new production also lacks vibram soles.
I'd also note that I had no problems hiking the mountainous detours such as the alternate route from Villafranca del Bierzo.
A few suggestions:
-Size up.
This will prevent you from stubbing your toe. I didn't intend to "size up", but found this as a tremendous unintended benefit of having the larger size.
-Bring a lightweight pair of flip flops to wear around town.
The chacos will smell like crap - since you're literally walking through cow pastures - and you won't want to be the smelly pilgrim. You'll also be washing your feet thoroughly each day (see photo below).
-Go slow on the downhills.
A sacrifice, but well worth the benefits of wearing Chacos
-Wash your Chacos each day upon arrival at the albergue
Soak them in your leftover laundry detergent water.
I do think Chacos limit mileage a bit. I did 18km/day comfortably, 18-23km was tough, and 23km+ had my arches aching, but I did go up to 35km on one or two occasions.
View attachment 135053
And....if you must know. I did meet a pilgrim in Astorga who had walked from SJPP in basic Birkenstocks.
Im a fan of sandals myself - there are many brands, and I'd recommend checking out different types if you're considering sandals.This is a public service announcement for any aspiring pilgrims who are considering making their journey in a pair of Chacos. DO IT!
As you prepare, you'll probably be reading the same sandal criticisms that I read on various forums. I suspect that these opinions come fromsandal hating grumpsforum users who are surely wonderfully pleasant walking companions, but probably did not wear sandals on The Way. I started at SJPP in the summer and ditched my shoes after awful blister problems. And by ditched, I literally left them in Pamplona (they were an old pair of trail runners).
I purchased these Chacos second hand on ebay and I brought them as a backup for the blister circumstance. As for specifics, I'd recommend you buy a pair with vibram soles. The latest productions are not made in the USA and the new production also lacks vibram soles.
I'd also note that I had no problems hiking the mountainous detours such as the alternate route from Villafranca del Bierzo.
A few suggestions:
-Size up.
This will prevent you from stubbing your toe. I didn't intend to "size up", but found this as a tremendous unintended benefit of having the larger size.
-Bring a lightweight pair of flip flops to wear around town.
The chacos will smell like crap - since you're literally walking through cow pastures - and you won't want to be the smelly pilgrim. You'll also be washing your feet thoroughly each day (see photo below).
-Go slow on the downhills.
A sacrifice, but well worth the benefits of wearing Chacos
-Wash your Chacos each day upon arrival at the albergue
Soak them in your leftover laundry detergent water.
I do think Chacos limit mileage a bit. I did 18km/day comfortably, 18-23km was tough, and 23km+ had my arches aching, but I did go up to 35km on one or two occasions.
View attachment 135053
And....if you must know. I did meet a pilgrim in Astorga who had walked from SJPP in basic Birkenstocks.
I found a German brand "Dynamic; by Waldlaufer, that allow for an orthotic insole to be fitted. They are a walking sandal (as opposed to a fashion sandal) with a nice cushioned sole, and adjustable straps. I wear socks as I find the straps irritate after a while. (that's not unusual for me, I seem to have more sensitive skin than most).I am happy that you have found the footwear that suits you so well, but wish you would not be so smug in your conclusions.
I may be a grump, but I have no hatred of sandals. I need orthotics in my shoes in order to walk long distances, and I also need a lot of cushioning to pamper my problematic feet. If I could try sandals with orthotics, I would be happy to do so, as I feel no personal animosity for sandals. But that seems unlikely to work for me.
Keens are also very good sandals. Rugged. Can walk wet without blistering. Never stink.This is a public service announcement for any aspiring pilgrims who are considering making their journey in a pair of Chacos. DO IT!
As you prepare, you'll probably be reading the same sandal criticisms that I read on various forums. I suspect that these opinions come fromsandal hating grumpsforum users who are surely wonderfully pleasant walking companions, but probably did not wear sandals on The Way. I started at SJPP in the summer and ditched my shoes after awful blister problems. And by ditched, I literally left them in Pamplona (they were an old pair of trail runners).
I purchased these Chacos second hand on ebay and I brought them as a backup for the blister circumstance. As for specifics, I'd recommend you buy a pair with vibram soles. The latest productions are not made in the USA and the new production also lacks vibram soles.
I'd also note that I had no problems hiking the mountainous detours such as the alternate route from Villafranca del Bierzo.
A few suggestions:
-Size up.
This will prevent you from stubbing your toe. I didn't intend to "size up", but found this as a tremendous unintended benefit of having the larger size.
-Bring a lightweight pair of flip flops to wear around town.
The chacos will smell like crap - since you're literally walking through cow pastures - and you won't want to be the smelly pilgrim. You'll also be washing your feet thoroughly each day (see photo below).
-Go slow on the downhills.
A sacrifice, but well worth the benefits of wearing Chacos
-Wash your Chacos each day upon arrival at the albergue
Soak them in your leftover laundry detergent water.
I do think Chacos limit mileage a bit. I did 18km/day comfortably, 18-23km was tough, and 23km+ had my arches aching, but I did go up to 35km on one or two occasions.
View attachment 135053
And....if you must know. I did meet a pilgrim in Astorga who had walked from SJPP in basic Birkenstocks.
Curious ... what trail runner / sock combo worked for you?This is the only part of your post I completely disagree with. I know, I for one, LOVE to hike in Sandals (shorter distances) and I LOVE Chacos. But Chacos and other hiking sandals do not love my feet for long distances day after day. Regardless of whether or not I wear socks or size up or or go slower or shorter distances (18km/day is WAY too short of a walking day for my liking). I also don't like all the rocks slipping between my foot and the sandal while walking and I don't like taking the chance I will stub my toes while walking. To that end - I found the perfect trail runner and sock combination for my feet and that will always be my FIRST choice shoe for long distance hiking. That said - I refuse to bring "flip flops" or "crocs" or other sandals to wear in the evenings - unless they are hiking sandals. Chacos are too heavy to carry in your pack while hiking (in my opinion). I prefer either Tevas or Xero Sandals as my backup shoe. Both have a bit of grip in the outsole. Both have quality toe and heal straps. Both can be worn in the shower. Both are adjustable in case your feet swell. Both can be worn with socks (I almost always wear socks with sandals on the Camino). Difference? Teva is more cushioned. I brought Tevas in 2021 and Xero Sandals in 2022. Going forward - I will probably stick with Xero Sandals unless the soles of my feet are more tender before starting the Camino as they were last year - when I needed more cushioning for my trail runners.
BTW - you can keep your Chacos from smelling by wearing a thin hiking sock with them. That would also save you from having to wash them every day. Last thing I want to do is add one more thing to hand wash daily!
Anyhow - I am not some "Sandal hating grump", and I have walked the Camino twice (800+km both times) and travelled extensively after both Caminos with lots of additional walking. I love Chacos, but will never advocate for sandals to be the primary shoe for anyone. By that - I don't mean I would talk Sandal loving hikers out of bringing their sandals. If that works for them, fine - they should wear their sandals. But I will always recommend to those who are undecided to pick a lightweight pair of trail runners and a good sock combination for their feet - and to bring a hiking Sandal as an evening shoe/backup hiking shoe.
In general I don't tend to collect a lot of stones in my sandals. It does happen occasionally, but they are usually pretty easy to remove. Often I can kind of kick them out without taking off my sandals.I may have a weird walking movement, but I always collect pebbles and grains of sand between my feet and the soles of the sandals. I need to stop at least once a km and sometimes more often. Even on asphalt, I seem to collect whatever is loose. I only saw one post mentioning that. Do you sandal lovers just accept that, or not have this problem?
I walked 700 km in in my Chacos and only three times had to stop to get small stones out. Could most always dislodge them with a little foot shake. I was wearing socks so don’t know if that kept them out. I walked the first 10 days in merrel hiking shoes and also had to occasionally stop and take them off to remove stones. So for me, stone problems and sandals is way over rated. Buen caminoIn general I don't tend to collect a lot of stones in my sandals. It does happen occasionally, but they are usually pretty easy to remove. Often I can kind of kick them out without taking off my sandals.
Altra Lone Peaks which I size up 2 sizes and fill them with Injinji Toe Sock Liners and a medium cushion merino wool hiking sock. No blisters with that combo. The double socks take up a bit of the space (especially since since with my normal sneakers in my normal size I wear a thin athletic sock) and then I tie them in a way that is more snug around the ankle area. This was recommended to me to do by a local podiatrist who walks the Camino frequently with his family and it works great for me. My feet don't slide around but I have plenty of toe space. If I don't go a full 2 sizes up I blister and if I try to change the model shoe or brand of shoe I blister.Curious ... what trail runner / sock combo worked for you?
I also wear orthotics, but interestingly, when I finally pulled the trigger on orthotics it was because the only shoes that did *not* make my feet hurt were my Chacos.I am happy that you have found the footwear that suits you so well, but wish you would not be so smug in your conclusions.
I may be a grump, but I have no hatred of sandals. I need orthotics in my shoes in order to walk long distances, and I also need a lot of cushioning to pamper my problematic feet. If I could try sandals with orthotics, I would be happy to do so, as I feel no personal animosity for sandals. But that seems unlikely to work for me.
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