For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation) |
---|
Your comments about Merrell is interesting as I have a pair of Merrells - I broke them in with a 95 km (55 mile) walk over 5 days - more than 6 months before my Camino and then did more training. But as soon as I started the Camino with 12-14 Kg on my back my feet started acting up. Now I cannot specifically say it was the Merrells - and yes I know that there are often many differences between female and male feet and shoes. I have previous walk Mt Kilimanjaro (65 km round trip) with out even the signs of a blister so it was really disappointing to have to abandon the Camino. So I would support your recommendation to try as many shoes/boots as possible before hand - I can also support the earlier post about feet swelling as you walk, especially during Summer.In preparation for our May 2012 Camino, I bought a pair of Merrell Moabs. I tried them on, walked around REI for 30 minutes and thought I’d love them. I was wrong. I walked a couple of miles every day through the end of January. My feet were fine right up until I put on a pack. As soon as I started carrying weight on my back I’d get horrible aches along the arches and balls of my feet. Thinking that the boots just needed more breaking in, I continued to wear them through the end of March. By then I’d put on a couple of hundred training miles, many with a pack and my feet still hurt. So I went back to REI and traded them in for some Keen Targhee IIs (yes, REI took them back, gave me a full rebate, no questions asked). I immediately loved the Keens and continued to love them along our 500 km+ journey on the Camino through this day.
The truth about boots in practise walking and boots on the Camino is that they can feel or behave differently. The Grisport boots were good for training in th UK during the winter. On the Camino, even in the cold weather, they were too hot and sweaty. Great again now for winter training walks, but for the Camino we have managed to get new Hi-Tec boots which have always been good on the Camino. Sizes are vital too and the latest Hi-Tec are sized bigger than our old ones but actually measure the same put sole to sole, so always try your new boots on - with your socks.We have recently bought new Grisport boots too and they are very comfortable. We have yet to walk the Camino in them, but they feel good on training walks. Lightweight leather, waterproof, breathable etc as Gitti says.
I have bought the men's Quatro boots as they were more comfortable than the women's for my feet, when worn with my full set of walking socks.
Buen Camino
Has anyone out there ever walked in hiking sandals? My feet get hot and sweaty and, as I plan on walking in July, I am worried about the comfort (I never wear closed shoes in the summer).
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?