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Thank you, Dave! Alas, he is not my husband and it isn't my son, or I'd have more influence in the proceedings... it's the son of a dear friend, so I have to be more diplomatic than with a husband. ;-)
Do you have time to take the pack back? That is one of the positives with REI. I don't recall if you had already addressed that question.Thanks, Dave. Yes, I also weighed in about the problem with REI recommendations on that same thread. I am at my wit's end with their bad advice when it comes to the Camino, not just with shoes, but with having sold the kid I'm walking with an oversized pack...sigh.
I wear Salomon boots (Quest GTX 4D 3). I've worn them hiking mountain trails and on the Camino. Throughout all of my training/prep for Camino 2016, I wore my normal size and never got a blister. However, by 10 days into the Camino, I thought my little toes would fall off each time I took off the boots. I also had a hard time getting them back on in the mornings. For the Camino this fall, I bought the same boots as in 2016 (newest model) and bought a half size up. I can tell by how they fit during training that I should have sufficient room when my feet "grow" this time. Best of luck in helping your friends find the best resolution.
Yes. We don't leave till July 8. But I'm picking my battles... the shoes are the more urgent issue. Too big a pack is a Camino Lesson for him, but the wrong shoes is a Camino Problem... for me. ;-)
I appreciate you taking the time to respond with some good info. I've worn them exactly as I will for the upcoming Camino (with Superfeet insoles and the WrightSock dbl layer socks), both at home (for several weeks before venturing outside with them) and on trails both here in Colorado and around Israel on a recent trip. I have lots of wiggle room in the toe box, even at the end of a day of trekking. I also believe that there have been some improvements between the design of the 4D 2 (2016) and the 4D 3 model I'm wearing now.Hi, Phoenix...
Just a mention.... sizes in shoe length are actually incrementally pretty small. You have a lot of walking experience so I don't wish to presume anything, but if you have as yet to wear your Camino gear and socks and insoles/orthotics that you usually do when testing your new shoes, it may give peace of mind to do so at the end of the day. Then really try to force your toes to the front of the boot. Do this without tightening your laces more than a moderate bit. This test requires a bit of allowance for your foot to be able to slightly move.
Going down stairs or an incline while forcing the toes forward is good... so is kicking a post
If you feel even the slightest kiss of your toes touching the front of the boot, then go up another half or full size and repeat the test.
In practical terms, even with shoelaces snugged tight with a locking pattern of lacing, a foot will still move forward on a downhill decline. The key to preventing toe trauma and blackened/damaged toenails, is to compensate for this by increasing the length of the footwear beyond the point where the toes cannot be forced forward far enough to brush to front of the shoe.
If you have already done this, drop this post in the nearest disposal bin, brush the dust from your hands, and forgive my presumptions .
I appreciate you taking the time to respond with some good info. I've worn them exactly as I will for the upcoming Camino (with Superfeet insoles and the WrightSock dbl layer socks), both at home (for several weeks before venturing outside with them) and on trails both here in Colorado and around Israel on a recent trip. I have lots of wiggle room in the toe box, even at the end of a day of trekking. I also believe that there have been some improvements between the design of the 4D 2 (2016) and the 4D 3 model I'm wearing now.
I went one and a half sizes up in Salomons last year ....previous Camino ten years ago I went two sizes up and had no issues. This time I developed big toe problems probably caused by pressure on descents and padding only increased the pressure. I resorted to wearing only a nylon stocking liner on the injured foot. Make sure his father gets him some Teva sandals at least!Apologies for the shoe post.
I'm walking my second Camino in July/August, this time with a 15 year old boy who has zero outdoor experience. He is not my son, but the son of a dear friend. All well and good, but his father has purchased for him a pair of size 8.5 Salomons. The boy wears a size 8.5. I explained about sizing up, but the father insists that the people at REI told him that Salomons were made differently and did not require sizing up for long distance walking.
I can find no evidence to support this claim re: Salomons.
I'm not going to jeopardize my own walk by setting out with a 15 year old who isn't equipped to complete the walk safely, but all of my efforts to convince the father to return them and buy a size up have so far fallen on deaf ears because of the assurances of the people at REI (who in my experience, at least at this particular store, are always wrong about shoes for the Camino. Always.)
Can anyone either reassure me that they are correct and upsizing is not necessary, or offer me some more persuasive info to convince the father otherwise?
Deeply grateful.
I think that it depends on how much room you usually like to have in your shoes.I have never "sized up" my footwear to walk the Camino or for any backpacking trip and we never "sized up" our boots in the military when we did marches. It's not necessarily a necessity.
I have never "sized up" my footwear to walk the Camino or for any backpacking trip and we never "sized up" our boots in the military when we did marches. It's not necessarily a necessity.
I think that it depends on how much room you usually like to have in your shoes.
Yes, of course. When I say I just wear my normal size in footwear on the Camino and on hikes, my normal size is a comfortable size with plenty of toe box, etc and they are the same size I wear in the shoes when not walking the Camino. I just have never found the need to go a size or two larger due to feet swelling. Also these days I wear the knee high compression type socks they make for runners, etc. I have found they really help.I think that it depends on how much room you usually like to have in your shoes.
This. I wear a 10.5 in most shoes. However, the best fit in Chuck Taylor All Star is a 9 (which is my go-to leisure shoe) while the best fit in New Balance running shoes is 11.5. That's quite a spread between shoe sizes.To think any other way means that one is guessing at what will work by simply adding some multiple of a number, to a different number, which can be drastically different from manufacturer to manufacturer.
Apologies for the shoe post.
I'm walking my second Camino in July/August, this time with a 15 year old boy who has zero outdoor experience. He is not my son, but the son of a dear friend. All well and good, but his father has purchased for him a pair of size 8.5 Salomons. The boy wears a size 8.5. I explained about sizing up, but the father insists that the people at REI told him that Salomons were made differently and did not require sizing up for long distance walking.
I can find no evidence to support this claim re: Salomons.
I'm not going to jeopardize my own walk by setting out with a 15 year old who isn't equipped to complete the walk safely, but all of my efforts to convince the father to return them and buy a size up have so far fallen on deaf ears because of the assurances of the people at REI (who in my experience, at least at this particular store, are always wrong about shoes for the Camino. Always.)
Can anyone either reassure me that they are correct and upsizing is not necessary, or offer me some more persuasive info to convince the father otherwise?
Deeply grateful.
I wore Saloman shoes for the Portuguese Camino (Lisbon to Santiago) and I did not size up, The shoes were perfect and I did not get any blisters. They are a wider shoe so lots of room to spread as your feet swell during the day.Apologies for the shoe post.
I'm walking my second Camino in July/August, this time with a 15 year old boy who has zero outdoor experience. He is not my son, but the son of a dear friend. All well and good, but his father has purchased for him a pair of size 8.5 Salomons. The boy wears a size 8.5. I explained about sizing up, but the father insists that the people at REI told him that Salomons were made differently and did not require sizing up for long distance walking.
I can find no evidence to support this claim re: Salomons.
I'm not going to jeopardize my own walk by setting out with a 15 year old who isn't equipped to complete the walk safely, but all of my efforts to convince the father to return them and buy a size up have so far fallen on deaf ears because of the assurances of the people at REI (who in my experience, at least at this particular store, are always wrong about shoes for the Camino. Always.)
Can anyone either reassure me that they are correct and upsizing is not necessary, or offer me some more persuasive info to convince the father otherwise?
Deeply grateful.
Apologies for the shoe post.
I'm walking my second Camino in July/August, this time with a 15 year old boy who has zero outdoor experience. He is not my son, but the son of a dear friend. All well and good, but his father has purchased for him a pair of size 8.5 Salomons. The boy wears a size 8.5. I explained about sizing up, but the father insists that the people at REI told him that Salomons were made differently and did not require sizing up for long distance walking.
I can find no evidence to support this claim re: Salomons.
I'm not going to jeopardize my own walk by setting out with a 15 year old who isn't equipped to complete the walk safely, but all of my efforts to convince the father to return them and buy a size up have so far fallen on deaf ears because of the assurances of the people at REI (who in my experience, at least at this particular store, are always wrong about shoes for the Camino. Always.)
Can anyone either reassure me that they are correct and upsizing is not necessary, or offer me some more persuasive info to convince the father otherwise?
Deeply grateful.
Apologies for the shoe post.
I'm walking my second Camino in July/August, this time with a 15 year old boy who has zero outdoor experience. He is not my son, but the son of a dear friend. All well and good, but his father has purchased for him a pair of size 8.5 Salomons. The boy wears a size 8.5. I explained about sizing up, but the father insists that the people at REI told him that Salomons were made differently and did not require sizing up for long distance walking.
I can find no evidence to support this claim re: Salomons.
I'm not going to jeopardize my own walk by setting out with a 15 year old who isn't equipped to complete the walk safely, but all of my efforts to convince the father to return them and buy a size up have so far fallen on deaf ears because of the assurances of the people at REI (who in my experience, at least at this particular store, are always wrong about shoes for the Camino. Always.)
Can anyone either reassure me that they are correct and upsizing is not necessary, or offer me some more persuasive info to convince the father otherwise?
Deeply grateful.
Hi Faith. I have hiked now for nearly 40 years and my Camino was in Sept 2015, and I wore Salomons - a full size larger, and they were narrow (which caused its own problem) but my toes were fine. Everyone’s advice so far is great so I won’t add to or repeat their words of wisdom. Here’s an idea that might help with the father though - for years I led college students on hiking trips of 2 weeks or more, carrying traditional packs with full gear and food (see “heavy” in Webster’s). We always had a 3-4 day pre-trip after conditioning and training. This helped with gear shakedown and problems with packs and shoes/boots. It was normal for some students to switch out a pack or boots after that pre-trip. And the best part was that after having them for those 3 days and checking, coaching or questioning every day, they made the changes themselves without any further input from me. Maybe the son would find he can explain it to his Dad on his own...
I am one who has not needed to 'size up'. But I think I'm in the minority.
He should be doing training walk with the shoes and a full pack. You may want to talk him into bringing a pair of good sandals just in case...
Buen Camino, and I so honor you for taking on this journey with a 15 year old who is not even yours!
Best of luck Faith
I have hiked for years with normal shoe size 41mm (US7.5) but my hiking was limited to 3 or 4 day hikes and never longer like on the camino
On my recent Camino by day 5 my right foot swelled up more than my left - but both swelled I developed blisters under the pad of my right foot and it was agony to walk - eventually on day 7 of my camino I bought a pair of size 43.5mm (US 9.5) 2 sizes up
Salomons
The remaining part of the Camino was better no further blisters on either foot
Some folk used Vaseline on toes everyday
I used foot powder which seemed to work
A multi day test walk is recommended - the 15 year old can then decide after the multi day hike if walking is what he would like to do.
The Camino needs to be his camino for him.
Your Camino needs to be your Camino for you
Whatever happens ....good luck with the preparations
The preparation is an important part of the Camino
With best wishes
Buen Camino
Me too. They are very narrow and I always need to go up one size for my wide hooves.In my experience Salomon is one brand that definitely needs sizing up as they are quite narrow fitting.
Hope all works out for you and the young man.
Best of luck walking all that way with a teenage boy, salomons probably going to be the least of your worries,Thanks! I think particularly with a teenager with no experience, that sizing up is crucial.
Apologies for the shoe post.
I'm walking my second Camino in July/August, this time with a 15 year old boy who has zero outdoor experience. He is not my son, but the son of a dear friend. All well and good, but his father has purchased for him a pair of size 8.5 Salomons. The boy wears a size 8.5. I explained about sizing up, but the father insists that the people at REI told him that Salomons were made differently and did not require sizing up for long distance walking.
I can find no evidence to support this claim re: Salomons.
I'm not going to jeopardize my own walk by setting out with a 15 year old who isn't equipped to complete the walk safely, but all of my efforts to convince the father to return them and buy a size up have so far fallen on deaf ears because of the assurances of the people at REI (who in my experience, at least at this particular store, are always wrong about shoes for the Camino. Always.)
Can anyone either reassure me that they are correct and upsizing is not necessary, or offer me some more persuasive info to convince the father otherwise?
Deeply grateful.
Apologies for the shoe post.
I'm walking my second Camino in July/August, this time with a 15 year old boy who has zero outdoor experience. He is not my son, but the son of a dear friend. All well and good, but his father has purchased for him a pair of size 8.5 Salomons. The boy wears a size 8.5. I explained about sizing up, but the father insists that the people at REI told him that Salomons were made differently and did not require sizing up for long distance walking.
I can find no evidence to support this claim re: Salomons.
I'm not going to jeopardize my own walk by setting out with a 15 year old who isn't equipped to complete the walk safely, but all of my efforts to convince the father to return them and buy a size up have so far fallen on deaf ears because of the assurances of the people at REI (who in my experience, at least at this particular store, are always wrong about shoes for the Camino. Always.)
Can anyone either reassure me that they are correct and upsizing is not necessary, or offer me some more persuasive info to convince the father otherwise?
Deeply grateful.
No no no, avoided solomans like the plague. Worst fit ever. I prefer merrill's go 1 size larger than regular shoes, wear them on concrete for a month and be willing to return them for a 1/2 size larger if necessary. Skimp on everything else but shoesApologies for the shoe post.
I'm walking my second Camino in July/August, this time with a 15 year old boy who has zero outdoor experience. He is not my son, but the son of a dear friend. All well and good, but his father has purchased for him a pair of size 8.5 Salomons. The boy wears a size 8.5. I explained about sizing up, but the father insists that the people at REI told him that Salomons were made differently and did not require sizing up for long distance walking.
I can find no evidence to support this claim re: Salomons.
I'm not going to jeopardize my own walk by setting out with a 15 year old who isn't equipped to complete the walk safely, but all of my efforts to convince the father to return them and buy a size up have so far fallen on deaf ears because of the assurances of the people at REI (who in my experience, at least at this particular store, are always wrong about shoes for the Camino. Always.)
Can anyone either reassure me that they are correct and upsizing is not necessary, or offer me some more persuasive info to convince the father otherwise?
Deeply grateful.
Leave him and the shoes behindThanks, C! They fit him like a regular everyday shoe would, which allows no room for foot spreading with extra feet or with heat or with extended walking or with downhills or, as you mention, teenage feet growing. They were purchased entirely on the recommendation from the REI person that Salomon are "special" because they already take into account the need for roomier shoes when long distance walking. This is, IMO, absurd, because the shoes aren't "long distance walking" shoes, so how could they possibly be specially designed for that purpose?
Fit is very personal. A shoe that fits badly for one person can be perfect for another. Many people wear and love Salomons. I know that most people would not like the fit of my favorite New Balance trail runners, because they run narrow, but they are perfect for my foot.No no no, avoided solomans like the plague. Worst fit ever. I prefer merrill's go 1 size larger than regular shoes, wear them on concrete for a month and be willing to return them for a 1/2 size larger if necessary. Skimp on everything else but shoes
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