sandals vs boots

[Sandra Corrales-Potts]

Hello, This may sound crazy, but has anyone ever used a good pair of hiking sandals? I have bunions and any kind of shoe is potentially painful for me. I do have a pair of hiking shoes that are fairly broken in from my backpacking in the pacific northwest. The sandals would seem to have the ability to tighten or slacken depending on swelling etc. feedback please and gracias!
Sandra

 

[Tony Jansen]

I've used Keen hiking sandals during hikes in the warmer part of this summer. Longest hike was 8km. Although it was OK, I somehow don't feel inclined using them on longer walks let alone using them for training with a backpack. They just don't add the stability tot my lower legs and feet that I prefer.
Your mileage may vary of course.

 

[santiago_67]

Hello, This may sound crazy, but has anyone ever used a good pair of hiking sandals? I have bunions and any kind of shoe is potentially painful for me. I do have a pair of hiking shoes that are fairly broken in from my backpacking in the pacific northwest. The sandals would seem to have the ability to tighten or slacken depending on swelling etc. feedback please and gracias!
Sandra

Hi Sandra, I met several people last year on the Camino that did a combination of sandals and boots = sandals on the hot/dry days over level ground and then the boots on rainy days and rough terrain (and we all wore sandals at the end of the days walk). I will be taking both sandals and boots on my upcoming Camino. Buen Camino!

 

[Olivares]

The majority of people you will see on the Camino will be wearing boots, but you will see people on sandals as well. There is no such thing as one is better than the other. Whoever gets on that track needs to know that effective long distance hiking shoes are a factor of 1) trail topography, 2) weather, 3) user feet, 4) individual body mechanics. Since 2 out these 4 are individual body-dependent, the ONLY way to answer this question for YOU is to try what works better for YOU. I go with boots for risk mitigation; ankle support, toe protection, and feet insulation. If you find a sandals that works for you and offers those other features, go for it. Try New Balance trainers for a bit more comfortable wear. I wore Merrell boots my last 5X on the Camino. I also took hiking sandals with me, but never had the need to use them. I had no blisters, walked in July. This seemed to be a common approach.

Good luck, Buen Camino!

 

[Jonas]

Sandra, I walked the entire camino from SJPP to Santiago (exept three days) with these sandals, in may/june 2014.
http://shopeu.ecco.com/no/no/ecco/offroad_444715/444722?navId=331

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000NIF43C/?tag=casaivar-21

 

[BeatriceKarjalainen]

Hello, This may sound crazy, but has anyone ever used a good pair of hiking sandals? I have bunions and any kind of shoe is potentially painful for me. I do have a pair of hiking shoes that are fairly broken in from my backpacking in the pacific northwest. The sandals would seem to have the ability to tighten or slacken depending on swelling etc. feedback please and gracias!
Sandra

Hi
I walked from Pamplona (from SJPdP to Pamplona in boots) to Santiago de Compostela and then further on to Finisterre and Muxía and back to Santiago and then Camino Inglés in sandals (not even hiking sandals) last year and this year I brought my old comfy sandal on to Camino San Salvador and Camino Primitivo. My sandals are old, worn and have not even any shock absorbing left. I had about 10 kg on my back and walked between 32 and 44 km/day in these over mountains. No problems at all, well I had to stop now and then to remove a stone or so. And in rain I use seal skinz (gore text socks) to keep my feet dry.

 

[scruffy1]

You can walk it in sandals, probably will get away with it...this time. No support for your ankles, knees, lower back, no protection from water, thorns, mud, or stones. We all accept the need for sun screen but that particular song continues, "Be kind to your knees, you will miss them when they are gone". Proven true on my part.

 

[Kanga]

How many people on this forum have discarded boots in favour of lightweight shoes or sandals? I don't know many whose Camino experience causes them to go the other way. But I may be wrong. If I knew how to make a survey on the forum I would.

 

[fraluchi]

[...] No problems at all, well I had to stop now and then to remove a stone or so. And in rain I use seal skinz (gore text socks) to keep my feet dry.

The problems are those little stones which get in when walking over gritty surface. Otherwise I like to walk on this same type of sandal.

 

[november_moon]

There were days that I wished I had brought my Keens to give my feet a good break from boots. I wouldn't wear them on uphill or downhill trail sections, but on easy paths and paved sections, I think they would be great.

 

[xin loi]

I would guess that about 50% of people I saw walking in May & June wore boots; 40% wore sneakers; 10% wore sandals. One young woman wore flip flops from SJPDP to Santiago. Look at youtube--lot of people with boots tied to packs.

 

[Wanderer64]

Your footwear is your most important piece of Camino equipment and it is a highly personal issue, dependent on the nature of your own, very unique, feet. As such, you should not make a footwear decision based on the opinions and experiences of others, well meaning and noble as those opinions may be. It is part of our social human nature to want to help others, advise others based on our own experiences, but that doesn't always translate into sound, beneficial advice when it comes to footwear or other very personalized types of equipment.

Whether the majority of pilgrims or forum participants use or don't use a certain type of footwear should not influence your own footwear decision. In fact, basing your decision on this could be the worst decision for you.

I have been a hiker and walker most of my life and was fortunate to know, from experience, what footwear might work best for me on my Camino. If you don't have the benefit of this type of experience, you will need to experiment, preferably in consultation with a foot specialist or physiotherapist, until you find what works best for you over long distances and varied terrain.

This forum is a great place to gather general information on equipment issues, but when it comes to something so personalized as your feet and the best footwear, you may be doing yourself a true disservice in allowing others to answer this question for you.

If I had heeded much of the forum advice on footwear and attempted my Camino in my Nike runners or Keen sandals, I'd have likely not gotten further than Pamplona and probably would have done considerable damage to my feet.

If you have time, why don't you try taking one of your weekends, doing 10 or 20km on Saturday and then again on Sunday in your preferred type of footwear? That would give you a pretty good idea. Short walks in sandals can feel deceptively comfortable. You really need to put footwear to the test before you know if they will work for you.

 

[BeatriceKarjalainen]

You can walk it in sandals, probably will get away with it...this time. No support for your ankles, knees, lower back, no protection from water, thorns, mud, or stones. We all accept the need for sun screen but that particular song continues, "Be kind to your knees, you will miss them when they are gone". Proven true on my part.

Water is easy to protect from, gore-tex socks

Your footwear is your most important piece of Camino equipment and it is a highly personal issue, dependent on the nature of your own, very unique, feet. As such, you should not make a footwear decision based on the opinions and experiences of others, well meaning and noble as those opinions may be. It is part of our social human nature to want to help others, advise others based on our own experiences, but that doesn't always translate into sound, beneficial advice when it comes to footwear or other very personalized types of equipment.

Whether the majority of pilgrims or forum participants use or don't use a certain type of footwear should not influence your own footwear decision. In fact, basing your decision on this could be the worst decision for you.

I have been a hiker and walker most of my life and was fortunate to know, from experience, what footwear might work best for me on my Camino. If you don't have the benefit of this type of experience, you will need to experiment, preferably in consultation with a foot specialist or physiotherapist, until you find what works best for you over long distances and varied terrain.

This forum is a great place to gather general information on equipment issues, but when it comes to something so personalized as your feet and the best footwear, you may be doing yourself a true disservice in allowing others to answer this question for you.

If I had heeded much of the forum advice on footwear and attempted my Camino in my Nike runners or Keen sandals, I'd have likely not gotten further than Pamplona and probably would have done considerable damage to my feet.

If you have time, why don't you try taking one of your weekends, doing 10 or 20km on Saturday and then again on Sunday in your preferred type of footwear? That would give you a pretty good idea. Short walks in sandals can feel deceptively comfortable. You really need to put footwear to the test before you know if they will work for you.

In theory I agree. I did all my training walk in the boots but they ended up in my backpack anyway and I wore my sandals that had never been used with backpack before and never over 15 km.

But yes footware is a personal choice and it is always better to test before. But people have walked 800 km in both new and borrowed shoes without problems. Other have walked in well used shoes and got horrible blisters. You never know how your feet will react on the backpack, weather,speed and terrain.

Bring more than one pair and be prepared to listen to your body.

 

[broganlife]

I've only walked a third of the Camino so far (doing another third next month and finishing next year) and I alternated sandals with boots as I found that it helped changing the pressure points on my feet. It worked really well for me and I didn't get a single blister.
Saying that... It didn't rain during the time I did it so I would have probably stuck with boots on rainy days.
Buen Camino!

 

[Lynda t]

My first camino SJPP to Santiago I walked with approach/trainer type shoes.
My second from Lisbon I walked with Keen Venice sandals. They have toe protection. My feet were happier in sandals. They didn't get too hot. Had one little blister in the trainers. Break then in before you start. Wear them everywhere even shopping. Enjoy....

 

[MaxfromMO]

I walked the last few days of the Camino, on the Frances, with a man in his fifties, who had worn sandels for the whole trek. He was fine, and yes he carried a pack. I did it in trail running shoes from SJPDP. Walked 53 days, did fine. In fact my knee, which has had multiple injuries in the past, was stronger at the end than it was at the beginning. Whatever you are comfortable in, and can walk day after day in for however many miles you plan to walk, is what you should wear.

 

[Vivello]

Sandra--I haven't yet walked my Camino (leave in 2.5 weeks) so bear that in mind with my answer. But I wanted to share that I began my training thinking I might walk in my Chacos. I too have foot issues and my feet and knees feel best in those sandals.

However, in reading forums and giving in to worry, I set about finding other options. I've gone through so many pairs of shoes and tried the patience of so many good hearted shoe salespeople. Training in things that didn't suit my feet (but were more Camino suitable) has exacerbated other issues. It's been a long and discouraging saga. I've got my third podiatrist appointment Monday.

So I just wanted to encourage you to listen to your own feet. If sandals feel best, they might be best. And if you try other things and they feel better for you, go with that. But don't imagine that someone else's best will be yours. In my case, sticking with what I knew might have saved me time, money, and foot pain. But I can't say for sure.

Good luck!

 

[BlackDog]

I am currently on the way back to Santiago after walking from Ferrol to Santiago then to Muxía and on to Fisterra. I used my shoes for the first 3 days only and have walked in my Teva hiking sandals for the rest of the way.

Get proper hiking sandals with a shaped footbed and strap supports. Do not attempt it in plain sandals. I have had dry weather, my feet are cool and comfortable. The distances have been around 12 miles a day.

You need to try it out and see what works for you.

 

[Jo Jo]

I started in my trusted, well-broken-in hiking boots (July 2014) that I loved. The result: heat rash and epic blisters. Donated them in Santo Domingo. Bought a total of four pairs of shoes before I finished. I ended up with a pair of Keen sandals (for the rough ground or when raining) and a pair of Merrel trail shoes for the sections of asphalt and concrete. My wife also donated her boots and bought a pair of Keen sandals (never found trail shoes to fit her very tiny feet). If I had to do it again, I would replace the trail shoes with a set of shoes designed for running on concrete and asphalt. There is more of that on the Camino than most will care to admit or remember, and it just destroyed my feet.

 

[Jennyallan]

Hello, This may sound crazy, but has anyone ever used a good pair of hiking sandals? I have bunions and any kind of shoe is potentially painful for me. I do have a pair of hiking shoes that are fairly broken in from my backpacking in the pacific northwest. The sandals would seem to have the ability to tighten or slacken depending on swelling etc. feedback please and gracias!
Sandra

Hi Sandra
Although I haven't yet done the camino, doing it this September, I have on many occasion wore my keen sandals doing 15 miles plus / 22 kilometres, iv also never had one single blister I just put them on when my feet get really warm and alternate during the day
Buen camino

 

[Stephen Nicholls]

How many people on this forum have discarded boots in favour of lightweight shoes or sandals? I don't know many whose Camino experience causes them to go the other way. But I may be wrong. If I knew how to make a survey on the forum I would.

Towards the end of two caminos, I have had a "Farewell good Boots" ceremony, and dumped them in the albergue rubbish bin, before completing the last few days in Ecco sandals. If I'm honest, I much prefer sandal walking but have delicate feet, and can feel the tiniest stone imaginable!
I ALWAYS take sandals to wear in the evenings and give my feet a rest.

 

[bystander]

Shoes? Sandals?

Choosing clothes was not a problem - I just went for the fewest number I could get away with, all in the lightest weights available (I have a cr@p back and so minimum weight and all of that to be carried on my pelvis, divided between back and front courtesy of an Aarn backpack with its front pockets).
At the moment, including tech kit etc, my all-in carried weight is 3,818g excluding water.

But footwear has been a nightmare.
Over the last 2/3 years I have "road tested" various makes and types - boots, mid boots, shoes.
viz:
Meindl Goretex boots (too heavy)
Lowa Goretex shoes (too inflexible)
Merrell Moab Goretex mid-boots (too hot and leak!)
Merrell Moab ventilators - these may be my final choice but
I am, later this morning, about to receive from the Running Warehouse in San Luis Obispo, Ca (no British stockist) a pair of
Altra Olympus
which, after testing, I will report back on.
Sandals, after dithering, I chose Teva Terra FI 4 for the cushioned heel (I will alternate these with the shoes according to surface)

BUT
as they say - The proof of the pudding is in the eating!
and that apparently (no, I didn't know - had to look it up) is a "translation" from Cervantes "Don Quixote"
"al freír de los huevos le verá"
(you will see it when you fry the eggs)

Roll on next Spring!

 

[djkernes]

Hello, This may sound crazy, but has anyone ever used a good pair of hiking sandals? I have bunions and any kind of shoe is potentially painful for me. I do have a pair of hiking shoes that are fairly broken in from my backpacking in the pacific northwest. The sandals would seem to have the ability to tighten or slacken depending on swelling etc. feedback please and gracias!
Sandra

I walked from for 42 days last Sept./Oct. in sandals and was so glad I did. I started out with keens and then bought Tevas to replace them when they got a little worn. I never had blisters and just wore wool socks on the rainy days. When the rain stopped I just changed socks and was instantly dry. I plan on hiking again in 2015 for my 60th bday and will again wear sandals. The trick is to keep your pack light, but that is the trick on the camino anyway.

 

[pilgrimadam]

What works for me might not work for you.

I hiked May/ June 2014 from SJPP to Santiago in Chaco sandals paired with a light weight synthetic sock. This worked great for me. My wife followed a similar formula and neither of us had any foot issues to speak of. We also carried 6kg packs including water and extra food.

://www.chacos.com/US/en-US/Product.mvc.aspx/18619M/83135/Mens/Z-1-Unaweep-Sandal?dimensions=0

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003VHW3KO/?tag=casaivar02-20

I would do it exactly the same again.

 

[Canucks]

I used hiking boots for the first week last year on the Camino that were totally broken in and comfy but started having incredible toe pain from getting plantar fasciitis just prior to our trip. We're talking shooting pains in all my toes that would cause me to stop every 10 minutes to breath and tell myself to keep walking. Once I realized this pain was not going to go away if I continued as I was, we stopped in one of the Pilgrim stores and got some amazing walking sandals. I wore them for the rest of the trip and the pain was now bearable. I still had plantar fasciitis which was no walk in the park but the freedom of the sandal made it tolerable. I did get a few stubbed toes as I had no protection in rocky areas and was extremely fashionable during the endless rain with plastic bags around my feet and then placed in the sandals. This year we are doing the Le Puy route and now have orthotics (awesome), boots that are even roomier than my one size larger boots from last year and also Keen sandals that have a heavy toe guard on them as a back-up. My pack was only 6.5 kg. Just really listen to your body and deal with foot issues ASAP.

 

[Don Ebbs]

I am starting my Camino on September 10th and I am taking both hiking shoes and sandals to allow for flexibility and change as needed. Why commit to either, my girlfriend did 3/4 ths of the Camino in Chaco's last year so they defiantly work for some people. Check out the "youtube" video called "Happy (El Camino de Santiago Version)" and look how happy his feet look in sandals...

 

[William Donovan]

Hello, This may sound crazy, but has anyone ever used a good pair of hiking sandals? I have bunions and any kind of shoe is potentially painful for me. I do have a pair of hiking shoes that are fairly broken in from my backpacking in the pacific northwest. The sandals would seem to have the ability to tighten or slacken depending on swelling etc. feedback please and gracias!
Sandra

 

[William Donovan]

Had an interesting thing happen. Just did 120 miles of the Camino Frances, including going over the
Pyrenees, in Teva Lite sandals with absolutely no problems. The both feet started hurting, kind of a bone pain along the side of my foot and in the heels. I quit the walk, came home, and went to a foot doctor. He said i had "skinny feet", i.e. not much padding, and he said i needed a shoe that provided more of a cushion. He said i could continue with the sandals but to rotate with more supportive hiking shoes. i've also bought a pair of Chaco sandals that have more cushioning.

I really liked walking in sandals, they provided a much more "free" feeling, and i'm disappointed as to what happened, but . . .
,

 

[tictoc]

I walked the Camino Frances in may in sandels the whole way no problems, not a single blister.
So your feet get wet, so what, it keeps them cool.
I also walked the 2560 ml Pacific Crest Trail in America in sandels, I wouldn't wear anything else

 

[camino-david]

What fits your feet and are comfortable are best. Personally I wear boots, but I've had them for 10 years (much repaired) and are wonderfully comfortable. I met a lady last year who had walked out of her front door in the north of France, then to Chartres, St Jean, Santiago, and was on her way to Lisbon, then to Seville to walk the VDLP to Santiago and then walk home, about 6000 kms by my reckoning, and she wore leather sandals. As Wanderer 64 suggests, test all types of footwear if you can before you go.
And of general interest, the Spanish word for 'Podiatrist' is 'Podogogo'. Seriously!