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So I've decided on my walking shoes as my main shoes for the trip. They are comfortable and I have never gotten a blister from them, even on my long hikes...
but I'm not so sure about my evening shoes/sandals. Does anyone have recommendations? I've heard Tevas, but then others complain the cloth bits get yucky from showers... any other tips or tricks?
I want to be able to wear them around after a day of walking, but also be able to use them in a shower. As lightweight as possible.
I brought some Columbia sandals that could get wet, but I never bothered to wear them in the shower. I just chanced going barefoot, and had no issues.
I'm thinking about bringing some flip flops this year for the middle of the night...Honestly, me too. And no issues either.
Still love having cushy slide-one flips though. Especially for middle of the night bathroom visits. Putting on shoes with laces/velcro when half asleep, or climbing up & down bunk ladders barefoot - neither of those things is fun.
... but I'm not so sure about my evening shoes/sandals. Does anyone have recommendations? I've heard Tevas, but then others complain the cloth bits get yucky from showers... any other tips or tricks? ... , but also be able to use them in a shower. ...
I brought some Columbia sandals that could get wet, but I never bothered to wear them in the shower. I just chanced going barefoot, and had no issues.
The reason some people wear shower shoes is because of athlete's foot. A lot of people have it and if they use the shower barefoot they contaminate the surface. It is easily spread and the fungus thrives in moist, wet environments like showers. Direct contact with a surface contaminated with the fungus is a great way to catch it.
Wearing shower shoes in communal showers is a personal choice, obviously. I prefer to wear them but I don't like the idea of wearing the same shoes outside on the streets where now you are possibly adding other germs (like animal waste) that wouldn't normally be found in the shower (I would hope anyway).
Everyone's entitled to their opinion. I've never caught athlete's foot wearing shower shoes so I will continue. You of course can do as you wishWearing sandals or similar in a communal shower will not protect you from athletes foot/ foot fungus, sorry. Buen Camino, SY
I've never caught athlete's foot going barefoot in communal showers.Everyone's entitled to their opinion. I've never caught athlete's foot wearing shower shoes so I will continue. You of course can do as you wishSorry.
That's great! I might chance it this time just because I don't want to carry extra footwear.I've never caught athlete's foot going barefoot in communal showers.
Actually, yeah they do. In the military (where communal showers are the norm) you always have a cheap pair of them when you deploy anywhere. For the Camino I bought a $2.00 (US) pair of cheap rubber sandals at Wal-Mart. The cheapest, thinnest, lightest ones they have. Carried them in an outer pocket in my pack and used only for the shower and for getting up at night to go to the toilet. When I got to Santiago I threw them away.Wearing sandals or similar in a communal shower will not protect you from athletes foot/ foot fungus, sorry. Buen Camino, SY
What do those Teva's weigh? I have a pair of originals that are too heavy, imo. I'm planning to take my Teva Olowahu which weigh 160 gm. But I like the strappy style better so I'm open to changing. I don't want to buy Crocs since I will never use them aside from this trip. Just not my style.My primary footwear is hiking shoes (Anhu Montaras).
Teva Terra Fi Lites are my back-up hiking shoes + evening wear. I love them. A good balance of sturdy, supportive footbed, comfortable, and lightweight to serve as back-up/"recovery" shoes. They are fine in water - say for stream crossings, or rain - but I don't wear them in the shower.
What do those Teva's weigh? I have a pair of originals that are too heavy, imo. I'm planning to take my Teva Olowahu which weigh 160 gm. But I like the strappy style better so I'm open to changing. I don't want to buy Crocs since I will never use them aside from this trip. Just not my style.
I've found that OOfos are great sandals- foamy like Crocs but with more arch support. I wore them on some days walking in the Dolomites & plan to bring them for my Camino in Sept. Can be worn in shower.
Those Telic's look good.Consider Telic brand, foam flip/flops and slides as well. They are similar to Oofos. Same idea, different styles and colors.
While more expensive than basic flip flops, they do provide better foot and arch support. Also they are far better cushioned.
I live in South Florida and use Oofos slides around the house. I prefer not wearing outdoor shoes inside.
At the beach, I use Telic flip flops. I rate them as equivalent in cushioning and overall foot support.
I find both brands at running stores and small shoes shops. However, both are available online as well.
Refer to:
http://www.oofos.com/
Or
https://www.telic.com/
I generally go up one size as I do not like my toes or heeels at the absolute edge of the sandal.
I hope this helps.
Fake crocs. Avtenth of the price and considerably lighter than the real thing. Can be worn with socks on cool evenings.
Where do you get fake crocs?Fake crocs. Avtenth of the price and considerably lighter than the real thing. Can be worn with socks on cool evenings.
Here in NZ you can find them in any $2Shop (usually for five or six dollars and you have to want black or pink), or $20 for a thicker sole (but still nowhere near as firm as the real thing) at Number One Shoes.Where do you get fake crocs?
Me too! They saved my Camino when I had blisters on the outsides of my pinky toes. Europeans don't seem to see socks and sandals as a problem like we do in the US. Sigh.I brought with me a good pair of Tevas (I forgot the model). I used them not in the shower but to walk the many flat sections in the Camino to give some relief to my blistered feet.
No problems with pebbles, dirt, etc getting between my toes since I wore socks. It was not pretty (I got some weird looks from the well-attired in Burgos) but it was effective.
6oz sandals has me sold.they weigh 6 ounces
Yeah that and I read a blog where a woman mentioned that she had no problems hiking in them as well. I did a day hike once on the AT in birks and was happy as a clam, but it was TN and it was stinking hot! lol6oz sandals has me sold.
There have been a few times when my feet get tired on longer walks, I just take my shoes off and finish the last couple of miles barefoot.
If I could wear my Clark sandals on Camino, I would. So comfortable.Yeah that and I read a blog where a woman mentioned that she had no problems hiking in them as well. I did a day hike once on the AT in birks and was happy as a clam, but it was TN and it was stinking hot! lol
If I could wear my Clark sandals on Camino, I would. So comfortable.
I took the Xero sandals with me last fall, walked to the rough bit at the top of the Pyrenees in them, several other sections, and certainly around cities and in the evening. They were great. I go barefoot in the shower, just watch where I put my feet if it's sketchy. They may make another appearance in April on the Norte/Primativo - after posting I had found the perfect hiking shoes, I hadn't, so an currently thinking about just wearing my new somewhat sturdy but light weight Khombu hiking sandals with the Xeros for backup. After two caminos I am finding my feet do not like to be enclosed for any length of time or distance by anything other than clown shoes! I'll keep you all posted - Cherryhttps://xeroshoes.com/shop/ready-to-wear-barefoot-sandals/ztrail-women/
I should say these haven't been tested on the camino yet. And I got them significantly cheaper (cyber Monday sale), but they can go both on the trail (if you are comfortable with minimalist shoes), out in the evenings, and into the shower, and they weigh 6 ounces. They bend into balls like a tiek! I plan on wearing them into the shower if it looks questionable, but also with socks in the evening, to give my feet a break from boots.
I took the Xero sandals with me last fall, walked to the rough bit at the top of the Pyrenees in them, several other sections, and certainly around cities and in the evening. They were great. I go barefoot in the shower, just watch where I put my feet if it's sketchy. They may make another appearance in April on the Norte/Primativo - after posting I had found the perfect hiking shoes, I hadn't, so an currently thinking about just wearing my new somewhat sturdy but light weight Khombu hiking sandals with the Xeros for backup. After two caminos I am finding my feet do not like to be enclosed for any length of time or distance by anything other than clown shoes! I'll keep you all posted - Cherry
I admire and envy those of you who are willing to go barefoot in the albergue showers, but unfortunately I seem unable to reconcile to myself that it's "ok", so I end up needing to bring 3 pr of shoes. Hikers, evening sandals, and flipflops.I brought some Columbia sandals that could get wet, but I never bothered to wear them in the shower. I just chanced going barefoot, and had no issues.
I admire and envy those of you who are willing to go barefoot in the albergue showers, but unfortunately I seem unable to reconcile to myself that it's "ok", so I end up needing to bring 3 pr of shoes. Hikers, evening sandals, and flipflops.
I take Teva Verras, with thin straps, lightweight but hikeable soles. Straps dry fast and I like the option for hiking, since they're not flip flops. I'm not sure they make the Verra anymore but there are similar Tirras on their website.
I admire and envy those of you who are willing to go barefoot in the albergue showers, but unfortunately I seem unable to reconcile to myself that it's "ok", so I end up needing to bring 3 pr of shoes. Hikers, evening sandals, and flipflops.
Thank you for your observations and ideas. I will plan to ditch the shower flip flops if I can find a pair of Croc (or similar sandals for evenings) that are also water friendly. I need an open toe sandal because I like to add socks (dorky) on chilly evenings. I probably won't make them serve as bavk up hikers, only because that usually would mean more weight. I can't order online as my feet are very fussy, so will have to pound the pavement at home to find something that works.Depends. Do you want your "evening sandals" to also be back-up "hikers" (as in not water shoes)? If so, then yes, you need 3 pairs.
But if you don't intend to actually ever hike in your evening sandals, then you can choose evening shoes - a slide, z-strap, clog, or flipflop - that are also waterproof and shower suitable.
Crocs are a good variety - durable, lots of styles (not just the ugly clogs), not too pricey, comfy.
But upthread, a couple of posters recommended 2 other varieties - OOfos and Telic - that look like fantastic options. These are waterproof like Crocs, but also designed to be "recovery shoes". They both seemed highly reviewed all over the place.
Ah, that's the beauty of Zappos with free shipping and return shipping! Order a bunch of shoes, try them on at your leisure at home, and return what doesn't work. I have to order many of my shoes because the stores simply refuse to carry my size.I can't order online as my feet are very fussy, so will have to pound the pavement at home to find something that works.
I suppose I should try Zappos. I've heard of them, but never used them. Sounds like I can have a whole shoe store right in my living room!Ah, that's the beauty of Zappos with free shipping and return shipping! Order a bunch of shoes, try them on at your leisure at home, and return what doesn't work. I have to order many of my shoes because the stores simply refuse to carry my size.
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