Shoe advice

[coldweather]

Lord willing I will be walking from Valenca/Tui to Santiago in April this year (2016). I plan on a 6 day do-able pace.

I normally would wear my Lowa Renegade boots (waterproof) that are well broken in. I will be doing some traveling before and after this walk and would rather have my Keen Voyageur hiking shoes (not water proof) for my pre and post Camino travel.

My question is does that last section of the Camino Portuguese require hiking boots rather than hiking shoes? Do I need water proof shoes? I am open to any thoughts?

Any thoughts? Thank you!

 

[Dutch]

No replies? What the...

Ok, here i go, if you ask me, the whole CP does not need hiking boots. Shoes will be fine

And also my opinion (for what its worth) waterproof shoes are also not needed. It wont be cold in april, so chances are your feet might get warm and warmth and waterproof shoes dont mix well, but......this is also very personal, i just know i would not wear them.
Also, non goretex will dry much faster than goretex if they get wet.

 

[musicman]

Walked the whole Camino Portuguese in my Roclites; brilliant.

 

[Anniesantiago]

I would wear the Keens the entire trek if I were you.
Maybe buy a new pair so the soles are fresh.
Unless you have weak ankles or are just more comfortable in boots, you don't need them on the Camino in my opinion.
I wear New Balance trail runners on all my Caminos.
You do not need waterproof shoes. If your feet get wet, the shoes will dry by morning.

 

[pudgypilgrim]

I walked in France, not the Portugues, but I loved my Voyageurs with Superfeet insoles. It rained all the time, incidentally, and yes, my feet got wet, but with Darned Tough socks I had no problems with hot spots or blisters (just a broken foot, but that wasn't the shoes' fault).