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My learned walking friends. I need your advice. I bought some North face hedgehog shoes, but one size is quite snug and the half size up is far too big. I have a wide but short foot. Can anyone recommend an alternative shoe or should I go with the slightly smaller and hope it brakes in to be more comfortable?
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Bien camino
Hi Rick,You are right to be concerned about how your shoes feel, or really, how they fit. Do not hope that a shoe breaks in to be more comfortable. It will of course, but it should feel pretty good right out of the box. There is nothing more important that you need to do in preparation for the Camino. I too have a wide foot, and find that shoes from Saucony and New Balance are most likely to fit me, as well as Merrell hiking shoes. That said, nobody can recommend a shoe to you, you have to find one that fits.
When are you going? In the warmer months, the Camino is most comfortably done in running shoes, and many wear sandals. In colder or wetter months, a gortex trail shoe (like the one you have?) is common. Head for a sports store, and try on everything that is available in wide sizes. Try them out. Make sure you are wearing the right socks, because these are almost as important as the shoes, and they have to work together. I like Merino hiking socks, but you will get lots of advice here about multi-layer setups. You will know when a shoe/sock fits, and fit is really all that matters.
Hi Rick,
I have good socks so that part is sorted thankfully. It's just the odd fitting shoes unfortunately. Thank you for your advice. I leave next Sunday so temperatures will be pleasant and the only reason I feel I need good shoes is if it rains as my trainers aren't water proof. I think I will need to do some more shopping.
Given the time frame, you pretty much have to take your trainers as well as some new gortex shoes. You should break in the new ones slowly on the Camino wearing them for a short time every day, then swapping back to known good shoes. Some people get blisters even in shoes that feel great. Blisters are the scourge of pilgrims, so take it slow with new shoes at the beginning. Your feet will tell you, but don't wait until they are shouting before you swap. Buen Camino!
My learned walking friends. I need your advice. I bought some North face hedgehog shoes, but one size is quite snug and the half size up is far too big. I have a wide but short foot. Can anyone recommend an alternative shoe or should I go with the slightly smaller and hope it brakes in to be more comfortable?
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Bien camino
I hate to be a downer but without having properly broken in your boots, you will no doubt have to deal with blisters and probably some lost toe nails from the constant pounding on your feet. I'd definitely take the trainers, you may have to depend on them even if it is raining. Treat your feet with Vaseline in the morning, wear silk liners, air out/dry your feet and change your socks every 3 hours or when the sweat and moisture get too much. I also treat my feet with Vicks at the end of the day and of course there is always Volteren. Ulteia
Do NOT go with the smaller shoe!
Consider wearing simple trail runners with a wide, deep toe box.
You do NOT need goretex on the Camino, nor do you need boots, unless you're used to them.
Trail runners are lightweight, comfortable, flexible, they dry FAST, and your feet will be happy.
If you wear the hedgehogs that are misfitting, I promise you, you will discard them the 2nd day.
Find something comfortable.
If you have to break it in, it's not the right shoe.
You should be able to walk out of the store and onto the trail.
Do you have a recommendation for a brand of trail runner Annie?Do NOT go with the smaller shoe!
Consider wearing simple trail runners with a wide, deep toe box.
You do NOT need goretex on the Camino, nor do you need boots, unless you're used to them.
Trail runners are lightweight, comfortable, flexible, they dry FAST, and your feet will be happy.
If you wear the hedgehogs that are misfitting, I promise you, you will discard them the 2nd day.
Find something comfortable.
If you have to break it in, it's not the right shoe.
You should be able to walk out of the store and onto the trail.
Do you have a recommendation for a brand of trail runner Annie?
Annie thank you for your reply. I had considered going back for the smaller but won't now. The ones I have are comfortable but my concern was the gap at my toe but from the advice from yourself and others this might be a good thing. I am going to wear them tonight and see how comfortable they are from just that and decide from that. I have trustee well broken in runners/trainers which I think I will bring both pairs to have me covered.
Thanks Annie. I am considering getting some trail runners as I find the hiking shoes and boots I have make my feet too hot and that leaves them really sore at the end of a days hike.I have walked in New Balance trail runners every year since 2006.
I love New Balance.
Never have to break them in - awesome shoes.
Thanks Annie. I am considering getting some trail runners as I find the hiking shoes and boots I have make my feet too hot and that leaves them really sore at the end of a days hike.
Thank you so much for your reply. Isn't it annoying having feet that are a bit odd, makes shoe shopping a challenge. I have gotten so much amazing advice it has definitely helped me hatch a plan and get myself organised. I'm bringing Epsom salts so il do foot massages with them, that's a great idea. I'm excited now.Hi Toni,
I have similar feet wide but average length, one a little larger than the other. I live in US so not sure if you have the same products but will share what I use: Keens, Tevas, and New Balance all come in widths and have great options. I think your trainers would be great. Shop for a pair of light trail shoes if you want to carry them. Get into habit of giving yourself foot massage in and at night( hard ball works well for this). In addition to Vicks or Voltaren use moleskin, plaster or whatever to help blisters. Take it slow and easy I'm sure you'll be fine. Have a wonderful journey !
Thanx a million, socks are so important I have read that on so many pages and posts so I made sure to invest. I went with smart wool and they seem to suit my feet. They are light but cosy. I will be doing a pharmacy shop before I leave and bring everything just in case. Better to have than to be in need.Socks are important and I tried all kinds of varieties and followed so called experts advice, spent hundreds of $$, found the layering didn't work, seamless socks made my feet sweat and most made my feet really hot. I finally ended up with lightweight wool socks and the Injinji running toe socks and changed them a couple of times a day. Trial and error and we all find what works eventually. Get some Compead just in case you do get a blister.
Thanx Annie. I have them on now and am walking the house and doing stairs and because it's night time for me, my feet are a little hot so they are a much better fit. I was worried about the space around the tie but everyone has put me at ease that it's a good thing. Good fit at the heel so that really has put me at ease and I feel much better about them now. Everyone has been amazing to reply. For a newbie camino this has been amazing help.Yes, as long as they're not flopping on your heel, it's best to have room to wiggle your toes.
Your feet will most likely swell, depending on your age, and you'll be happy for more, not less room.
And trail runners really don't require an extended "break in" period.Trail runners are lightweight, comfortable, flexible, they dry FAST, and your feet will be happy.
I sent Merrell a photo of my ripped up lining after my 2015 Camino. They replaced them free of charge (excluding some postage) I now use them for short walks and have graduated to Salomon's which were recommended to me by an REI shoe guy, the fit and feel is like ski boots which is something I need for extra ankle support. I love them!Steer clear of Merrell Moabs , I am so disappointed with these shoes . They could hardly be called cheap here in Australia and yet the inner lining is incredibly flimsy . So flimsy as to have completely torn through and balled up into very uncomfortable lumps .
Only two months out from starting and I am now having to look at new shoes , the Moabs started to show serious wear after only one month of training walks , trying to get some type of warranty response is like extracting teeth with tweezers .
I spend a good deal of time trying out combinations of both shoes AND insoles. A goodly percentage of people who do a lot of walking (hiking) find that, while a shoe fits perfectly, the insole creates problems of support and cushioning, which can create problems with sore feet and ankles, lower back pain, and greatly exacerbate the creation of blisters.
THE FOLLOWING ARE MY PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THOSE WHO ARE NEW(ISH) TO BUYING WALKING (HIKING) SHOES/BOOTS. This is only MY opinion based on decades of experience when I have had to go through the process of getting my feet fitted.
Because of my wide feet, I find that it is harder to find a comfortably fitting shoe or boot. It takes a great deal of patience and perseverance to "dial in" a correct fit. The focus should be on how well the length and width fit when the shoe is properly tied. For me, and many others, a shoe or boot that is one to one and a half longer than the measured foot length is needed to prevent the toes from cramming and banging into the front of the shoe on downhill grades. Even a tightly cinched lace will not keep toes from getting banged up if the length of the shoe just barely clears the toes when standing on level ground.
It is the width of the foot, not the length of the foot, that is affected by swelling during long walks (hikes) with a loaded pack. If one's normal, everyday shoe size has a width that even feels just barely snug on the foot, that is a width-size that will feel like a clamp when walking (hiking) a long distance under load. It will create more of a problem for blistering.
So get a fit for a hiking (walking) shoe/boot that allows for proper length and width, THEN start paying attention to how the bottoms of one's feet feel while trying the shoe on while walking around the house. (A store will generally allow for shoe returns IF they are not worn outside. The only exception that I have found here in America is shoes/boots purchased from REI. Even if you have worn them for a year whilst pursuing outdoor activities, if you find you don't like them, REI will accept their return.
With modern materials, combinations of materials, and current manufacturing techniques, a shoe/boot that fits well for the trail does not require a rigorous period of a "break-in" routine. A shoe/boot that is fitted well for the trail is good to go, so to speak, right out of the box.
If the bottoms of the feet feel uncomfortable in the properly fitting shoes/boots, that has, sadly, become normal. More and more shoe manufacturers are selling their shoes with cheaply made inserts (insoles) which is why the market and manufacture of third party insoles (inserts) have exploded over the last decade. There are stores which specialize in selling insoles/inserts. Many shoe stores that cater to runners, hikers, and backpackers will also stock a good number of different after-market insoles.
So.... take your new, good fitting shoes/boots to one of these stores so that your can now find an insole that will properly fit and comfort the bottoms of your feet. You can also go online and ponder and order from the many varieties of insole offerings, but doing so means that you will need to allow more time for trial and error while you try out those that are ordered (and need to be returned if they don't feel good).
As with shoes/boots, they should feel good in the store. Don't fall for the malarkey that it takes time to break them in, or to get used to them, or to allow your feet to adapt to them. If your feet are fairly normal, with minor issues of metatarsal, pronation or supination mechanics, if it doesn't feel good in the store, it won't get better with use or with time.
Feet are so unique and individual, that a recommendation of brands, other than a critique of their quality control and longevity, is mostly useless. What I find to be good for my feet, might not work for yours. What I will say is this: I need adequate metatarsal support, otherwise the balls of my feet get really sore and feel like I have a hard pebble pounding at the front of my soles near my the balls of my feet. I also require pronation support, otherwise the shoes/boots begin to bend inwards.
For me, the show/boot brands that I currently have enjoyed over the last five years of heavy-duty hiking and backpacking are Oboz (Sawtooth) and New Balance (Leadville). Take it with a grain of salt
Do you have a Millets or a Blacks branch near you. if so their 'Orthosoles' with multi-under arch-inserts are great and you choose the right arch support for yourself for each foot. Much better than many inserts. Mens (Blacks) and womens (Millets), but the only difference is the colour! Links chosen for image and description.
There is also a heel gel pad which is fixed.
I sent Merrell a photo of my ripped up lining after my 2015 Camino. They replaced them free of charge (excluding some postage)
I went straight to the headquarters in Indiana via there official website.Thanks Don , unfortunately the Merrell agents, in Melbourne at least , seem to function under their own perverted sense of [Un] Fairness .
If you have access to Keen shoes I would give them a try. They have a more generous toe box than other shoes and come in wide widths. I have extremely wide feet and found that the Keen Targhee II was perfect for me. I would err on the side of going a bit longer with your shoes to get the width right.My learned walking friends. I need your advice. I bought some North face hedgehog shoes, but one size is quite snug and the half size up is far too big. I have a wide but short foot. Can anyone recommend an alternative shoe or should I go with the slightly smaller and hope it brakes in to be more comfortable?
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Bien camino
Wow dave so much advice. I think il invest in some insoles as I too suffer from the balls of my feet burning. I walked around the house up and down stairs and back around the house with proper socks and laces tied properly and the north face were comfortable. I was worried about the gap at the toe but reassurance from others that this is good has been great for me and from my test last night I feel good about the shoes. I am still going to take my trainers/runners and take everyone's advice on board to help along the way. Thank you for taking the time out to reply. This forum is fantastic and amazing for newbies like me.
In addition to all of the above...I have been told to get a professional pedicure before I leave...To hopefully prevent nail problems.
I question that advice, with some of my own questionable advice. You need to keep your toenails trimmed, this is true. I am concerned that a "pedicure" is a cosmetic procedure designed to make your feet look better, mostly by trimming and sanding off calluses. This is a terrible idea. You earned those thick spots fair and square, and you need them on the Camino. Making your feet pink and soft is just about the worst form of preparation I can imagine.
I sent Merrell a photo of my ripped up lining after my 2015 Camino. I have graduated to Salomon's which were recommended to me by an REI shoe guy, . I love them!
Hi, there's a lot of advice going around, I can only tell you of my experiences walking the Camino. I chose a comfortable pair of Merrell ankle boots that allowed me to wear thick socks. Even in the height of summer I had no problems at all with my feet. I prepared by walking short distances and gradually increased to around 12- 15 miles. Enjoy your Camino I'm sure you'll meet lots of new friends.My learned walking friends. I need your advice. I bought some North face hedgehog shoes, but one size is quite snug and the half size up is far too big. I have a wide but short foot. Can anyone recommend an alternative shoe or should I go with the slightly smaller and hope it brakes in to be more comfortable?
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Bien camino
In addition to all of the above...I have been told to get a professional pedicure before I leave...To hopefully prevent nail problems.
You are right to be concerned about how your shoes feel, or really, how they fit. Do not hope that a shoe breaks in to be more comfortable. It will of course, but it should feel pretty good right out of the box. There is nothing more important that you need to do in preparation for the Camino. I too have a wide foot, and find that shoes from Saucony and New Balance are most likely to fit me, as well as Merrell hiking shoes. That said, nobody can recommend a shoe to you, you have to find one that fits.
When are you going? In the warmer months, the Camino is most comfortably done in running shoes, and many wear sandals. In colder or wetter months, a gortex trail shoe (like the one you have?) is common. Head for a sports store, and try on everything that is available in wide sizes. Try them out. Make sure you are wearing the right socks, because these are almost as important as the shoes, and they have to work together. I like Merino hiking socks, but you will get lots of advice here about multi-layer setups. You will know when a shoe/sock fits, and fit is really all that matters.
Good luck with your Merrells. I bought a pair a few years back, when I was still taking hiking shoes along (for town use and as a back-up to my Source walking sandals). But I have never taken them to Spain and am still using them about Hermanus, SA . My preference now is for a pair of Source sandals to walk in and flip flops for town and hostel use. In walking to Finisterre in 2014 I took an extra light bag with me, purchased in Santiago, and only the sandals, leaving my heavy bag at the hostel in Santiago and was sent back upstairs to put them on when I came down barefoot the first night on the way. One does need something for hostel use and slip slops are lighter and take up less space in the bag than anything else. This is all by the way, what I really wanted to do was to pass on some advice received from my daughter the first year, when I had bad blisters behind my right heel. She suggested that I rub my feet well with Vaseline before putting on my hiking socks. When purchasing my first pair of sandals, a couple of days later in Castrojeriz (about 470 kms from Santiago on the French route) I also obtained a pot of unguënto tradicional, a pilgrim ointment which has a Vaseline type base. This has worked well for me ever since. As blisters, on the heel, between the toes, or wherever, are a common malady, it is worth remembering to rub your feet before putting on your socks. And if you are walking the French route do look for the shop in Castrojeriz . It is one of the best stocked shops for walking pilgrims that I have come across, or was in 2012, when I walked on the French route.An update on the Merrell Moab saga .
Taking heart from Don's advice and alipilgrims experience , I e mailed Merrel in Indiana . I received a reply from the Melbourne office straight away , they hadn't answered any of my inquiries before this .
The result is that a new pair is on it's way .
Thank you , persistence it seems , does pay .
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