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Shoe question

andykoda

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
Camino Frances June 2013
G'day,

It's still a month away, but I am trying to finalise my packing list at the moment.
One of the bigger questions is whether to take 2 pairs of walking (lightweight trail walking shoes) and a pair of thongs (for shower and chilling out in the arvo), or just one pair of shoes and a pair of thongs.

My main concern is that if my shoes get wet, and don't dry out till the morning, then I would have another pair of dry shoes in the morning.
That's what I would normally do when going multiday hiking.

Could you share your experience with me?

Thank you for your thoughts,
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
One pair of shoes is enough, instead of light thongs I strongly suggest hiking sandals. I like to freshen up my feet during walking, change for 1-2 hours to sandals when the trail is flat or asphalt.
It's also an emergency replacement for torn shoes.
 
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Remember that hiking sandals weigh the same as a pair of shoes anyway, and often more.

For example, REI lists the Chaco men's Z/1 sandal (picking a popular brand) at 1 lb 14 oz a pair and the Z/2 at 2lbs.

Whereas, they list the Salomon Speedcross 3 shoes I'm wearing right now at 1 lb 6 oz, and even my beloved Salomon XA Pro's at 1lb 12oz.
 
Thank you for your replies.
My second pair of shoes weighs only 770 g or 1lb and 11 ounces.
It is pretty 'airy'.

I weighed all my gear today and ended up with 9kg. (7.5 kg of normal gear plus 1.5 kg of the gear to celebrate mass daily on the road).
Taking the second pair of shoes out - would lighten the load to 8.2 kg.
 
I've walked the Camino many times in all sorts if weather. One pair of walking shoes is enough. A pair of crocs or flip flops are fine for evening. Whatever you are comfortable in. If your wearing walking shoes and they get wet, they're almost always dry by morning. As mentioned, a pair of woolen socks solves the issue. Extra shoes and sleeping pads are two of the items I see quite often left in the Albergue 'free box!'
 
A selection of Camino Jewellery
The advantage of flipflops or crocs over a second pair of shoes is that you can wear them in the shower.
The advantage of crocs over flipflops is that you can easily wear socks with them. And while you may not do that at home, you just might on a cool evening on the Camino!
 

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