Shoes in mid-October

H

Helen Jane Bass

tigrecita

Time of past OR future Camino

None yet!
(Plan to walk from SJDP on July 17th, 2016)

• Sep 20, 2017

• #1

Hi all! I will be starting from Irun or San Sebastian around October 10 and have a question about shoes. Last summer I walked the Frances wearing trail runners, which I found to be the perfect shoe. With the weather in October, would you all suggest heavier hiking boots, or will trail runners be alright?

To be clear, my trail runners were just heavy-duty trainers with great grip. I found that these worked much better with the amount of pavement on the Camino. However, they're not very weather-proof.

Thanks!
HJ

 

David

Veteran Member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

First one in 2005 from Moissac, France.

• Sep 20, 2017

• #2

Good question, especially as we cannot predict the weather - for me it would be comfort first so unless the forecasts were showing snow I would go with what you used before - I do think that many pilgrims over burden themselves with expensive kit ... but that is just me!!

 

H

Helen Jane Bass

tigrecita

Time of past OR future Camino

None yet!
(Plan to walk from SJDP on July 17th, 2016)

• Sep 20, 2017

• #3

David said:

Good question, especially as we cannot predict the weather - for me it would be comfort first so unless the forecasts were showing snow I would go with what you used before - I do think that many pilgrims over burden themselves with expensive kit ... but that is just me!!

Click to expand...

Thanks David!

 

nc6000

Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Camino Frances, Camino Portugues & Camino Del Norte

• Sep 20, 2017

• #4

Hi, I'm going to be walking from Santander to Oviedo in a couple of weeks and plan to wear Asics Trail Running shoes. I've worn similar shoes on the Irun to Santander section and also from Porto to Santiago and never had a problem.

 

CaminoDebrita

Veteran Member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Frances SJPP to SdC Oct/Nov 2015
Frances Burgos toSdC March/April 2016
W. Highland Way August 2016
Camino Somewhere September 2017

• Sep 20, 2017

• #5

Hey! I love the boots vs. trail shoes vs. runners question. I have all of them, and walk with different pairs depending on weather, of course.

I actually prefer to take my Vasque boots (mid level), waterproof and great ankle support, but I'm in the minority. I just find them to have great traction for the up and downs, and they are good arch support.

You can get away with any of the three choices, and myriad choices between brands, and even if your feet get soaked at night, stuff shoes with newspapers if possible and see if you can dry them overnight. A good pair of wool socks will keep your feet warm no matter what, and generous layers of Glide or some other lubricant on the feet will protect skin from blisters.

Be comfortable!

 

Last edited: Sep 21, 2017

HeidiL

Veteran Member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Francés2004, Portugués,Madrid,Plata, hospi Grado

• Sep 21, 2017

• #6

...and Crocs to wear in the albergue to get up from the cold stone floors, and to wade any unexpected streams on your way...

 

norelle

Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Camino Frances (2011 April, 2014 March) San Salvador, Primitivo, Finisterre, Muxia (June 2015) Del Norte (Sept/Oct 2016)

• Sep 21, 2017

• #7

I wore trail runners (La Sportiva) last October on the Norte - the happiest my feet have been on any camino

buen camino

 

Multipurpose

Member

Time of past OR future Camino

March/April (2018) maybe 2017

• Sep 22, 2017

• #8

Helen Jane Bass said:

Hi all! I will be starting from Irun or San Sebastian around October 10 and have a question about shoes. Last summer I walked the Frances wearing trail runners, which I found to be the perfect shoe. With the weather in October, would you all suggest heavier hiking boots, or will trail runners be alright?

To be clear, my trail runners were just heavy-duty trainers with great grip. I found that these worked much better with the amount of pavement on the Camino. However, they're not very weather-proof.

Thanks!
HJ

Click to expand...

I find that waterproof shoes only work well for me on day hikes or in colder weather. In moderate or above temps of more than one day my feet get wet anyway either from sweat or water leakage and then the shoe is hard to dry. Many super hikers like Andrew Skurka and Ryan Jordan agree with me on this. I plan to use my non-waterproof Vasque trail running shoes on the CF this fall. My feet may get wet but they will be relatively warm with wool socks and my shoes will dry over night with crumpled up newspaper in them.

 

poogeyejr

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Norte 2011, 2013, 2017, 2023; Frances 2017

• Sep 25, 2017

• #9

CaminoDebrita said:

I actually prefer to take my Vasque boots (mid level), waterproof and great ankle support, but I'm in the minority. I just find them to have great traction for the up and downs, and they are good arch support.

Click to expand...

Irun to Bilbao you go through the woods a lot, I like the ankle support as well!

K

 

H

Helen Jane Bass

tigrecita

Time of past OR future Camino

None yet!
(Plan to walk from SJDP on July 17th, 2016)

• Sep 26, 2017

• #10

Thanks all! This is very helpful advice. I think I'll settle with a heavier-duty trail runner, seeing as I liked the lighter shoe for my last trip.