Shoes in mid-October

[Helen Jane Bass]

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]

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!!

 

[Helen Jane Bass]

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!!

Thanks David!

 

[nc6000]

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]

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!

 

[HeidiL]

...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]

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

buen camino

 

[Multipurpose]

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

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]

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.

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

K

 

[Helen Jane Bass]

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.