Shoes vs boots (again)

[neverlost4good]

Altar Lone Peak 5 (thread wearing) vs Vasque boot. 7 days on the Meseta + the San Salvador Camino. I leave in 6 days! Both are worn in. Lone Peaks are fast and light with glorious toe room. Vasque has good support, but can get “hot.”
Your opinion please? Thanks!

 

[henrythedog]

It’s an entirely personal decision.

I’ve worn lightweight leather boots pretty much constantly for the past 40 years whenever I’m dog walking, fell walking or on camino. They’re like slippers.

On that basis: wear boots. Or not.

 

[C clearly]

Altar Lone Peak 5 (thread wearing)

As Henry has said, only you can decide which ones you are happier to walk long distances in.

I assume "thread wearing" means the tread is wearing down. If you prefer the Lone Peaks, why don't you get a new pair? If you get exactly the same model, you just need to test them on one or 2 walks to check that there is no manufacturing problem or change with the new pair.

 

[Peregrina 2013]

Have used both but ever since I switched to light gear for backpacking - no more than a 24 lb. pack, I use trail runners and never have looked back. On the Camino, with a pack weighing around 13 lbs. it's the optimal choice. Indeed, it is personal preference and only you can decide what works for you - after all, they're your feet;-)
Buen Camino!

 

[neverlost4good]

Have used both but ever since I switched to light gear for backpacking - no more than a 24 lb. pack, I use trail runners and never have looked back. On the Camino, with a pack weighing around 13 lbs. it's the optimal choice. Indeed, it is personal preference and only you can decide what works for you - after all, they're your feet;-)
Buen Camino!

It’s the mountains on the San Salvador that I’m most worried about. Both are good footwear: I’ll flip a coin? ;-)

 

[Robo]

Very personal choice.
I have some Lone Peaks along with many others.
I couldn't wear the Lone Peaks on a Camino.

They are way too light. Like wearing ballet shoes.
My feet ache in them after only a few kms.
No support, no cushioning.

But others love them.

We're all different

 

[neverlost4good]

Very personal choice.
I have some Lone Peaks along with many others.
I couldn't wear the Lone Peaks on a Camino.

They are way too light. Like wearing ballet shoes.
My feet ache in them after only a few kms.
No support, no cushioning.

But others love them.

We're all different

THAT'S it. Thank you so much. My old steady Vasque boots it is. I'll just trade out socks on the Meseta if my feet get too hot. Again...thank you! I leave in 4 days.

 

[trecile]

It’s the mountains on the San Salvador that I’m most worried about. Both are good footwear: I’ll flip a coin? ;-)

I wore hiking sandals on the Salvador if that helps.

 

[Peacemaker]

I like the Altra LPs also, but decided the sole was too thin for me. So I switched to the Altra Olympus 4. Much thicker, more comfortable sole, same roomy toe box. I wore them on the CF in April / May, and they are still going strong now, months later.

 

[Tingeling]

Take both! I will bring Altra Olympus 5 and boots on my next CF in 2 months time. I have done previously, too (Boots+Altra Olympus 4, magic soles). Perfect for me and my wide 'demanding' feet, and not really heavy... Good to switch. But I will walk in November...

 

[Old walker]

I recently wore Lone Peaks on a backpacking trip; 2400 ft of elevation gain up an overgrown very narrow trail with rocks and long stretches on scree. The shoes worked fine, in conditions that far exceeded anything encountered on various long hikes and Caminos. My personal conditioning, wasn’t great however. . I willingly accepted our grandchildrens’ offer to carry our light tent (no pride) and that allowed me to exercise good foot placement and avoid injury on some tricky parts. Poles were also essential. While foot wear is a discretionary, personal decision, with many good choices, having your legs and feet well conditioned for skilled foot placement is a universal good target for pilgrims. After all, I know of someone who did the Appalachian Trail both ways without any shoes! I should acknowledge that my lack of conditioning was due to an earlier foot injury, while wearing Lone Peaks inappropriately for the job, edging on a single outside foot on a steep embankment using a pole saw. Bad judgement can easily overcome good equipment.

 

[Stivandrer]

My boots stay on, I discarded the ones where I could feel the potato sized stones on the slope at Zubiri through the soles and chose my old ones (next time around).
You will have to make your own choice !!

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

If it is of any help, I had boots that had years of wearing in but still were very comfortable. However, after SJPP to Puenta la Reina, I left them behind for runners, and I have never looked back.

But that is me.

Buen Camino!

 

[kimgaspesie]

It doesnt have to be one or the other, take both. We did the Frances from Pamplona in July, had 38l backpacks and each of us took our running shoes, boots and sandals. We used the boots 5 days, runners for the rest, and sandals at the end of every day. It is so nice to have the option depending on terrain.

 

[neverlost4good]

I like the Altra LPs also, but decided the sole was too thin for me. So I switched to the Altra Olympus 4. Much thicker, more comfortable sole, same roomy toe box. I wore them on the CF in April / May, and they are still going strong now, months later.

Thank you! Exactly what I need to know. Altra really fits my wide toes. Was worried about the thin tread. I'll check out the Olympus 4 when I get back! Thanks again.

 

[martin1ws]

I would take the option where you are more comfortable with. But I would not take both (because of the weight).

Here is some background info from davebugg (especially the part with "studies on fatigue and footwear" was interesting for me):

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/help-selecting-boots-for-our-walk.56181/

 

[WalkingJane]

I wore hiking sandals on the Salvador if that helps.

That was my choice after my feet totally refused boots and sneakers. Wearing those sandals here at home too.

 

[fernweh]

When my daughter suggested I try the Altra’s, (she’s a runner and swears by them) I had never heard of zero drop shoes. I did some research and found this video which helped me. I wore Altra Lone Peak 5’s for a week on the Frances this past August (St John to just before Viana) and absolutely love them. We walked in 90+ degree weather and I never had a problem. As mentioned, it depends on your feet and what feels most comfortable.

Buen Camino!

 

[neverlost4good]

When my daughter suggested I try the Altra’s, (she’s a runner and swears by them) I had never heard of zero drop shoes. I did some research and found this video which helped me. I wore Altra Lone Peak 5’s for a week on the Frances this past August (St John to just before Viana) and absolutely love them. We walked in 90+ degree weather and I never had a problem. As mentioned, it depends on your feet and what feels most comfortable.

Buen Camino!

Yep! Based on all the help I've received on this topic, I bought the Altra's Olympus 4 (on sale!). I took them out for a training walk this morning with my full pack and felt steady and comfortable with no heat in my shoes whatsoever! My feet are adapted to the zero drop, as I have been wearing my Lone Peak 5's for 4 months. I wore out the soles. The Olympus has the vibram sole, and I was told they hold up better for long distances with a pack. 2 more days until Spain! Thanks again!

 

[Ricardo Moretti]

Altar Lone Peak 5 (thread wearing) vs Vasque boot. 7 days on the Meseta + the San Salvador Camino. I leave in 6 days! Both are worn in. Lone Peaks are fast and light with glorious toe room. Vasque has good support, but can get “hot.”
Your opinion please? Thanks!

Boots are good for bad weather such as continued rain or days walking in snow.
So if you don't foresee too much bad weather, I recommend the running trail shoes for the Camino.

 

[Donny Camino]

My first Camino in 2016, I wored Merrel shoe hikers...resulted in major problems for my feet. For the next two Caminos, I wore plain running shoes. Best decision ever. Comfortable the whole way through. Oh, and for socks, we love the Wright "blister free" socks...they are two ply but very thin. They did he job!

 

[Suzanne H]

It’s a personal decision. Three weeks into my Lisbon trek (my 4th?/5th? camino?) and I’m now a tourist because my feet/ankles weren’t in shape and my shoes didn’t seem to be providing the support I was accustomed to. Get you—and your shoes— in shape together. So you don’t end up like me… Every person and shoe combo is unique.

 

[David C.]

Altar Lone Peak 5 (thread wearing) vs Vasque boot. 7 days on the Meseta + the San Salvador Camino. I leave in 6 days! Both are worn in. Lone Peaks are fast and light with glorious toe room. Vasque has good support, but can get “hot.”
Your opinion please? Thanks!

Shoes for May through October; boots for the rest of the year?

 

[trecile]

Shoes for May through October; boots for the rest of the year?

I would probably never wear boots on the Camino.

For me it would be sandals for May through October, shoes for the rest of the year.

 

[David C.]

I would probably never wear boots on the Camino.

For me it would be sandals for May through October, shoes for the rest of the year.

I walked the VLDP in February and March and am glad that I wore boots for the mud and snow. On the other hand, I wore trail runners for my most recent Frances walk and to walk the Norte. Both of those trips were in August and September. I didn't have any foot issues for either of those trips which was a wonderful change from previous summer Camino peregrinations wearing boots.
With the wide variety of Camino routes and conditions, perhaps we should be looking at three choices (sandals, shoes, or boots) as opposed to just boots or shoes.
I'm going to have to give sandals a try.