Socks and shoes - on the Frances in June.

[steppingpono]

Heading out on the Frances 1st June for a few weeks - this is aimed at anyone on it right now or with past experience of summer walking...

I was thinking I could simply use my Lowa Renegade Hiking boots(which have served me so well - minimal blisters and great sole & ankle support etc) but I have read through so many suggestions and now I am concerned about my feet getting way too hot! I really trust in my Lowas but ...
Stories of dumping hot hiking boots midway. Folk are suggesting Keen sandals and /or light runners(no ankle support on downhills for me) - because of heat and foot sweat - more blisters!
Will my boots be too hot?
Last year in April I used Glide religiously every morning before putting on my socks(instead of Vaseline, Glide comes in a great applicator and isnt as gooey ) - then thin nylon socks under Smart wool socks ....then in May I dropped the nylon inner and only used the Smart wool (my feet felt much cooler) - I had a few blisters but nothing awful that a needle and thread some Germolene and a Compeed plaster couldn't fix.
Is there much difference between May and June?
Should I change my morning foot routine? Are the thin nylon socks of any use?
Should I change my wool socks for something else - if so what do you suggest?
I think I have left it too late to change my shoes

 

[Mark Lee]

Everyone is different, but personally I like trail runners or lightweight hiking shoes, either one non-waterproof and thin, synthetic running type socks.
I had almost no blisters (just small ones on the outside of both little toes, turned to callous) on either Camino. Also, I massaged my feet a lot and rubbed Vaseline on them and gave them cold soaks when I could.
Personally I wouldn't wear heavy, leather hiking boots during the summer.
cheers

 

[Anniesantiago]

What Mark Lee said.

 

[gerardcarey]

What Anniesantiago said Mark Lee said.

 

[VNwalking]

What Annie, Mark, and Gerard said.
(I put my boots to my pack on day 3 and they only once came out after that; the only thing I regretted was the weight on my back. That was March.)

 

[bystander]

Treading in each other's footsteps.............

 

[PEI_Heather]

What Mark, Annie, Gerard, Viranani and Bystander said...
(Sorry; couldn't help myself...It was too fun not to keep the circle going!)

Here's how you don't get blisters:
Walk 10 minutes.
Stop at bar/cafe. Take off boots and socks. Drink cafe con leche. Rest for an hour.
Put books and socks back on. Begin walking again.

Repeat every 80 minutes.

You'll never get to where you are going, and/or you will be on the Camino for a very long time, but you'll be well caffeinated and will be able to give really good reviews on all of the places to stop. Oh and you will not experience one single blister.


But seriously...
I think it depends on how long you walk in a day and what kind of surface you walk on. On the Camino Frances in Oct/Nov, I wore Keen boots with a variety of (wool, silk) sock combinations and blister aids: I got blisters. Lots of walking surface types. On the Camino Portuguese the following Oct/Nov, I wore sports/hiking sandals with a variety of looks--no socks, socks, two socks and blister aids: I got blisters. Lots of types of walking surfaces but a great deal of asphalt roads to contend with.

I think the way to go is to be aware of your feet as they go--stop every 10 km +/-, change your socks and air out your feet if you wear boots or the oh so chi chi socks and sandals look. Or just air out your feet, if you go with just sandals. That is what I learned in Joyce Rupp's book (Walk In A Relaxed Manner); she claimed that she and her friend never got blisters by following this method.

You also have to really really stay on top of the hydration. Drink lots and drink often. I'm talking about water here!

 

[steppingpono]

Thanks PEI Heather - I like the every "ten km plan " - I do that instinctively. I am walking at the moment in my lowa boots that I know well and that know me well! - and that deliver my ankles down rocky paths and hills - In socks of all textures - and I have blisters but so do the folks in other shoes - they heal eventually and yay for the folks without them!

 

[steppingpono]

Treading in each other's footsteps.............

Love your St Augustine quote