Socks: I have been of the traditional. two-sock persuasion for five Caminos. That is a thin microfiber or silk inner sock to wick moisture and reduce friction, with a thick woolen outer sock for insulation and cushioning. For me, it has worked fine, and I have never had a blister...not one.
Change: This year, I am planning to experiment with a daily rotation of three sock systems: my traditional 2-pairs; a single dual woven sock system, one with microfiber inside and merino outside, and another with microfiber inside and some other fabric as an outer layer. My plan is to report back on the results. As my Camino is in May and I am a hot person ...I sweat a lot, insulation is not an issue in most all weather. However cushioning is important, as is wicking moisture and reducing friction. We shall see...
Shoes: Most people miss this VERY important point. Alexwalker correctly explains about swelling after some hours walking each day. But there are other considerations to bear in mind:
1. Every time you walk down a slope or stairs, your foot wants to slide forward in your shoes, boots or sandals. This is true whether you are home or on Camino. If your toes contact the inside front of the toe box, over time, you WILL develop blisters, bruises and broken toenails. In some folks, this leads to 'black toe." This is a very badly bruised toe or toes caused by the constant impact trauma. It can and will adversely affect your enjoyment of the Camino.
2. After walking some weeks with a loaded rucksack, most (but not all) pilgrims feet will actually increase in size. This is called 'splaying.' Personally, my US size 11 feet increased to 11.5 after four Caminos. In metric, that is at least one full size. This also affects shoe or boot sizing.
The sliding foot syndrome can be addressed in only two ways:
(A) size up a extra half size to provide more room in the toe box to preclude your toes hitting the inside front of the toe box; and / or
(B) learn how to tie your laces more effectively to reduce the forward sliding action on a down walk. Go to You Tube for a huge variety of "How to tie hiking boot laces..."
The long-term foot-size increase can only be addressed by up-sizing, again about 1/2 size.
These topics are discussed a lot throughout this Forum. They are recurring issues and questions. To be sure, not everyone's feet are the same, or react the same to walking long distances.
However, and as a general rule of thumb, do not rely on the size printed in your current shoes or the footwear you seek to buy. Numbers are merely relative. The exact same shoe can very in size from one pair of the same size to the next. This happens during the human-assembly process.
Go to a reputable shoe seller and have your feet properly measured. Try on several styles and models. When you find what you think you want...then:
1. Shop for shoes at the end of the day, when your feet have swollen from being on them for hours, or take a walk for a couple of km before you enter the shoe shop.
2. Put on the EXACT socks you plan to wear on Camino.
3. If possible put on a loaded rucksack with a weight more or less equal to what you plan to carry on Camino. This places pressure on your feet, causing them to swell slightly.
4. Put the intended shoes or boots on and LACE THEM PROPERLY.
Practice, in the store, walking up and down a slope. Use a stair, box, or in some shops there are simulated rocks. Ensure that your toes NEVER come close to the inside front of the toe box.
As a general rule, the boots you wear on Camino will be at least one full size larger than your street size. In metric it could be slightly more. I think that US sizing increases one-size for each 3/8 inches of foot length. In metric a full-size increase is one cm, IIRC.
You can only determine what fits properly by trying it on. NEVER rely solely on the size marked on the box or item of footwear. For example, Keen will inform buyers on their web site if a particular model runs small or large. My Keen Targhee II mid-high boots run one-half size SMALL. So, I had to upsize. Likewise my Keen Arroyo II walking sandals run one-half size LARGE. So my size 11 - 11.5 feet wear a size 13.0 boot, and a 12.5 sandal. Both items are the same net size.
When I bought my footwear, I based my sizing on adding 1/2 size for 2-pair socks, 1/2 size for daily foot swelling, and 1/2 size for long-term splaying. It turns out that was perfect. For, when my feet increased in size permanently, as mentioned above, I had the extra space in the existing boots. Had I not planned ahead, I would have had to buy new boots.
Hope this helps.
