trail running shoes?

Varda · Sep 14, 2014

I went to REI today to look for shoes for my summer Camino next year. I didn't want boots, but figured the sales guy would direct me to those shoes that are like a sneaker-hiking combo. When I told him what I was doing, he said trail runners were my best bet, as they were so much lighter. I tried some on and they were extremely comfy. And wow, so lightweight! The only downside was the extremely garish colors.

What do folks think? Are a pair of trail runners tough enough? I'm starting in Pamplona, if that makes any difference

Finisterre · Sep 14, 2014

Have a look at the inov8 site. They are quite good at explaining the technical differences between designs and it is helpful to know what you are buying.

here http://www.inov-8.com/New/Global/Midsole.html?L=26

I found the terroc 330s with sorbothane insoles to be ideal but some people like a bit more cushioning. Taller heels. Less aggressive grips, etc.

Knowing enough is a real bonus when shopping. Sales staff in my experience are underinformed.

Mark Lee · Sep 14, 2014

Yeah, you really don't need boots for walking a summertime Camino Frances. A good pair of trail running shoes will work just fine. Maybe bring an extra set of insoles of a different type in case the ones that come with the shoes don't provide enough support, etc. The great thing about trail runners and lightweight low quarter hikers is that they dry fast and keep your feet cooler and dryer. Like I have said before on here, I noticed that on both Caminos that people wearing heavy, leather hiking boots and thick socks seemed to suffer the most blisters.

Sancho · Sep 14, 2014

Varda said:
I went to REI today to look for shoes for my summer Camino next year. I didn't want boots, but figured the sales guy would direct me to those shoes that are like a sneaker-hiking combo. When I told him what I was doing, he said trail runners were my best bet, as they were so much lighter. I tried some on and they were extremely comfy. And wow, so lightweight! The only downside was the extremely garish colors.

What do folks think? Are a pair of trail runners tough enough? I'm starting in Pamplona, if that makes any difference

Varda, my wife and I are leaving for the Camino this weekend. I've done a lot of hiking in different countries and terrain and thought I understood the basic mechanics of footwear. You buy your size right? Fortunately when we started to train we happened to go into an REI (in Arcadia, California) and we met a footwear specialist (Michael Oliva) who impressed me as one of the rare people who really knew what he was talking about. To oversimplify, my wife has narrow feet and I have wide feet. Michael showed us how shoe manufacturers have distinct styles. Some have relatively wide lasts and some have relatively narrow lasts. He recommended that we match our feet to the manufacturer. Then you fine tune the shoe to your size including possible adjustments by stretching here and there (they have a machine) and the volume of the insoles. Originally I thought we should both get the lightest trail runner type shoe and buy the highest volume or most cushiony insole. We bought Merrell Moab Ventilators with Sole Ed high volume insoles. My wife's were OK but after a hundred miles or so the fit on my Merrells changed and started causing me problems. (One of the very experienced members here who seems to live near the Camino posted that the brand she sees abandoned most frequently on the Camino are Merrells. Of course, who knows why that is. Maybe people tend to buy the cheapest models.) But again, to be as brief, I ended up with Salomon Quest 4D GTX with low volume insoles and my wife is using La Sportiva FC ECO with medium volume insoles and so far we are very satisfied. But that's only based on a couple of hundred miles. Wishing you the best.

Mark Lee · Sep 14, 2014

Sancho said:
Varda, my wife and I are leaving for the Camino this weekend. I've done a lot of hiking in different countries and terrain and thought I understood the basic mechanics of footwear. You buy your size right? Fortunately when we started to train we happened to go into an REI (in Arcadia, California) and we met a footwear specialist (Michael Oliva) who impressed me as one of the rare people who really knew what he was talking about. To oversimplify, my wife has narrow feet and I have wide feet. Michael showed us how shoe manufacturers have distinct styles. Some have relatively wide lasts and some have relatively narrow lasts. He recommended that we match our feet to the manufacturer. Then you fine tune the shoe to your size including possible adjustments by stretching here and there (they have a machine) and the volume of the insoles. Originally I thought we should both get the lightest trail runner type shoe and buy the highest volume or most cushiony insole. We bought Merrell Moab Ventilators with Sole Ed high volume insoles. My wife's were OK but after a hundred miles or so the fit on my Merrells changed and started causing me problems. (One of the very experienced members here who seems to live near the Camino posted that the brand she sees abandoned most frequently on the Camino are Merrells. Of course, who knows why that is. Maybe people tend to buy the cheapest models.) But again, to be as brief, I ended up with Salomon Quest 4D GTX with low volume insoles and my wife is using La Sportiva FC ECO with medium volume insoles and so far we are very satisfied. But that's only based on a couple of hundred miles. Wishing you the best.

Two Caminos, two pairs of Merrells. First one with the Moab Ventilators, second one with Yakota Trails. Both sets worked fine and showed almost no wear on the soles (which grip very well). I still have and wear them.
I did notice they do sort of compress down a bit, and I guess that could change how they fit, etc. If and when I do another Camino I might try a set of Keens as they have a bigger box toe and look a bit more solid.

katdavis · Sep 14, 2014

Hi Varda,

I too wore trail shoes (Salomon GTX Pro 3D) and they were absolutely fine for me from SJPP to Santiago, as well as the Portuguese camino.

I had to buy another pair of insoles in Sarria (because I was continuing on to Finisterre and Muxia after Santiago) and the tread did wear thin but they are the comfiest shoe I have found.

My only recommendation now would be not to get waterproof shoes so your feet can breathe easier and non-waterproof shoes dry quicker.

Buen Camino!
Kat

Wildflower Woman · Sep 14, 2014

Varda said:
I went to REI today to look for shoes for my summer Camino next year. I didn't want boots, but figured the sales guy would direct me to those shoes that are like a sneaker-hiking combo. When I told him what I was doing, he said trail runners were my best bet, as they were so much lighter. I tried some on and they were extremely comfy. And wow, so lightweight! The only downside was the extremely garish colors.

What do folks think? Are a pair of trail runners tough enough? I'm starting in Pamplona, if that makes any difference

I walked mid June - mid July this year in a pair of Brooks Cascadia Trail Runners, did put a different insole inside, but loved the shoe and when wet they dried very quickly. For me this is the type of shoe I would wear again if I were to walk it, however, it is all personal and only you know your feet.

MeganG22 · Sep 14, 2014

Hi Varda-

I wore Montrail Mountain Masochist trail runners in 2012 and a couple weeks ago I bought the newest version of them for my walk next month because they worked so well for me. I definitely think trail running shoes are great for the Camino- though some people get on better with hiking boots or even sandals, everyone's feet are different! If they're comfortable for you and support your feet well enough then why not?? And hahah, I absolutely agree about the crazy colors!! It seems to be the "in" thing these days...

Varda · Sep 14, 2014

Thanks for the great advice, everyone! It sounds like trail runners are indeed my best bet. I'll be trying lots on in the weeks ahead. I appreciate everyone sharing their experience with me.

Arn · Sep 14, 2014

I've posted this info before, so to summarize:
- I wore Merrell's leather, high tops when I thru hiked the AT...they blew out the sole stitching at about 800 mi/1200kms. Called Merrell...replacement boots at next cross town, my boots back in less than 10 days...no charge.
I love Merrells, so much that I wore Merrell low-tops, with GoreTex. They were too stiff for the CF and I had serious knee and blister problems.
On the CI, I wore New Balance hiking/trail shoes with motion control bar. No knee problems. No blisters. I ascribe this change to the motion control bar...which kept my feet from turning out of balance with my torso, thus preventing damage to my knees. Here's a link:
http://www.newbalance.com/search?q=hiking+&+trail
Buen Camino,
Arn

jmcarp · Sep 14, 2014

Varda said:
I went to REI today to look for shoes for my summer Camino next year...

The great thing about buying gear from REI is their fantastic return policy. Buy something, try it for a week, a month, or up to a year. If you don't like the fit or feel, take it back for a full refund or trade. Following everyone's advice, I bought boots a half size larger than I normally wear. Over the next six months I walked probably 500 miles in training for the Camino. I noticed that my foot had grown and the big toes of both feet were rubbing the front of the boot. I took them back to REI and exchanged them for a larger pair, no questions asked. My wife has difficulty finding hiking shoes or boots that fit, and went through at least three pairs from REI before finally setting on a pair that worked, and again REI made the exchanges with no questions asked. We went through the same drill in selecting backpacks. Sure, you can buy gear cheaper, but check out the return policy before signing on the dotted line. (All those returns, by the way, end up in the REI semi-annual sidewalk sale).

Alyssa · Sep 15, 2014

Varda said:
I went to REI today to look for shoes for my summer Camino next year. I didn't want boots, but figured the sales guy would direct me to those shoes that are like a sneaker-hiking combo. When I told him what I was doing, he said trail runners were my best bet, as they were so much lighter. I tried some on and they were extremely comfy. And wow, so lightweight! The only downside was the extremely garish colors.

What do folks think? Are a pair of trail runners tough enough? I'm starting in Pamplona, if that makes any difference

My Brooks Cascadia 9s were wonderful! I didn't have any foot, knee, leg, back or blister (except one very small one) problems. (You can read more details about my shoe finding experience on my blog if you would like the details; I tried boots as well as trail runners from Asic, Lowa, Merrell...)

Ah, and I don't want to forget to mention that some of the best advice I received from people on this forum was to buy shoes at least a half size larger. I went for a full size and never regretted it.

JoeNYC · Sep 15, 2014

Arn said:
On the CI, I wore New Balance hiking/trail shoes with motion control bar. No knee problems. No blisters. I ascribe this change to the motion control bar...which kept my feet from turning out of balance with my torso, thus preventing damage to my knees. Here's a link:
http://www.newbalance.com/search?q=hiking & trail
Buen Camino,
Arn

I'm debating between my New Balance Leadville 1210's and my Lowa Renegade GTX's for my upcoming Camino. I'm comfortable with either.

Your suggestion would be the New Balance?

Anniesantiago · Sep 15, 2014

I've worn trail runners for my last 7+ Caminos - love them!

I buy them 1.5 sizes larger than normal.
Then I take out the inserts and put in Motion Control Inserts.
Those take up some space so they fit.
This also leaves plenty of room for your feet to swell, which they will.

shefollowsshells · Sep 16, 2014

Varda said:
I went to REI today to look for shoes for my summer Camino next year. I didn't want boots, but figured the sales guy would direct me to those shoes that are like a sneaker-hiking combo. When I told him what I was doing, he said trail runners were my best bet, as they were so much lighter. I tried some on and they were extremely comfy. And wow, so lightweight! The only downside was the extremely garish colors.

What do folks think? Are a pair of trail runners tough enough? I'm starting in Pamplona, if that makes any difference

My first Camino, the Frances, I walked in Brooks , Adrenaline I think, and my feet were better off than most. I had some blisters and some days some foot pain, but many people approached me and said they wished they had brought such a shoe.
This past Camino Norte/Inglais I so wated Keene Targees to work and they didn't feel right on me before I left.
I then tried an ultra light marathon shoe called the Hoka One One...ugly shoes...but WONDERFUL!
I had not one blister, I did have throbbing feet pain at night sometimes , that was my only foot pain. Most of this I think was due to the demand of the Norte and some longer days .
My Brooks were water proof, my Hokas were not.

Cari T · Sep 16, 2014

Thanks Varda for bringing this up. I am more comfortable in these kind of shoes myself.

My question now is: Do you think trail runners will be fine on the CF for the month of May ? or do I need something a little more weather-sturdy ?

~Many thanks~

mtman100 · Apr 5, 2015

http://lbarrettscamino.weebly.com/

petitewalker · Apr 6, 2015

Brooks Cascadia trail runners for me. All the way from SJPDP to Santiago...no blisters or any other problems. Tread held up great. As for the crazy colors, it will be easy to find them in a pile by the Albergue door and who really cares how they look. As you will find out, this is not a fashion show.

cecelia · Apr 6, 2015

@Vardi - the only other thing to consider is whether you feel your ankles will stand up to the extra weight of your backpack on rocky, ankle twisting paths. Some people have weak ankles that tend to twist on them at the best of times. Although there are lots of flat and even paved sections, there are still a few that are really rocky and people do twist ankles and knees. Although I wear boots on my early spring caminos for the mud and wet, I can't imagine wearing them in the summer . I agree with others about the soles - some soles are definitely too light for my comfort - although I have met and talked with people wearing the five fingers type of 'shoe'. (One of mother Nature's little jokes is that we lose fat from the bottom of our feet as we age and add it in other spots - nasty lady that she can be.
@ Cari - early May can be very wet, snowy or scorching hot - or all of that. Many who wear runners say they dry overnight - mine don't -with or without newspaper. It must depend on the type. How comfortable are you with the possibility of having your feet a bit wet at times?

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