Vigo-Santiago: Will cushioned road shoes be OK?

[couchkoala]

Hello everyone,

This is my first post but I've been lurking for quite a while and love the discussions here. I'll be walking the last 100 km of the Portugues from Vigo this May.

One of my walking companions is in her fifties with some previous ankle and toe issues. For that reason we are taking it quite easy, as follows:
Vigo - Redondela (15 km)
Redondela - Arcade (8 km)
Arcade - Pontevedra (12 km)
Pontevedra - Caldas de Reis (22 km)
Caldas de Reis - Padron (18 km)
Padron - Teo (12 km)
Teo - Santiago de Compostela (13 km)

We will also book luggage transfers the whole way.

I'm not concerned about my fitness level for the walk but of course need to get my shoes right. Unfortunately I am in Singapore and we don't have the same ability to try and return shoes the way US consumers can, so I do actually need to get the purchase correct in the shop.

I understand from forum discussions that good cushioning is important on the Portugues (and of course good fit etc.)

I've gone to shops and tried on most of the more cushioned trail/road shoes available in my (woman's) size in Singapore, but I'm finding it hard to choose between various options which feel OK in the shop.

The only option I could immediately eliminate was Hoka Speedgoat 5, which pressed into my inner arches. I also tried other Hoka shoes with the same feeling, so I guess they are made for people with higher arches than mine.

My question: for what I'm walking (Vigo-Santiago, short-ish days with daypack only), is there a big reason to choose well-cushioned trail shoes over well-cushioned road shoes? Some relevant points:
- As I'm only walking 100 km, the shoe I buy will presumably last beyond this Camino.
- A good road running shoe will be more useful for my daily life after the Camino than a good trail running shoe.
- I already have good trail running shoes (Inov-8 Roclite 290) which I use happily for day hikes, but I wouldn't say they're particularly cushioned.

If I can understand the question above better, I think it will help me choose between these options which all felt OK in the shops (they do differ in price; Altra is the most expensive):
- Altra Olympus 5
- Brooks Glycerin 20
- Brooks Cascadia 16
- Topo Ultrafly 4
- Topo MT4
- Salomon Pulsar

If you can give me any guidance, it would really help - thank you!

 

[sfisch801]

Hello everyone,

This is my first post but I've been lurking for quite a while and love the discussions here. I'll be walking the last 100 km of the Portugues from Vigo this May.

One of my walking companions is in her fifties with some previous ankle and toe issues. For that reason we are taking it quite easy, as follows:
Vigo - Redondela (15 km)
Redondela - Arcade (8 km)
Arcade - Pontevedra (12 km)
Pontevedra - Caldas de Reis (22 km)
Caldas de Reis - Padron (18 km)
Padron - Teo (12 km)
Teo - Santiago de Compostela (13 km)

We will also book luggage transfers the whole way.

I'm not concerned about my fitness level for the walk but of course need to get my shoes right. Unfortunately I am in Singapore and we don't have the same ability to try and return shoes the way US consumers can, so I do actually need to get the purchase correct in the shop.

I understand from forum discussions that good cushioning is important on the Portugues (and of course good fit etc.)

I've gone to shops and tried on most of the more cushioned trail/road shoes available in my (woman's) size in Singapore, but I'm finding it hard to choose between various options which feel OK in the shop.

The only option I could immediately eliminate was Hoka Speedgoat 5, which pressed into my inner arches. I also tried other Hoka shoes with the same feeling, so I guess they are made for people with higher arches than mine.

My question: for what I'm walking (Vigo-Santiago, short-ish days with daypack only), is there a big reason to choose well-cushioned trail shoes over well-cushioned road shoes? Some relevant points:
- As I'm only walking 100 km, the shoe I buy will presumably last beyond this Camino.
- A good road running shoe will be more useful for my daily life after the Camino than a good trail running shoe.
- I already have good trail running shoes (Inov-8 Roclite 290) which I use happily for day hikes, but I wouldn't say they're particularly cushioned.

If I can understand the question above better, I think it will help me choose between these options which all felt OK in the shops (they do differ in price; Altra is the most expensive):
- Altra Olympus 5
- Brooks Glycerin 20
- Brooks Cascadia 16
- Topo Ultrafly 4
- Topo MT4
- Salomon Pulsar

If you can give me any guidance, it would really help - thank you!

I’m wearing my Brooks Glycerin…love them. They accommodate multiple ankle/foot fractures and neuroma with great support and cushioning/light weight. What luggage transfer company are you using?

 

[Walter James Palmer]

All you need are your most comfortable shoes. No need to buy shoes for the camino unless you are carrying a LOT of weight or are racing someone. Mine were 10-year old tennis shoes. Not a hint of a problem. You will be on well-developed walking paths and city sidewalks day after day. Dress accordingly. You are almost guaranteed to take more than you need anyway. Remember the early pilgrims had almost nothing. Build from that starting point. Buen Camino!!

 

[jlamont808]

Hello everyone,

This is my first post but I've been lurking for quite a while and love the discussions here. I'll be walking the last 100 km of the Portugues from Vigo this May.

One of my walking companions is in her fifties with some previous ankle and toe issues. For that reason we are taking it quite easy, as follows:
Vigo - Redondela (15 km)
Redondela - Arcade (8 km)
Arcade - Pontevedra (12 km)
Pontevedra - Caldas de Reis (22 km)
Caldas de Reis - Padron (18 km)
Padron - Teo (12 km)
Teo - Santiago de Compostela (13 km)

We will also book luggage transfers the whole way.

I'm not concerned about my fitness level for the walk but of course need to get my shoes right. Unfortunately I am in Singapore and we don't have the same ability to try and return shoes the way US consumers can, so I do actually need to get the purchase correct in the shop.

I understand from forum discussions that good cushioning is important on the Portugues (and of course good fit etc.)

I've gone to shops and tried on most of the more cushioned trail/road shoes available in my (woman's) size in Singapore, but I'm finding it hard to choose between various options which feel OK in the shop.

The only option I could immediately eliminate was Hoka Speedgoat 5, which pressed into my inner arches. I also tried other Hoka shoes with the same feeling, so I guess they are made for people with higher arches than mine.

My question: for what I'm walking (Vigo-Santiago, short-ish days with daypack only), is there a big reason to choose well-cushioned trail shoes over well-cushioned road shoes? Some relevant points:
- As I'm only walking 100 km, the shoe I buy will presumably last beyond this Camino.
- A good road running shoe will be more useful for my daily life after the Camino than a good trail running shoe.
- I already have good trail running shoes (Inov-8 Roclite 290) which I use happily for day hikes, but I wouldn't say they're particularly cushioned.

If I can understand the question above better, I think it will help me choose between these options which all felt OK in the shops (they do differ in price; Altra is the most expensive):
- Altra Olympus 5
- Brooks Glycerin 20
- Brooks Cascadia 16
- Topo Ultrafly 4
- Topo MT4
- Salomon Pulsar

If you can give me any guidance, it would really help - thank you!

Last spring I wore Olympus 4's, from Porto to Santiago, lots of padding that was needed for all of the cobblestone on the trail. I did my training in them from January 2022 then that stretch of Camino noted above. I still have that pair, can't part with them. I recently purchased the Olympus 5's, they changed the toe box a bit but they are still the great shoe with the vibrum sole and the cushion, I will be doing the Camino Frances in them this spring, I can't say enough good things about them.

 

[henrythedog]

Hello everyone,

This is my first post but I've been lurking for quite a while and love the discussions here. I'll be walking the last 100 km of the Portugues from Vigo this May.

One of my walking companions is in her fifties with some previous ankle and toe issues. For that reason we are taking it quite easy, as follows:
Vigo - Redondela (15 km)
Redondela - Arcade (8 km)
Arcade - Pontevedra (12 km)
Pontevedra - Caldas de Reis (22 km)
Caldas de Reis - Padron (18 km)
Padron - Teo (12 km)
Teo - Santiago de Compostela (13 km)

We will also book luggage transfers the whole way.

I'm not concerned about my fitness level for the walk but of course need to get my shoes right. Unfortunately I am in Singapore and we don't have the same ability to try and return shoes the way US consumers can, so I do actually need to get the purchase correct in the shop.

I understand from forum discussions that good cushioning is important on the Portugues (and of course good fit etc.)

I've gone to shops and tried on most of the more cushioned trail/road shoes available in my (woman's) size in Singapore, but I'm finding it hard to choose between various options which feel OK in the shop.

The only option I could immediately eliminate was Hoka Speedgoat 5, which pressed into my inner arches. I also tried other Hoka shoes with the same feeling, so I guess they are made for people with higher arches than mine.

My question: for what I'm walking (Vigo-Santiago, short-ish days with daypack only), is there a big reason to choose well-cushioned trail shoes over well-cushioned road shoes? Some relevant points:
- As I'm only walking 100 km, the shoe I buy will presumably last beyond this Camino.
- A good road running shoe will be more useful for my daily life after the Camino than a good trail running shoe.
- I already have good trail running shoes (Inov-8 Roclite 290) which I use happily for day hikes, but I wouldn't say they're particularly cushioned.

If I can understand the question above better, I think it will help me choose between these options which all felt OK in the shops (they do differ in price; Altra is the most expensive):
- Altra Olympus 5
- Brooks Glycerin 20
- Brooks Cascadia 16
- Topo Ultrafly 4
- Topo MT4
- Salomon Pulsar

If you can give me any guidance, it would really help - thank you!

The Frances has been walked barefoot in the past, so - yes - your choice of footware is entirely sufficient gor 100k

It’s more important to be comfortable and don’t sacrifice ‘good enough’ in pursuit of perfection.

 

[couchkoala]

Thank you everyone for your responses.

I’m wearing my Brooks Glycerin…love them. They accommodate multiple ankle/foot fractures and neuroma with great support and cushioning/light weight. What luggage transfer company are you using?

Hi sfisch801, glad to hear the Brooks Glycerin are working well for you. I've read many good reviews for them from running sites. Have you done / will you do the Camino Portuguese as well?

My walking companion (the one with ankle/toe issues) wants to book us with a tour company which will organize everything, so unfortunately I don't know which luggage transfer company we'll use. (I know, it seems really easy to just organize everything ourselves, but to cut a long story short, we'll do it her way this time.)

All you need are your most comfortable shoes. No need to buy shoes for the camino unless you are carrying a LOT of weight or are racing someone. Mine were 10-year old tennis shoes. Not a hint of a problem. You will be on well-developed walking paths and city sidewalks day after day. Dress accordingly. You are almost guaranteed to take more than you need anyway. Remember the early pilgrims had almost nothing. Build from that starting point. Buen Camino!!

Hi Walter James Palmer, was it the Portuguese which you did in old tennis shoes? I've read quite a few posts from people saying they specifically longed for better-cushioned shoes on the Portuguese, so I'm glad it wasn't a problem for you!

I don't mind buying shoes for the Camino if they will serve a purpose for me after it as well. Although I'm not running much at the moment, when I do run it's typically on concrete. A good pair of well-cushioned road running shoes will probably be better for this than the simple Decathlon ones I currently use.

Last spring I wore Olympus 4's, from Porto to Santiago, lots of padding that was needed for all of the cobblestone on the trail. I did my training in them from January 2022 then that stretch of Camino noted above. I still have that pair, can't part with them. I recently purchased the Olympus 5's, they changed the toe box a bit but they are still the great shoe with the vibrum sole and the cushion, I will be doing the Camino Frances in them this spring, I can't say enough good things about them.

Thanks jlamont808, the Altra Olympus does seem like a great choice for the Camino Portuguese. In the shop where I tried them, I asked the salesperson for other shoes I could try - he said I'd already tried the top option and everything else would feel like a downgrade! They're certainly still an option for me, it's just that they're also the most expensive one. Buen Camino!

The Frances has been walked barefoot in the past, so - yes - your choice of footware is entirely sufficient gor 100k

It’s more important to be comfortable and don’t sacrifice ‘good enough’ in pursuit of perfection.

Kudos to our hardy forbears for walking the Frances barefoot, but that doesn't sound like much fun for the Camino Portuguese! I'm planning to get the shoes soon and start training, so won't be pursuing perfection. Just wanted to assess if I might regret choosing road shoes over trail shoes, since I tend to see trail shoes mentioned more in this forum.

 

[Rick M]

You do not need specialty footwear to walk the Camino. People often wear trail shoes, but lots wear standard athletic shoes and sandals, as well as a variety of other types. Comfort and a shoe that fits YOUR foot perfectly is what matters. Whatever you are comfortable wearing now is a good place to start.

 

[couchkoala]

Thanks Rick M. As most shoes I've tried on felt reasonably comfortable (except Hoka), hopefully whichever I choose from the list in my initial post will work out. I'll just have to decide whether to get a third pair of trail shoes (my current 2 pairs are in my "normal" size and not particularly cushioned, whereas I see many people here recommend sizing up + cushioning for the Portuguese) or a first pair of road shoes.

 

[Walter James Palmer]

Thank you everyone for your responses.































































Hi sfisch801, glad to hear the Brooks Glycerin are working well for you. I've read many good reviews for them from running sites. Have you done / will you do the Camino Portuguese as well?































My walking companion (the one with ankle/toe issues) wants to book us with a tour company which will organize everything, so unfortunately I don't know which luggage transfer company we'll use. (I know, it seems really easy to just organize everything ourselves, but to cut a long story short, we'll do it her way this time.)































































Hi Walter James Palmer, was it the Portuguese which you did in old tennis shoes? I've read quite a few posts from people saying they specifically longed for better-cushioned shoes on the Portuguese, so I'm glad it wasn't a problem for you!































I don't mind buying shoes for the Camino if they will serve a purpose for me after it as well. Although I'm not running much at the moment, when I do run it's typically on concrete. A good pair of well-cushioned road running shoes will probably be better for this than the simple Decathlon ones I currently use.































































Thanks jlamont808, the Altra Olympus does seem like a great choice for the Camino Portuguese. In the shop where I tried them, I asked the salesperson for other shoes I could try - he said I'd already tried the top option and everything else would feel like a downgrade! They're certainly still an option for me, it's just that they're also the most expensive one. Buen Camino!































































Kudos to our hardy forbears for walking the Frances barefoot, but that doesn't sound like much fun for the Camino Portuguese! I'm planning to get the shoes soon and start training, so won't be pursuing perfection. Just wanted to assess if I might regret choosing road shoes over trail shoes, since I tend to see trail shoes mentioned more in this forum.















Thank you everyone for your responses.































Hi sfisch801, glad to hear the Brooks Glycerin are working well for you. I've read many good reviews for them from running sites. Have you done / will you do the Camino Portuguese as well?















My walking companion (the one with ankle/toe issues) wants to book us with a tour company which will organize everything, so unfortunately I don't know which luggage transfer company we'll use. (I know, it seems really easy to just organize everything ourselves, but to cut a long story short, we'll do it her way this time.)































Hi Walter James Palmer, was it the Portuguese which you did in old tennis shoes? I've read quite a few posts from people saying they specifically longed for better-cushioned shoes on the Portuguese, so I'm glad it wasn't a problem for you!















I don't mind buying shoes for the Camino if they will serve a purpose for me after it as well. Although I'm not running much at the moment, when I do run it's typically on concrete. A good pair of well-cushioned road running shoes will probably be better for this than the simple Decathlon ones I currently use.































Thanks jlamont808, the Altra Olympus does seem like a greatCouchhh choice for the Camino Portuguese. In the shop where I tried them, I asked the salesperson for other shoes I could try - he said I'd already tried the top option and everything else would feel like a downgrade! They're certainly still an option for me, it's just that they're also the most expensive one. Buen Camino!































Kudos to our hardy forbears for walking the Frances barefoot, but that doesn't sound like much fun for the Camino



Portuguese! I'm planning to get the shoes soon and start training, so won't be pursuing perfection. Just wanted to assess if I might regret choosing road shoes over trail shoes, since I tend to see trail shoes mentioned more in this forum.

Thank you everyone for your responses.



Hi sfisch801, glad to hear the Brooks Glycerin are working well for you. I've read many good reviews for them from running sites. Have you done / will you do the Camino Portuguese as well?

My walking companion (the one with ankle/toe issues) wants to book us with a tour company which will organize everything, so unfortunately I don't know which luggage transfer company we'll use. (I know, it seems really easy to just organize everything ourselves, but to cut a long story short, we'll do it her way this time.)



Hi Walter James Palmer, was it the Portuguese which you did in old tennis shoes? I've read quite a few posts from people saying they specifically longed for better-cushioned shoes on the Portuguese, so I'm glad it wasn't a problem for you!

I don't mind buying shoes for the Camino if they will serve a purpose for me after it as well. Although I'm not running much at the moment, when I do run it's typically on concrete. A good pair of well-cushioned road running shoes will probably be better for this than the simple Decathlon ones I currently use.



Thanks jlamont808, the Altra Olympus does seem like a great choice for the Camino Portuguese. In the shop where I tried them, I asked the salesperson for other shoes I could try - he said I'd already tried the top option and everything else would feel like a downgrade! They're certainly still an option for me, it's just that they're also the most expensive one. Buen Camino!



Kudos to our hardy forbears for walking the Frances barefoot, but that doesn't sound like much fun for the Camino Portuguese! I'm planning to get the shoes soon and start training, so won't be pursuing perfection. Just wanted to assess if I might regret choosing road shoes over trail shoes, since I tend to see trail shoes mentioned more in this forum.

Hello CouchKoala,
Yes. I did the Portuguese Coast just to Vila Do Conde, then in to the central. Not a pain or hint of a blister. Comfortable shoes is the key, and decent socks.

I suggest your most comfortable EXISTING shoes since your feet are already happy in them. Any new shoe is going to require a "break-in" period or time for your feet to adjust to them - only after that period will you know if they are comfortable of not for walking EVERY day. I strongly urge you to put on your most comfy shoes and walk a few miles, ANY issue will become a BIG DEAL if you have to deal with it day after day. Your most comfortable shoes have already passed this test if you wear them every day. ANY new shoes will require some amount of time before YOUR body decides they are truly wonderful. Your existing comfy shoes are the standard of comfort for your feet and body - use them.

My old pair were purchased at a Goodwill store for $10, years before I walked Porto to Santiago. Nothing matters except how comfortable they are day to day for wearing. You already know which shoes are your best for walking - just trust your heart.

Buen Camino!!