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Kanga, can you provide a link, a picture or brand/style?I am taking water shoes on my next walk. I walk in sandals but if they get wet the soles take a while to dry so it’s nice to have an alternative. The water shoes are light and look quite dressy! I can add socks if it is cold in the evening. A dual purpose.
Yes. I took water shoes instead of flip flops when I walked the LePuy last spring and that's what I'lll do from now on. Lighter weight than flip flops. Easy to carry in outside pocket of back pack and pull out quickly when taking off boots when I got to gites. Could wear socks with them after showering and walking around gite or town in coolish evening. I'm sold.Hola! I will be starting my first Camino in late April (Frances). I'm wondering if anyone has had any tried using water shoes as an alternative to sandals for the shower and walking around after arriving at the albergue? I'm thinking for the spring, they might be a little warmer on cool evenings, and the newer ones are very light and squishable, so could pack easily...? Any input appreciated!
I saw a picture of water shoes. I have never worn them. I see also that they are not that expensive. Are they ok to walk around on cobblestone and do you have to worry more about rocks or glass or any of the other things one might step on?Kanga, can you provide a link, a picture or brand/style?
My husband has a pair of Crocs water sandals. Best of both worlds?
Good point about absorbing water. I don't want to take yet another pair of shoes for shower, so maybe not a good idea for me.I've been pondering the same thing. I've always taken Crocs for the evenings because they are very light, I can wear them with socks, and they have some support so I'm not damaging my feet while I'm resting. Last summer I bought a pair of Xero Aqua X for a kayak camping trip and they were great for that purpose but I didn't do much walking on land in them. They will fit in my backpack much better than the Crocs (I sometimes hang the Crocs on the outside of my backpack but I prefer to not have to).
You've given me an idea - on our next evening walk around the neighborhood I'll wear the Xeros (with socks) and that should make the decision for me.
I will say that I wouldn't wear them in the shower because they would not dry fast enough for me to be able to walk around town - that's one benefit to the Crocs, they don't absorb water so you can just dry them off with a towel.
Thanks for the input! I will look into these.My husband has a pair of Crocs water sandals. Best of both worlds?
I like the idea of having something I can also hike in when my feet are tired of my shoes. Thank you!I just use my Tevas or Xero Sandals. Yes - the straps get wet but they dry if I use them in the shower. Doesn't bother me - but they are more comfortable to walk and hike in if needed. Crocs would be fine too - but I prefer my sandals to hike in if needed.
Thanks for the input, I'll look into these. I'd not heard of recovery sandals, but it makes sense after hiking a long day.I bought a pair of hoka recovery sandals last year to wear in the shower and walking about town. I'm happy with them. I've previously worn crocs but feel I get a bit more support with the hokas.
Hi John, It's Pam, from the Raleigh Camino group. Thank you for the input! Peligro, above, said that he found the water shoes don't dry from the shower in time to wear them out for dinner....what is your experience with this?Yes. I took water shoes instead of flip flops when I walked the LePuy last spring and that's what I'lll do from now on. Lighter weight than flip flops. Easy to carry in outside pocket of back pack and pull out quickly when taking off boots when I got to gites. Could wear socks with them after showering and walking around gite or town in coolish evening. I'm sold.
Hey, Pam. Not a problem if you buy water shoes like these, don't wear them in the showerHi John, It's Pam, from the Raleigh Camino group. Thank you for the input! Peligro, above, said that he found the water shoes don't dry from the shower in time to wear them out for dinner....what is your experience with this?
See my comment to Pam (below).OK, what are water shoes? A term I havent heard before. When I google they come up as neoprene slip ons.
I was as uncertain as @anamari above.See my comment to Pam (below).I
Lightweight, take up no space, can access easily from side pocket of pack, quick dry, very inexpensive, can wear with socks (vs. flip flop or sandals with toe strap). Love them.I was as uncertain as @anamari above.
I take it these are neoprene (or similar) slip-ons? No structure or support, but with a grippy sole? I’ve no interest whatsoever in what they look like, but in what respect would you recommend them over (for Eva example) Birkenstock EVA sandles?
And they make your feet happy!Lightweight, take up no space, can access easily from side pocket of pack, quick dry, very inexpensive, can wear with socks (vs. flip flop or sandals with toe strap). Love them.
They're meant to be worn in the water - beach, pool, etc.OK, what are water shoes? A term I havent heard before. When I google they come up as neoprene slip ons.
Well, you just got a Wow from me too! ..... very snazzy! But you said don't wear them in the shower.....I was hoping for whatever I get to be my shower + going out to get dinner after the shower, to avoid multiple shoes. Do you bring a separate something for the shower?Hey, Pam. Not a problem if you buy water shoes like these, don't wear them in the shower, and dry your feet off when you get out . And you'll get lots of "wows" from fellow pilgrims and hospitaleros!!! View attachment 140027
You could wear them in the shower but then you'd want to let them dry. I wear them to the shower but go bare foot in the shower because I want to wash my feet, too. Get your feet mostly dry after the shower, slip them on and even if they're a little wet you'll be fine I think.Well, you just got a Wow from me too! ..... very snazzy! But you said don't wear them in the shower.....I was hoping for whatever I get to be my shower + going out to get dinner after the shower, to avoid multiple shoes. Do you bring a separate something for the shower?
Thanks for the input, John!You could wear them in the shower but then you'd want to let them dry. I wear them to the shower but go bare foot in the shower because I want to wash my feet, too. Get your feet mostly dry after the shower, slip them on and even if they're a little wet you'll be fine I think.
Thanks for the input, Peligro!I tested my Xero water shoes with insoles (I have Morton's Neuromas in both feet) on a two mile walk and they were very comfortable. With the insoles they are a tad heavier than the classic Crocs I usually take, but they take up less room in the backpack. I would not walk any real distance in them, but they should work well for seeing the towns in the evenings.
This is the model I have:
Aqua X Sport - Men - Xero Shoes
A water-friendly shoe that's just as comfy on roads and trails.xeroshoes.com
Thanks for the input, Chrissy. The issue for me is that I want to be able to use whatever second shoe I bring for both shower and evening wear. I may be best with just a pair of slides that can accomodate socks if it's cold.I am not a big fan of water shoes and the older ones from years ago were a big disappointment as they invariably would get sand trapped in them, rubbing on my feet and felt awful.
I realize they have come a long way since those early days of thirty years ago, especially in attractive appearance, but they would not be my choice for a combo wet shower shoe, then adding socks on cool evenings to wear at dinner. The attractive one shown in post #28 with the drain holes on the soles seem a potential nuisance to clean out any clogged sand or dirt. Drying the shoes out takes a bit of time, too, if that matters.
Thanks for the input!In Hawaii, water shoes are everywhere now, especially in beachside resorts and towns. The design and comfort (and durability) have improved greatly over the past 20 years and now you see them in everyday wear, particularly among the Ironman athletes and surfers and snorkelers (coulda' just said water sports folks). Many old-timers go barefoot, but the volcanic nature of the rocky areas and coral shelves near some beaches makes water shoes a must have for most people.
Personally, I wear Oofos everywhere (we call them "slippahs"), including on three Caminos (for evening foot recovery). Note: since our Samoan priest goes barefoot during Mass, I consider slippahs to be dress shoes, no?!!
The Hokas mentioned above are popular as well, but there are dozens of types and styles. Go to a running or athletic store and try them out, and you might be glad you did. Weight is an issue, so blown foam or other synthetics with a high durability factor are important and they have the added advantage of drying very quickly when out of the water (or out of the shower, if that is how you choose to wear them).
Aloha and Buen Camino
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