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You don't need anything extra for the Pyrenees. It's not mountaineering! It's basically walking uphill on either a paved road or a dirt path. There are other places on the Camino that have more difficult terrain than the Pyrenees, but IMO none that require boots. Personally, I like to wear hiking sandals on all parts of the Camino.I'm leaning towards a pair of hiking boots because of the extra ankle support they'll provide over the Pyrenees,
Wow, thanks for the quick reply! I see, haven't heard of walking in hiking sandals - what an interesting idea. I'd imagine they'd help with keeping blisters away? What brand do you use?You don't need anything extra for the Pyrenees. It's not mountaineering! It's basically walking uphill on either a paved road or a dirt path. There are other places on the Camino that have more difficult terrain than the Pyrenees, but IMO none that require boots. Personally, I like to wear hiking sandals on all parts of the Camino.
Check out the first couple of minutes of this video to see how "difficult" the Pyrenees are.
I'm not saying that sandals are right for everyone, just pointing out that the Pyrenees are not anything to be scared of, and no special footwear is necessary for this part of the Camino.Wow, thanks for the quick reply! I see, haven't heard of walking in hiking sandals - what an interesting idea. I'd imagine they'd help with keeping blisters away? What brand do you use?
The forum has hundreds (maybe thousands) of threads on the forum where people describe their shoe experiences - just click on the tag "foot wear & care" and start reading. Testimonials on those specific models are not likely to be helpful.I've read enough "footwear" posts online to understand that that there is no one right answer & that everyone has their own, unique experience - I'd still very much appreciate any advice that you all have to share based on your own past Caminos
Hey all! Very happy to have found this forum
I'm planning on doing my first Camino next summer, but am in need of a new pair of hiking shoes so am starting to think ahead about which brands & styles I might want to try out. I'd love to hear about some of the footwear that all of you experienced Caminoers have relied on (or learned to avoid!) in the past. I do get it! I've read enough "footwear" posts online to understand that that there is no one right answer & that everyone has their own, unique experience - I'd still very much appreciate any advice that you all have to share based on your own past Caminos
Are there any brands that have a particularly good combo of support and breathability? Are boots really more likely to cause blisters? I'm leaning towards a pair of hiking boots because of the extra ankle support they'll provide over the Pyrenees, but am still open to a hiking shoe or trail runner.
Here are some styles that I'm considering:
Keen
Women's Targee Vent Mid
Women's Targee 2
Women's Voyageur
Merrell
Women's Moab 2 Mid Waterproof
Hanwag, Vibram are great, but... on my first CF in Najera I met a pilger with completely ruined feet walking 30+ km so far in Hanwag mountaineering boots.. too stiff, too hot for June in Spain. He had to switch to the Crocs and cut daily distances.Hanwag, Makra low GTX…..awesome ! Lightweight, waterproof, wide fitting, Vibram approach sole…..best all round Camino footwear for every challenge along the way !
Got it! Haha, I can see in the video - not exactly mountaineering! Great, thanks for that. I'll be sure to keep some of those brands in mind when trying stuff out. I've heard good things about trail runners before, so will have to give those a try. Is it common for someone to bring a pair of trail runners or hiking shoes, and a pair or sandals?I'm not saying that sandals are right for everyone, just pointing out that the Pyrenees are not anything to be scared of, and no special footwear is necessary for this part of the Camino.
Lots of people like trail running shoes from Altra, Hoka, Saucony, etc. I wore New Balance trail runners for my first two Caminos before switching to hiking sandals. There are lots of good brands like Teva, Chacos, Keen, Ecco, etc. Merrell sandals have worked for me because they fit my long narrow feet.
Absolutely. I'm fact I would recommend it,Is it common for someone to bring a pair of trail runners or hiking shoes, and a pair or sandals?
This is an interesting choice. One issue with trail runners is that veteran long distance hikers in the USA agree that trail runners need to be replaced every 400 miles due to the cushioning and fabric wearing out.I like this question as it isn't "which is best" but "which do you wear" - excellent!
In my opinion, unless you prefer boots, you do not need boots except in mid winter (mind you, heavy rain in Rioja and that glutinous red mud might change my mind!!!). They are too enclosed, too heavy, users too prone to blisters. In recent times there has been a big move towards trail runners and trekking sandals - and those people don't go back to boots.
I do first aid for pilgrims, have done so since 2006, and not once have I treated blisters or foot damage for any pilgrim wearing trekking sandals, and very very few wearing trail runners (usually those were either a really cheap rubbish copy of a brand or too small).
Now, I have wide feet - clowns laugh - and there are no trail runners wide enough for me, and I also don't like my feet being strapped in, so I wear hiking sandals.
Mine are the Keen Newport H2. They come in leather or webbing. I would say do not use the leather ones, they are too stiff, I find the webbing ones much more comfortable. No blisters, no over-heating. They are wide at the toe box and have a superbly shaped foot-bed support.
I am wearing them now! They are the only footwear I have ever worn that five minutes after putting them on I am not aware that I am wearing them - they are that comfortable. Great traction sole. Maybe not the prettiest shoe in the world with that big bumper on the front and very occasionally you do have to stop to remove a stone that has somehow flipped in from the rear - but I love them.
In England it is an utter NO to wear socks with sandals but on Camino I will wear socks with them in very cold weather (please don't tell my friends over here).
So - Keen Newport H2 (webbing, not leather). They do them in 'men' and 'women' styles but the 'women' styles are just pink I think.
View attachment 103603
Not a problem that is completely avoided by wearing boots or shoes. I remember seeing a peregrina sitting by the side of the trail dumping small pebbles out if her boots!Only issue for me is if a small stone or twig gets into the sandal I have to stop and dig it out.
Wow, lots to read through under the "foot wear & care" tag! Will do some digging there. Haha, you're absolutely right, "don't agonize over whether you might need lightweight shoes one day, waterproof boots the next, or extra grippy soles the following" is exactly what I needed to hear. Also, very useful to learn that the idea of ankle support is dubious. The more I read, the more it sounds like full-on hiking boots are a bit overkill, but won't rule anything out just yet. "Comfort and fit - for your foot - are everything" - I will take this with me on my searchThe forum has hundreds (maybe thousands) of threads on the forum where people describe their shoe experiences - just click on the tag "foot wear & care" and start reading. Testimonials on those specific models are not likely to be helpful.
No single type of foot wear will be perfect for all conditions, so don't agonize over whether you might need lightweight shoes one day, waterproof boots the next, or extra grippy soles the following, or different sizes for different socks. Find the most comfortable shoe/boot/sandal you can, in a size that is on the roomy side. Test it with a brisk 30-minute walk indoors in a mall so you can return it if ANY discomfort appears. Then start walking, working up to 20 km or so. You might need to experiment with socks as well. Boots are not needed for the Pyrenees or for anywhere else, really, and the whole idea of ankle support is dubious. Waterproof shoes or boots might be too hot in summer. Don't shop for brand; just shop for comfort and fit. Once you find your shoe/boot/sandal, if you are walking a lot, you might need to get a new pair before next summer, so you will have a second chance to get it right (or wrong).
I repeat: Comfort and fit - for your foot - are everything.
Got it, fit over style/brand is what I've been hearing. As of your post, I'm leaning towards trail runners - I'm thinking of walking in June so don't want to end up with extra hot, extra heavy feet for no reasonWhoa........
That's got to be the #1 question and perhaps the toughest decision to make regarding gear.
Take all the tips, advice, recommendations, weight it all up, and make your choice based on what feels right for you.
My first 3 Caminos I wore lightweight boots. Loved them.
But I don't need the added weight on my feet!
Next Camino I'm using trail runners.
Which ones?
Not sure yet.
I'm trialling two different ones and both are good in different ways.
The 'fit' is probably more important than the style/brand.
Hi there. Obviously I am a man and so cannot comment with authority on women's shoes. However the male version of the Columbia Redmond III has got me through 5 Caminos without any foot pain and ZERO blisters. Here's a link to the female version. Buen Camino. https://www.columbiasportswear.es/E...r-1940631.html?dwvar_1940631_color=033&pos=15Hey all! Very happy to have found this forum
I'm planning on doing my first Camino next summer, but am in need of a new pair of hiking shoes so am starting to think ahead about which brands & styles I might want to try out. I'd love to hear about some of the footwear that all of you experienced Caminoers have relied on (or learned to avoid!) in the past. I do get it! I've read enough "footwear" posts online to understand that that there is no one right answer & that everyone has their own, unique experience - I'd still very much appreciate any advice that you all have to share based on your own past Caminos
Are there any brands that have a particularly good combo of support and breathability? Are boots really more likely to cause blisters? I'm leaning towards a pair of hiking boots because of the extra ankle support they'll provide over the Pyrenees, but am still open to a hiking shoe or trail runner.
Here are some styles that I'm considering:
Keen
Women's Targee Vent Mid
Women's Targee 2
Women's Voyageur
Merrell
Women's Moab 2 Mid Waterproof
Here it is on the US site alsoHere's a link to the female version.
I use several brands and types. Since they are less expensive and less difficult to fit, I can test them for different conditions, and I can take 3 different pairs on the camino. I use a fairly thin synthetic running sock for camino days. I have light merino ones for evenings, but they are too soft and sometimes cause blisters on the bottom on MY feet on long hot walks. (I wear merino for everyday socks at home, and for walks in the rain.) I have some quarter-height to reduce my hiker's rash in summer, and some crew height for more warmth.Oh, and as for socks, I've seen recommendations for the "moisture wicking" or "Merino wool" type - are they really all they're hyped up to be? What do you use?
Chaco sandals for me.I'm not saying that sandals are right for everyone, just pointing out that the Pyrenees are not anything to be scared of, and no special footwear is necessary for this part of the Camino.
Lots of people like trail running shoes from Altra, Hoka, Saucony, etc. I wore New Balance trail runners for my first two Caminos before switching to hiking sandals. There are lots of good brands like Teva, Chacos, Keen, Ecco, etc. Merrell sandals have worked for me because they fit my long narrow feet.
I wore Merrill Moab ventilator boots the first time and a Hoka trail shoes the second. Trained in both. Loved both.Hey all! Very happy to have found this forum
I'm planning on doing my first Camino next summer, but am in need of a new pair of hiking shoes so am starting to think ahead about which brands & styles I might want to try out. I'd love to hear about some of the footwear that all of you experienced Caminoers have relied on (or learned to avoid!) in the past. I do get it! I've read enough "footwear" posts online to understand that that there is no one right answer & that everyone has their own, unique experience - I'd still very much appreciate any advice that you all have to share based on your own past Caminos
Are there any brands that have a particularly good combo of support and breathability? Are boots really more likely to cause blisters? I'm leaning towards a pair of hiking boots because of the extra ankle support they'll provide over the Pyrenees, but am still open to a hiking shoe or trail runner.
Here are some styles that I'm considering:
Keen
Women's Targee Vent Mid
Women's Targee 2
Women's Voyageur
Merrell
Women's Moab 2 Mid Waterproof
The same in EuropeOne issue with trail runners is that veteran long distance hikers in the USA agree that trail runners need to be replaced every 400 miles due to the cushioning and fabric wearing out.
The same in EuropeCF was OK with one pair, but on VdlP they started to disintegrate soon after Zamora So, a good quality hiking shoe, like Merell Moab would be more appropriate then. Btw it has a Vibram sole as well
I used to wear boots but never ever again. Much of the CF is on paved paths or tarmac and the rest is on pretty decent paths. I use a pair of Adidas supernovas. They’re an ordinary ‘running’ shoe with loads of decent padding and coupled with a sorbothane insole it’s like walking on marshmallows - perfect for the CF. They’re light, incredibly comfortable and when coupled with 1,000 mile socks (double layered) there’s not a blister in sight. I’ve also used them on the Primitivo and on the Portuguese central route. Many pilgrims complain about the cobbles on the Portuguese. To be honest, I didn’t notice that there were cobbles. I’ve used both gore-tex and non gore-tex versions. The gore-tex version is heavier and more robust but unless you’re walking in winter the non gore-tex version is a better bet. My wife also wore boots originally but now uses Altra paradigm trainers. They have a large toe box, zero drop which might cause problems for some walkers but they’ve proved perfect for her for the CF, Primitivo and Portuguese.Hey all! Very happy to have found this forum
I'm planning on doing my first Camino next summer, but am in need of a new pair of hiking shoes so am starting to think ahead about which brands & styles I might want to try out. I'd love to hear about some of the footwear that all of you experienced Caminoers have relied on (or learned to avoid!) in the past. I do get it! I've read enough "footwear" posts online to understand that that there is no one right answer & that everyone has their own, unique experience - I'd still very much appreciate any advice that you all have to share based on your own past Caminos
Are there any brands that have a particularly good combo of support and breathability? Are boots really more likely to cause blisters? I'm leaning towards a pair of hiking boots because of the extra ankle support they'll provide over the Pyrenees, but am still open to a hiking shoe or trail runner.
Here are some styles that I'm considering:
Keen
Women's Targee Vent Mid
Women's Targee 2
Women's Voyageur
Merrell
Women's Moab 2 Mid Waterproof
This is an interesting choice. One issue with trail runners is that veteran long distance hikers in the USA agree that trail runners need to be replaced every 400 miles due to the cushioning and fabric wearing out.
I know I sound like a sales rep, and I don't mean to say that sandals are for everybody. Of course they aren't! But my Chaco sandals have a Vibram sole and lasted two Caminos. Then I sent them back to Chaco to be re-soled and they are like new again.
I swear by Hoka One One Speedgoat 2 trail runners. Walked 600 miles (Le Puy to SJPP with loads of evening walking also and an after tour at the coast). Was like walking on marshmallows. Not a blister or hot spot the entire time. They are well worth the investment. Buen Camino!Are there any brands that have a particularly good combo of support and breathability? Are boots really more likely to cause blisters? I'm leaning towards a pair of hiking boots because of the extra ankle support they'll provide over the Pyrenees, but am still open to a hiking shoe or trail runner.
Haha! I find the results a little dubious. I have a wide foot - I've always known that, and my selection of comfortable shoes is somewhat limited. However, my feet are not ridiculously wide, and I have always eventually found comfy walking shoes without special order. That shoe chart suggests a size 7, EEE width for me. Forget that! If I looked for 7 or 7.5 EEE in a women's shoe, I would be limited to special orthopedic models! If I needed them, I would get them, but in fact, I can usually find a size 7.5 wide (E) that works well - I'm currently wearing Brooks Ghost 13 in 7.5.This link is to a foot measurement guide, leading to your proper width - a good start!
Actually, I found some other descents trickier than the Pyrenees! Steep descents with round rolling rocks in ravines, for example. I wore boots. I'll wear boots this fall, too. Mine were WP & are again. In 2019, I wore Oboz Bridgers - this time LaSportiva. I'm loving the Sportivas! However, I'm in my 70s and perhaps feel the need for more stability. I walked Sept 7 - Oct 15 from SJPP. Early days were hot & those rocks hold the heat. Removed boots and socks midday, aired the feet, put on a fresh pair of socks & loosened my laces. Put Omnifix tape on my feet each morning in places where I saw other people getting blisters. I had no blisters or hotspots for the entire trek. Oh. I sized up a whole size, but with the Sportivas, I've only needed to size up 1/2 size.Hey all! Very happy to have found this forum
I'm planning on doing my first Camino next summer, but am in need of a new pair of hiking shoes so am starting to think ahead about which brands & styles I might want to try out. I'd love to hear about some of the footwear that all of you experienced Caminoers have relied on (or learned to avoid!) in the past. I do get it! I've read enough "footwear" posts online to understand that that there is no one right answer & that everyone has their own, unique experience - I'd still very much appreciate any advice that you all have to share based on your own past Caminos
Are there any brands that have a particularly good combo of support and breathability? Are boots really more likely to cause blisters? I'm leaning towards a pair of hiking boots because of the extra ankle support they'll provide over the Pyrenees, but am still open to a hiking shoe or trail runner.
Here are some styles that I'm considering:
Keen
Women's Targee Vent Mid
Women's Targee 2
Women's Voyageur
Merrell
Women's Moab 2 Mid Waterproof
Exactly! Hokas are very good in this "marshmallows"business. But be aware there is a price to pay for this: loss of feedback from uneven surface, required for correct feet placement. I love to run in my Hoka Mafate on smooth asphalt, but hate this degree of cushioning on technical trail.I swear by Hoka One One Speedgoat 2 trail runners. Walked 600 miles (Le Puy to SJPP with loads of evening walking also and an after tour at the coast). Was like walking on marshmallows. Not a blister or hot spot the entire time. They are well worth the investment. Buen Camino!
Wow, David, what a detailed response! Thank you for taking the time to write all of that up. This goes for all of the responses I've received so far, but what a great community this is - so many kind, thoughtful repliesI like this question as it isn't "which is best" but "which do you wear" - excellent!
In my opinion, unless you prefer boots, you do not need boots except in mid winter (mind you, heavy rain in Rioja and that glutinous red mud might change my mind!!!). They are too enclosed, too heavy, users too prone to blisters. In recent times there has been a big move towards trail runners and trekking sandals - and those people don't go back to boots.
I do first aid for pilgrims, have done so since 2006, and not once have I treated blisters or foot damage for any pilgrim wearing trekking sandals, and very very few wearing trail runners (usually those were either a really cheap rubbish copy of a brand or too small).
Now, I have wide feet - clowns laugh - and there are no trail runners wide enough for me, and I also don't like my feet being strapped in, so I wear hiking sandals.
Mine are the Keen Newport H2. They come in leather or webbing. I would say do not use the leather ones, they are too stiff, I find the webbing ones much more comfortable. No blisters, no over-heating. They are wide at the toe box and have a superbly shaped foot-bed support.
I am wearing them now! They are the only footwear I have ever worn that five minutes after putting them on I am not aware that I am wearing them - they are that comfortable. Great traction sole. Maybe not the prettiest shoe in the world with that big bumper on the front and very occasionally you do have to stop to remove a stone that has somehow flipped in from the rear - but I love them.
In England it is an utter NO to wear socks with sandals but on Camino I will wear socks with them in very cold weather (please don't tell my friends over here).
So - Keen Newport H2 (webbing, not leather). They do them in 'men' and 'women' styles but the 'women' styles are just pink I think.
View attachment 103603
Wow, David, what a detailed response! Thank you for taking the time to write all of that up. This goes for all of the responses I've received so far, but what a great community this is - so many kind, thoughtful replies
After reading trecile's reply, that pair of Keens was the first I looked at. Used to have a pair and remember them being both comfy and sturdy. Maybe not the prettiest, but if they do the job and and keep the blisters away, that's all that matters to me! Hearing about your experience doing first aid for pilgrims (plus the fact that you're wearing your sandals now!) has just about sold me on the trail runners/sandals over boots argument.
Haha, sandals with socks?! Sounds like the perfect combo to meIs there a certain brand/material that you swear by? I mentioned this in response to an earlier comment, but some people swear by merino wool/moisture wicking socks. Do they make much difference?
No worries, it is hard only in beginning ... after buying the 7th-8th pair of "camino footwear" the things usually get much simplerOh dear, I am wondering if Emily is managing to boil down all the answers so far!!
Haha, and here I was hoping for 3-5 replies at most. Really, I can't thank everyone enough for taking the time to write such detailed, thoughtful responses.Oh dear, I am wondering if Emily is managing to boil down all the answers so far!!
But we are all trying to tell you that "hearing about" counts for almost nothing. You must put them on your feet and walk.Hearing about... has just about sold me on the trail runners/sandals over boots argument.
We really appreciate it when the OP does respond to the discussion, rather than just posting a question and then disappearing. But it isn't necessary (or possible) to reply individually to every contributor! Your active participation, and a fewI'm doing my best to take notes and write back to each one, but have only just made it to #7Hoping get to the #50+ replies before I start my Camino next summer!
Socks and sandals is the height of Camino chic!Haha, sandals with socks?! Sounds like the perfect combo to meIs there a certain brand/material that you swear by? I mentioned this in response to an earlier comment, but some people swear by merino wool/moisture wicking socks. Do they make much difference?
You're right! I should have said, "sold me on giving them a try"But we are all trying to tell you that "hearing about" counts for almost nothing. You must put them on your feet and walk.
We really appreciate it when the OP does respond to the discussion, rather than just posting a question and then disappearing. But it isn't necessary (or possible) to reply individually to every contributor! Your active participation, and a fewor responses are what counts.
No worries about getting back to each one. If you did that the thread would double in length! And since we tend to be an opinionated lot (at least as far as gear goes) it's likely to get rather long anyway.I'm doing my best to take notes and write back to each one, but have only just made it to #7Hoping get to the #50+ replies before I start my Camino next summer!
Emily,Hey all! Very happy to have found this forum
I'm planning on doing my first Camino next summer, but am in need of a new pair of hiking shoes so am starting to think ahead about which brands & styles I might want to try out. I'd love to hear about some of the footwear that all of you experienced Caminoers have relied on (or learned to avoid!) in the past. I do get it! I've read enough "footwear" posts online to understand that that there is no one right answer & that everyone has their own, unique experience - I'd still very much appreciate any advice that you all have to share based on your own past Caminos
Are there any brands that have a particularly good combo of support and breathability? Are boots really more likely to cause blisters? I'm leaning towards a pair of hiking boots because of the extra ankle support they'll provide over the Pyrenees, but am still open to a hiking shoe or trail runner.
Here are some styles that I'm considering:
Keen
Women's Targee Vent Mid
Women's Targee 2
Women's Voyageur
Merrell
Women's Moab 2 Mid Waterproof
Yes, these have been my long time favorite. Did GR20 and Fjällräven Classic in them, but wouldn’t dare to wear on Camino though.… In my case, I walked in 2015 and I walked in Salomon 4D Quest light hiking boots
That is a great little video. The Camino Frances in a nutshell. Shows the variety of packs, footwear, clothing etc carried and worn by pilgrims. Shows the terrain, surfaces of the route and the variety of villages, cities and towns. All a prospective pilgrim would have to do is watch that and it answers 99% of the questions. So do the guidebooks, but videos put it a bit more dimensional.You don't need anything extra for the Pyrenees. It's not mountaineering! It's basically walking uphill on either a paved road or a dirt path. There are other places on the Camino that have more difficult terrain than the Pyrenees, but IMO none that require boots. Personally, I like to wear hiking sandals on all parts of the Camino.
Check out the first couple of minutes of this video to see how "difficult" the Pyrenees are.
I agree and can see that happening. The shoes I’m referring to are light, low and feel like you’re wearing slippers !Hanwag, Vibram are great, but... on my first CF in Najera I met a pilger with completely ruined feet walking 30+ km so far in Hanwag mountaineering boots.. too stiff, too hot for June in Spain. He had to switch to the Crocs and cut daily distances.
btw he had bought the boots following salespersons advice, so be careful and explain where exactly, when and how long distances you plan to walk.
Great video Trecile, thanks for sharing.You don't need anything extra for the Pyrenees. It's not mountaineering! It's basically walking uphill on either a paved road or a dirt path. There are other places on the Camino that have more difficult terrain than the Pyrenees, but IMO none that require boots. Personally, I like to wear hiking sandals on all parts of the Camino.
Check out the first couple of minutes of this video to see how "difficult" the Pyrenees are.
I like it for those reasons, plus I think that it shows the part of the Camino that's difficult to convey in still photos, which is the camaraderie than once experiences on the CaminoThat is a great little video. The Camino Frances in a nutshell. Shows the variety of packs, footwear, clothing etc carried and worn by pilgrims. Shows the terrain, surfaces of the route and the variety of villages, cities and towns. All a prospective pilgrim would have to do is watch that and it answers 99% of the questions. So do the guidebooks, but videos put it a bit more dimensional.
As everyone can see it is hardly a true backpacking trip or hike, and not austere at all.
I cannot disagree with your personal assessment and preference. There have been a few models of 'plush' cushioned trail running and street running shoes from a few manufacturers, other than Hoka One One, that I've been contracted to do QA testing and have similar concerns to those you listed.Exactly! Hokas are very good in this "marshmallows"business. But be aware there is a price to pay for this: loss of feedback from uneven surface, required for correct feet placement. I love to run in my Hoka Mafate on smooth asphalt, but hate this degree of cushioning on technical trail.
After I did the CF, I decided I would just tell people to google the best sneakers that marathon runners use and then go try them on and decide. And buy 1/2 to a full size larger to account for your feet getting "longer". I used a low cut, trail runner from Merrell and it worked but I didn't need the waterproof feature or the aggressive tread. A running shoe for marathons has the support. light weight, and longevity designed in so it works on a camino. My shoes had holes when I was finished at the crease where the toe box folds over and over while walking. Although, all shoes take a beating, Merrell footwear is no longer my go to choice anymore.
I have those keens. Love them. But on long walks my pinky toe hits one of the straps at just the right angle to cause a blister. I like running shoes. brooks glycerin. I walk about 4 miles a day to work in Colorado. I did Camino Frances from sarria in 2019. No blisters with running shoes. It rained constantly when I went. Nothing was going to stay dry. My son had lighter less padded running shoes and they dried so quick. I walked with people who had boots that were “waterproof”. And they never dried out once they soaked through. I’m heading to Spain with my daughter on Friday the 13th. August. I’ll probably bring a light pair of shoes and walk in the padded ones. I walked into a pharmacy in one of the towns on CF and the pharmacists very annoyed walked around the counter and looked at my feet. Fortunately I had put newspaper in my other running shoes to dry and was out on the town with my light weight shoes that were clean. The Keens mentioned are not particularly light weight to carry so mine will stay home.I like this question as it isn't "which is best" but "which do you wear" - excellent!
In my opinion, unless you prefer boots, you do not need boots except in mid winter (mind you, heavy rain in Rioja and that glutinous red mud might change my mind!!!). They are too enclosed, too heavy, users too prone to blisters. In recent times there has been a big move towards trail runners and trekking sandals - and those people don't go back to boots.
I do first aid for pilgrims, have done so since 2006, and not once have I treated blisters or foot damage for any pilgrim wearing trekking sandals, and very very few wearing trail runners (usually those were either a really cheap rubbish copy of a brand or too small).
Now, I have wide feet - clowns laugh - and there are no trail runners wide enough for me, and I also don't like my feet being strapped in, so I wear hiking sandals.
Mine are the Keen Newport H2. They come in leather or webbing. I would say do not use the leather ones, they are too stiff, I find the webbing ones much more comfortable. No blisters, no over-heating. They are wide at the toe box and have a superbly shaped foot-bed support.
I am wearing them now! They are the only footwear I have ever worn that five minutes after putting them on I am not aware that I am wearing them - they are that comfortable. Great traction sole. Maybe not the prettiest shoe in the world with that big bumper on the front and very occasionally you do have to stop to remove a stone that has somehow flipped in from the rear - but I love them.
In England it is an utter NO to wear socks with sandals but on Camino I will wear socks with them in very cold weather (please don't tell my friends over here).
So - Keen Newport H2 (webbing, not leather). They do them in 'men' and 'women' styles but the 'women' styles are just pink I think.
View attachment 103603
Dave, you fill a special niche on the forum related to all types of gear and clothing with your expert advise from years of backpacking, and reviewing new products for manufacturers.
We are fortunate to have your input literally at our fingertips...just saying.
I like this question as it isn't "which is best" but "which do you wear" - excellent!
I have those keens. Love them. But on long walks my pinky toe hits one of the straps at just the right angle to cause a blister. I like running shoes. brooks glycerin. I walk about 4 miles a day to work in Colorado. I did Camino Frances from sarria in 2019. No blisters with running shoes. It rained constantly when I went. Nothing was going to stay dry. My son had lighter less padded running shoes and they dried so quick. I walked with people who had boots that were “waterproof”. And they never dried out once they soaked through. I’m heading to Spain with my daughter on Friday the 13th. August. I’ll probably bring a light pair of shoes and walk in the padded ones. I walked into a pharmacy in one of the towns on CF and the pharmacists very annoyed walked around the counter and looked at my feet. Fortunately I had put newspaper in my other running shoes to dry and was out on the town with my light weight shoes that were clean. The Keens mentioned are not particularly light weight to carry so mine will stay home.
Altras are very good , no need for boots unless you prefer them.Hey all! Very happy to have found this forum
I'm planning on doing my first Camino next summer, but am in need of a new pair of hiking shoes so am starting to think ahead about which brands & styles I might want to try out. I'd love to hear about some of the footwear that all of you experienced Caminoers have relied on (or learned to avoid!) in the past. I do get it! I've read enough "footwear" posts online to understand that that there is no one right answer & that everyone has their own, unique experience - I'd still very much appreciate any advice that you all have to share based on your own past Caminos
Are there any brands that have a particularly good combo of support and breathability? Are boots really more likely to cause blisters? I'm leaning towards a pair of hiking boots because of the extra ankle support they'll provide over the Pyrenees, but am still open to a hiking shoe or trail runner.
Here are some styles that I'm considering:
Keen
Women's Targee Vent Mid
Women's Targee 2
Women's Voyageur
Merrell
Women's Moab 2 Mid Waterproof
Dave, I am enjoying reading all of your replies on this thread.I do not carry other footwear,
Dave, I am enjoying reading all of your replies on this thread.
Do you then not carry a pair of lightweight shower/evening sandals to give your feet a "change" or a rest after walking all day?
BTW, I have a few new suggestion "take aways" for wet weather walking I have not known about!
That would be one heavy load! One of @David's trailers would be needed for sure.Emily,
after reading these few hundred responses, I think you should get a trailer or wagon so you can transport all the different sets of shoes, boots, sneakers, sandals, flipflops, socks, pads, plasters, stickers, foot measuring devices and creams recommended here ;-) Then you can try each combination of these on the way!
In England it is an utter NO to wear socks with sandals but on Camino I will wear socks with them in very cold weather (please don't tell my friends over here).
I Ioved this because I also wear socks in Oxford! A few years ago, our (then eight year old) grand-daughter came home from school one cold day, wearing socks with sandals. When her parents “spoke to her about it” in the evening she replied that Gramma wears socks with sandals and she said it was ok.
Oh, and as for socks, I've seen recommendations for the "moisture wicking" or "Merino wool" type - are they really all they're hyped up to be? What do you use?
This is one of those oft-quoted fashion rules that might just show you are farther out of fashion than you realize. By the time the oldies are talking about such a rule and stop wearing socks with sandals, it is likely that more fashion-forward trend-setters will have started the same practice. But probably with different style of socks than you used to wear. That is how fashion works!In England it is an utter NO to wear socks with sandals
You missed the 1980’s trend of high pumps with bobby-socks.But they all look so stupid!!
(a) The fact of their wearing socks has nothing to do with that. Their socks look fine.But they all look so stupid!!
Maybe, but look at the clothes they are wearing them with.Well, Vogue Magazine has declared that socks and sandals are a trend.
Why We’re Reconsidering the Socks and Sandals Trend
Go on and give them a try this summer.www.vogue.com
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Except for the pink taffeta, I would love to wear any of those… and I’d love to see Betsy Johnson, aged 78 now (?) wearing the taffeta. Indeed, at one point I had a brown linen dress not dissimilar to the one here… Mine was chocolate linen with a bias cut ankle-length hem and three diagonal stripes of cream, peach and tangerine silk about 3 inches wide at the shoulder, and about half the widt of the skirt front panel at the bottom. Bought it in Paris in 2003…. It brought me great joy to wear it… and then my Spouse told me I looked stupid in it in North America. So I made a point of spending more time in Paris, Dublin, Rome and Barcelona.Maybe, but look at the clothes they are wearing them with.
My fave was dress #1 on the left, but not with those socks and shoes.It brought me great joy to wear it… and then my Spouse told me I looked stupid in it in North America. So I made a point of spending more time in Paris, Dublin, Rome and Barcelona
Sometimes he was… but I have the luxury and demand of sabbaticals with fieldwork and conferences that his work does not. I lived in the Cité Universitaire in Paris for several months, and then in Dun Laoghaire for half a year with frequent trips back to UCD for ongoing stuff… And I spent half a year in different EU cities (But Barcelona was my favourite) working with colleagues on a book…. The brown dress (which I wore to a dinner with Francis Lai, his wife, and daughter at which he taught me to eat a proper Nicoise with fat fat fat grilled sardines) got a lot of mileage. I wore it on a rooftop in Amsterdam to celebrate the doctoral defence for a student I was the external examiner for at Utrecht… Spouse and I did drink cava on a rooftop at midnight in Barcelona with friends from New Zealand, and I wore it to dinner at a restaurant called “Marmelade” down near the new port.My fave was dress #1 on the left, but not with those socks and shoes.
If a clothing item brings you great joy to wear that is all that matters. I hope hubby was able to join you on your other travels.
Totally agree David. But the models are being paid to look that way. As for the designers, then the thought of the Emperors new clothes springs to mind.But they all look so stupid!!
David, in case you might be interested in revisiting the trail runner option, I too have very wide feet, and I have found two brands of trail runners that fit after trying on more pairs than I like to remember at this point LOL.I like this question as it isn't "which is best" but "which do you wear" - excellent!
In my opinion, unless you prefer boots, you do not need boots except in mid winter (mind you, heavy rain in Rioja and that glutinous red mud might change my mind!!!). They are too enclosed, too heavy, users too prone to blisters. In recent times there has been a big move towards trail runners and trekking sandals - and those people don't go back to boots.
I do first aid for pilgrims, have done so since 2006, and not once have I treated blisters or foot damage for any pilgrim wearing trekking sandals, and very very few wearing trail runners (usually those were either a really cheap rubbish copy of a brand or too small).
Now, I have wide feet - clowns laugh - and there are no trail runners wide enough for me, and I also don't like my feet being strapped in, so I wear hiking sandals.
Mine are the Keen Newport H2. They come in leather or webbing. I would say do not use the leather ones, they are too stiff, I find the webbing ones much more comfortable. No blisters, no over-heating. They are wide at the toe box and have a superbly shaped foot-bed support.
I am wearing them now! They are the only footwear I have ever worn that five minutes after putting them on I am not aware that I am wearing them - they are that comfortable. Great traction sole. Maybe not the prettiest shoe in the world with that big bumper on the front and very occasionally you do have to stop to remove a stone that has somehow flipped in from the rear - but I love them.
In England it is an utter NO to wear socks with sandals but on Camino I will wear socks with them in very cold weather (please don't tell my friends over here).
So - Keen Newport H2 (webbing, not leather). They do them in 'men' and 'women' styles but the 'women' styles are just pink I think.
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Thanks Deborah - will definitely look at those, but I am a 7E to 8E width - really wide!!David, in case you might be interested in revisiting the trail runner option, I too have very wide feet, and I have found two brands of trail runners that fit after trying on more pairs than I like to remember at this point LOL.
One is that Altra Lone Peak 5's come in Wide here in the U.S., and I believe that I've read they will be in the U.K. in July and elsewhere in Europe in August. Not only are they very room in the toe box to begin with, but the material is reasonably flexible at the widest point which makes them extra roomy.
The other brand is New Balance Fresh Foam Trail v1 that comes in a 4E width. Though Hoka's come in "extra wide," I and many reviewers on the zappos.com website feel that this is not a "true" extra wide (puts my feet to sleep!)
Thanks for the recommendation on the Keen Newport H2. I'm just about to start trying on trekking sandals, and your advice will be very helpful.
Merci! Thank your for showing your video. It brought back a lot of memories from my first Camino in 2006! Also that camaraderie that could such a gift, in so many ways!You don't need anything extra for the Pyrenees. It's not mountaineering! It's basically walking uphill on either a paved road or a dirt path. There are other places on the Camino that have more difficult terrain than the Pyrenees, but IMO none that require boots. Personally, I like to wear hiking sandals on all parts of the Camino.
Check out the first couple of minutes of this video to see how "difficult" the Pyrenees are.
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