Worried about my shoes... HELP!!

[Camino2014]

Hey all,

So I bought the Oboz Yellowstone II hiking boots/shoes about two months ago and I've been reading a lot about them. Bad part is, most of the stuff I'm reading is scaring me.

For hiking the Appalachian Trail, they're perfect, say most of the reviews. But the Camino in not the AT.
Also, I spent quite a bit of money on these and DON'T want to have to ditch them in the trash bin! (I can't get a refund, it's a bit too late...)

Take a look:
http://www.rei.com/product/797625/oboz-yellowstone-ii-hiking-boots-mens

This will be my first Camino and I don't want to have to finish it early because of blister problems. To all former/current pilgrims: What do you think about my shoes? Will they be just fine? Or do I have to buy different ones?
Thanks!

 

[MendiWalker]

Hi Camino2014

If you want to avoid blisters as you say just take care of your feet.

Tape those hotspots. Put 2 or 3 pieces of tape one on top of another every morning BEFORE problems appear.

Also use vaseline every morning on your feet .

If blisters do appear then use Compeed. Wash and dry your blistered foot. Heat the Compeed by holding it in your hands
for some time. Then apply it. Never remove it. It will fall off after some time when your skin regenerates again.

Buen Camino!

 

[Caplen]

No stress - in a general sense, those look like perfectly suitable boots! Mid-cut, waterproof, stable.....

The question is only if they are right for you. If they are a good, comfortable fit for you, and if they offer the walking experience that works for your feet. And make sure you find the right sock or sock combo that helps prevent blisters

Personally, I like a light-weight, mid-cut boot like that - but I prefer mine to not be waterproof. With vaseline and a 1000-mile sock, I'm a happy hiker. But everyone is different.

Realize though that REI has a an awesome, liberal return policy. It is not actually too late to return the boots if you feel they aren't right for you.

 

[jstorybook]

If you aren't having any issues with the boots then don't worry about the especially if you have broken them it--though most boots don't need much break-in time. You should be able to tell how the fit by if your foot slides around and your heel does not stay in the heel cup. If you have either of these issues I would say they don't fit right . The other thing to watch out for is your toes hitting the end of the boot which means you need a bigger boot

 

[MendiWalker]

Or clip those toe nails.

Buen Camino!

 

[Wanderer64]

I obsessed over the issue of shoes prior to walking my Camino. I tried numerous different types of shoes, thanks to the great "rock solid" return policy at MEC here in Canada. At the end of the day it was my 4-year-old worn down pair of Vasque light hikers that got me through most of my Camino. I also had a new pair of low cut Patagonia Drifter shoes. My feet really appreciated not being confined to a single shoe type. But every foot is different. I envy the people who seem to be able to walk 800km in sandals or Nike running shoes.

What I learned in the process is that shoes are a very personal thing, so don't put much weight on reviews. Find a shoe that feels really good, one with good support in the sole, and go with it. If it turns out to be a bad shoe during your Camino, you have good options to get new shoes in the bigger cities and towns along the Camino. I met a few pilgrims along the way who had shoe trouble and purchased new ones, which solved their shoe problems. What you don't want to do is stay in shoes that are hurting your feet. Unfortunately you don't know the true fit of a long distance shoe until you've walked in them for a hundred KM or so. If you have hikers already that are already worn down a bit but fit great, I would bring those and consider a backup pair.

The Oboz Yellowstones look like a great shoe for the Camino. If they feel good, I'd stick with them.

 

[Terrri]

Not sure why you are concerned about your choice of boots.

I was also concerned about blisters and opted to wear my broken in comfortable boots so I could avoid blisters. Well, I avoided blisters but ended up with a bad case of plantar fasciitis instead because I guess they were too broken in. If these are the same boots you plan to wear on the camino I would at least suggest you get a new pair to break in prior to starting the camino.

Because of the constant rain we had for the first week I did start to get a very slight blister on one of my toes. The compeed band aid didn't work for me but I discovered compeed stick (kind of like a glue stick/deodorant stick) that I just rubbed on my toe in the morning and it seemed to stick my sock down so no rubbing occurred and neither did any blisters. I did meet a young guy with infected blisters who also had to end his camino so there are many foot problems that can arise.

 

[whariwharangi]

Those boots are too light to hike the AT. They won't give enough support when carrying a full pack.

They look perfect for the camino.

The main issue is whether they fit or not. If they give you any rubbing or pressure points on a two hour walk get something else.

 

[Stephen Nicholls]

If they're OK for the AT, and feel comfortable after, say, 15 kms, they'll be fine for the camino.
You can get blisters whatever footwear you use.
Just relax, stop worrying, and enjoy the camino!

 

[zammy]

The shoes look fine to me- as long as they are at least one size bigger then usuall and that you wear professional socks like Bridgedale, meaning syntetiqe socks.
Blisters- beside the above- when you walk be very attentive to any hot spot or itch that you feel, if so stop right there, put an addhesive tape along the place of the itch, change socks.
Every rest- for more then 10 minutes- take your shoes of, even your socks if possible and get them air dry.

 

[indyrem]

I obsessed over the issue of shoes prior to walking my Camino. I tried numerous different types of shoes, thanks to the great "rock solid" return policy at MEC here in Canada. At the end of the day it was my 4-year-old worn down pair of Vasque light hikers that got me through most of my Camino. I also had a new pair of low cut Patagonia Drifter shoes. My feet really appreciated not being confined to a single shoe type. But every foot is different. I envy the people who seem to be able to walk 800km in sandals or Nike running shoes.

What I learned in the process is that shoes are a very personal thing, so don't put much weight on reviews. Find a shoe that feels really good, one with good support in the sole, and go with it. If it turns out to be a bad shoe during your Camino, you have good options to get new shoes in the bigger cities and towns along the Camino. I met a few pilgrims along the way who had shoe trouble and purchased new ones, which solved their shoe problems. What you don't want to do is stay in shoes that are hurting your feet. Unfortunately you don't know the true fit of a long distance shoe until you've walked in them for a hundred KM or so. If you have hikers already that are already worn down a bit but fit great, I would bring those and consider a backup pair.

The Oboz Yellowstones look like a great shoe for the Camino. If they feel good, I'd stick with them.

I walked with Keen shoes similar to yours from SJPP (broke them in before my trip) only had a tiny blister on my middle toe which did not get worse since I wrapped it with tape right away. It was healed the next day. My shoes were well broken in, have wide toe box, one size bigger, alternated smart wool socks with wright socks , did not have to use the liners I brought ( got too tight with them) changed socks at least once a day, adjusted the way I tied my shoelaces as needed, massaged my feet often, made sure I slather creme on my feet especially in between the toes ( I used Gene Vit E creme-gets absorbed by the skin fast so it does not feel greasy at all) In short I pampered my feet knowing that if my feet were fine, I will more likely than not, arrive in Santiago in good shape. And I made it!! You can too- if this 69 yr grandma made it, you will too. Relax, enjoy and Buen Camino -St James will guide you .
Remy from Indy

 

[hecate105]

Just wear them - wear them lots, get comfy in them. If they comfy - wear them on Camino. If not, buy other boots and wear in b4 Camino! Take 'animal wool' (sheeps wool) any hotspot - shove some in - then no blisters!

 

[Olivares]

I saw those a dime a dozen! and people seemed to be doing fine. I noticed they have ankle support (great!) and sturdy platform (great!). What feature worries you? Hiking shoes ought to be typically half-size larger that common use shoes because you want to be able to use the thicker hiking socks or have breathing room if you are using blister-prevention treatments.

I will tell you what worked for me and I never developed one blister (s0 far): I covered friction areas (bottom of toes; heel area) with band aids. Then, I coated the remainder of the foot with vaseline. Then, I wore the socks. You would think the feet would feel sticky or oily. Not at all. My feet always felt great withthe added benefit that they felt very soft at the end of the day.

 

[PEI_Heather]

Hi Camino2104! I bought and wore a really good pair of Keens for my Camino last year (SJPP/Santiago/Finisterre&Muxia). I got blisters from day one--turns out they were the perfect size for me but not for the Camino. (They should have been a size bigger...I thought that's what I bought, but I guess not.) This time, in about 4.5 weeks, when I walk the Portuguese Route, I'll wear my nicely broken-in Merrill hiking sandals and socks. I'll see how I do in those but at this time, during training/practice walks of up to 25km, so far so good. Every foot is different so your Oboz boots might be perfect for you. Only walking will tell.
My understanding of Compeed is that it's a preventative measure for blisters--you put it on before you get them. I used moleskin, which you can buy in the farmica's in Spain (though take a piece of moleskin with you as an example; easier than trying to explain). I also tried duct tape but I think that that, as a blister aid/preventative, is an old wives tale!
Have fun training and get ready! You are going to love the Camino!

 

[KWischow]

I have those shoes and they were great! Not too heavy, cool, yet warm enough...no blisters, not one. But I did take care of my feet, treated the hot spots and rested when I needed to. If you broke them in with no problems you should be good to go. I loved my shoes every step of the way. I hope they work for you, too.

 

[Thornley]

After many camino's i can only offer te following
Boots not needed
Keen or Merrell ok
Vaseline a must...........a must..just a light coat over feet before the day
If possible if feet hot, after a few hours ........change the bloody socks and have a coffee....forget the walkers with you................you must do this.
At the start ...please go slow , 15-18km...........the rest is easy

** If you start like an **old man you will finish as a young man
Was told this before we started on the 1600 km Le Puy camino, no blisters.........but that was after the original Camino the year before where our feet killed us

No advice from anyone who has not been on the path........can't train for it unfortunately
Stop often, change socks and go slow at the start..............toooooo simple

 

[KinkyOne]

Stop often, change socks and go slow at the start..............toooooo simple

Not only "tooooo simple", it's actually soooooooo simple

@Camino2014
You have great boots!!! Don't worry. And you also have enough time to break them in and then decide if they really fits your feet.

Ultreia!

 

[Cicely]

Hehe.. when im first read the forum thread title worried about my shoes......help! i for some reason thought of a pair of murderous pair of shoes. I for one dont really rely on shoes just what sort of insoles are in them.

yes tight fitting shoes and boots may cause problems but it is weather the shoes or boots have orthotic built and designed around your needs is what you need to be aware of.... It ever so complicated at the best of times so seeing a specialist helped me.

What reassured me was reading this article that explains everything you need to know about orthotics and running with insoles: the main benefits of orthotics