Worried about the boot size

[Gazell]

I would like to get the advise on the boot size. I've hiked quite a bit and boots will be my choice, but I've read that some people suggest 1-2 sizes in addition to the actual size. I've opted for boots with the added sole technology (http://www.yoursole.com), which to me would seem like if the shoe fits the foot, then they wont slide around in the shoe making it more stabile and better for the posture overall, i.e. also reduce the need for extra space, however, this does not solve the swelling of the feet though - I think...

I'm really worried about the size of the shoe, the ones I bought are only slightly larger than my foot, but feels like a perfect and comfortable fit even after walking everyday and out in nature, but they have not been challenged to a great walk like this and in this heat.

/Monika

 

[Tia Valeria]

Are you wearing your Camino walking socks? That was important for me. Also we are the '3 pairs of socks' folk, so can change the thickness of the layers if we wanted. In practise we never did, but we were walking in May and not extreme heat.
Our boots are 1 full size larger than our normal shoes, UK sizing, but some see that as 2 sizes bigger than normal because of the half-size in between. Boots don't always have half-sizes.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Do your feet swell? Mine do not, but some folks have that problem. If your feet have not swollen in the past, so not worry about it on the Camino. Wear the socks you will be wearing on the Camino when you fit your boots. If they are comfortable, do not buy boots smaller or larger. If you wear a silk or polypro liner sock with medium weight wool/wool blend outer sock, then if your feet swell, you can remove the liner sock.

The number on a boot is not a completely accurate indicator of its actual size, so keep that in mind when comparing between manufacturers. If you add after-market insoles, they may take up more space than the ones that come with the boot. I buy New Balance insoles for replacements, so they are always compatible with my New Balance boots. When I have put them in other boots, they do not work! Thicker insoles are usually more comfortable, but remember that they raise your foot and may cause your toes to rub the top inside of your boot. That will not be comfortable, and some have lost toenails to friction on their toes.

 

[Gazell]

Thank you so much for your replies, My worry was the front of the shoe, but the space inside is quite generous so to speak. I do wear really comfy socks bought for the Camino and have been testing them a lot already.

I will take your suggestions with me to the shop and buy the extra polypro liner sock as well.

Again thank you - 2 more weeks and then I'm off yay! :mrgreen:

 

[zzotte]

Are you wearing your Camino walking socks? That was important for me. Also we are the '3 pairs of socks' folk, so can change the thickness of the layers if we wanted. In practise we never did, but we were walking in May and not extreme heat.
Our boots are 1 full size larger than our normal shoes, UK sizing, but some see that as 2 sizes bigger than normal because of the half-size in between. Boots don't always have half-sizes.

I just like do add my 2c, how many of 2 sizes larger boots caminanantes were at the albergue with over size blisters? I'm not a bootmaker but some the sugestions in this forum about boot sizes are pretty funny here is one: buy a per of boots 2 sizes biger use four pairs of socks as your feet swells remove socks as needed

PS: Find a pair of boots the fits confortable, all leather inside (no artificial materials lining) forget about gortex and all the others, use a nice merino wool socks (buy your boots with the socks you are going to use) break in your boots over a month or so (about 30K a week) and you do fine (better then others) Bom Caminho.

 

[gregdedman]

I work in a shop selling hiking boots at present and have a few tips to share.
Get the assistant to measure your feet, with the camino socks on...and dont forget to stand up when on the foot measurer to spread your weight. Once you have the exact sizes, with socks on then look at boots.

Falcon makes some very good points about feet swelling, mine do and as he suggests, wearing two socks means you can take one off if things start to get cramped (although a quick dip in a river en route will take that swelling down nicely).
I always wear two pairs, simply to help prevent blisters..the fabrics rub against each other and not so much your skin.

When you find a pair of boots you like, try them on in all sizes around your actual size. If you are a UK 6, try the 5, 5.5, 6.5 and 7.
You will feel straight away the boots that are too small and then by elimination you can narrow your choices.
Then when you think you feel comfortable in a certain pair walk around the shop. If you feel a heel lift, that will be an issue. If you feel cramped in the toe box, this will be a problem.
To gain an idea of the exact room in the boot, stand up, tap your foot down on the floor like you are digging steps into snow and then feel around the heel area....too much more than one finger width is too much and will cause movement, friction and possibly blisters.
Then again jab down on your heel like you are digging your heels in and feel how roomy the boot is at the toes. All toes need to be able to wiggle freely.

Lastly, ask if the shop has a gradient ramp and walk up and down it as many times as you can, this will give you an idea of what the boots feel like up and down hills.

...And take your time in the shop, dont be rushed into a choice because the assistant says so.
Remember, waterproof is good, but these boots tend to lack ventilation so if its summer you are going, its probably not essential to have a waterproof boot but more important to allow your feet to ventilate.

Any more help, just ask

 

[KiwiNomad06]

I decided that of all my gear, it was most important to get the shoes/socks combo right for my feet, and I wanted to allow plenty of time to test them/wear them in. I have an especially long foot for a woman, so buying hiking shoes was not so easy, but I thought I had it all sussed. Then I wore my hiking shoes a few times, and I realised I needed a bigger size. They weren't cheap, but I bought a bigger pair. Even then I got the cobbler to stretch them around the toes. They ended up being 'just right'.
It was an expensive exercise, but I am glad I got the footwear right before I started. I guess I was lucky I could afford to buy another pair of shoes, and someone I know was glad to get the pair I realised were too small...
Margaret

 

[Corwen]

I think one size larger than your normal shoes is a good rule of thumb, they should be roomy without being so loose that your feet slip to the front when walking.

Its not just your feet swelling from heat and being pounded, though this happens, they also spread over time as you walk and they get flatter and wider which is a healthy response and happens even if they are cool and healthy. In the 1300 miles of our Camino my feet went up a whole shoe size between start to finish, and have stayed a half size bigger.

I am a big fan of sandals, as I've said elsewhere, carry less weight on your back so you have the leeway to carry both light boots and trekking sandals, you can wear them with or without socks, its great to have an alternative to boots and something to wear in the evening. Choose carefully and you can also use them in the shower.

 

[fraluchi]

When you find a pair of boots you like, try them on in all sizes around your actual size. If you are a UK 6, try the 5, 5.5, 6.5 and 7...

This advice plus the other "tricks of the trade" is priceless.
I have walked the 790 km Camino Francés from Roncesvalles to Santiago once with The North Face boots (size US 9 - UK 8 - EU 42) and once with Merrell boots (US 10 - UK 9,5 - EU 44). Each time comfortably and without a single problem.
My "normal" shoe size is EU 41.

 

[Gazell]

Well Dear friends,

I have realized that absolutely NOTHING can prepare you for the pain and agony, Jeuzus christ almighty. Meet feet hurt like &$%$·. My boots were larger, they were well walked in and I have used them for hikes. I had tried them with two pairs of socks and there was still space, I even went to a specialised store just to be sure and here I am day four and just sent off my boots plus a substantial amount of what turned out to be unsusful stuff to Santiago.

I am a small size 38 yet I have just bought a pair of 41 1/2 size trainiers .

I have more blisters on my feet than I can count and I pray, pray, pray that one of my tonails wont fall off. I´m trying to look at this all in a positive light thinking hey hell, atleast I haven´t thought about work and all those other -what now seems to be ridiculus- things that previously occupied my mind. One sort of pain relieves another :lol:

Saw another super short girl with HUGE trainiers too and I swear it looked like she was about to go skiing with those things.

Guess it depends on what time of the year and what type of feet you have, but everyone keeps telling me that the first 8 days are the hardest, so I shall think about day 9 until I reach it.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Ouch. Good luck transcending the pain. Blister pain is electrical impulses, which you might be able to ignore, but you can get an infection that is life threatening, so watch for it. Some pain you can ignore; some you may need to pay attention to. Part of the Camino is differentiating the two.

Buen Camino.

 

[zzotte]

Well Dear friends,

I have realized that absolutely NOTHING can prepare you for the pain and agony, Jeuzus christ almighty. Meet feet hurt like &$%$·. My boots were larger, they were well walked in and I have used them for hikes. I had tried them with two pairs of socks and there was still space, I even went to a specialised store just to be sure and here I am day four and just sent off my boots plus a substantial amount of what turned out to be unsusful stuff to Santiago.

I am a small size 38 yet I have just bought a pair of 41 1/2 size trainiers .

I have more blisters on my feet than I can count and I pray, pray, pray that one of my tonails wont fall off. I´m trying to look at this all in a positive light thinking hey hell, atleast I haven´t thought about work and all those other -what now seems to be ridiculus- things that previously occupied my mind. One sort of pain relieves another :lol:

Saw another super short girl with HUGE trainiers too and I swear it looked like she was about to go skiing with those things.

Guess it depends on what time of the year and what type of feet you have, but everyone keeps telling me that the first 8 days are the hardest, so I shall think about day 9 until I reach it.

Please write a blog or just keeping on writing , I am serious I’m laughing so hard right now that I’m having cramps

 

[Gazell]

Please write a blog or just keeping on writing , I am serious I’m laughing so hard right now that I’m having cramps

Well, I shall try.

I thought of a blog as my friends had asked me to keep one (apparently I write the way I speak), but the truth is, i would miss out on all those places without electricity (turns out there are quite a few) and then hunting for internet all over the camino - not my thing.

I´ll tell you this though, I soak the blisters in iodine and people think they are bleeding. They all look at me in pain :mrgreen: and then I look back with a thank you and give them the look of: I´ll be ok 8)

To tell you the truth, most people are laughing and I think they should :wink:

 

[jujuaway]

Hi there Gazell, In addition to the hair dryer and curling wand (lol) what things did you send back in the post?
cheers juju
Ps. i do hope you blisters heal soon.

 

[zzotte]

Ai ai Gazell you poor thing you, I'm very sorry for all the pain you must be going thru, let me say it I'm lot laughing at you but the way you wrote you just crack me up and the girl with ski for shoes tooo much

Seriously lighten you pack for real no frame pictures, no tv or vcr ok? , trash the three sizes too big boots, take a day or two to rest, buy yourself an open sandals and start using then and at this point a pair of cross country skis (just kidding) a good pair of tennis shoes like trail runners that fits and wool socks and please no double socks ok? You should wrap your feet with tape (pharmaceutical) no duck tape please? And yes you can use ultra sheer knee highs and the wool sock over it, no double size shoes, no triple socks ok? your feet is not going to swell that much even if you stick them in boiling lard for peet sake. Take care of your self and see a Dr. if does not get any better blister infection can be serious. Keep up your sense of humor

Zo

 

[gregdedman]

Hi there Gazell,

Some extra special tips are needed I think!
Here is my youtube channel with some tips on lacing techniques because it sounds like your feet are moving around FAR too much (blisters and bruised toes).
Look for the video on boot lacing and double innersoles and socks.
http://www.youtube.com/user/YourCamino

Grab some sheeps wool from the barbed fences. wrap the wool into a circle and stick it to the blioster hotspots with a little tape. This will prevent the painful abrasions.

And the final sooper dooper tip is this.
Get some sanitary towels, with wings and the super absorbancy kind.
Take your insoles out and stick a pad to each. This gives you padding but also absorbs a lot of moisture which is a prime culprit for blisters.
I have done this on two caminos and it works.

Also, stop each and EVERY time you feel the a new blister come on.
Take boots and socks off, bathe in a stream if poss taking the swelling down, completely dry them and then get walking again.

And finally, the pain the is the most prevelant thought right now, almost because you had this worry before you left....try try try and divert the thoughts to other things....sing, shout, cry anything to drive the negatives away.
Buen Camino
Greg

 

[Gazell]

Thank you all for the advise, I´ll definitely use it.. (although a magic wand would be sweet at this very moment).

And I´ll also have you kow that my backpack weighs about 7kgs including 2 litres of water, which I think is pretty good.

People look at me on the camino and tell me that I should have a chat with the man upstairs :shock:

I´m a mess, but thank you for your encouraging words and my new shoes are great