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Waterproof hiking shoes/boots?

emmarosegardner

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
May 2025
I am walking the Camino Frances for the whole month of May (April 22nd - June 1st), and am wondering whether I should opt for waterproof shoes/boots? I have seen mixed messages online - on the one hand, waterproof shoes can cause your feet to sweat which can cause blisters, on the other hand, if you encounter rain with non-waterproof shoes you might be in trouble.

Does anyone have thoughts or insights on this? Also, any shoe recommendations for women with high arches/wide feet would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

Emma
 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
Blisters come from warmth and humidity.
Therefore avoiding blisters implies to dry your feet (getting your shoes and your socks off as often as you can).
Waterproof shoes (like rubber boots) are not a good idea for hiking.
You'd rather choose another solution:
- shoes suitable for rain
- when arriving at the albergue, ask for newspaper, and put it inside your shoes in order to absorb moisture.
 
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Blisters come from warmth and humidity.
Therefore avoiding blisters imply to dry your feet (getting your shoes and your socks off as often as you can).
Waterproof shoes (like rubber boots) are not a good idea for hiking.
You'd rather choose another solution:
- shoes suitable for rain
- when arriving at the albergue, ask for newspaper, and put it inside your shoes in order to absorb moisture.
Good to know. Thank you!
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
I am walking the Camino Frances for the whole month of May (April 22nd - June 1st), and am wondering whether I should opt for waterproof shoes/boots? I have seen mixed messages online - on the one hand, waterproof shoes can cause your feet to sweat which can cause blisters, on the other hand, if you encounter rain with non-waterproof shoes you might be in trouble.

Does anyone have thoughts or insights on this? Also, any shoe recommendations for women with high arches/wide feet would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

Emma
My opinion here, waterproof shoes/boots are not waterproof, you encounter enough rain, snow or whatever and your feet will be wet. They are hot and my feet sweat in them. I agree with @Pafayac that there are better ways to deal with this concern.
 
I have used Salomon Goretex boots the last 10 years, 1/2 size bigger than needed. I don't get blisters.

But stopping at a cafe or whatever, I take off my boots and rest a while.

What we learned in the Army in the Arctic: Put wet shoes in the bottom of your sleeping bag (stuff newspaper in them until you go to sleep, then remove), and put wet socks in your armpits over night. Will be dry next morning.

You may smell a bit different(...) next morning, but your feet, socks and shoes will be dry. :cool:

And I agree with @Juspassinthru : The Camino can be merciless, and your shoes may get wet, however "waterproof" they are.
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
I am walking the Camino Frances for the whole month of May (April 22nd - June 1st), and am wondering whether I should opt for waterproof shoes/boots? I have seen mixed messages online - on the one hand, waterproof shoes can cause your feet to sweat which can cause blisters, on the other hand, if you encounter rain with non-waterproof shoes you might be in trouble.

Does anyone have thoughts or insights on this? Also, any shoe recommendations for women with high arches/wide feet would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

Emma

This question comes up fairly often. It is very much a matter of personal preference. Generally you find more people against Goretex/ waterproof shoes than for. I recall one thread a few months back, I'll attach the link.
Personally I am strongly in the non-gortex camp for anything other than winter. And I only wear them then because they are a little warmer, & great for walking through snow or splashing through the puddles and mud on a day hike. They take far too long to dry once they do get wet - which, as many people testify, they often do during prolonged heavy rain.

 
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Also, any shoe recommendations for women with high arches/wide feet would be much appreciated.
With regards to the high arches you might consider getting arch supports, or even talking to your podiatrist and getting custom inserts.
As too wide fitting shoes there are a few brands that offer a wide option, it pays to ask a decent Sports store. Personally I wear Altra's (Loan peak), as do quite a number of both male and female hikers/pilgrims with wide feet. The Lone Peaks are zero drop which take a little getting used to, however Altra now also produce a few models that are not zero drop.
 
I wear waterproof boots, and have done so for most of my pilgrimage walks. I am not convinced by the arguments of those that say they are too hot in summer, etc, etc. Most appear to be repeats of myths and devoid of personal experience. Your feet will get hot, just like the rest of your body, which can be reduced as much by wearing appropriate, lighter weight, socks as anything else. When they are hot, they will sweat, just like the rest of your body, and you will want your socks to absorb any moisture that hasn't been transpired through the waterproof membrane, so your feet will get damp as well.

If you do want waterproof boots to work effectively in the rain, you need to be wearing rain pants or long gaiters under a poncho. If not, the place that will let most water in is the same large hole at the top of the boot through which you put your foot, and there is no waterproofing in the world that will stop the rain from running down your trousers (or bare legs) that will protect you then.

If you think of your protection from getting wet from rain, puddles, etc as a system that includes all the protection elements, hat, rain jacket and pants or poncho and gaiters, and footwear, that might help with this decision.

Remember that in Spain, in summer, you are just as likely to get soaked from the inside of your jacket or poncho as from the outside. I prefer to keep my warm sweat on the inside and the cold rain on the outside, but you might choose to just protect your torso, and not your lower body. Just accept that your feet will get wet, and will dry eventually. In that case, don't even bother with using waterproof footwear. Keep watch to ensure you don't blister, and seek medical advice if any skin masceration does not respond to simple airing during or at the end of the day.
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
I wear waterproof boots, and have done so for most of my pilgrimage walks. I am not convinced by the arguments of those that say they are too hot in summer, etc, etc. Most appear to be repeats of myths and devoid of personal experience. Your feet will get hot, just like the rest of your body, which can be reduced as much by wearing appropriate, lighter weight, socks as anything else. When they are hot, they will sweat, just like the rest of your body, and you will want your socks to absorb any moisture that hasn't been transpired through the waterproof membrane, so your feet will get damp as well.

If you do want waterproof boots to work effectively in the rain, you need to be wearing rain pants or long gaiters under a poncho. If not, the place that will let most water in is the same large hole at the top of the boot through which you put your foot, and there is no waterproofing in the world that will stop the rain from running down your trousers (or bare legs) that will protect you then.

If you think of your protection from getting wet from rain, puddles, etc as a system that includes all the protection elements, hat, rain jacket and pants or poncho and gaiters, and footwear, that might help with this decision.

Remember that in Spain, in summer, you are just as likely to get soaked from the inside of your jacket or poncho as from the outside. I prefer to keep my warm sweat on the inside and the cold rain on the outside, but you might choose to just protect your torso, and not your lower body. Just accept that your feet will get wet, and will dry eventually. In that case, don't even bother with using waterproof footwear. Keep watch to ensure you don't blister, and seek medical advice if any skin masceration does not respond to simple airing during or at the end of the day.
I second that.
 

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