Blister-friendly sandals, and Sandal-friendly terrain on the Francigena

[Antonius Vaessen]

Next year I want to walk the last 400km of the Via Francigena ( from Aulla probably). I have had blisterproblems on earlier caminos. Because I am a diabetic, I have to be very carefull with my feet and can only continue my camino when the blisters are fully healed ( which one time meant a pause of10 days) or stop the camino and go home( what I did this year)
So I want to avoid getting blisters. One possibility I consider is walking on good trekkingsandals. Now I have got a few questions
General
Is the risk of getting blisters in sandals indeed lower than with ordinary trekkingshoes or trailrunning shoes?
Is there a brand that you can recommend?
Specific for the Via Francigena
Are the surfaces of the trails sandalfriendly and not to mountainous with sharp or loose rocks or steep descends on uneven terrain?
Any other advise,tips concerning the Via Francigena are very welcome.
Many thanks in advance

 

[donalomahony]

Trekking closed toe sandals worked for me on many Caminos and in all Summer and Autumn conditions, worn with a pair of mid cut hiking sox. NEWPORT KEENS are my current recommendation. This is the style I use: https://landers.ie/products/keen-mens-newport

I also use one hiking pole...

As for blisters they depend on many conditions, I got a few minor ones but nothing major...

 

[David]

Hi. I cannot speak for your feet, only my own, but I have been wearing Newport Keen H2 trekking sandals for years in all weathers and have never had a blister.

Excellent shaped footbed, rugged sole for all terrains. For me the textile upper is more comfortable than the leather uppers.

 

[Maggie5859]

I always walk in sandals. Teva is my favourite brand and I’ve tried different styles (Hurricane, Tirra, Ampsole), all quite wonderful. My last camino was in excess of 1400km, completed in my rainbow-soled Tevas!

 

[trecile]

There are many good brands of hiking sandals. I walked my last six Caminos exclusively in open toe hiking sandals. I've used several different Merrell styles, but I which keep getting discontinued.
Though I am a woman, I've usually worn men's sandals.
Last year I wore these Timberland sandals, and saw them in several shoe stores in Spain.

Men's Garrison Trail Webbing-Strap Sandals

Shop Timberland.com for Men's Garrison Trail Webbing-Strap Sandals. FREE shipping with membership! from Timberland US's official online store.

www.timberland.com

I recommend trying a lot of brands and styles to see what is right for your feet.

 

[howardd5]

I posted about this also in the Via Francigenasection. Here a general question. In the past I had blisterproblems a few times. Being a diabetic I have to be very carefull with my feet. So I want to avoid getting blisters. One option I consider is walking on good trekkingsandals.
Can anybody tell me if this might work and advise me on brands ( available in Europe)?

I wear Teva hiking sandals 85% of the time and don’t get blister. My feet stay dry and that’s the big factor . Now when it rains its even better, still no blisters and they dry quick. I have worn socks when cold and ok but dirty socks to wash out

 

[Grousedoctor]

Just to add one more sandal to your deliberations, let me suggest you look at Teva’s Hudson model. After developing plantar fasciitis problems on the CP, I packed away my more minimalist running shoes and pulled my Teva’s out of my pack for rest of my journey. Although my particular foot problems required more support than the Teva offers, it was still a comfortable walk blister free.

 

[andycohn]

Are the surfaces of the trails sandalfriendly and not to mountainous with sharp or loose rocks or steep descends on uneven terrain?
Any other advise,tips concerning the Via Francigena are very welcome.
Many thanks in advance

I have no experience with hiking sandals, but I have walked the Via Francigena. The only consistently rugged trail you're going to encounter on your planned trip is your first stage -- from Aulla to Sarzana -- which veers away from a rather flat stretch up into the Apennines again. The trail on that stage is both steep and rocky, with some uneven terrain. If you're worried about the footing with sandals, I'd suggest you start in Sarzana instead. The towns in that section of the VF (on the border between Liguria and Tuscany) are all linked by frequent trains and buses.

From Sarzana all the way to Rome you'll mostly be on the kind of broad trails -- some dirt, some paved -- that you'd encounter on the Frances or any of the popular trails in Spain. Some exceptions, of course. And be aware, too, that there's a lot more up and down on the VF than on the Frances, for example.

For general information, I'm attaching a quickie "practicalities" guide I put together, which might be of use to you: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/nuv6...024.docx?rlkey=bfj59yj2i1zf9otjqxxuwsxpj&dl=0.

 

[mochilaverde]

Another vote to try on some different sandals (and doing a long test walk if you can borrow some from a friend with similar-sized feet). Look for a sandal with adjustable straps at the ball of the foot, the front of the ankle and at the heel. Take a pair of socks when you go shopping - wearing socks with sandals helps to protect your feet a bit more from scrapes and at points where the sandal contacts your foot. (For this reason, I prefer straps with a bit more padding than the old school Tevas have.)

 

[ObeeOne]

I find the Keens too tight for my feet so I am going to pack 2 pairs of sandals that I will wear with socks: Ecco Yucatan and Teva. I will also have a sneaker with me.

 

[trecile]

I find the Keens too tight for my feet so I am going to pack 2 pairs of sandals that I will wear with socks: Ecco Yucatan and Teva. I will also have a sneaker with me.

Why three pairs of footwear? Wouldn't one pair of sandals and the sneakers be sufficient?

 

[edog1055]

I walked two weeks on the Norte and two weeks on the Primitivo in April/May 2024. I wore only a pair of Shamma TrailStar Sandals. My trek was over 400 miles, and I had zero blisters. Unless I’m in the snow, Shammas sandals are my only footwear. Soaked boots? Not me. Muddy trail runners? I just need a stream. I feel better, I walk better, and I have a greater sense of awareness when walking in sandals.
Please note takes a long time to “rewild” one’s feet!
I would suggest taking at least a year before attempting multi-week Camino in sandals. The Shamma website has links to instructions for training.
Of course there are other Trail running sandals, but it’s hard to beat Shamma for design, quality, and customer service.

 

[samanthaf]

Trekking closed toe sandals worked for me on many Caminos and in all Summer and Autumn conditions, worn with a pair of mid cut hiking sox. NEWPORT KEENS are my current recommendation. This is the style I use: https://landers.ie/products/keen-mens-newport

I also use one hiking pole...

As for blisters they depend on many conditions, I got a few minor ones but nothing major...

I got Keens for my hike in October 2024 (Sarria to Santiago). I am loving them so far , but I have one issue during my training -- I keep getting rocks in them and have to stop and get them out ( I am training is in forest paths which has a mix of dirt/ gravel trail ) . If anyone can give insight on the terrain on this section of the trail it would be greatly appreciated .I may debate changing my shoes before hand but these have been the most comfortable shoes I have found so far. I am loving my Keens otherwise this issue !!
I have only got two small blisters on my pinkie toes but I think based on my foot structure u an guaranteed to get that no matter what I wear. When I was training with other shoes I would have 3- 6 blisters on each foot.
Thanks,
Samantha

 

[donalomahony]

Hi Samantha, do you wear them with socks? I use socks and that helps with any grit. I rarely have issues with small stones and my KEENS.

In regard to the section, Sarria to Santiago, the terrain is very "polished" given the volume of walkers, so I would go with the KEENS.

The day into Santiago has a lot of "senda", "trail by the road" walking so that will eliminate any concerns you have.

My tuppence worth! Buen Camino