Enquiry about foot care, bunions, weather…..

[Artykat]

Hi folks I’m due to start my second Camino in 2 weeks time. I’m sure a lot has changed since September 2019. During my last Camino I followed all the great advice here and didn’t get a single blister…. my morning routine was to smear my feet with Vaseline and cover with talcum powder before putting on socks and shoes. just wondering if this is still a ‘thing’? Or have you moved on from this practice to more advanced means?
I have a bunion which has just flared up in the last few days and any advice here would be most welcome.
Lastly, how is the weather in Spain now? Apart from the heat does the weather get chilly there in the evenings? Does it rain much? I’m trying to curtail my load. My route will start from Los Argos for 7 walking days .
I got the best advice here on this forum for my last Camino and it makes me feel I already have a lot of friends here. I have been wearing Altra lone peak shoes for the past 4 years not only for Camino but everyday walking because of the wide toe box (bunions) and the sheer comfort. So a big thanks in advance for any tips or advice.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

Foot care is such an individual thing. I simply wear decent socks, change them/ air them out at least once during the day, remove socks and shoes anytime I stop for 10 minutes or more - just as you probably did on your last Camino.
The only time I've ever had a blister was when I followed the advice here on the forum and Vaselined my feet!
Whatever you do in training, continue on the Way.
Buen Camino!

 

[mustang2actual]

@Artykat footcare has been one of the more important items for me to check into. Finally got my footwear sorted thru lots of hiking this year. No problems with blisters until this week.

When you research the site, it comes up that sandals are often used. So I got a pair of Chaco’s that fit well, and I broke them in gradually. Tuesday was my maiden voyage on a crushed rock trail for 12 K, and felt a hot spot on each foot right at the end of the walk. I watched the blister care videos and dressed them as directed. Doing ok so far.

For me the moral of the story is simply, things happen, and we adapt. Do a search on the site - it sure has helped me.

 

[@Ditts]

Hi folks I’m due to start my second Camino in 2 weeks time. I’m sure a lot has changed since September 2019. During my last Camino I followed all the great advice here and didn’t get a single blister…. my morning routine was to smear my feet with Vaseline and cover with talcum powder before putting on socks and shoes. just wondering if this is still a ‘thing’? Or have you moved on from this practice to more advanced means?
I have a bunion which has just flared up in the last few days and any advice here would be most welcome.
Lastly, how is the weather in Spain now? Apart from the heat does the weather get chilly there in the evenings? Does it rain much? I’m trying to curtail my load. My route will start from Los Argos for 7 walking days .
I got the best advice here on this forum for my last Camino and it makes me feel I already have a lot of friends here. I have been wearing Altra lone peak shoes for the past 4 years not only for Camino but everyday walking because of the wide toe box (bunions) and the sheer comfort. So a big thanks in advance for any tips or advice.

I walked the Frances from SJPDP this year. I wore Salomon trailster 2 gtx and thinish Merino mix socks, one pair not two, used Elastoplast wound ointment on my feet every day, much the same as Vaseline only much thicker. No blisters at all for the whole thing. Everyone is different but if something worked for you before , I’d do it again.

 

[trecile]

I thought that it was Vaseline or talcum powder, but if Vaseline and talcum powder worked for you in 2019 I don't see any reason to change.

 

[C clearly]

I thought that it was Vaseline or talcum powder, but if Vaseline and talcum powder

I think of it like baking a cake in non-non-stick pans. Do you use grease, flour, or both?

 

[C clearly]

my morning routine was to smear my feet with Vaseline and cover with talcum powder before putting on socks and shoes. just wondering if this is still a ‘thing’? Or have you moved on from this practice to more advanced means?

My impression is that we see less of the Vaseline + powder recommendations now - perhaps replaced by the much more convenient thin paper and flexible elastic tapes that are available. Many of us routinely put OmnIfix or similar "dressing retention tape" on the vulnerable areas of our feet every morning. In my experience, it is simple, easy to replace, less messy, and quite effective.

 

[Lightfeet]

Omnifix!

 

[dbier]

The only alleviation I know for a bunion is to wear shoes that don't compress my toes or forefeet and have some cushion but not much heel. If your Altras aren't working for you anymore, you need either bigger Altras or a shoe that has all of what I've mentioned. It's not impossible that your bunion has worsened to the point that your old shoes no longer fit.

(Not wading into the blister discussion...my mileage varies greatly from other people on that topic). But bunions are a mechanical sort of fault, which I have had.

 

[Leaderene]

I still put vaseline on my feet and it continues to serve me well.

 

[SureFtWayEli]

Hi folks I’m due to start my second Camino in 2 weeks time. I’m sure a lot has changed since September 2019. During my last Camino I followed all the great advice here and didn’t get a single blister…. my morning routine was to smear my feet with Vaseline and cover with talcum powder before putting on socks and shoes. just wondering if this is still a ‘thing’? Or have you moved on from this practice to more advanced means?
I have a bunion which has just flared up in the last few days and any advice here would be most welcome.
Lastly, how is the weather in Spain now? Apart from the heat does the weather get chilly there in the evenings? Does it rain much? I’m trying to curtail my load. My route will start from Los Argos for 7 walking days .
I got the best advice here on this forum for my last Camino and it makes me feel I already have a lot of friends here. I have been wearing Altra lone peak shoes for the past 4 years not only for Camino but everyday walking because of the wide toe box (bunions) and the sheer comfort. So a big thanks in advance for any tips or advice.

Love my Altra Timp 4 for extra cushion, but I just started wearing a pair of Topo Ultraventure 3 with vibrant soles & they are like walking on clouds over rocks & not too cushiony & like Altras have wide toe box. I’m ecstatic! And cheaper! I did what you do with grease & powder, but then I discovered Ininji five finger liner socks & Wright socks. I wear both pairs one inside the other & no grease or powder necessary. My secondary shoes are Teva hiking sandals using same socks & I wear a pair of Smart wool socks on damp to rainy days. Smart wool draws moisture away from feet. If a deluge, I put a plastic hand grocery sack over each foot & sandal them in. No problem. I have bunions & both these footwear work for me with no soreness at the end of day. Done Camino twice that way. But if you don’t do that way, taking shoes & socks off at rest stops & if need be change socks, that works pretty well, too. Like someone else said, don’t take your shoes off in a café bar. HA! OK, at outdoor seating. Buen Camino!

 

[Artykat]

Love my Altra Timp 4 for extra cushion, but I just started wearing a pair of Topo Ultraventure 3 with vibrant soles & they are like walking on clouds over rocks & not too cushiony & like Altras have wide toe box. I’m ecstatic! And cheaper! I did what you do with grease & powder, but then I discovered Ininji five finger liner socks & Wright socks. I wear both pairs one inside the other & no grease or powder necessary. My secondary shoes are Teva hiking sandals using same socks & I wear a pair of Smart wool socks on damp to rainy days. Smart wool draws moisture away from feet. If a deluge, I put a plastic hand grocery sack over each foot & sandal them in. No problem. I have bunions & both these footwear work for me with no soreness at the end of day. Done Camino twice that way. But if you don’t do that way, taking shoes & socks off at rest stops & if need be change socks, that works pretty well, too. Like someone else said, don’t take your shoes off in a café bar. HA! OK, at outdoor seating. Buen Camino!

Thank you so much for the great tips. Brilliant footcare advice there, I’ve taken a copy of it as it will no doubt be useful. Have just looked up Topo Ultraventure 3 and they have them at Berg Freunde where They also sell Altras. Have just bought a new pair half size up but will certainly consider trying the Topo. Buen Camino!

 

[Artykat]

I think of it like baking a cake in non-non-stick pans. Do you use grease, flour, or both?

I’m a lazy cook, looking for the simplest less messy method

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

I switched to a barefoot shoe and has really helped, took about 3 months to really see the difference but now I can sleep and my feet do not hurt, I used to wakeup with them hurting, now that is gone, good progress so far. I am wearing the Hykes Flex and would recommend them. I would also recommend the book called born to run, this is how I found out about barefoot shoes benefits. Hope this helps.

Mike, welcome to the forum.
You realise you’ve just answered a thread from last year? The OP finished quite a while back .
Not to say that your comment might not help someone else of course.

 

[henrythedog]

I’m a lazy cook, looking for the simplest less messy method

Whatever worked for you before should work for you again.

How do you wash your socks?

 

[Artykat]

Hi folks it seems so long ago since I posted this original comment. Just thought I would come back and say thanks to all for the very helpful tips and comments. My Camino of September 2023 went without a hitch. Stuck to the Vaseline routine every day and didn’t bother with the talcum power. No blisters and the feet were fine, I just walked for 7 days as the plan was always to have the Camino as a yearly treat and I didn’t care how long it took to get to Santiago. This year, I went for 2 weeks end of May - Burgos to Leon and I have to say it was probably the most enjoyable trek so far. I knew I would either love or hate the Meseta - I loved every single second of it and I met some of the most wonderful people on this leg.
This summer has been non existent here in Ireland ( apart from the heat wave of 30 degrees we are having this past 3 days) and so many times I was tempted to go back “on the Camino” until I almost had a serious fight with myself … like “what? So you think you can use “the Camino” as an excuse to run away?? What does the Camino even mean any more? Cop on old woman! “. And so I decided to cop on to myself instead and live the life that’s been dealt to me in the meantime.
Next year ( end May hopefully) I will take 3 weeks and do the last leg from Leon to Santiago. After that , it will be the Portuguese routes etc etc. if I’m still around and in good shape.
Finally the Bunions - I’m sure I’m stating the obvious here, but foot care all year round is an absolute must. I was always more on the casual side with my feet and only really began looking after them just the month before a Camino trek. I have learnt in the past year that everything you do for your feet helps prolong your ability to walk freely and without discomfort. I avoid wearing the same shoes more than 2 days conservatively . I prefer shoes with a soft top as my bunions can rest while I walk. I can’t imagine walking in these tight hiking boots I so often see. This year I’ve had no issues with the bunions because as soon as I would feel the slightest twinge, the bunion sleeves go on, and the softest shoes as well.
Please keep healthy folks I hope to bump into some of you at some stage during my next caminos

 

[Artykat]

Whatever worked for you before should work for you again.

How do you wash your socks?

Had to throw them out. They were like a sculpture made with cament.