Favorite Shoes/Boots??

[Shefollowsarrows]

Just curious what your favorite Camino footwear is for those who have walked the Camino Frances? I know there are other links to this topic but I'm looking for specific brands and footwear that fit the terrain and changing weather conditions. Thank you for your help. I leave in June and really need to figure this out! I made it to Leon last fall but had to stop because of my blisters and foot pain. I need to get this right!!

 

[simply B]

Tammy -

With all due respect, you are not giving the group much to go on here. If you could expand on a couple of things, it might help the experts here to help you. (I am NOT one of those experts, btw!)

Footware - No reason to give brand name as there exists a lot of variability in what works for one person versus another. Some makers accommodate "less than average" foot configurations better then others. But simply, were you wearing a heavy boot, a mid-length boot, walking shoes or what?

Foot Care - Were you wearing a single sock layer or heavier sock over a liner? Were you applying any kind of lubricant to your feet before putting on the socks?

Feet condition - Do you have special orthotic requirements, flat feet, high arches or other known challenge?

Walking Conditions - Pretty amazing to have made it from Pamplona to Leon (Congrats!) with the problems you allude to. Was the onset of pain and blisters early on? Did they come about after a change in walking conditions - temperature shift, changes in precipitation along the way - in short, any clue as to what have been a trigger?

Anything you can share might help improve the quality of assistance (which is always pretty darn high) from the experienced folks here....

B

 

[lettinggo]

Hola

There are many good brands and as is written above, it depends on time of year and personal preference.
Cost is of course also an issue, but if you want lasting gear, it is hard to compromise on cost..
If you want premium leather boots, then Scarpa is a choice, but the best would be to try out differnt shoes/boots at a store. Only way to know really.

Buen Camino
Lettinggo

 

[Phillypilgrim]

"Oboz" Sawtooth, waterproof, LOW hiking boot, from EMS (Eastern Mountain Sports), one size larger than usual. With Abeo orthotic insoles bought at The Walking Company.

 

[t2andreo]

I suggest that you go to your nearest good quality outdoor store (REI is one such place) and have yourself properly fitted by someone who knows what they are doing. Be sure to wear the specific socks (silk or ploy liner + thick merino wool outer sock) when you are fitted. Going towards the end of the day after you have been on your feet all day is also a good idea.

From that in-store measurement, ADD at least 1/2 to 3/4 sizes to allow for swelling of feet due to heat and moisture, as well as the tendency of the feet to "grow" as a result of prolonged walking while carrying weight. It would be reasonable to end up with a hiking boot from one to two complete sizes larger than your street shoe size. You can compensate for the extra length in the toe box with alternative lacing techniques. But you can never make a too small boot / shoe larger.

As I have mentioned before, my size 11 street shoe works out to 12.5 in hiking boots applying all the advice above. The Keen Targhee II mid-height boots I wear run 1/2 size small. So the math all worked out.

Just a reminder, your walking shoes or boots are the SINGLE MOST important pieces of gear / kit you will invest in. If your feet are not happy, you will not enjoy the camino as much as you might otherwise. it pays to spend the time and money to get it right. If must economize, do it on other stuff.

Just as an FYI, and bearing in mind that everyone's feet are different, I had NO blisters on my first camino last year. I did have problems with heel calluses exacerbated by the Superfeet insoles I wore. The green ones are too stiff and rubbed my heels, promoting callus growth.

THIS YEAR, I went to the podiatrist and got custom orthotics made that fit the Keen boots perfectly. So far, so good. I start my next camino on 27 April from St. Jean.

I hope this helps.

 

[tploomis]

Not everybody's feet swell noticeably after a day on their feet. My feet remain the same, and if I were to buy walking shoes a half size larger than normal as often recommended, it would mean problems with slipping around in the shoe with blisters resulting. So, I think it is important to know your own foot's characteristics in this regard before making a final shoe choice.

 

[HalfDomeOrBust]

My first Camino I wore hiking boots but after that first year every subsequent Camino I have worn Sandals and trail runners. What a difference!!

 

[trecile]

My first Camino I wore hiking boots but after that first year every subsequent Camino I have worn Sandals and trail runners. What a difference!!

I wore trail runners for my first two Caminos, but now I'm a sandal convert. My feet feel so much better at the end of the day not being confined in a shoe.

 

[Lexicos]

My favourite.

 

[trecile]

My favourite.

View attachment 77553 View attachment 77554

You don't trip over the pom-poms?

 

[JillGat]

I wore trail runners for my first two Caminos, but now I'm a sandal convert. My feet feel so much better at the end of the day not being confined in a shoe.

Me, too. Chaco sandals.

 

[Lexicos]

But, on a serious note Tammy & Co, these are the best, for me. Merrell Vibram -Moabs 2 Vent. Very comfortable and tough and supportive. With a good pair of socks X 2 (85% wool 15% synthetic) you can walk for a year and 10,000 km. No problem.

 

[JillGat]

But, on a serious note Tammy & Co, these are the best, for me. Merrell Vibram. Very comfortable and tough and supportive. With a good pair of socks X 2 (85% wool 15% synthetic) you can walk for a year and 10,000 km. No problem.

View attachment 77562

Those are probably the Moabs? Very popular boot. Vibram is just the sole, which is shared by many models.

 

[Lexicos]

Spot on JillGat. I just checked the invoice. Described as Moab 2 Vent -Walnut Leather.

 

[dougfitz]

Spot on JillGat. I just checked the invoice. Described as Moab 2 Vent -Walnut Leather.

With a good pair of socks X 2 (85% wool 15% synthetic) you can walk for a year and 10,000 km. No problem.

And these lasted you for 10,000 km? Nice!

 

[VNwalking]

We're talking about shoes/boots again? Wonderful.
For four years running I walked in Keen McKenzies, which are no longer the quality or design of the originals.
So I took the leap and tried the Oboz Sawtooth. I like them a lot, even though they are a bit heavier than the Keens - which were glorified sandals, with a mesh to keep the pebbles out. I tried Keen sandals last year but was not happy with them - the pebbles that always seem to sneak in are annoying.

 

[dougfitz]

We're talking about shoes/boots again? Wonderful.

There was a necropost that revived this 2014 thread. It happens!

 

[VNwalking]

Haha! Yes, I noticed and posted anyway. The topic is perennial.....
And it certainly is a nice change from covidcovidcovid.

 

[JiminVa]

But, on a serious note Tammy & Co, these are the best, for me. Merrell Vibram -Moabs 2 Vent. Very comfortable and tough and supportive. With a good pair of socks X 2 (85% wool 15% synthetic) you can walk for a year and 10,000 km. No problem.

Merrell Moab 2 Waterproof are my favorite. Paired with Darn Tough Hikers full cushion merino wool socks and the injinji inserts. I get about 1000 miles on them. I'm pretty hard on all my shoes. Always wear down the outside of the heels first.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

But, on a serious note Tammy & Co, these are the best, for me. Merrell Vibram -Moabs 2 Vent. Very comfortable and tough and supportive. With a good pair of socks X 2 (85% wool 15% synthetic) you can walk for a year and 10,000 km. No problem.

View attachment 77562

I like these. I've been using mine for a year now and I walked from Barcelona to Pamplona in them last autumn. Your feet get wet but the shoes dry out fast (fast enough for me anyway).

Prior to my 2015 camino I would wear very cheap boots and switch when they wore out or broke down. I didn't want to spend time in Spain looking for new shoes so I bought a pair of Keen waterproof boots. I like these too.