Footwear

[Ian and Mec]

Hi,
My wife and I completed the Northern Route and Primitivo last year and this April are starting out from Porto (5 weeks away last year was quite taxing).
Last year we wore hiking boots but really felt that on the Northern route it was unnecessary as there was lots of good tracks and sometimes too much tarmac. We needed boots on the Primitivo as there were some rough and tumble tracks through the mountains, and when it rained we sure appreciated the extra protection of leather and goretex.
This year we intend to wear hiking sandles (Keen ) and wonder if anyone can advise us as to whether they will withstand the milder route of the Portuguese Way (in comparison with the Primitivo!).
Ian and Mec

 

[Davie Blisters]

Welcome Ian and Mec,
I can't answer your question specifically as I am not due out of Lisbon until 2 June.
However, I've bought sandals as back-up to my Keen Walking shoes due to the reported amount of Tarmac.
The minimal extra weight I will bear.
Buen Camino

 

[Bradypus]

A lot of cobblestones and tarmac along the Portugues. Very little of the route is over rough rocky ground though there may be muddy paths at times. Personally I always wear boots but if you are used to sandals in other long-distance walking and find them comfortable then I see no reason why you shouldn't use them on the Portugues.

 

[Shushy]

Hi,
My wife and I completed the Northern Route and Primitivo last year and this April are starting out from Porto (5 weeks away last year was quite taxing).
Last year we wore hiking boots but really felt that on the Northern route it was unnecessary as there was lots of good tracks and sometimes too much tarmac. We needed boots on the Primitivo as there were some rough and tumble tracks through the mountains, and when it rained we sure appreciated the extra protection of leather and goretex.
This year we intend to wear hiking sandles (Keen ) and wonder if anyone can advise us as to whether they will withstand the milder route of the Portuguese Way (in comparison with the Primitivo!).
Ian and Mec

My husband and I walked from Santarem to Santiago last June. I walked Nike running shoes and my husband wore Merrill walking shoes. By the end of the day our feet were sore. On the Portuguese route there is quite a lot of cobbles which are very hard and taxing on ones feet and tar plus off road walking. One does not need walking boots and provided the ground is not wet, walking sandals should be fine. Not quite sure how far you intend walking each day but there is quite a lot of hard surface walking. If you need to ask any further information, please do not hesitate to ask.

 

[Ian and Mec]

My husband and I walked from Santarem to Santiago last June. I walked Nike running shoes and my husband wore Merrill walking shoes. By the end of the day our feet were sore. On the Portuguese route there is quite a lot of cobbles which are very hard and taxing on ones feet and tar plus off road walking. One does not need walking boots and provided the ground is not wet, walking sandals should be fine. Not quite sure how far you intend walking each day but there is quite a lot of hard surface walking. If you need to ask any further information, please do not hesitate to ask.

Thanks for the reply Shushy and description of the route. Yes cobbles can be ankle turners ..... however we used walking sticks and blessed their function every day.
Last year we walked between 25 to 35 kms a day. We carried far too much and so appreciated the boot support although our fert boiled in our boots!
This year we are trying for light weight and will see how the sandles and feet cope.