hiking boots in november a good idea?

Hi - whilst the weather isn't predictable these days imho snow is unlikely particularly in early November. I've walked the Camino Frances in November and although it is cold in the evenings there can still be strong sunshine during the day. Unhelpfully it can be an "all weather" month. I've seen plenty of people walking with waterproof shoes - what kind of rain gear are you using? If you are using a waterproof sheel of jacket and trousers you may wish to check that the trousers come down over the top of the shoes so the rainwater doesn't run into them. For this reason I use mid ankle shoe/boots - a hybrid and for the me the best of both worlds. Others prefer boots. Whatever the choice make sure they are lightweight.

Best wishes

John

This is very much a personal thing, but I'd go for a light pair of breathable gaiters. Make sure they fit properly over your shoes, but if it's wet they'll help keep water and mud out.

Andy

Personally, I like trail shoes, because they dry out each night, even if your feet get wet, while leather boots are generally still cold and wet next morning.

But that's me

Ask 10 pilgrims, get 10 answers, all valid, all good to consider.

I was fortunate to be able to thoroughly test my rain gear before departing on the trip (one of the benefits of living in the Pacific Northwest). I found the rain jack plus rain pants arrangement to be entirely too warm for long distance hiking, unless the temperature was below 45 F. So I went instead with a poncho (Sea to Summit) and gaiters (Outdoor Research). These worked very well, I was both dry and well ventilated during the three days of thunderstorms on the walk from Le Puy to Cahors.

I have to play chess with my feet. Shoes which give me room in the toes may be loose in the right heel. So something higher than a shoe not only means more support and cover, but it means I can go a half-size up, bulk out with socks etc, and get a bit more heel-grab.

Goretex is okay till it stops working, which, for me, it usually does after lots of dirt and stretching.

Nonetheless, I've bought a Goretex boot, the Asolo Fugitive, for my next stage of the Camino. I may have been better off with lighter Asolo boots with moderate water-repellency, but my next trip may be a very long one, taking in the Via Francigena, and include some camping out.

I've moved from Vasque to Asolo because the heavy rubber reinforcing of my Vasque boots was too unyielding at crucial pressure points.

I really think it's worthwhile trying to go lighter and lower with shoes/boots. If you're a warm weather walker (I'm not), or you're lightly loaded, it's got to be worth a try. Any probs, and you can still buy some Lafuma or Chiruca boots locally, light synthetic ones which don't need much breaking in.

On the subject of rainwear, today I had to walk 16 or more k's through flooding forest to get to my weekend job. I used an expensive Exped daypack poncho which I seldom use. It was not the least bit waterproof when I first bought it, and even after proofing with Nikwax product, it's still not completely waterproof...as I learned the hard way today!

There are some peculiar products for sale out there, so threads like this, even if not conclusive, are well worth reading.

Cheers all

Rob