Hiking Sandals on the Camino

[Jerronymo]

In a quandry about whether to wear my hiking sandals or leather hiking boots on the Camino.

 

[Jerronymo]

In a quandry about whether to wear my hiking sandals or leather hiking boots on the Camino.

Portuguese Coastal from Porto in September, interested in your thoughts.

 

[trecile]

I exclusively wear hiking sandals on the Camino, but have you considered hiking shoes or trail runners? There are many people who prefer boots, but most people wear a lighter weight shoe.

 

[wayfarer]

In a quandry about whether to wear my hiking sandals or leather hiking boots on the Camino.

It depends on the time of year you are walking, early spring and winter I would recommend boots or walking shoes, summer and early autumn walking sandals or runners.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

Trail runners with the sandals as a backup, also used for hostel & evening wear

 

[Zordmot]

In a quandry about whether to wear my hiking sandals or leather hiking boots on the Camino.

I’ve walked the CF 3x. The first time I started with my favorite pair of hiking shoes but discarded them in Pamplona after painful blisters. I purchased a pair of hiking sandals there and happily wore them to Santiago and for the two subsequent Caminos. Everyone is different but for me they made the difference. There are a couple of tricky bits where I was glad I had hiking poles but other than that it’s mostly a flat gravel track.

 

[jungleboy]

If you are set on one of those two choices and none of the in between options, I’d choose hiking sandals. There’s no need for boots on the CP coastal in my opinion — it’s mostly flat road/path/boardwalk walking, not mountains and rocks.

If you are open to other possibilities, trail runners or low-top hiking shoes (which is what I use — https://www.decathlon.it/p/scarpe-trekking-uomo-redmond-v-outdry-marroni/_/R-p-X8598137) or similar is what most people wear.

 

[Aptrail]

In a quandry about whether to wear my hiking sandals or leather hiking boots on the Camino.

I agree with many others.... in my opinion leather hiking boots definitely too heavy and too hot as well as overkill for the road walking. I started in trail runners but swapped out to Keen sandals in Burgos. I was hiking in August and my feel swelled from the heat. Sandals turned out to be a life saver. I am going again this summer and as some have suggested will be taking trail runners and sandals. Initially sandals will be for evenings, albergues, etc. But I an swap into them if my feet are too hot or start swelling or getting blisters.

 

[WalkingPlaylist]

Sandals. I've walked that route and it's not difficult nor the need for boots. Your feet will be happy. I have Ecco sandals, good support, and options for with our without socks.

 

[Mananath]

I am with team sandals. I wore Chacos exclusively on the Frances and Norte and felt they were great for me during a summer Camino.

I am currently on the via Podiensis and am alternating between sandals and trail runners (there is a lot of mud on this route currently).

Definitely would not recommend leather boots.

 

[lt56ny]

I agree with others who have said there is no reason at all to wear hiking boots on the coastal camino. I do not think you need them on any camino. I have never worn hiking sandals but I know some who do and love them. I am a trail runner guy and only ever wear Brooks Cascadias.

Trail runners with the sandals as a backup, also used for hostel & evening wear

An ever lighter alternative to sandals would be Toms shoes. They are super lightweight and you can wear them in a pinch on alot of the coastal. They also do amazing charity work giving away a pair of shoes for every pair they sell as well as other humanitarian work. They are an awesome company.

 

[CAshworth]

In a quandry about whether to wear my hiking sandals or leather hiking boots on the Camino.

I would not wear leather hiking boots at all. I recommend a good pair of hiking sandals and some comfortable trail runners. Anything with good cushion/support will work fine. The coastal route has very few areas where hiking boots would apply.

 

[mgnswaus]

Teva Terra Fi or XLT sandals, unbeatable even in the harshest conditions.

 

[Lynne (USA/Crete Greece)]

On the CF wore Chaos Mega Z sandals for all but 10 miles. Wear them on most other hikes I do in USA & Crete.

Wore them exclusively on CP Lisbon to Porto in 2023. Will exclusively wear them in 2024 to finish CP Central, Finisterre/Muxia. Will not take any other shoes, except flip flops for evening.

I do not wear socks with sandals.

 

[jpwu]

I’ve walked the CF 3x. The first time I started with my favorite pair of hiking shoes but discarded them in Pamplona after painful blisters. I purchased a pair of hiking sandals there and happily wore them to Santiago and for the two subsequent Caminos. Everyone is different but for me they made the difference. There are a couple of tricky bits where I was glad I had hiking poles but other than that it’s mostly a flat gravel track.

What was the brand?

 

[Waka]

On my first camino I had the dreaded blister on my right little toe, as a back up I carried a pair of Teva sandals, what a god send these were, carried me through for a week until Pinky was better. This year for my main footwear I'm thinking of Keen closed toe sandals which I love and as a spare the faithful Teva's. I do have a wide selections on lightweight walking shoes but in September/October walking sandals sing out to me.
Comments as always welcome.

 

[patriciafross]

Hiking sandals are great, especially if it’s hot! Due to a bad blister last year, on the ball of my foot, I alternated between Keen sandals and Altras. It was a Camino saver for me!

 

[Mananath]

On my first camino I had the dreaded blister on my right little toe, as a back up I carried a pair of Teva sandals, what a god send these were, carried me through for a week until Pinky was better. This year for my main footwear I'm thinking of Keen closed toe sandals which I love and as a spare the faithful Teva's. I do have a wide selections on lightweight walking shoes but in September/October walking sandals sing out to me.
Comments as always welcome.

Toe socks help with the pinky blisters if you are looking to try shoes again.

 

[jbreuner]

I'll join the chorus here. Definitely not boots! I wore hiking shoes on the CF two years ago and had terrible blisters. Bought a pair of Quechua hiking sandals in Burgos and a decent pair of inserts, and they literally saved my Camino. All these people can't be wrong!! Buen Camino!

 

[Lou Lulu]

My first Camino I got bad blisters. For my second Camino I thought I had it all sorted but no, blisters again. By day 3 I put on my Tevas and that’s all I wore after that. I finished the CF and then went onto the CP from Porto. By this stage I became brave and walked without socks. I remained blister free!

 

[priscillavivio]

In a quandry about whether to wear my hiking sandals or leather hiking boots on the Camino.

In a quandry about whether to wear my hiking sandals or leather hiking boots on the Camino.

After getting blisters from my walk in to Santiago (despite Vaseline, toe sock liners, merino wool socks, etc) I bought hiking sandals in Santiago and walked on to Finisterre either no problems (but poles were a lifesaver).

 

[Jeronymopiy]

My Teva hiking sandals served me well throughout my hiking experiences in rugged northern Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. Thank you all for anecdotal Camino advices. Bon Camino to you all.

 

[howardd5]

In a quandry about whether to wear my hiking sandals or leather hiking boots on the Camino.

I have worn both and fond Teva sandals to be the best , no blisters and dry feet

 

[Precentrix]

Another vote for tevas (with socks, yes, I'm a heathen!) in summer. My hiking boots are well worn in and comfortable, so I tend to take both and alternate as needed.

 

[christy wharton]

In a quandry about whether to wear my hiking sandals or leather hiking boots on the Camino.

Bring both and use them depending on terrain. Loose stony and wet and muddy sections avoid sandals which are ideal for evenings etc.

 

[howardd5]

I have used my Tevas on the Frances Camino twice about 80% of the time. No blisters and less foot fatigue