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I know of no sections with jagged rocks on the Camino.
Descent in Zubiri might be an exception, although the risk is more of losing one's balance and landing on the sharp rocks ...
Hola, there are sections of the Via De La Plata - north Merida that had I known about a rock plate I would have had one in a second. But I do agree there is not any real need on the Frances. Just have boots that fit with a sturdy sole.
You don’t need rockplate . Plus ultraventure have 30 mm stack height and vibram mega grip . It is more than enough
Hi Annie, one that automatically comes to mind is the down into Monlinaseca. I found that path to be particularly jagged, but I think that was about it. I hope you are keeping well.
Hi. What's a rock plate.
1400kms later on Del Norte and Portuguese. If its important then maybe that's why I should have had one. Seriously don't worry about it. More weight on your feet that you can do without. Buen CaminoThis is more like a walk than a hike. I wore lightweight trailrunners…Could do in sandals except gravel gets inside.
And I know putting anything inside your shoe beside your foot and sock bound to cause trouble with your feet.
Then they are not wearing a good walking shoe. I've seen people with work boots on thinking those have to be an equal to a hiking boot and they're not stones and cobblestone can wreak havoc on the bottom of your feet. I think you'll find most trail running shoes have a cloth Rock plate in them a piece of carbon material not a piece of hard plastic. That's why I always choose Keen or Oboz to walk in. Keen and oboz or technically the same boot just different partners.
Currently on the Camino Frances with 60 miles to go to Santiago. I had some serious problems with deep-seated bruised forefeet developing from the rocky paths on the first few days in early May out of SJPP. I was wearing some Salomon Quest 4 Forces boots, and despite doing a proper 50mile break-in before starting, the combination of my “svelte” 100kg body + a 10kg pack seems to obliterated the forefoot midsole of the boots. Salomon have been great with their customer response to my emails and it looks like an unforeseen failure of the midsole compound, but unfortunately the damage has been done and without the luxury of healing time I have resorted to a mix of North Face walking shoes with thick soles and Mammut mid-cut boots which have a great spring steel plate in the midsole (Salomon should steal this idea!)
Agree! See my recent reply.
I concur! i used Salomon 4D Quest boots with Powerstep Pinnacle insoles. Great combination. Changed out the insoles to new ones at about 2/3 of the Camino Frances.
You don’t need a rock plate, but I did and made one after that sharp rock. I now wear thicker shoes
Based on my personal experience, I would suggest something either that is part of the shoe or homemade. I walked the entire Frances from SJPdP in a pair of shoes that held up great. I'm still using them. I had no blisters the entire trip. My one and only complaint was that after walking several days, I began to feel every little pebble through the soles. "Unfortunately" the shoes were such a good fit, I could not add additional insoles or I would have done that. I am not familiar with what a rock plate is, but something to reduce the spot pressure of stones or rocks would be my choice. If homemade, try is out on several hikes to make sure it doesn't create more problems than it solves. It might also change the fit and create blisters, so beware. I see you go to REI. Take along your solution when shopping to ensure a good fit. And if it doesn't feel right on training hikes, you can always return the shoes at REI.
The hill before Zubiri both up and down?
Those same big, loose rocks are a definite memory for me, too, on that descent.
Same thing occurred to me during training before CF. The therapist told me it was stone bruising. I was sensitive to the constant pressure being transmitted through my then mostly new Merrill Moabs I was going to use on my then upcoming CF. The ache was right in the center of the ball of my foot. She told me to find shoes with a shank (rock plate) built into the sole. No issues (or blisters) on CF, VdlP, Norte and most of Levante with my shanked boots. I think some people are blessed with strong (younger) feet and don't need a rock plate.
In general, if your shoe has Moderate to Max Cushioning, you sould be fine without a rock plate.
This! "Mananath" (needed quotes bcuz my spell check kept changing I to Manawatu), if you're young, lean and have a light load, you might not need a rock plate. I'm old, chubby and mostly feeble minded. I need a rock plate. Well said Jordan!
I myself just use trailrunners and never have problems; however, I once met a man on the CF who, even with bonafide hiking shoes, said he could feel every rock and they made his feet ache. Suggest you get whatever shoes fit you best and then go to a stone/gravel supply yard and walk on the various sizes of crushed rock to see if YOU need plates.
I returned from CF last week. From SJPP to Finisterre there are multiple sections where they have laid new crushed stone; some large and some small. They are jagged, but dont bother me. I much prefer the crushed stone to the bank run smooth stones they dumped all over the trail going down from Alto de Perdon last year.
Same!
I guess those could be considered sharp rocks, but to me, to buy special shoes for one day out of 60 is more than I'd do.
Yes, but as I said earlier, one day out of 45-60 doesn't warrant special shoes in my opinion. But that's me. People should do what makes their hearts happy.
i just got back and experienced the majority of 45 days with those jagged sharp rocks. i know you have done CF a lot but i wonder how you can say one day?….or where the heck have i been walking? lol- but i feel i could count on one hand the number of days i didn’t have the jutting sharp rocks! (and another hand or two for the side-of-the-highway turf)
Same!
I am currently in Sairria from SJPP. I have Hoka Speedgoats but my walking companions have Lone Peaks. They all have thrown out the original insole and purchased new inserts. I’m doing fine. The egg shaped rocks imbedded in the trail are painful. And there are a bunch of sections that are filled with them. I guess if you send your pack ahead it’s not an issue but if you carry a full load it’s going to hurt.
Thanks for this. Originally I was going to get lone peaks for the Camino but a friend who did it in them warned against using them due to the lack of cushioning. The topo has 5mm more cushioning... hopefully it is! But if not I assume it will be easy to buy insoles along the way.
Altra has other models with more cushion than the Lone Peaks, like the Olympus and Timps.
Thanks for posting this explanation.
This is actually where I cursed my choice of shoes for the day. I don't recall it as jagged, just stony in places. I would classify this trail as longish but easy peasy when wearing proper hiking shoes. It was the length of the trail, the frequent 'feeling' of stones under my feet where you could not avoid stepping on them, and my choice of shoes (cushioned trainers / soft sports shoe / Hokas) that made walking to be slower, tiring and very annoying to walk towards the end. Also, it was a hot day.
That's just where I was going to go. But then again, he's always my go-to for equipment-related matters.
For what it's worth, it seems Keen sandals have a shank built into the midsole (same idea as rock plate which sits on top of the midsole) as noted here:
Thanks for posting that.
My feet ached so much that day that I’ve never before wished so much that I could walk on my hands.
There are a number of sport shops along the way. My companions bought them in Burgos.
I finished CF 2 weeks ago in pair of altra olimpus (33mm stack height) yes there was some paths where they put small rocks material and it was fine for me but honestly the asphalt was way worse .
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For what it's worth, it seems Keen sandals have a shank built into the midsole (same idea as rock plate which sits on top of the midsole) as noted here:
Other characteristics worth mentioning are the secure lace capture system, a TPU stability shank, as well as the Metatomical Footbed that supports the wearer’s arches. Once we combine these features with the model’s non marking rubber outsole, we get a pair of hiking sandals whose excellent performance is hard to match.
Nice technology that has been enjoyed by Keen sandal wearers without necessarily knowing about it
How was the asphalt sections for the first 200km before the cushioning wore down?I finished CF 2 weeks ago in pair of altra olimpus (33mm stack height) yes there was some paths where they put small rocks material and it was fine for me but honestly the asphalt was way worse .
With altra it is always the same super comfortable the first 200 / 300kms and then the cushioning is gone . But i had no blisters and I really enjoyed walking with them + pushed serious kms couple of times . I noticed so many pilgrims wearing lone peaks and some of them definitely needed more supportive shoes . My plan was to walk with topo terraventure 3 but they arrived at home at my second day on CF
From all my research I think that Topos are great alternative to Altras . But like someone here said there isn’t all around shoes .
It was great I had couple of 40+kms days with no issues . The first really challenging day was the asphalt section after Ponferada .
Uh oh. I’m in Ponferada now, icing a shin splint that flared up with the tough downhill from Cruz de ferro today. I’m wearing Saucony Peregrine Ice trail runners and have felt great except on long stone,asphalt or concrete stretches, like entries into Logroño, Najera and León, as well as the not-scenic alternative route after Leon. I use Ibuprofen gel when they get really achy, elevate my feet at every rest stop (above my head on shady park benches when possible) and try to find bits of grass or dirt to walk on. I might wear my brooks adrenaline tomorrow after reading your description. Thanks!
I also vote for rock plate. I am currently in Sarria and have been 4 weeks walking since SJPP. At the last minute I bought new Brooks Cascadia for the trip, trail runners with a type of rock plate and am SO glad I have at least those. Many sections on the CF with huge, loose, chunky, sharp rocks, especially on steep descents, way more rocky sections than I anticipated.
Hi,
no wonder! i ditched my altra lonepeaks for keen newport H2 sandals in logrono and never looked back- they were fantastic all the way.For what it's worth, it seems Keen sandals have a shank built into the midsole (same idea as rock plate which sits on top of the midsole) as noted here:
Other characteristics worth mentioning are the secure lace capture system, a TPU stability shank, as well as the Metatomical Footbed that supports the wearer’s arches. Once we combine these features with the model’s non marking rubber outsole, we get a pair of hiking sandals whose excellent performance is hard to match.
Nice technology that has been enjoyed by Keen sandal wearers without necessarily knowing about it
I hope not!Hey everyone- thanks for the feedback. I think I will try the walk without the rock plate...and then report back next month in agony
try keen newport h2 sandals- worth a shot you might be surprised!
Thanks. I have a pair of broken in chacos as a backup pair.
Have you ever walked into Zubiri?
Which Keen model is this relevant to?For what it's worth, it seems Keen sandals have a shank built into the midsole (same idea as rock plate which sits on top of the midsole) as noted here:
Other characteristics worth mentioning are the secure lace capture system, a TPU stability shank, as well as the Metatomical Footbed that supports the wearer’s arches. Once we combine these features with the model’s non marking rubber outsole, we get a pair of hiking sandals whose excellent performance is hard to match.
Nice technology that has been enjoyed by Keen sandal wearers without necessarily knowing about it
Did you consider yourself walking with injinji socks only ? Why do you need 2 pairs , are you prone to blisters ? Sorry i never used Vaseline and 2 layer socks system , but also never had abhot spot or blister which can’t be fixed with leukotape
i did a thin wool liner with darn tough outer socks and vaseline- never had a blister or even a hot spotDid you consider yourself walking with injinji socks only ? Why do you need 2 pairs , are you prone to blisters ? Sorry i never used Vaseline and 2 layer socks system , but also never had abhot spot or blister which can’t be fixed with leukotape
Cruz de ferró to el aceibo was jagged rock and narrow a couple of days ago. Looked like someone had dumped large unecmven rocks all over it (they didn’t look natural)
The next 5-8 kms were nearly as rough.
TBH I just read about it on this forum and thought I would give it a try. I have never done liner socks before and my feet tend to sweat so I am still on the fence. I am keen for the toe socks to prevent blisters forming in between my toes. Earlier in the year I did a couple of multi night treks in NZ and ended up with blisters in between my pinky toes and would like to avoid that. Although I was wearing poorly fitted boots on those so that probably played a role.Did you consider yourself walking with injinji socks only ? Why do you need 2 pairs , are you prone to blisters ? Sorry i never used Vaseline and 2 layer socks system , but also never had abhot spot or blister which can’t be fixed with leukotape
Over 20 times
That's what I call a seasoned pilgrim!
I’m on day 26 on the Frances and have been wearing “wrightsocks” double layer socks and putting Vaseline on the balls of my feet and on my toes in the morning. No blisters yet. I also often change my socks midway through the day, elevate my feet above my head on a park bench at midday and I just tried wearing my brooks adrenaline running shoes for 2 days of walking on roads (from Ponferrada to las Herrerías).
I'm relatively new to wearing toe socks. On my two legs of the CF, my blisters are around my toes on two occasions. One ironically was from wearing one but I attributed it to extra threads rubbing on my toe (make sure to get rid of excess threads). The latest was from wearing regular socks and the shoe was loose so my feet were moving all over. I get toe blisters because my toes bunch up and rub on each other in weird ways. Toe socks minimize this and would continue wearing them while blisters are relatively fresh. Of course this is my experience and you may have a different result so take this with a grain a salt, not as a guarantee.
Spent a few hours yesterday visiting 4 shops and trying on about 15 different types of trail runners. I was pretty happy with the Hoka Bondi and the NB Hierros. Wasn't able to try the Speedgoat but just ordered a few pairs that should be arriving in a few days to see how they fit. Unless I love the SG I suspect I will end up with the Bondi (of course the most expensive one I tried on lol).
I actually used Hoka trail boots for the Camino. Worked for me, but again, be certain that the shoe has enough room..3 of us walked CF in Topo Ultraventures last August with only darn tough wool socks. Only on the descent of Alto del Perdón, did I wish for a sturdier shoe. 2 of us experienced no blisters and were pretty happy overall with the shoes. My husband got a couple of blisters after 2 weeks on the trail. He had a bad hip at the time and needed hip replacement surgery and his gait got increasingly uneven. That may have contributed to the development of blisters?
Thanks for the feedback. I ordered a 1/2 size up as well and will see how they feel. Did you find the cushioning adequate? Were you feeling every rock and cobblestone?
Good idea on half size up, we did the same. We live in Washington state where we do a lot of hiking and we spent 4 months hiking mountain trails (various terrain) in these shoes prior to CF and so had a good idea of to expect. Yes I felt the cushioning to be adequate, but everyone is different.
.??? There are definitely two or three sections with some nasty rocks along the France Annie
As several other people have reminded me.
Between the 1/2 size increase and removal of the liner socks (which prob would have been too hot in July) I am finding the UV2 to be much better. Now trying to decide between it and the Speedgoat 4.
I still own pair of Speedgoat 4 but they are too tight for my relatively normal feet .
Yeah that is my problem with the SG4. The normal is too tight but the wide feels a bit too loose. I have put about 20mi into them and I love the comfort but even with different lacing I get get rid of the heel slippage and the tongue is bulging!
Decided to return my Altra Olympus and go back to my Lone Peaks (this is PRE-Camino). Olympus in .5 size larger is too roomy - foot slides and am unstable, they are much heavier than LP5, my foot isn’t enjoying the less flexible sole, the laces are thin and cut in. LP rock plate is much bigger. Gonna chance it on my SHORT Camino
I agree re the Molinaseca section. I am still having problems 10 weeks after finishing. Cumulative effect of the many rocks on the route has taken a toll. I have now retro-fitted diy rock plates to all of my walking boots and shoes to help with rehabilitation of my feet.Hi Annie, one that automatically comes to mind is the down into Monlinaseca. I found that path to be particularly jagged, but I think that was about it. I hope you are keeping well.
Sharon
