New hiking boots vs old comfortable running sneakers?

metfan · Jul 13, 2015

Hi all. I am going to do the last 100km of Camino the end of September to early October. I am a newbie. I know there are plenty of footwear threads but I need advice. I went to EMS Sports and they talked me into high top hikers. They said I needed ankle support. I do not have any ankle issues. I wore them around the store and was properly fitted. They are fine and fairly comfortable. However, my instincts are telling me to wear my tried and true runner sneakers. I am a runner. I have done 2 marathons and many shorter races. I always wear Asics gel nimbus. I love them and have never gotten blisters. My current pair are about a year old. So pros and cons to hikers. Pros: waterproof, ankle support, sturdy. Cons: I'm not used to high tops. They feel weird. Costly. Heavy. Running shoes. Pros: already have them. Worn in nicely. Comfortable. I'm very used to them. Cons: no ankle support. Not waterproof.

Any thoughts?

Thank you all,
Colleen

wayfarer · Jul 13, 2015

Welcome Colleen, firstly you don't need high top for the Camino IMO, mids are more than adequate, secondly for the last 100km your runners should be just fine at that time of year. I am presuming you are walking from Sarria to Santiago and if so wear your runners is my advice.
Have a great Camino.
Buen Camino.

Bradypus · Jul 13, 2015

I agree with Wayfarer above. The last 100km is almost all on paths which have a decent walking/running surface. It is not mountaineering. Wear what you feel comfortable in.

metfan · Jul 13, 2015

Thank you! You saved me 140.00 and maybe blisters.

Mike Savage · Jul 13, 2015

Welcome Colleen, I am not a runner and I still prefer running shoes.

Buen Camino!

Anamya · Jul 13, 2015

I did the Camino Frances on Mizunos I was used too and it was the best decision! No blisters, no problem at all. It got wet because it was so well ventilated, but it dried quickly too!
Save your money, your running shoes will survive 100km (it's just a bit more than 2 marathons!) easily ^^

Felice · Jul 13, 2015

Agree with all above - take the running shoes.

I did the camino frances last Sept - SJPP to Santiago - in my old cheap trainers due to a last minute decision not to take my Goretex walking shoes which give me heat rash when it's warm. Best decision I ever made. I was worried that they would wear out before the end especially when a bit of sole started comping off and had to be stuck back again by a cobbler in Najera. But they made it all the way without any other problems. Bought another pair when I got back for less than £20 and they are still going strong, including walking to Finnisterre and Muxia last month.

Kiwi-family · Jul 13, 2015

Runners. You really don't need more people to say it, but it will give you confidence when so many affirm that option!

Kev · Jul 13, 2015

Felice said:
Agree with all above - take the running shoes.

I did the camino frances last Sept - SJPP to Santiago - in my old cheap trainers due to a last minute decision not to take my Goretex walking shoes which give me heat rash when it's warm. Best decision I ever made. I was worried that they would wear out before the end especially when a bit of sole started comping off and had to be stuck back again by a cobbler in Najera. But they made it all the way without any other problems. Bought another pair when I got back for less than £20 and they are still going strong, including walking to Finnisterre and Muxia last month.

I am curious, how much mud did you have to deal with and how did you deal with it with trainers?

Mark Lee · Jul 13, 2015

Kev said:
I am curious, how much mud did you have to deal with and how did you deal with it with trainers?

I didn't deal with any mud at all on my first Camino and very little mud (shoes got muddy two times I think) on my second. When they did get muddy I simply washed them off at the albergue and put them out in the sun to dry.
Trail runners or similar definitely the way to go and no need for waterproof.

Oztrekker · Jul 13, 2015

I agree, wear your runners. If you haul heavy loads then ankle support is a must.

Track conditions also important. The rear cuff of your sneakers can punch into the inside achilles creating a potential injury issue if you are going over rocky terrain. Therefore mids stop this problem.

Go light, go salomon trail shoes, x ultra "2!", contragrip soles - you will fly along.

Anniesantiago · Jul 13, 2015

What everyone else said.
Wear the runners!

WldWil · Jul 14, 2015

Great thread. Once again for us about to start a similar topic. I have Merrell Moab ventilators with blue Superfeet insoles. They seem to be a great combination until I hit the 15 kilometer marker. Then the balls of my feet start to feel bruised. I tried my running shoes, they are great on asphalt every stone when im on a path

The challenge is almost all my training has been on blacktop. Does this make that big a difference? Now I am back to trying to decide about shoes.

Oztrekker · Jul 14, 2015

Good point will having a shoe with a kevlar stone shield in the sole makes allot of semse with.these roman roads.

Saint Mike II · Jul 14, 2015

The known comfort of the old is important - you might like to add an extra layer of padding to help with the hard surface. The load you are carrying is also important so I recommend trying to keep it down to 7-8 KG (18-20 lb) not including water or trail snacks. If you are worried about the lack of waterproofing - why not buy one of the waterproof spray products and give them a coating. Also allow them to dry/air as much as possible when you arrive at your overnight accommodation. Cheers

Bajaracer · Jul 15, 2015

metfan said:
Hi all. I am going to do the last 100km of Camino the end of September to early October. I am a newbie. I know there are plenty of footwear threads but I need advice. I went to EMS Sports and they talked me into high top hikers. They said I needed ankle support. I do not have any ankle issues. I wore them around the store and was properly fitted. They are fine and fairly comfortable. However, my instincts are telling me to wear my tried and true runner sneakers. I am a runner. I have done 2 marathons and many shorter races. I always wear Asics gel nimbus. I love them and have never gotten blisters. My current pair are about a year old. So pros and cons to hikers. Pros: waterproof, ankle support, sturdy. Cons: I'm not used to high tops. They feel weird. Costly. Heavy. Running shoes. Pros: already have them. Worn in nicely. Comfortable. I'm very used to them. Cons: no ankle support. Not waterproof.

Any thoughts?

Thank you all,
Colleen

Get a fresh new pair of the Asics gel nimbus that you already use and start your Camino with them, since you are a runner, you already know the cushioning is getting "sacked out" on what you are wearing now.

Diggeratpctcd · Jul 19, 2015

1. Less is more. The salesman misleads u. Ankle support isn't neccessary for most major hardcore trails much less the Camino. Trail runners or running shoes, will be ideal.
2. Waterproof isn't needed. Regular running shoes let your feet breathe and dry out quicker. Waterproof shoes cause your feet to sweat , bc they don't breathe and that leads to blisters. Goretex takes forever to dry out after rain.
3. Sounds like u are a runner and u know all this. Go light! Most major long distance mountain hikers use simple running shoes. Buen Camino!

metfan said:
Hi all. I am going to do the last 100km of Camino the end of September to early October. I am a newbie. I know there are plenty of footwear threads but I need advice. I went to EMS Sports and they talked me into high top hikers. They said I needed ankle support. I do not have any ankle issues. I wore them around the store and was properly fitted. They are fine and fairly comfortable. However, my instincts are telling me to wear my tried and true runner sneakers. I am a runner. I have done 2 marathons and many shorter races. I always wear Asics gel nimbus. I love them and have never gotten blisters. My current pair are about a year old. So pros and cons to hikers. Pros: waterproof, ankle support, sturdy. Cons: I'm not used to high tops. They feel weird. Costly. Heavy. Running shoes. Pros: already have them. Worn in nicely. Comfortable. I'm very used to them. Cons: no ankle support. Not waterproof.

Any thoughts?

Thank you all,
Colleen

an

Victoria_Peregrina · Jul 21, 2015

WldWil said:
Great thread. Once again for us about to start a similar topic. I have Merrell Moab ventilators with blue Superfeet insoles. They seem to be a great combination until I hit the 15 kilometer marker. Then the balls of my feet start to feel bruised. I tried my running shoes, they are great on asphalt every stone when im on a path

I wore Merrell Moab Ventilator mid hiking boots from Roncesvalles to Santiago. The boots have provided a good combination of ankle support, water resistance (not water-proof), and breathability.

However, the most important factor is to get boots that are 1 or 1.5 sizes bigger than your normal size. When feet expand and the boots feel tight, everything else becomes irrelevant.

Bezotz · Jul 21, 2015

metfan said:
Hi all. I am going to do the last 100km of Camino the end of September to early October. I am a newbie. I know there are plenty of footwear threads but I need advice. I went to EMS Sports and they talked me into high top hikers. They said I needed ankle support. I do not have any ankle issues. I wore them around the store and was properly fitted. They are fine and fairly comfortable. However, my instincts are telling me to wear my tried and true runner sneakers. I am a runner. I have done 2 marathons and many shorter races. I always wear Asics gel nimbus. I love them and have never gotten blisters. My current pair are about a year old. So pros and cons to hikers. Pros: waterproof, ankle support, sturdy. Cons: I'm not used to high tops. They feel weird. Costly. Heavy. Running shoes. Pros: already have them. Worn in nicely. Comfortable. I'm very used to them. Cons: no ankle support. Not waterproof.

Any thoughts?

Thank you all,
Colleen

I walked from Porto to Santiago last year in teva sandles no socks most of the way and I also had minimus new balance running shoes. My feet did great. I even walked barefoot for a little ways just do I could say I did it. I did however need to buy new sandles when I got home.

Bezotz · Jul 21, 2015

Bezotz said:
I walked from Porto to Santiago last year in teva sandles no socks most of the way and I also had minimus new balance running shoes. My feet did great. I even walked barefoot for a little ways just do I could say I did it. I did however need to buy new sandles when I got home.

Stephan the Painter · Friday at 6:25 PM

Looking for recommendations. I dislike sleeping bags. I’m also not fond of sleeping bag liners. I own one of each and carried them on all my Camino's but I don't think I ever once slept in them...

lovingkindness · Thursday at 4:14 PM

Hi there! A few months ago, whilst doing first aid training our instructor mentioned that there were personal, one-use AED defibrillators on the market suitable for carrying in a back-pack. I...

alexat · Saturday at 5:08 PM

Hallo, First of all - thanks to all of you in this warm and generous community. Every time I have had a question, I've found a thread where someone else asked the same question years ago and it...

Yukimom · Friday at 4:04 AM

I will be doing the Camino Frances in May/June 2025. I’m trying to decide between Hoka Challengers and Merrill Accentors. The Challengers don’t seem to have a very robust sole as the middle part...

BarbaraW · 2024-11-17T14:51:40+0100

While shopping this morning I noticed that Aldi's ski clothing special buys will include merino base layers, and zip and roll neck tops. Due in store this Thursday. I bought a merino top from them...

New hiking boots vs old comfortable running sneakers?

New Member

Veteran Member

Migratory hermit

New Member

So many friends to meet . . . so little time

Keeping it simple

Active Member

{Rachael, the Mama of the family}

Active Member

Mark Lee

Guest

Active Member

Veteran Member

Active Member

Active Member

Veteran Member

Camino Frances 2013 Jun-Jul SJPDP to Finisterre

New Member

Member

Member

Member

❓How to ask a question

Most read last week in this forum

Similar threads

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency