Not sure about your feet? See an orthotist.

[Charl]

Here's a foot tip emanating from our preparations for the upcoming Camino. I decided that despite the many discussions on feet and footwear it might still be useful info and perhaps save someone a bucketful of tears on the Camino.

Adeline, my wife has bought no less than four pairs of shoes, both boots and trail shoes in preparation for the Camino, but haven't been 100% happy with any of them. During our 10km practice walks she found some were close to perfect, but she always had doubts, even with inner soles, special socks and other gadgets.

With the Camino start date approaching she was getting worried to the point where she was considering carrying two pairs of shoes. On reccommendation of a friend she went to see an orthotist for some help.

He did an infra-red scan of her feet and footprints, and found that she has a very gradual, degenerative genetic condition that causes some of the bones in her feet to 'wear out' which manifests in hot spots on the balls of her feet and under her big toe, numb toes and tiredness. She's in her forties and has never noticed it with average daily walking, and even on our occassional weekend hikes she's never experienced any discomfort. However the doc's opinion was that she won't last the 900km we plan to walk without proper care, so he gave her a pair of specialist inner soles that will go some way to fixing the problem. However she'll have to get custom inners when we return... not enough time to have them made before we leave.

The take-away is, get to know your feet very, very well and do long (10km+) practice walks before you leave. If in doubt about your feet, see an expert to ensure they're in tip-top condition. It might also solve the boot-shoe debate for you as he'll give you pro advice on the best footwear for your type of feet. In Adeline's case he recommended hiking boots, to provide more support for her feet.

 

[Donna Sch]

Hotspots never appear before 10 km so the mileage is very important. I'm glad that you are aware of this now. To be forewarned is to be forearmed!

 

[Rajy62]

The take-away is, get to know your feet very, very well and do long (10km+) practice walks before you leave. If in doubt about your feet, see an expert to ensure they're in tip-top condition. It might also solve the boot-shoe debate for you as he'll give you pro advice on the best footwear for your type of feet. In Adeline's case he recommended hiking boots, to provide more support for her feet.

Totally agree. Another tip is to reduce the overall weight she puts on her feet. Should consider using the backpack transport service and carry only a daypack. Buen camino.

 

[Dreamwalker33]

Here's a foot tip emanating from our preparations for the upcoming Camino. I decided that despite the many discussions on feet and footwear it might still be useful info and perhaps save someone a bucketful of tears on the Camino.

Adeline, my wife has bought no less than four pairs of shoes, both boots and trail shoes in preparation for the Camino, but haven't been 100% happy with any of them. During our 10km practice walks she found some were close to perfect, but she always had doubts, even with inner soles, special socks and other gadgets.

With the Camino start date approaching she was getting worried to the point where she was considering carrying two pairs of shoes. On reccommendation of a friend she went to see an orthotist for some help.

He did an infra-red scan of her feet and footprints, and found that she has a very gradual, degenerative genetic condition that causes some of the bones in her feet to 'wear out' which manifests in hot spots on the balls of her feet and under her big toe, numb toes and tiredness. She's in her forties and has never noticed it with average daily walking, and even on our occassional weekend hikes she's never experienced any discomfort. However the doc's opinion was that she won't last the 900km we plan to walk without proper care, so he gave her a pair of specialist inner soles that will go some way to fixing the problem. However she'll have to get custom inners when we return... not enough time to have them made before we leave.

The take-away is, get to know your feet very, very well and do long (10km+) practice walks before you leave. If in doubt about your feet, see an expert to ensure they're in tip-top condition. It might also solve the boot-shoe debate for you as he'll give you pro advice on the best footwear for your type of feet. In Adeline's case he recommended hiking boots, to provide more support for her feet.

I had the same problem as your wife. Got my feet checked out and had orthotics made just prior to our Camino August '14. So glad I did! Whilst training for the Camino it became apparent that after 6 miles of walking, the balls of my feet got hot spots and my toes cramped - even after taking my boots off and rubbing my feet. I had no problems with my feet using the orthotics. I first tried store bought insoles which did not work. So glad my trainer told me to go to a foot Dr.!!!