Questions to ask about shoes

[katzika]

Hello,

I'm going on my first Camino in March, from Lisbon to Coimbra. I've decided to go for a shoe fitting appointment at Ellis & Bringham (UK) as I know nothing about proper shoes (I've been using leather hiking boots from Mountain Warehouse for the last 6 years to do day walks around the UK if that gives you an indication of my knowledge level). I would like to go with trail runners, as it's mostly road walking, but other than that, I don't know what will work best for me. I've done lots of reading, so I'm a bit more educated, but not enough to ask for what I think I'll need, outside of my shoe size.

I'm putting together a list of questions to ask, and potential shoes to try (but not limiting myself). I have high arches but have never used any form of extra support. I have minor knee issues (wear a brace from time to time), and I have only one tight calf, which tells me that foot does something funny when I walk. I have my list below, based on what I think I'll need. Am I missing anything? Will also take shoe suggestions!

Shoes to try based on reviews:

1. Hoka Speedgoat 5
2. Salomon x Ultra 4
3. Brooks Cascadia (although I can't see them on UK websites)
4. Altra Olypmus
5. La Sportiva Bushido
6. Topo Terraventure (also don't see on websites)

Questions to ask:

• What sort of shoe has the best arch support? Do I need arch support if I've never used it before?
• What impact will a 0mm drop have on my joints/knees?
• Will a higher heel drop make a tight calf tighter?

I'm coming up short on questions really. I know it's utlitmately comes down to how it fits, but I still want to make a good decision.

Thanks!

 

[J Willhaus]

Shoes are very personal, but I wear La Sportiva Bushidos almost exclusively now. I have two new pairs in boxes in the closet because I am afraid they will discontinue them...

 

[montyhiker]

For what it’s worth, shoes are very personal but I swear by my Obos. In my training, I’ve put a little over 1000 km on them without much wear and no blisters. They’re waterproof and have proven themselves hiking through mud. Make sure you buy at least a 1/2 size bigger than what you normally wear. Just bought my second pair which I’ll start breaking in to wear on the pilgrimage. Buen Camino!

 

[Anniesantiago]

I am not a fan of boots because I only wore them when I worked for USFWS and didn't like them.
However, if you've worn boots for 6 years and you're happy with them, why not wear those on the Camino? There is really no reason to fix what isn't broken?

 

[woody66]

As others have said shoe choice is personal to you!

Here is what happened before my first Camino.

Went to a really good running shop had my shoes fitted on two separate occasions felt great straight away the guy let me walk up an down outside for a bit as well!

However both pairs were great until i upped the milage above about 6-7miles and then they gave me problems ; it's the UK so i was stuck with both pairs and by then (no returns)

Whatever you buy put some miles on them and carry the pack weight you intend to carry before you go!!!

I have ended up with Hoka Stinson ATR 6 non waterproof trail runners i wear nothing else now so so comfy (they have now gone on to ATR7 so i brought three pairs of the ATR6 to make sure i had them)

I have high arches and use Superfeet green insoles and they work for me fine.
(i had a pair of orthotics made for me at £180 they did me more harm than good; i have supinated for nearly 70 years and the podiatrist wanted to correct it my body said no)

Shoe size i wore size eleven in boots, because your feet swell after walking long distances day after day people suggest going up a half to one full size!
So i went for a UK12 that worked great for me; however by last years September Frances it's now a UK 12.5 to be comfortable!!
Hope this is helpful and doesn't make life harder


Buen Camino
Woody

 

[markie6]

3 CF wearing New Balance. 1 Trail Runner, 2 Road Runners. All performed well

It will of course depend on conditions, surface type, weather etc etc. There is however no perfect shoe or boot for sale anywhere

 

[Lowtide]

There are some extensive threads on fitting footwear. I have walked in many different ones and found the trsil runners best for me. They have good cushion reasonable support and are light. I have high arches and don't wear any special insoles. I change socks at least once a day and seldom get blisters.
Good luck

 

[jpwu]

I love the vivobarefoot forest esc boots, they are minimalist, zero drop and wide toe box. Blisters are excluded along with injinji stockings. They are also very flexible which makes walking very pleasant.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Even fans of zero drop shoes say that newbies need a long time to get used to them. Look into these for any camino you do next year but definitely don't wear them for this March.

High arches and knee issues can be a bad mix as unsupported arches can fall causing pronation of the foot and that can cause knee pain. I ran into this on both my caminos. I thought I had it beat for my second camino with doctor prescribed insoles. My training didn't have me walking long enough each day nor day after day nor on pavement. On the camino one day I was having a leg collapsing under me. Tissue paper wads placed under the insoles to support the arches worked wonders almost immediately.

Discuss this all with a podiatrist right away so you can get the right footwear in time for trial before your trip.

Also, members have complaints about the amount of walking on cobblestones they do in Portugal. I think this could stress the ankles. Rock plates under the insoles may provide comfort against the cobblestones. They could be made by cutting a layer or two of plastic milk cartons.

 

[Tandem Graham]

I think it's good that you're going to a specialist shop for advice and fitting. Do make it very clear to them that you'll be walking mainly on hard surfaces and in a warm climate. If you're lucky your sales person will know about the Caminos, but on my first visit to Cotswold/Snow and Rock (six years ago) they were very keen to sell me full leather boots - I have had better experiences since.
If the shoe is uncomfortable in the shop, it is unlikely to get better than that over time. The advice to go a size larger is good, to allow for the swelling which comes from every day long walking. One way to replicate that is to wear two pairs of thick socks (thicker than you'll actually wear) when trying on.
If you haven't worn zero drop before, I'd be reluctant to choose them just a few weeks before you go.
Good luck and Buen Camino!

 

[Tincatinker]

Hello,

I'm going on my first Camino in March, from Lisbon to Coimbra. I've decided to go for a shoe fitting appointment at Ellis & Bringham (UK) as I know nothing about proper shoes (I've been using leather hiking boots from Mountain Warehouse for the last 6 years to do day walks around the UK if that gives you an indication of my knowledge level). I would like to go with trail runners, as it's mostly road walking, but other than that, I don't know what will work best for me. I've done lots of reading, so I'm a bit more educated, but not enough to ask for what I think I'll need, outside of my shoe size.

I'm putting together a list of questions to ask, and potential shoes to try (but not limiting myself). I have high arches but have never used any form of extra support. I have minor knee issues (wear a brace from time to time), and I have only one tight calf, which tells me that foot does something funny when I walk. I have my list below, based on what I think I'll need. Am I missing anything? Will also take shoe suggestions!

Shoes to try based on reviews:

1. Hoka Speedgoat 5
2. Salomon x Ultra 4
3. Brooks Cascadia (although I can't see them on UK websites)
4. Altra Olypmus
5. La Sportiva Bushido
6. Topo Terraventure (also don't see on websites)

Questions to ask:

• What sort of shoe has the best arch support? Do I need arch support if I've never used it before?
• What impact will a 0mm drop have on my joints/knees?
• Will a higher heel drop make a tight calf tighter?

I'm coming up short on questions really. I know it's utlitmately comes down to how it fits, but I still want to make a good decision.

Thanks!

What @Anniesantiago said at Post 4. If you hike in boots why change? Why devote time, effort and possible pain to a change that isn't necessary. On the paved surfaces of Portugal I'd wear boots

 

[KiwiJohn]

For what it’s worth, shoes are very personal but I swear by my Obos. In my training, I’ve put a little over 1000 km on them without much wear and no blisters. They’re waterproof and have proven themselves hiking through mud. Make sure you buy at least a 1/2 size bigger than what you normally wear. Just bought my second pair which I’ll start breaking in to wear on the pilgrimage. Buen Camino!

Oldest pair of Oboz at the left. I use them all depending on the terrain. The middle pair were used on my first Camino last September.

 

[katzika]

Thanks everyone for you responses! I appreciate the time you took to respond and give me some good ideas.

@Anniesantiago and @KiwiJohn I decided not to wear boots because it's road walking. The pair I have leave me with really sore feet if I do too much of it.

@woody66 yeah, I am afraid of discovering that they aren't right after a short number of miles.

@RickoftheRickandPeg I figured high arches and knee issues were a terrible combination. I have ended up going with a shoe that as soon as I put it on my arches were happy! I've never sought anything with arch support before and I found an instant comfort.

@Tandem Graham I had my appointment today, and the sales lady, who was so patient and helpful, was not aware of the Camino either. But she was still very helpful. I did wear the thicker socks and walked to my distination with the hopes that my feet would have done something. Depending on the shoe, I can seem able to wear anything from a 6-7.5 UK so I'm never really sure which one to get.

I did have my appointment today. I had my feet measured in their feet measuring machine, which said I should be wearing a 5.5 (couldn't even get a 6 on!), and that my feet are wide (news to me) and that my right foot is larger than my left, which makes feeting my really narrow heels difficult. I made sure to wear thick socks and walked there in hopes of making my feet swell a little. I spent an hour trying on different shoes!

The Hokas did not fit my feet as my heels are far too narrow. I could have slipped those right off. But I couldn't fit into a smaller size either. The same for other three models I tried. They didn't have the Bushidos in a size that fit. I tried about 4 different types of Scarpa, including one that had a funny wheel thing on the side that tightens the laces (almost went with those). Lastly, the sales lady brought my Salomon Speed Cross 6, which fit. Sort of. They fit the best out of everything I tried. The size 7 are perfect, but then I was worried about swelling, but the 7.5 were too big on my heels (again). I went with the 7. They fit just fine, and I was wearing pretty thick socks. I'm hoping for the best with these!

Thanks for everyone's help!

 

[C clearly]

I know it's utlitmately comes down to how it fits

It ultimately comes down to only "How does it feel to you?" You can ask all sorts of academic questions but the only important question is to your yourself.

I can seem able to wear anything from a 6-7.5 UK so I'm never really sure which one to get.

I get the largest size that doesn't seem "too big."

but the 7.5 were too big on my heels (again)

You should learn some lacing techniques thatmight help a lot with this, and perhaps allow you to wear a roomier shoe. Search "heel lock lacing" on YouTube.

 

[KiwiJohn]

Thanks everyone for you responses! I appreciate the time you took to respond and give me some good ideas.

@Anniesantiago and @KiwiJohn I decided not to wear boots because it's road walking. The pair I have leave me with really sore feet if I do too much of it.

@woody66 yeah, I am afraid of discovering that they aren't right after a short number of miles.

@RickoftheRickandPeg I figured high arches and knee issues were a terrible combination. I have ended up going with a shoe that as soon as I put it on my arches were happy! I've never sought anything with arch support before and I found an instant comfort.

@Tandem Graham I had my appointment today, and the sales lady, who was so patient and helpful, was not aware of the Camino either. But she was still very helpful. I did wear the thicker socks and walked to my distination with the hopes that my feet would have done something. Depending on the shoe, I can seem able to wear anything from a 6-7.5 UK so I'm never really sure which one to get.

I did have my appointment today. I had my feet measured in their feet measuring machine, which said I should be wearing a 5.5 (couldn't even get a 6 on!), and that my feet are wide (news to me) and that my right foot is larger than my left, which makes feeting my really narrow heels difficult. I made sure to wear thick socks and walked there in hopes of making my feet swell a little. I spent an hour trying on different shoes!

The Hokas did not fit my feet as my heels are far too narrow. I could have slipped those right off. But I couldn't fit into a smaller size either. The same for other three models I tried. They didn't have the Bushidos in a size that fit. I tried about 4 different types of Scarpa, including one that had a funny wheel thing on the side that tightens the laces (almost went with those). Lastly, the sales lady brought my Salomon Speed Cross 6, which fit. Sort of. They fit the best out of everything I tried. The size 7 are perfect, but then I was worried about swelling, but the 7.5 were too big on my heels (again). I went with the 7. They fit just fine, and I was wearing pretty thick socks. I'm hoping for the best with these!

Thanks for everyone's help!

Thanks, @katzika for the reply. I also have Salomon shoes, too much feet movement inside the shoe for me. Your shoe choice is paramount, so make your OWN decision. Bon Camino!

 

[katzika]

It ultimately comes down to only "How does it feel to you?" You can ask all sorts of academic questions but the only important question is to your yourself.


I get the largest size that doesn't seem "too big."


You should learn some lacing techniques thatmight help a lot with this, and perhaps allow you to wear a roomier shoe. Search "heel lock lacing" on YouTube.

I had heard that lacing differently can change how the shoe fits. I had meant to look at that more for my hiking boots as I'm sure they are a 1/2 size too big.

 

[BRSmith13]

Hello,

I'm going on my first Camino in March, from Lisbon to Coimbra. I've decided to go for a shoe fitting appointment at Ellis & Bringham (UK) as I know nothing about proper shoes (I've been using leather hiking boots from Mountain Warehouse for the last 6 years to do day walks around the UK if that gives you an indication of my knowledge level). I would like to go with trail runners, as it's mostly road walking, but other than that, I don't know what will work best for me. I've done lots of reading, so I'm a bit more educated, but not enough to ask for what I think I'll need, outside of my shoe size.

I'm putting together a list of questions to ask, and potential shoes to try (but not limiting myself). I have high arches but have never used any form of extra support. I have minor knee issues (wear a brace from time to time), and I have only one tight calf, which tells me that foot does something funny when I walk. I have my list below, based on what I think I'll need. Am I missing anything? Will also take shoe suggestions!

Shoes to try based on reviews:

1. Hoka Speedgoat 5
2. Salomon x Ultra 4
3. Brooks Cascadia (although I can't see them on UK websites)
4. Altra Olypmus
5. La Sportiva Bushido
6. Topo Terraventure (also don't see on websites)

Questions to ask:

• What sort of shoe has the best arch support? Do I need arch support if I've never used it before?
• What impact will a 0mm drop have on my joints/knees?
• Will a higher heel drop make a tight calf tighter?

I'm coming up short on questions really. I know it's utlitmately comes down to how it fits, but I still want to make a good decision.

Thanks!

Maybe take a look at the Hoka Challenger - here in the US they are much more popular than the Speedgoats. The speedgoats don’t do well on asphalt or concrete - wear out REALLY FAST. I don’t know any others.

 

[Rita Flower]

Ah. Wide feet narrow heals. That’s me. Also weaker ankles.
I tried what seemed like 100’s of trail runners as they are so popular - but none of them felt right.
I went back to my original Camino footwear. Merrell.
Now I wear Merrell Moab 3 Mids in a wide fit - and replace the inner sole. Perfect.
On the Portugese from Lisbon I wore Keens which were fine too but a bit heavier than the Merrells.
Hope the Salomon’s work out for you. But there are still more options to try. You might need to try different shops as they stock different brands.
Buen Camino.

 

[Simperegrina]

You might also want to look at the New Balance Hierro 7s…

 

[DwainS]

Ah. Wide feet narrow heals. That’s me. Also weaker ankles.
I tried what seemed like 100’s of trail runners as they are so popular - but none of them felt right.
I went back to my original Camino footwear. Merrell.
Now I wear Merrell Moab 3 Mids in a wide fit - and replace the inner sole. Perfect.
On the Portugese from Lisbon I wore Keens which were fine too but a bit heavier than the Merrells.
Hope the Salomon’s work out for you. But there are still more options to try. You might need to try different shops as they stock different brands.
Buen Camino.

I didn't know what what to buy last year on my first Camino as I'm not a hiker. I was most worried about blisters. So I decided on the Merrell Moab 3. Had no problem with my feet or ankles at all. They were in such good shape when I got home I was going to use the same pair this year. They came on sale over New Year so I bought a new pair.