Sandals Advice Please

[sriyantra]

For the last couple of weeks I have been trying to buy hiking/walking sandals but have found to get the length I need they are really loose around the ankle/heel area. I figure that if I need to wear sandals during the day for walking it will be because I have foot problems from my boots and I don't want to create even more problems with ill fitting sandals. There are no more shops to try in my town to try so I am looking at a 3 hour drive to visit other hiking/camping stores. I have tried Merells, Teva, Columbia and others, with velcro and with a clasp. I did find one pair that I would have bought but I am allergic to rubber and the base was made of just that! As there are no specialist fitters at these shops I am really on my own here. Does it matter if they are loose around the ankle/heel area? I am worried that on the heel area they might rub and cause blisters. I am really happy with all of my clothing and backpack and this is the last item that I need. Before I go for a long drive I would like to know what our experienced forum people think. Thanks

 

[Deleted member 3000]

When my brother finally got a blister after thousands of kilometers of pilgrimage paths, his Teva sandal straps were right over it. He had to borrow my Crocs for a couple of days. Crocs don't fit anyone (Bigfoot excluded). If you can walk in sandals (many cannot for a variety of reasons), fit is not real important. Fill in the space with socks.

 

[sriyantra]

When my brother finally got a blister after thousands of kilometers of pilgrimage paths, his Teva sandal straps were right over it. He had to borrow my Crocs for a couple of days. Crocs don't fit anyone (Bigfoot excluded). If you can walk in sandals (many cannot for a variety of reasons), fit is not real important. Fill in the space with socks.

I love my Croc look alikes, pay about A$5 for them. I walk 5ks a day along the beach in them. My husband and I are going to share a pair for use in the showers. As I said, if I am hiking in sandals then I have a foot problem and I had wondered about the ankle strap being where blisters might be. The last item is the one that is causing the most concern! Thanks for the advice.

 

[nidarosa]

Did you try the Teva Terra Fis? They have velcro straps at the back of the heel, over the foot and in front of the ankle, so they are very adjustable (other models like the Tirra are not). I and two of my friends - and many many more from this forum - have used them as second walking shoes + shower shoes + evening shoes and I'd say they are worth trying unless you already have. Also wearing thin nylon socks (the suntan see-through kind which are really unsightly but invaluable when walking) in your sandal can reduce the risk of chafing and blistering without having to wear a big warm sock. Think of it as Camino Chic!

 

[wayfarer]

I use Keen closed toe sandals and find them great. I walk about 6 or 12 km in them daily since the weather picked up and no problems. They have an elasticated lacing system and you can have them as snug or loose as you want. See link below, this is the Irish site but I'm sure there will be one for your area as they sell worldwide. The closed toe also means you are not picking up pebbles as much as the open toed ones.
http://www.keenfootwear.com/ie/en/product/shoes/men/waterfront/kanyon

 

[Finisterre]

Just steal your husband's crocs if you need them. Carrying things 'in case' is a bit bonkers. Every refuge seems to have old shoes lying around. You could look out for a nicely trashed pair as you go.

 

[donalomahony]

Just completed Camino from St. Jean to Santiago in a pair of these sandals.

Blisters: a few, days 5-7 of 33
Traction on sandy ground: excellent
Comfort: v good
Downhill confidence: total
Used in wet: yes

http://www.eccoshoesuk.com/mobile/product/1322-ecco-terra-vg-sandal

 

[xin loi]

Lot of hikers wear sandals on the Camino. If you are allergic to a type of sandal, I doubt if it is really rubber as Synthetic rubber is much cheaper and generally used for sandals. I used teva's on the camino as my Keens are not very good in wet mud --very abrasive when grit gets under all of the straps and under the toe guard. Also, I have noticed that some of my sandals are made of such soft material that you feel every little sharp stone while walking--that is something you won't catch while trying them on in a store.

Don't forget to try your sandals out while walking down steep hills-- the Camino has many long easy climbs up hill followed by steep descents on loose rocks, e.g SJPDP to Roncevalle.

 

[donalomahony]

Back again - whatever sandal you choose it should have a mountain boot equivalent sole, vibram or similar - my eccos have what they term "receptor technology"! - thin soles and you will feel all the stones, as the previous contributer pointed out.

In terms of sox I wore mid-weight hiking sox with the sandals.

 

[sriyantra]

Did you try the Teva Terra Fis? They have velcro straps at the back of the heel, over the foot and in front of the ankle, so they are very adjustable (other models like the Tirra are not). I and two of my friends - and many many more from this forum - have used them as second walking shoes + shower shoes + evening shoes and I'd say they are worth trying unless you already have. Also wearing thin nylon socks (the suntan see-through kind which are really unsightly but invaluable when walking) in your sandal can reduce the risk of chafing and blistering without having to wear a big warm sock. Think of it as Camino Chic!

They didn't have Teva Terra Fis in my size. I did try a different brand with velcro straps at the back of the heel and two across the top of the foot, but I had the velcro closed as far as it would go and my ankle/heel area still had heaps of room. Thank you for your advice. It looks like I will have to take a long drive to try some more. I do want them as you say as a second pair of walking shoes. While I love my boots I know conditions can change and I might need to walk in sandals.

 

[sriyantra]

I use Keen closed toe sandals and find them great. I walk about 6 or 12 km in them daily since the weather picked up and no problems. They have an elasticated lacing system and you can have them as snug or loose as you want. See link below, this is the Irish site but I'm sure there will be one for your area as they sell worldwide. The closed toe also means you are not picking up pebbles as much as the open toed ones.
http://www.keenfootwear.com/ie/en/product/shoes/men/waterfront/kanyon

Thanks for that. I did see them but again I couldn't get them in my size. I thought the closed toe was a good idea against small stones but I wondered how the lacing would feel and whether that was another rubbing point for blisters. So much to consider..... Only taking 2 pairs of shoes means that they have to be right and the Keen sandals were A$150.00 a pair so I don't want to make a costly mistake.

 

[sriyantra]

Hi.

My gosh...you have got some fabulous suggestions already.

I took Timberland Trail rays. Amazing sandel. I have taken them everywhere. ..rivers, bush, rocks. .and footpaths.
The footbed is a soft plastic (fancy tech stuff) which I don't believe has rubber in it. The sole has rubber I think.
They have the foot and ankle straps and a small toe guard.

Socks n sandels are very common on the Camino.

I haven't seen Timberland Trail Rays in the shops we have but it looks like I will have to go for a long drive to try more on so I will see if I can find some stockists. Thanks again. I am really allergic to rubber and I hadn't considered that some hiking/walking sandals would be a problem. I had started to pat myself on my back about being organised - I shouldn't have tempted fate !

 

[sriyantra]

Lot of hikers wear sandals on the Camino. If you are allergic to a type of sandal, I doubt if it is really rubber as Synthetic rubber is much cheaper and generally used for sandals. I used teva's on the camino as my Keens are not very good in wet mud --very abrasive when grit gets under all of the straps and under the toe guard. Also, I have noticed that some of my sandals are made of such soft material that you feel every little sharp stone while walking--that is something you won't catch while trying them on in a store.

Don't forget to try your sandals out while walking down steep hills-- the Camino has many long easy climbs up hill followed by steep descents on loose rocks, e.g SJPDP to Roncevalle.

I am very allergic to rubber and latex so I can't afford to take a chance. If the label says "rubber" then I will have to leave it otherwise after 30 minutes my feet would look like itchy watermelons. I have an old leather pair of sandals that I might have to end up taking with me if I can't get anything else. Thanks for the advice.

 

[sriyantra]

Just steal your husband's crocs if you need them. Carrying things 'in case' is a bit bonkers. Every refuge seems to have old shoes lying around. You could look out for a nicely trashed pair as you go.

Just completed Camino from St. Jean to Santiago in a pair of these sandals.

Blisters: a few, days 5-7 of 33
Traction on sandy ground: excellent
Comfort: v good
Downhill confidence: total
Used in wet: yes

http://www.eccoshoesuk.com/mobile/product/1322-ecco-terra-vg-sandal

Thanks for the link. I will have to take a long drive to another area so I will see if I can find a stockist there.

 

[omi1]

I also have really narrow feet (especially heels), so need the kind of sandals which adjust everywhere on your foot. Merrell Chameleon II convertibles were my favourites ever ( I loved those sandals!), but I have also had some success with Teva Terra Fi's and Karrimor Kiwis.

 

[sriyantra]

If its any consultation. ...I was still buying Camino shoes 48 hrs before I left...and had to exchange a faulty pair on the morning of my flight.

I spent way too much money. ...and got myself into a right mess with possible options. In the end I went with tried and true and didnt look back.

The trail rays are very similar to the Ecco offroad shoe. They have a chunky sole and you cant feel anything thru them. Im a big girl...so they passed that test really well.

Wow! We still have 4 weeks before we leave and I thought I was cutting it fine! I couldn't believe it - our shops have always been full of sandals because we live in a tourist area, but it is Murphy's Law, now I want them they are scarce but all the shops promised there would be heaps in in about a month's time! My husband bought his sandals at Christmas time but I thought I would take a pair of old sneakers as my second pair of shoes, but then I started to think that if I had blisters then I had two pairs of totally enclosed footwear and I did need sandals. They can be quite expensive as you say. The prices ranged from A$80 to A$200. Thanks again.

 

[cher99840]

I took my Keen sandals. Many people advised against them (too heavy, take crocs, they said) but I was so glad I had them. Walked about a third of my Camino in them as well as wearing them in the evenings.

 

[sriyantra]

I have got sandals !!! From a Fishing Tackle Shop in town so I didn't have to do a big drive. They are Merrell Terrapin Sport. I think they are actually men's sandals but they feel comfortable, with adjustable velcro and the sandal feels nice to walk on, unlike some with fancy tread patterns that felt like they were sticking to the soles of my feet ! Thanks for the help. This time in 4 weeks we will be in the airport ready to head to Spain...but whose counting!