Shoe advice for a newbie

[Jennifer Partika]

I will be walking my first El Camino CF in Sep/Oct and have been busily trying to prepare. I have spent hours reading threads on this site and others regarding hiking shoes/trail runners and a full day at REI trying on shoes. I decided on a pair of Merrell Siren Edge hiking shoes (1/2 size bigger than normal size) . I took a few 9-10 mile hikes around San Francicso (mostly pavement) with a loaded pack on to try them out. Last weekend, I did a full three days of hiking in much steeper terrain with an average of 12 miles a day. After the first day, I had such bad blisters (on both pinkie toes and on the foot pad right under my big toe) that were so painful, I had to hike in my sandals for the next two days. I did hike in cotton socks on that first day rather than wool.
My questions is, how do I know if the problem is with my shoes, the cotton socks, or something else? Could it be that I just need to toughen up my feet? When do I know if it is time to try a new pair of shoes. I am a runner and have run full marathons in cotton socks and running shoes with no blisters at all.
Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[markmcilroy]

Hi Jennifer...walking the Camino without getting blisters is like living a life without having problems....very difficult to do.

Most pilgrims walk with blisters.

I went from having 11 on my first Camino down to 1 on my 2nd Camino.

I would ditch the cotton socks, any sort of cotton absorbs moisture and rubs on the skin. There are many threads here on blister prevention. I would try out merino socks, maybe double layer socks like Wright Socks which I now use and a lot people like Darn Tough socks or 1000 mile socks.

If the blisters are just on your pinkies you can get silicon "sleeves" to go over them or just some paper tape will help. Before you walk each day.

The blister on your foot pad, again I would put on paper tape before you start walking.

Remember to change your socks every couple of hours at least if not more often. I just have a large safety pin which I attach my "wet" socks to so they dry out and swap them over every hour or so.

Also apply a vaseline type product all over your feet after you have taped up helps.

There will be times when you can't do much ie. the days are just too hot so you feet sweat so much that they are always wet or in the rain.

You will get plenty of advice here.

 

[jcat]

Hello SF Bay Area neighbor!!!

Any 12 mile hike through is SF is challenging with the elevation changes. Sounds like you are ready for the Camino, just need to find the right shoe.

I hiked in Merrells for years and never got a blister after my first hiking season. I recently changed to a Solomon trail runner and like them even more.

Hopefully your feet are just getting adjusted to long hikes and will get better with time. Or a new shoe will be a solution. How about trying some soft dirt trails for your hikes? Plenty of fun spots around the bay. Let me know if you want any suggestions.

 

[trecile]

Most pilgrims walk with blisters

Really? I've walked the Camino twice with just one tiny toe blister, and have met many others who have walked blister free. Blisters are not inevitable!

 

[domigee]

Really? I've walked the Camino twice with just one tiny toe blister, and have met many others who have walked blister free. Blisters are not inevitable!

So can you share your secret(s) to help the OP?

 

[trecile]

So can you share your secret(s) to help the OP?

I wear lightweight trail runners, about one size bigger than normal. I wear lightweight WrightSocks double layer socks. I put an anti friction balm on my feet. Last year I put Omnifix tape on the balls of my feet, because that's the area that seems like it might be blister prone, and I wrapped my second toes with tape, just in case. Every time I stopped I took off my shoes and socks to air out my feet and examine them. As soon as I feel a hot spot I stop and attend to it.

 

[Lleslie]

I agree that blisters can mostly be prevented, or maybe it is just luck! I and two friends walked from SJPP to Santiago in 2014 and each of us only had one insignificant blister, mine in the last week after having to get new insoles. (and i think i got lazy about changing socks midday!) We had read alot of advice on this forum which really paid off. Two of us had AKU boots and the other hiking shoes. Our boots are two full sizes larger than our usual shoes and are roomy in the toe area. We lace them so they aren't tight over the toes and foot but secure enough around the ankle to prevent our feet sliding forward. All of us used only one sock at a time, bridgedale merino/bamboo blend, and did not use any vaseline type products. We (mostly!) aired/changed our socks midway thru each day. We used 'hyperfix' tape on any area we thought we might have problems with to prevent friction/shear. We are hoping these same strategies work again as we leave mid May for the Via Podiensis

 

[domigee]

I wear lightweight trail runners, about one size bigger than normal. I wear lightweight WrightSocks double layer socks. I put an anti friction balm on my feet. Last year I put Omnifix tape on the balls of my feet, because that's the area that seems like it might be blister prone, and I wrapped my second toes with tape, just in case. Every time I stopped I took off my shoes and socks to air out my feet and examine them. As soon as I feel a hot spot I stop and attend to it.

Thanks. Reminded me that the only thing I haven't tried is taping, will give it a go.

 

[domigee]

I agree that blisters can mostly be prevented, or maybe it is just luck!

Or bad luck lol.
I have walked many kms, in rain, in sunshine etc and only suffered the occasional small blister, as you say, insignificant. Last year on the other hand, the skin of my entire foot detached itself! No warning.
Needless to say, pretty crippling! So I am rethinking my blister management techniques

 

[Shalaw]

I will be walking my first El Camino CF in Sep/Oct and have been busily trying to prepare. I have spent hours reading threads on this site and others regarding hiking shoes/trail runners and a full day at REI trying on shoes. I decided on a pair of Merrell Siren Edge hiking shoes (1/2 size bigger than normal size) . I took a few 9-10 mile hikes around San Francicso (mostly pavement) with a loaded pack on to try them out. Last weekend, I did a full three days of hiking in much steeper terrain with an average of 12 miles a day. After the first day, I had such bad blisters (on both pinkie toes and on the foot pad right under my big toe) that were so painful, I had to hike in my sandals for the next two days. I did hike in cotton socks on that first day rather than wool.
My questions is, how do I know if the problem is with my shoes, the cotton socks, or something else? Could it be that I just need to toughen up my feet? When do I know if it is time to try a new pair of shoes. I am a runner and have run full marathons in cotton socks and running shoes with no blisters at all.
Any advice would be much appreciated.

I had purchased Vasque hiking boots and they started to rub my pinkies after about 70kms. I then purchased KEEN boots because they have an extremely wide toe box. When I left for my Camino, I had 5kms on them and they were fantastic!!

As far as if it’s your socks or boots, I’d say it’s likey the boots and you need to find wider ones.

Buen Camino!!

 

[Pam Scott]

So can you share your secret(s) to help the OP?

I am so sorry for your foot issues, Its no fun starting a walk with that worry. I have done a lot of long disance walks carrying weight and I'm one of the lucky people who never get blisters. Unlike a lot of people I don't wear trail runners or trainers but light weight leather boots professionally fitted. They are so comfortable. I don't think there is any boot /shoe that has the magic formula, but the boot/ shoe must fit your feet not the other way round. I know the Scarpa boots I wear fit me, but if I changed the style even in the same brand I could easily start getting blisters. Wishing you a buen and blister free camino.

 

[Praorn]

I will be walking my first El Camino CF in Sep/Oct and have been busily trying to prepare. I have spent hours reading threads on this site and others regarding hiking shoes/trail runners and a full day at REI trying on shoes. I decided on a pair of Merrell Siren Edge hiking shoes (1/2 size bigger than normal size) . I took a few 9-10 mile hikes around San Francicso (mostly pavement) with a loaded pack on to try them out. Last weekend, I did a full three days of hiking in much steeper terrain with an average of 12 miles a day. After the first day, I had such bad blisters (on both pinkie toes and on the foot pad right under my big toe) that were so painful, I had to hike in my sandals for the next two days. I did hike in cotton socks on that first day rather than wool.
My questions is, how do I know if the problem is with my shoes, the cotton socks, or something else? Could it be that I just need to toughen up my feet? When do I know if it is time to try a new pair of shoes. I am a runner and have run full marathons in cotton socks and running shoes with no blisters at all.
Any advice would be much appreciated.

Hi
I am walking now. I use Merrell Moab. I bought the boots in the afternoon (feet get bigger in the afternoon) 1 size bigger than my usual shoes, and wide width.
For socks I use liners (toe socks) Injunji (Merino wool) and a pair of socks Darn Tough socks (also Merino wool).
I have been walking about 40 days with no blisters.
Good luck!

 

[AlwynWellington]

I am a runner and have run full marathons in cotton socks and running shoes with no blisters at all.

Hi Jennifer. I am not a runner. For about five years now I have used New Balance running shoes. About 1 to 1.5 sizes bigger than my town shoes and width 4E. And very breathable and felxible upper to better shape to the front half of my foot. For four years now I have consistently worn NB 860 and covered around 5,000 km in training and on Camino.

In that time I would have used less than 10 compeed. My very very occassional issue is when something foreign get between the top of a toe and the upper.

A particular delight I have is to wade through streams I encounter knowing the natural warmth of my feet means much of the water will have evaporated away within 10 to 15 minutes.

And I usually wear an (inner) ankle sock and an (outer) longer hose. Both pairs are synthetic to ease drying time.

Kia kaha (take care, be strong, get going)