Remove ads on the forum by becoming a donating member. More here. |
---|
Thankyou for a great answer to my questions off to the shops tomorrow and repack the poles thankyouPlenty of time to break-in a pair of non-leather trail runners or trail hikers. This should not be a problem, and honestly, these shoes provide plenty of support for that Camino section. I've had plantar fasciitis and I use trail runners for all of my Caminos. The exception was my first Frances. My leather boots created issues and so I bought trail runners in Leon. I had no chance to break them in, I just put them on and walked. It was fine and I've never used anything else since then.
Yes, many people of all experiences get blisters. I get them nearly every time I walk a Camino. The trail runners help to keep the feet cool and remove moisture with the right socks. I believe that hydration is key. I use a water bladder rather than a bottle. It means I can easily reach for water whenever I need it and this has helped me greatly in reducing blisters.
Yes, use walking poles. As noted above, it helps to remove weight from your feet (helps the plantar), it helps to balance you as you walk by acting as a third or fourth point of contact with the rough, uneven ground and we believe it helps to keep a consistent rhythm to your walking.
Don't cancel, just go!
This point has been made before, and was thoroughly discredited then in the discussion that followed, starting here. I encourage anyone interested to do the test as @David describes it here, ie standing on the scales with the poles on the floor, or vice versa. I know when I have done this using two poles simultaneously that I was able to get over 20kg weight reduction, not the couple ounces suggested here.The attacks against my point of view usually start with how much weight it reduces, using poles, it doesn't. Stand on your bathroom scales holding two poles and press them down onto the floor either side of the scales ... now press down as hard as you can and see what difference it makes .. two ounces???
I wish you all the best. Buen Camino!Thankyou for a great answer to my questions off to the shops tomorrow and repack the poles thankyou
I finished the Camino Frances on 7 October. I wore Hoka Trail runners which lasted the whole way. I wore wool socks and applied Vaseline every morning before walking (except one). I had one blister, which I could have prevented, but that was the day I was out of Vaseline.Bit late in the day to ask these two questions as I've only 6 sleeps to go before i walk Sarria to Santiago. first question do I really need sticks for this stage? also My chiropodist has just told me the reason i am getting pains in my heels (plantar fasciitis) is because of my boots even though i have the correct size and insoles. My problem is i cannot wear another pair in before the walk. Do you think a well made pair of trainers would do or should i cancel. Also the never ending talk of blisters do even the well seasoned walkers get them or is it just the newbies. Thanks in anticipation of your replies.
I've never had a blister. Have good socks as well as shoes. I walked Sarria to SdC with a staff (a 'pole' I unearthed just outside Sarria). I was walking c 17km a day. After one disaster I booked ahead for the next day.Bit late in the day to ask these two questions as I've only 6 sleeps to go before i walk Sarria to Santiago. first question do I really need sticks for this stage? also My chiropodist has just told me the reason i am getting pains in my heels (plantar fasciitis) is because of my boots even though i have the correct size and insoles. My problem is i cannot wear another pair in before the walk. Do you think a well made pair of trainers would do or should i cancel. Also the never ending talk of blisters do even the well seasoned walkers get them or is it just the newbies. Thanks in anticipation of your replies.
I don’t use poles at the park or while shopping. But the Camino surfaces are at times rocky, rooty and rutted, unlike my local market. I used a single stick when I felt it was warranted on the Camino and was very glad I had it!Hi - don't be concerned too much. Just buy a pair of trekking trainers or trekking sandals - as long as they have a thick sole or the rough ground will press through.
Walking poles? I say that no one healthy needs walking poles - do you use them to walk round your park? to go shopping? Exactly - and we carry light packs on what is essentially a multi-day stroll.
Soldiers on march carry truly heavy packs with all their kit - they have done since biblical times - but none ever use poles ... were they actually effective surely one army somewhere would use them?
But one pole or staff is a fine thing to have to convert you from a biped to a triped on steep ground, it being fixed to your pack at other times. A strong umbrella does the same job but can also be used as a parasol and when it is raining.
Re blisters - there is absolutely no reason at all that anyone should ever get blisters, the only people to mess their feet up are the people who mess their feet up .... the body gives clear warnings .. the warning is called a 'hot spot' .... feet ache after walking, that is normal, but if you get a small localised sort of burning or hot point anywhere that is the precursor to a blister.
Take off footwear and pad that spot with something .. whatever you have, folded tissue, soft toilet paper, Elastoplast (band aid), even better to put cream or similar on the skin first to make it more 'glidey' .. then the chafing that will make a blister is stopped so no blister is formed - simple, really simple.
I carried a single stick and used it when I needed it. Wore a pain of Keens. Walked the same route you’re walking. Padded hot spots when they came up. No blisters! Buen Camino!Bit late in the day to ask these two questions as I've only 6 sleeps to go before i walk Sarria to Santiago. first question do I really need sticks for this stage? also My chiropodist has just told me the reason i am getting pains in my heels (plantar fasciitis) is because of my boots even though i have the correct size and insoles. My problem is i cannot wear another pair in before the walk. Do you think a well made pair of trainers would do or should i cancel. Also the never ending talk of blisters do even the well seasoned walkers get them or is it just the newbies. Thanks in anticipation of your replies.
First question:Bit late in the day to ask these two questions as I've only 6 sleeps to go before i walk Sarria to Santiago. first question do I really need sticks for this stage? also My chiropodist has just told me the reason i am getting pains in my heels (plantar fasciitis) is because of my boots even though i have the correct size and insoles. My problem is i cannot wear another pair in before the walk. Do you think a well made pair of trainers would do or should i cancel. Also the never ending talk of blisters do even the well seasoned walkers get them or is it just the newbies. Thanks in anticipation of your replies.
David, it is hard to know where to start, but I'll give it a try.The attacks against my point of view usually start with
Thanks for pointing this out, Doug. I did the challenge and was easily able to get 14 kg (30 lb) weight relief with my poles.encourage anyone interested to do the test as @David describes it here, ie standing on the scales with the poles on the floor, or vice versa. I know when I have done this using two poles simultaneously that I was able to get over 20kg weight reduction, not the couple ounces suggested here.
"Exactly" what? This would be a fair comparison if you daily walk 20 kg round the park and shopping, carrying the groceries both ways.do you use them to walk round your park? to go shopping? Exactly
In addition they help my posture when I'm wearing a backpack which alters my center of gravity, and that helps my back.However, many of us find that walking poles do provide some weight relief and help with balance
I don't know what shape feet you have, but just a word of caution re Salomon trail runners. They tend to be quite narrow, and I had a terrible time with them in 2016, but then my feet are quite wide. I switched to Altra Lone Peaks after that and had no more trouble. Buen Camino.Thanks for all your replies! All of them so helpful. So we have some new soliman trail runners repacked the poles. Thanks for the advice.
My experience has been different. I do use then to walk around my park when I am walking 15 to 20 km. I don't use them to go shopping, but I don't walk to the supermarket and generally need my hands to carry things when shopping. And those walks are much shorter than a Camino with much less elevation gains and losses.Walking poles? I say that no one healthy needs walking poles - do you use them to walk round your park? to go shopping? Exactly - and we carry light packs on what is essentially a multi-day stroll.
Soldiers on march carry truly heavy packs with all their kit - they have done since biblical times - but none ever use poles ... were they actually effective surely one army somewhere would use them?
So much good info here. Has anyone reminded you to make sure you buy trail shoes at least half size larger to allow for feet swelling on long walks? I wear orthotics and use them in my Hokas which never needed wearing in for caminos. Mine are 1 size larger and have a wide toe box, thickly cushioned sole for comfort on hard rocky surfaces and vibram soles for stability.Bit late in the day to ask these two questions as I've only 6 sleeps to go before i walk Sarria to Santiago. first question do I really need sticks for this stage? also My chiropodist has just told me the reason i am getting pains in my heels (plantar fasciitis) is because of my boots even though i have the correct size and insoles. My problem is i cannot wear another pair in before the walk. Do you think a well made pair of trainers would do or should i cancel. Also the never ending talk of blisters do even the well seasoned walkers get them or is it just the newbies. Thanks in anticipation of your replies.
I was also lucky. Walked from SJPDP to SdC without a single blister. And I didn't use any products or do anything in particular to prevent them. No vaseline or powders. I think the most important factor in whether or not you get blisters is the shape of your feet, or more precisely how your toes sit next to each other. Some toe shapes/alignments are prone to blisters and some aren't.I've never had a blister. Have good socks as well as shoes. I walked Sarria to SdC with a staff (a 'pole' I unearthed just outside Sarria). I was walking c 17km a day. After one disaster I booked ahead for the next day.
I'm a recent pole convert. For me, they make all the difference between arriving exhausted and sore, and arriving ready to explore the town.My experience has been different. I do use then to walk around my park when I am walking 15 to 20 km. I don't use them to go shopping, but I don't walk to the supermarket and generally need my hands to carry things when shopping. And those walks are much shorter than a Camino with much less elevation gains and losses.
Soldiers on the march generally are in better shape and have received much more training than the typical pilgrim and probably need their hands available for other things (like holding weapons).
I certainly would not say that every pilgrim needs poles. But I am equally certain I would not have finished my 2016 Camino Frances without them. I tried everything short of poles (ibuprofen, knee brace, staff) and they were all insufficient. You might say that with my knee problems I was not healthy. But my knees were fine and when I started the Camino. And when I later walked the San Salvador and Primitivo with poles, arguably much tougher on the knees, I never developed knee problems. So clearly this pilgrim, when healthy, on a long walk with descents, needs poles to remain healthy.
I rarely get blisters, but my hiking buddy almost always does. It's the way her feet are made. She has tried a lot of different things. It seems that socks with toes help some and airing her feet frequently. We are seasoned about the same. She gets and I don't.Bit late in the day to ask these two questions as I've only 6 sleeps to go before i walk Sarria to Santiago. first question do I really need sticks for this stage? also My chiropodist has just told me the reason i am getting pains in my heels (plantar fasciitis) is because of my boots even though i have the correct size and insoles. My problem is i cannot wear another pair in before the walk. Do you think a well made pair of trainers would do or should i cancel. Also the never ending talk of blisters do even the well seasoned walkers get them or is it just the newbies. Thanks in anticipation of your replies.
Hiking poles or not. Good question. However there's often a bigger question - how to use them. I've seen so many where I wonder why they bought them. So many are not using them correctly - especially on flat surfaces. There are videos on youtube showing how - and sporting goods stores can also help. With regards to blisters - even seasoned hikers can get them. It's mostly about getting the right shoes/boots and getting used to using them for long durations of time. On my latest camino I got 2 blisters in the first 5 days - but after that no problems.Bit late in the day to ask these two questions as I've only 6 sleeps to go before i walk Sarria to Santiago. first question do I really need sticks for this stage? also My chiropodist has just told me the reason i am getting pains in my heels (plantar fasciitis) is because of my boots even though i have the correct size and insoles. My problem is i cannot wear another pair in before the walk. Do you think a well made pair of trainers would do or should i cancel. Also the never ending talk of blisters do even the well seasoned walkers get them or is it just the newbies. Thanks in anticipation of your replies.
I wore merino wool socks and did not get a single blister from Irun to Santiago. I also used sticks and feel that this is a personal preference but not a necessity. Good luckBit late in the day to ask these two questions as I've only 6 sleeps to go before i walk Sarria to Santiago. first question do I really need sticks for this stage? also My chiropodist has just told me the reason i am getting pains in my heels (plantar fasciitis) is because of my boots even though i have the correct size and insoles. My problem is i cannot wear another pair in before the walk. Do you think a well made pair of trainers would do or should i cancel. Also the never ending talk of blisters do even the well seasoned walkers get them or is it just the newbies. Thanks in anticipation of your replies.
Remember with the poles it’s unlikely you will be able to carry them into the plane, they need to go into the hold, if you take them on as carry on luggage, they most likely will be taken off you. I know there are people who will say “I did” etc but it’s not likelyThankyou for a great answer to my questions off to the shops tomorrow and repack the poles thankyou
You're right I'm half way through my first day and having lunch having a great time with my sticks and shoes with no blisters lol@kaney55 , in your OP you said 6 sleeps to go. Which means today is the day. So Buen Camino!
I walked the CF in March-May (41 days). While I did carry far too much (23kg) the entire way, I also used two walking poles. I made good use of them and also put rubber tips on them for good grip and to avoid annoying other walkers with the 'ticking' noise. My observation was that far too many people had no idea how to use the poles properly and so either put them away, carried them or just tapped them along the ground. I leaned on mine every step until it became automatic. Also, I carried a large roll of pink strapping tape. My partner and I stopped immediately upon any foot issues and applied the tape over the skin before a small problem became a big one. We noticed many other walkers become passengers in taxis, buses and trains due to emergency rest due to foot problems. I think it was a mix of: lack of preparation/fitness, footwear not 100% & and not taking remedial action when their feet started protesting. I had to ditch my socks halfway through due to continual blister problems and buy the best hiking socks I could find from Decathalon. Some people ended up in hospital due to broken skin becoming infected. People do not realise that there is no time for feet to recover if they're being walked on every day. Many recommended changing socks twice a day, but I didn't need to after my upgrade.Hi - don't be concerned too much. Just buy a pair of trekking trainers or trekking sandals - as long as they have a thick sole or the rough ground will press through.
Walking poles? I say that no one healthy needs walking poles - do you use them to walk round your park? to go shopping? Exactly - and we carry light packs on what is essentially a multi-day stroll.
Soldiers on march carry truly heavy packs with all their kit - they have done since biblical times - but none ever use poles ... were they actually effective surely one army somewhere would use them?
But one pole or staff is a fine thing to have to convert you from a biped to a triped on steep ground, it being fixed to your pack at other times. A strong umbrella does the same job but can also be used as a parasol and when it is raining.
Re blisters - there is absolutely no reason at all that anyone should ever get blisters, the only people to mess their feet up are the people who mess their feet up .... the body gives clear warnings .. the warning is called a 'hot spot' .... feet ache after walking, that is normal, but if you get a small localised sort of burning or hot point anywhere that is the precursor to a blister.
Take off footwear and pad that spot with something .. whatever you have, folded tissue, soft toilet paper, Elastoplast (band aid), even better to put cream or similar on the skin first to make it more 'glidey' .. then the chafing that will make a blister is stopped so no blister is formed - simple, really simple.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?