Terrain footwear question

Compass Chris

New Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Portuguese (18)

• Apr 24, 2018

• #1

My wife and I are walking to Porto route in August. Local walking for us means moorland and muddy coastal paths so we usually use hiking boots. However, as it will be hot and dry I'm think some trekking trainer type shoes would be more appropriate given the terrain is mostly footpath/road/pavement? Would appreciate any advice. Thanks.

 

naplesdon

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Multiple Caminos 2010 to 2019

• Apr 24, 2018

• #2

You will learn that much of the CP is cobblestone. I wear ankle high boots with thick soles and use walking poles.

 

D

Deleted member 67185

Guest

• Apr 25, 2018

• #3

One pound on the foot = 5 pounds on the back. A large percentage of backpackers have adopted trail runners. Having used trail runners on long distance thru hikes, in all types of three season conditions and trail conditions, and on Camino, I find such to be more than sufficient and helps to make my miles more enjoyable.

 

surya8

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Portugues Central and Coastal 2017 & 2019; Portugues Interior, Sanabres, Fisterra & Muxia 2018

• Apr 25, 2018

• #4

The Portuguese route is rather easy to walk as no mountains to cross. If you walk from Porto the only rocky stretch is between Barcelos and Ponte de Lima where you need to watch your steps. Otherwise is ok, some road walking, some cobblestones. If you go along the ocean it's even easier, you can walk the whole way in sandals, if you are taking the central way trail runners would do fine. I walked the central route in May and I found my Solomon hiling boots too hot and too heavy to walk so I chanched into my spare no name city walking shoes and walked most of the Camino in them. If you walk from Lisbon by any chance beware of even more cobblestones. In summer and on the Portuguese way I'd definitely opt out for the lighter varieties. Bom Caminho!

 

josephmcclain

Active Member

• Apr 25, 2018

• #5

Check out HOKA trail running shoes. I used them every mile on the Camino Frances in October and they were amazing and I was blisterless!! Just bought my second pair.

 

Just Karin

Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Vía de la Plata 2019

• Nov 16, 2018

• #6

josephmcclain said:

Check out HOKA trail running shoes. I used them every mile on the Camino Frances in October and they were amazing and I was blisterless!! Just bought my second pair.

Click to expand...

I ordered Hoka trail runners because I saw people mentioning those, They had to be sent from France and it cost me a fortune to send them back. They have a toe box that makes me think that the manufacturer expects I have only 3 toes and the big one in the middle ... even 1,5 size too big and the toe box is still too narrow. No Hoka for me.
Shoes is quite personal

 

DonCamino

Member

Time of past OR future Camino

past Caminos see signature
2024 Levante

• Nov 29, 2018

• #7

I did the VdP South from Sevilla to Salamanca in Crocs Cross. My only pair of shoes on the VdP South! I walked about 100 km on the CF in Crocs, 100 on the CN, 100 on the CP. I really can recommend Crocs. As first or second pair. Depends on the weather, yes. Dry feet in airy shoes. Extremely good for people with blisters, too. Take a shower at night and get new shoes!


The other pair are Inov 8 trail runners. That setup works and is lightwight, fast drying and you have a second pair of useful shoes to walk.

So iI would recommend the trail runners!

Greetings
DonCamino