Waterproof hiking shoes/boots?

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emmarosegardner

New Member

Time of past OR future Camino

May 2025

• Today at 4:02 PM

• #1

I am walking the Camino Frances for the whole month of May (April 22nd - June 1st), and am wondering whether I should opt for waterproof shoes/boots? I have seen mixed messages online - on the one hand, waterproof shoes can cause your feet to sweat which can cause blisters, on the other hand, if you encounter rain with non-waterproof shoes you might be in trouble.

Does anyone have thoughts or insights on this? Also, any shoe recommendations for women with high arches/wide feet would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

Emma

 

Pafayac

On the way...

Time of past OR future Camino

Plata ? Portugues ? Invierno ?

• Today at 4:35 PM

• #2

Blisters come from warmth and humidity.
Therefore avoiding blisters implies to dry your feet (getting your shoes and your socks off as often as you can).
Waterproof shoes (like rubber boots) are not a good idea for hiking.
You'd rather choose another solution:
- shoes suitable for rain
- when arriving at the albergue, ask for newspaper, and put it inside your shoes in order to absorb moisture.

 

Last edited: Today at 4:51 PM

E

emmarosegardner

New Member

Time of past OR future Camino

May 2025

• Today at 4:45 PM

• #3

Pafayac said:

Blisters come from warmth and humidity.
Therefore avoiding blisters imply to dry your feet (getting your shoes and your socks off as often as you can).
Waterproof shoes (like rubber boots) are not a good idea for hiking.
You'd rather choose another solution:
- shoes suitable for rain
- when arriving at the albergue, ask for newspaper, and put it inside your shoes in order to absorb moisture.

Click to expand...

Good to know. Thank you!

 

AK2112

Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Camino Frances 2018
Camino Primitivo 2023

• Today at 5:37 PM

• #4

Waterproof trail runners is what you need. Picture from Finesterre in 2018.

 

Juspassinthru

in our minds, we're vagabonds, you and I

Time of past OR future Camino

Camino Francés 2017, Inglés 2019, Aragónes 2024

• Today at 6:52 PM

• #5

emmarosegardner said:

I am walking the Camino Frances for the whole month of May (April 22nd - June 1st), and am wondering whether I should opt for waterproof shoes/boots? I have seen mixed messages online - on the one hand, waterproof shoes can cause your feet to sweat which can cause blisters, on the other hand, if you encounter rain with non-waterproof shoes you might be in trouble.

Does anyone have thoughts or insights on this? Also, any shoe recommendations for women with high arches/wide feet would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

Emma

Click to expand...

My opinion here, waterproof shoes/boots are not waterproof, you encounter enough rain, snow or whatever and your feet will be wet. They are hot and my feet sweat in them. I agree with @Pafayac that there are better ways to deal with this concern.