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Which footwear in April

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OSUbuckeye85

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
2025
I understand that footwear on the Camino is a personal choice. I will start my first Camino on the Camino Frances in the first part of April. With the varying weather conditions, what shoes/boots do you suggest? I went hiking in Red River Gorge in Kentucky over the weekend in my Alta Lone Peaks. It had rained, and needless to say, my wool socks and feet got wet. This question has probably been asked numerous times, but any input would be appreciated.
 
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Footwear choice will definitely bring out a lot of strong opinions! I'm sure a couple of quick searches will give you lots of helpful information. Or maybe even more information than you can deal with! Everyone has their favorite!

I walked the Norte starting mid-April and wore trail runners, something with enough grip to work on wet surfaces, but not waterproof. I thought about bringing a waterproof version, but reading lots of posts on this Forum convinced me that the cons outweighed the pros. But as you note, it is a personal choice.

A trail runner will not last as many miles as a hiking boot (I usually don't get more than 250-300 miles on mine before I start to feel the sole losing its support), but the pilgrims I was walking with who were wearing boots expressed some regret about their choices over the long paved stretches (but were happier sloshing through puddles while I was gingerly trying to poke my way around them to avoid getting my feet wet).

Buen Camino!
 
Again, I understand that weather is weather, but how much sloshing did you have to do? Did you wear waterproof socks? Was there snow?
 
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CTLawGal said:
(but were happier sloshing through puddles while I was gingerly trying to poke my way around them to avoid getting my feet wet).
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That's one of the reasons that hiking sandals work so well for me. They are great in mud and water puddles because they are quick to wash and dry. Paired with waterproof socks my feet stay clean and dry too.
 
My wife and I have hiked in March / April on the Frances and Norte and used both boots initially and now trail runners. We've been through all sorts of weather except for blistering heat. It's very subjective / personal, but for us the trail runners are clearly the better choice for our feet. They have proven to be much more versatile and comfortable. Wet does not necessarily mean cold and does not necessarily mean you will get blisters. Boots do eventually get wet, but take much longer to dry out, both during the day as you walk and at night while you sleep. With any option, I think the choice of socks is equally critical if not more so. Spring is a lovely time to walk, Buen Camino!
 
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Some days are going to be wet, very wet.

Trail runners will usually dry out overnight.

I personally can't see sandals as an option, even just a small loose stone getting in between the sandal and the sock is going to drive me crazy (yes, can happen with a shoe, but a sandal is like inviting them in every step). I ordered some Sealskinz socks, which are supposed to be waterproof, but didn't like the texture of them; I may still give them a try at home to see how the work while walking, and how long to dry after washing.

I found applying HikeGoo to my feet every day prevented blisters, hot days and wet feet days included.

But that's just my opinion based on what works for my feet.

You'll need to find something that works for you. And if it doesn't work for you as well as you hoped, there's always your next Camino to tweak your shoe/sock combo
 
@OSUbuckeye85, I wear my Altras on Camino, rain or shine. Yes they get wet, but they also dry very quickly. You mention your wool socks, they will keep your feet warm which is the most important consideration.
Some people have problems when their feet get wet, many do not. My personal feeling is that it's about the right shoe /sock combo. Merino wool works best for me. Plus of course ensuring your feet dry thoroughly overnight.

I don't mince around puddles trying to keep my feet dry, if they're not easy to avoid, I just walk. My Altras have never not dried overnight, and if my socks are a little damp I pin them to my pack and they dry during the day. (To my chest for the warmth if it's raining consistently - they've always dried).
If you enjoy YouTube videos watch one on the TA in New Zealand. People give up on taking their shoes off to go through the streams on some sections because there are simply so many. And as for the mud.....

The camino is nowhere near as extreme as a through hike, and yet thousands of people survive wet feet on through hikes every year.
And the fact that the majority of through hikers wear Trail runners says it all.
 
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Good question. For me getting feet wet is totally unimportant. Oh, sure it is if you have boots and socks or trail footwear and socks and all gets soggy and the friction may give you blisters and you can't dry it all overnight - I can see that.

But what I wear is Keen Newport H2 (fabric, not leather) trekking sandals - they don't mind getting wet and don't get soggy. My feet are covered by a really strong flexible waterproof skin, so they aren't a problem either.

Socks? What socks? If really cold I may wear socks but that is rare - and if they get wet? Well, my body heat takes care of that ...
So - to me (to me!) wearing trekking sandals and just completely forgetting about that whimsy of for some unknown reason keeping feet dry (as if it is important for some reason) is a happy way to be - just my personal take on this. I wear them from when the snows go until it returns.

Mind you, I am not one of those folk who want to be outdoors as if they are indoors at home. It rains? So what? .. that is nature ... it just is, enjoy - no, really, just enjoy it all, is my take.

 
I have Keen H2 sandals as well and will wear them in urban environments. The only issue I have with them when hiking is that pebbles can easily get in through the vent holes.
 
I was on the Camino this April, and it didn't rain very much until the very end when I got to Galicia. A couple of days. But every year is different.

I think if it rains torrentially your feet are going to get wet no matter what you're wearing. You should just wear whatever is most comfortable to you that also will dry out easily overnight. Hoka trail runners, a change of socks and some lightweight evening sandals (OOFOS for me) is what I had.
 
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Like you I’m going to walk my 1st Camino in April/May. I’ve been training for about a month and I’m now walking 13-15 miles a day. My shoe of choice are the Hoka waterproof trail runners along with the Bombas Merino wool socks. So far, my feet feel amazing, they stayed dry, no blisters, and no shin or knee problems. I’m also using trekking poles for balance and taking off some of the pressure from my knees. Both the Hokas and the socks are expensive but in my opinion are well worth the cost. Hope this helps from your neighbor, Michigan!
 
The problem with waterproof is that your feet are going to get wet with sweat and then it’s trapped in all your waterproof foot coverings. I’ve had to go through cold water while trail running and did a non-stop rain half marathon on New Year’s Day once (miserable, but no blisters!) but my wool socks keep my feet warm and once things are dry, everything starts to wick. To me, trail runners and wool socks are The Way because they recover from wetness so much faster and if it’s NOT wet, your foot sweat can wick away vs accumulating. You can always swap socks if things dry out midday. Take the insole out at night and stuff with newspaper.
 
For me its always between Trailrunners and GTX Trailrunners. Average highs up to 70 F, its GTX. Buen Camino
 
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Would I be right in saying the paths are good enough that shoe or boot tread depth isn't really an issue? So "normal" trainer type sole is fine, normal tennis shoe might not be, walking boot sole is overkill just from a traction point of view??
 
I walked that time of year twice over the Napolean route. I wore full leather hiking boots (Scarpa) and believe me I needed them. There will still be drifts of snow and mud where the snow has melted. I watched as others in shoes and trail runners struggled to find a way through mud especially. With the boots, I just ploughed right on through it. I crossed little streams and later on in camino, had to find a way through flooded fields outside Logrono. Only if the water was deeper than the top of my boot did I get wet feet. So, in my opinion, leather hiking boots are to me, the only choice
 
hairy said:
Would I be right in saying the paths are good enough that shoe or boot tread depth isn't really an issue? So "normal" trainer type sole is fine, normal tennis shoe might not be, walking boot sole is overkill just from a traction point of view??
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For the most part this is correct, however thee are one or two short sections on the CF that will be quite difficult without decent tread if the conditions are poor. If you pay attention to your footing you will likely be fine. I wore trailrunners, which for me was the right choice, and never had any problems with grip in the more technical sections. To be honest I slipped more on the flat muddy sections, as I was not paying as much attention.
 
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Wore full leather waterproof boots on 5 caminos and never had a problem with wet from sweat feet. When I was a kid, my mum always insisted on real leather shoes for us as synthetic made the feet sweat. Anything shorter than boots in early April almost guarantees wet feet. Marathons are a completely different kettle of fish. You dont tend to run through snow and deep mud that will suck the trail runners off your feet
 
It is certainly a personal choice. I have walked the Camino from SJPP to Santiago in April over two years. Both times I was wearing Hoka shoes with non wool socks. No blisters. I got soaked a few times but the advantage of the Hoka was they dried well over night which was not the case of other pilgrims with traditional walking shoes. Planning another camino for 2025 and will do the same. It works for me.
 
I wear Merrell MOABs, waterproof and high ankle ones for ankle support. For socks I wear Mountain Design's Merino wool. In April/May 2022 it's not the rain I remember, but the mud that the rain caused. So much mud! Shoes wet and dirty from rain and mud, wet again from handwashing. The socks made my feet feel dry and they dry quickly overnight, not so much my shoes. But happy to say I had no blisters.
 
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Altra Olympus or Hoka speedgoat, with waterproof socks when absolutely necessary, although it's rare for me to worry about wet feet the waterproof socks are more about warmth when the waters particularly cold. I prefer thinner running socks as a rule and they double up as liner sock for the waterproof socks.

If l were starting in SJPDP, I'd probably go with the Altra Olympus, the sole is more durable than the Hoka Speedgoat and in my opinion the grip is superior although for me the Hokas have the edge for absolute comfort.


Buen Camino
 
I walked the Frances from st Jean Pied de Port to Santiago last year starting 11 April. Loved my Altra Lone Peak. Ordered 2 more pairs for future walking. Which this year I did the Norte with one of the new pairs. Neither trip did I have a blister or sore spot. This year with rain, they dried quickly (sometimes put them on heater if available). Absolutely love them Nervous to try something else, but everyone has their shoe they love
 
I got treated for tendonitis in Leon. The nurse told me not to wear my Scarpars but to wear trail runners (Spanish made of course). I've only had tendonitis while wearing boots. Not Goretex runners tend to dry themselves as you walk. and consider lightweight waterproof socks.
 
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In April on the CF I wore trail runners and chacos sandals, usually with Injinji toe socks; wore the sandals 80% of the time and would do so again. Yes they got wet/muddy but were able to be cleaned off and dried.
 
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