BEST Hiking boots,socks and backpack suggestions

[belloc]

Dear all,

What specific suggestions please for male hiking boots, socks and pack for a long distance Camino path with the intention of covering heavy daily miles

Thanks
Mark

[spanishlancer]

Dear all,

What specific suggestions please for male hiking boots, socks and pack for a long distance Camino path with the intention of covering heavy daily miles

Thanks
Mark

Just finished Sarria to Santiago last week. I know it is only 120 kilometres but as I am nearer 70 than 60 it was a good test.( one of our group of four was 78 year old German, who has walked a part of the Camino every year for 9 years,starting from his home in Munster, Germany,I found him looking a bit lost at the bus station in Lugo,but that is another story,) I have Berghaus Boots, a Berghaus 35litre + 8 pack and have a brand of sock called in the UK, 1000 mile sock. It is a double sock with an internal liner and I used Compeed Gel to lubricate my feet every day.My wife used a thin coat of vasilene. We had no problems whatever. Spend as much as you can on your boots and if possible get them fitted by a specialist.
We are going to do the Finnisterre section in the second half of September,after the summer heat has passed.

Buen Camino Ron

[Leslie]

Congrats spanishlancer I had planned for two weeks in May - but life (more like work) has altered my plans.

As for socks I used and still use for summer walking a very good sports sock. Double layer on the sole and fairly thin - bought them in Austria when I lived there and they are still in good condition after having walked the Camino in them once.

I also used an Austrian cream for my feet - it was made from deer fat... It is very popular there and worked great.

[Companera]

Hi Spanishlancer - reading your post really made me want to be back there. I loved the stretch to Finisterre - wild and beautiful. It's not as well travelled as the road as far as Santiago, but all the better for that I thought. John Brierly's guide was helpful.
I use the Berghaus pack as well and find it carries easily. I used smartwool socks and never had a blister! I would always suggest changing socks half way through the day in warm weather - it makes a real difference.
C

[walker]

This summer I discovered why compeed didn't work last time and did this time. Last time I walked, I followed the needle and thread rules for blisters and the compeed turned into a gooey mess. This summer, I followed the compeed directions and did nothing to the blisters except cover them and the compeed worked. I have the kind of feet that blister easily, so I found thin socks, compeed and very wide hiking shoes a winning combination.

[John Hussey]

Dear all,

What specific suggestions please for male hiking boots, socks and pack for a long distance Camino path with the intention of covering heavy daily miles

Thanks
Mark

Boots...Go the lightest you can. In fact, I would not opt for boots at all but a pair of trail runners, those designed for mountainous use, that long distance endurance runners use. Every pound upon one's feet is like 5 (or 6) upon one's back. Second, many have done the Caminos in sandals designed for the same mountainous tread, and that is an option. But whatever, have them broken in first.

Socks...wool is about the best choice and merino the best wool Wool will keep your feet warm ebven when wet and also work great with the above footwear choices. Use NO cotton at all upon your feet. It absorbs and holds water, takes forever to dry, turns your feet into shrivelled-up prune looking skin very prone to blister.

Pack... also make this small, no more than about a 40 liter one, 2600 or so cubic inches. On the Camino you need not carry mat, stove, fuel, food for multiple days, etc, so your load is considerably smaller than on a more 'expedition' oriented wilderness backpacking trek and there is no need to carry the additional weight of a larger and heavier pack. If it is larger you will overstuff it with needless items. I'd estimate carry weight, with a liter of water and a day's snacks should not be more than 20 pounds and likely a few pounds less.

Less is better if you wish to make high miles.

[bobo]

I did the Camino Frances with a mate, and by Pamplona his feet were in a dreadful state with blisters. The saintly hospitalera at Cezur Menor anointed his feet with a yellow ointment and recommended a sanitary towel between boots and blisters. But they remained bad and mine were fine throughout the whole camino. The difference? Silk inner socks. Wearing these inside wool walking socks seems to reduce friction significantly. And they wash and dry quickly in the albergue at night.

[geraldkelly]

Hi Belloc

I always walk in Ecco boots or sandals. I find them great. The boots are a bit pricy (?300) but I got 5 years out of my last pair before the sole went so you get your money's worth.

The trick of wearing two pairs of socks is a good one because it reduces friction.

Another important thing is that you should buy shoes that are a size bigger than your feet because after a couple of weeks walking your feet will get bigger anyway. With my old boots I wasn't able to wear them after the first two weeks but luckily the weather was good so I just wore my sandals.

Gerald

[miobe]

Anybody out there have any experience of DEUTER backpacks which were recommended to me in an outdoor store.

[Covey]

Most of the people I have seen using Deuter kit have been Germans and it seems OK. Not sure where it comes on the scale of amatuer to professional, but the Germans tend to buy good kit rather than cheap.

Bit like the UK really. For cheaper kit you see a lot of Regatta and for the more serious kit you see North Face, Berghaus or Craghopper.

Don't assume that expensive is the best. I use Regatta trousers, Berghaus shirts and layers, and Craghopper rain gear.

[iris]

Would appreciate hearing from any experienced female travelers about what kind of backpack you took on the camino...presuming internal frame packs are the best (don't know if there's even any other kind anymore). I am an american...and will want to try it on....planning to take no more than 15 lbs. so obviously will have to be light...any specific details you can share would be really great...first hand knowledge is what this blog is best at and am grateful for opportunity to ask and get answers!!

[Covey]

Whilst not a woman, or at least not the last time I looked, I would suggest you look at the Osprey Atmos/Aura range. I have used the male Atmos L for the past 5 years and it has been brilliant. It is not cheap, but is very comfortable and versatile.

I especially like the waist pockets which carry your sweeties, ciggies (50% of pilgrims smoke!!) and bits and bobs. My Atmos weighs a shade over 1kg which is good.

When choosing a pack you need to have "a fitting". The good packs come in various frame sizes depending on the length of your back. If you end up with the wrong size, you will suffer!!

I do not bother with the inbuilt hydration pack, but carry water in the plastic bottles it comes in in the two rear side pockets.

Aura Series - Women's : : Osprey Packs, Inc.

Osprey Atmos 35 - First Look - OUTDOORSmagic Reviews

[JanineSimone]

Just to say thankyou for all your good advice i am sat in bed making my lists for my future planned walks feeling very positive after a low period in my life.

[JanineSimone]

Hello,

i never would of know that measurement matters. how do i know what measurements to look for from what point do i measure from and to eg my neck to lower back? thanks*

[Covey]

The video is even more long-winded than I am, but you should get the general idea.

YouTube - Backpack Body Measuring: Torso Length & Hip Belt

The important thing is that the weight sits on your hips and that the shoulder straps just stop the pack falling backwards. There should be very little downward weight on the shoulders and you should be able to slide a human hand easily between the strap and your shoulder.

Too much downward pressure on the shoulders will make for a very painful trek!!

[geraldkelly]

Hi Miobe

I bought a Deuter backpack last year (Futura Pro 38 litre). For years I've had a Regatta, which was really cheap, but didn't have a frame. All that time I was troubled by pain in my right shoulder when I was walking. I struggled on thinking there was nothing I could do except a bit of stretching, but after I got my Deuter the pain just didn't happen. It has a mesh frame so more of the weight goes on your hips, that was the problem all along.

So, basically, I'm extremely happy with my Deuter and it only cost ?100.

Ger

[Covey]

Even with a frame it is important to get the weight distribution right in your pack, which means heavy stuff at the bottom and an even distribution of weight each side.

I carry my water in the normal plastic bottles it comes in from the shop, and I carry two, one on either side of the pack. My Osprey Atmos pack has two side pockets which take the normal 1.5L bottles and I usually carry them 2/3 full. Packs with a built in water bladder tend to carry the bladder on the centre line of the pack, keeping the weight in the middle.

If you carry too much weight on one side it will be very uncomfortable over a days walk.

When buying a pack, check that the waist belt is wide, padded and substantial. A thin/narrow waist belt will cut into your skin and be uncomfortable. My Atmos waist belt has mesh zip pockets which are very useful for bits and bobs.

[maria]

I read through the discussion thread and they have pretty good advice. Take Osprey women size. It shapes up to your body contour. This is my first time to do the Camino -leaving March 18 and I never carry backpacks, not even for school use. But I was informed that Osprey is the best backpack. Also, I'm only bringing clima-cool and dryfit materials. It's very lightweight shirts and pants made for sweaty athletes. So you know it has superb absorbtion. Easy to wash and dry.

[Covey]

Being an "old soldier" I used to look at the adverts for the "technical clothing" with considerable doubt and relied on 100% cotton and wool garments to keep me warm.

Until............. my first 5 day trip on the Camino from Sarria to Santiago with my son. Cotton tee shirts are a nightmare to walk in as they absorb the sweat and you walk all day in a wet shirt, which rubs the skin under the arms and it gets very sore.

The next year I swallowed my pride and went and bought Berghaus base layer shirts which were brilliant. No cotton or wool, but when you sweat the moisture passes through the material and evaporates quickly, meaning you walk in a dry shirt all day. To the non technical they are called "high wick" which means the material gets rid of the moisture quickly.

It also has the advantage that when doing ones dhobi, my shirts take 20 minutes on the drying line rather than an hour for a cotton shirt.