Boots/walking shoes and merino wool/synthetics?

[Ellie]

I have been out all day looking for a good pair of boots. This proved alot more difficult than I thought. They are all very expensive and very heavy! Really, I'd rather go for a good pair of "walking runners" or lower shoes with a good sole but I'm told this doesn't offer enough ankle support? I'm walking the full stretch so good shoes are essential (I'm also bringing my "gym trainers"). Please share some advise on this matter! The sooner the better, I'm running out of time

Also, in your opinion which material is to prefer against the skin; merino wool or synthetic materials?

Thanks

[Covey]

I have seen folks walk St Jean to Santiago in everything from the most expensive hi-tec boots, to a pair of old fashioned tennis shoes (or pumps we call them)

Your footwear needs to breathe so it needs Gortex panels and boots are probably in the majority, although not essential for May to October.

For the Summer months where it is usually warm to hot, a good pair of walking shoes is all you need.

My first experience of the Camino was Sarria to Santiago in my old fashioned all leather UK walking boots well treated in dubbin. I wrecked my feet in four days because they could not breathe and get rid of the sweat.

The following year I bought an expensive pair of Salomon boots which were excellent and lasted four trips down the Camino Frances, but on occasions were too warm to wear and were overkill for a July/August or Sept/Oct walk.

I have replaced them with a pair of Merrell shoes which I am in the process of breaking in. They are light and breathe, but would not be as good as boots in mud etc.

You see a lot of Salomon, North Face, Merrell boots & shoes and folks seem happy with them.

The most important thing is that they are well worn in and that you have used them on at least two long distance (20kms +) training walks.

For three years I used Smartwool socks, which were OK, but again were too hot for walking in places. Last year I wore 1000 Mile Socks which guarantee no blisters. They are a double skin sock and I found them excellent and cooler than the Smartwool, and, surprise surprise, I did not need to call on the guarantee!!

Good walking socks are expensive, so just buy one pair and try before buying the rest.

[Ellie]

I ended up buying a light pair of boots (gore tex, breathing and all that) after all as I'm a bit worried about the ankle support. Hopefully that'll be fine.. I'm thinking it's probably best to bring my runners that I wear in the gym aswell(well worn in), but alot of people seem to prefer sandals? Would that be with or without socks? The salesman recommended coolmax (synthetic) liners and smartwool socks, so that's what I'm wearing now as I'm practising anyway.. Seems comfy! Those 1000 Mile Socks seem cool though, might look into that.. Thanks!

Ellie

[Covey]

The problem with trail sandals is that it makes one look like a tree hugging vegetarian, but they are very practical.

I use Teva Trail Sandals and wear them in the shower to put as much distance as possible between the shower tray and me. If you are of a nervous disposition, don't even think about the shower tray after 50 pilgrims have stood in it on feet which are not generally a pretty sight!!

I occasionally walk the trail in my Teva's if it is very hot and they are fine with or without socks. On balance, they are better without socks.

The salesman who sold me my Smartwool said not to use liner socks and so I did not. In the Army we used to wear a pair of thin nylon socks next to the skin and then the thick Army wool/poly mix socks.

The problem is that one gets used to what works for you and I for one was resistant to changes brought about by modern fabrics. In the Army I used to wear 100% cotton shirts and would never dream of wearing anything else..............until, my former wife gave me a Berghaus Base Layer shirt which had no cotton at all when I went on my first trip on the Camino, and now I would not dream of wearing anything else when hiking. High wick was for wimps!!!

[Ellie]

Haha well I've pretty much made peace with the fact that I'm going to look like a tree hugging vegetarian or at least a geeky activist of some sort What bothers me more is those uggmo pants with zippers on the bottom that are very FUNCTIONAL and become 3/4 lengths or shorts. But who cares when walking, right?

Yeah Almost every person that I've spoken to have suggested Crocs, have you tried them? They seem to be almost impossible to find in Sweden though.. Hmm but yes some sort of trail sandals, yes. And those showers don't sound too nice either..

Definately getting a proper top, wool or something.. and socks, well I'm just going to try and see what works better when practicing. It gets very warm though, doesn't it? I mean, it's -5C here (lots of snow) and I got pretty warm when walking today in liners+socks.. But aren't the liners used more to prevent from friction? Practice, practice makes perfect, yeah?

Thanks, Covey

[Covey]

Walking the Camino is not usually an exercise in sartorial elegance, and we all tend to look as though we dressed in the local charity shop, because we dress for comfort and practicality. The French women worry about colour co-ordination, makeup, a bit of bling and the almost inevitable hair dryer in their pack, but then, they are French.

Most walkers of either sex wear the zip off trousers because if it is hot during the day, walking in shorts is good, but it can often feel a little chilly in the evenings due to temperature difference and long is then good.

An Englishman would not wear Crocs!! but a lot of the ladies do in the evenings. A lot of ladies carry a sarong which can act as a sheet, pillow wrapper, shower screen, towel etc etc.

As for the top, might I suggest a lightweight fleece. You will need something for the evenings (ball gown optional!) and a fleece fits the bill. I carry a sleeveless one in Sept/Oct to wear for the first half hour or so of walking and in the evenings it zips into my rain jacket if I need more warmth.

As for socks there are as many opinions as there are brands. My Smartwools were OK but really a bit to hot for July/Aug. You only have to go in to a proper hiking store to see all the different types of sock for different applications. You pays your money and takes your choice!! However, you don't want the tootsies to get too warm, as they will perspire (men sweat, ladies perspire, officers wives glow!) and soggy feet means blisters.

As for -5C, it has felt like that in London for the past three months which is unusual. Saw pictures yesterday of heavy snow in Majorca which is even more unusual. I admire those who struggle along the Camino in the snow, but have never felt the urge to join them

I prefer my Camino's hot, and my beer cold.

[Covey]

This is embarrassing!!!

In my reply above I made the statement "An Englishman would not wear Crocs!!"

I bought a pair this morning!!"!!!!! I did not set out to buy a pair, but was in a Cash & Carry called Costco in the UK and they were selling Crocs for €20 a pair.

As I walked past the display with that superior "Real Pilgrims wear Teva Trail Sandals" look on my face I happened to pick up a pair in a sort of disinterested fashion, and was somewhat surprised at how light they were. So surprised was I that I mentally debated the pro's and con's of the weight difference, against the fact that you cannot really hike in Crocs.

I am afraid the weight won.!! The Teva's are excellent and I have walked all day in them, but they are heavy. I have swapped my Salomon boots for Merell shoes for this year, and if I take the Crocs, I have saved almost a kilo carrying the Crocs instead of the Teva's.

My excuse is that we all get a bit manic about the weight we carry in our pack, but one KG is one KG!!!!!

My only saving grace is that I found a pair of black Crocs rather than the usual bright pink or yellow Da Ladies wear. Honor is satisfied.

[dchapa]

I'm planning to take a Merrel pair I just bought a couple of months ago (I've only worn them twice for an hour walk, and a two and a half hour walk). It seems as Though I have not quite broken them in yet. How long does it usually take to break them in?

[Covey]

I wear mine most days for an hour whilst I walk down to the shops and back, and then some weekends I do a long walk of 10kms. You need to wear them regularly rather than the occasional long walk. Mine were very comfortable from the day I bought them which was a good sign. I previously had a pair of Salomon boots which did 4 trips down the Camino Frances. They were excellent, although in July/Aug they were a little overkill!.