The right shoes please help a beginner

[Rookid]

I see posts for hiking boots and walking shoes but aren't quite sure what you mean by the latter? Also what would "breaking in" some boots actually consist of doing? How far or long would I have to walk in them to break them in before my hike? and last but not least...i apologize for the stupid question but I've read that some people have done the camino no problem in a pair of nike runners...thoughts? Any help would be very much appreciated. Thanks everyone!

[Covey]

The majority of Pilgrims tend to wear hiking boots, but the manufacturers of the boots often produce different versions of the boot. The full boot will give lots of ankle support and will cope with any track conditions, but often the likes of Salomon, North Face, Merrell etc will produce a less heavyweight "short" boot and a walking shoe version with the same sole but less height around the ankle.

As you are going in early September, the walking shoe (trainer style/type) will be fine, but if you were going in say April/May, I would use a full boot because of the weather conditions. In September in the past it has been hot from St Jean to Ponferrada and full boots felt heavy and hot. This year I am using a walking shoe by Salomon which they also do in a half and full boot version.

The main thing is that they should be comfortable and fit well. When using walking socks which tend to be thick, you need a shoe/boot size which is probably 2 sizes above your normal shoe size. Also in Spain in summer, it is usually hot and your feet expand as they get hot, so a tight fitting pair of trainers may well cause you problems. I have seen pilgrims wearing every variety of footwear walking the Camino Frances. They walk in trainers, plimsolls, trail sandals and boots you could climb Everest in.

Most walk in boots because that seemed to be the safest option when doing their planning, but knowing the conditions at different times of the year and knowing the track fairly well, this year it will be walking shoes for me.

Breaking in shoes is just a matter of wearing them and doing a few long walks in them. The old leather boots needed breaking in to soften up the leather and make them comfortable, but with the modern fabrics they use to manufacture boots/shoes, it is not so much of a problem. It is also a matter of getting your feet conditioned to walking 25kms a day EVERY day for 40 days. The boots/shoes usually survive a trip down the Camino with no problem. Your feet are another matter.

[Rookid]

Thank you for your wisdom! So a pair of walking shoes would be fine for say September? I plan on finishing in 4 weeks but as I haven't done it before hopefully I can prevent blisters with anti blist sticks and 1000 mile socks. For the month of September is a sleeping bag necessary and/or are there any other options? Trying to keep my pack light. Thank you all for your knowledge!

[Covey]

Shoes will be fine for September based on what I have experienced on the Camino Frances in two other September starts..

I carry a silk sleeping bag liner rather than a proper sleeping bag for both July and September starts. You can get cotton liners but use silk if you can cos it has much better thermal properties. I always carry a Craghopper fleece and if it is a little chilly on the odd night, then I sleep in my fleece. I also carry a set of cotton/wool mix long johns (just like your Grandfather might have used!!!) which I sleep in normally and the combo of the long johns and the silk liner usually keeps me warm enough. In many albergues it is quite warm at night because of the number of bodies sleeping in one room.

[Fsam33]

I have found a very comfortable pair of Keen mid boots but they are not waterproof. I plan to do the Camino Frances next May/June.
Should I look further for waterproof boots for that period?

[Covey]

The Keen boots look OK and I would not worry too much about the "waterproof" issue. Waterproof used to be boots that also did not breathe and you need boots/shoes which breathe to allow the moisture from your feet to exit the boot. If your footwear does not breathe and get the moisture out, you will probably end up with blisters.

The most important part is that whatever you buy must be comfortable. You are going to be walking c25kms a day for 40 days along the Camino Frances and comfort is vital. Don't forget that wearing hiking socks will add at least 1 full size to your "normal" foot size, and maybe as much as 2 full sizes. Some brands go up in half sizes and some do only full sizes, such as Merrell. Your feet will swell up in size as they get hot during a days walk, and with my feet, I need two full sizes over my normal shoe size for my Merrell Moabs.