What you wear on your feet is probably the most important decision you will make after deciding to walk the Camino.

There are no hard and fast rules about what is best, but most pilgrims opt for walking/hiking boots because that is the safer choice when equiping yourself, but having walked the Camino Frances a few times, I would advise that boots are only one of a number of options.

The trail from St Jean to Santiago is not that difficult and only in a few places does the surface get difficult. Difficult mostly means a steep rocky screed strewn path which when dry can give an uneven grip and when wet can be very slippery. Using a walking stick/pole or the modern alloy telescopic walking poles on these paths makes life a lot easier.

Around 20% of the trail is on a tarmac road or hard surface track and in July/Sept with high temperatures, full walking boots seem a little overkill and heavy.

In Feb/Apr boots are probably best but from June to Sept a good pair of hiking shoes will serve just as well.

If you are walking from June/Sept try to have footwear which ventilates or has Gor-Tex panels to stop the feet overheating. Feet that get too hot sweat, and that is the quickest way to get blisters.

An increasing number of pilgrims take trekking sandals as a backup to boots and to wear in the evenings. Last year I tried walking a full 30km day in the sandals and after a few problems getting the strap tension sorted out they were fine to walk a full day in. There is a bit of an arguement about wearing socks with sandals as some say socks catch small stones and some say socks offer more protection against small stones.

I am not sure I would want to just rely on trekking sandals alone, but some do, especially the seasoned walkers.

In 2007 I started from St Jean and met a guy on the way up to Roncesvalles walking in a pair of simple tennis shoes, and he and I met up again in front of the Cathedral at Santiago and he was still wearing them cos it was all he had, yet he did not get a single blister in 800kms!

The modern hiking boots/shoes are much lighter than the old all leather traditional boots I did my first Camino in, and they nearly wrecked my feet because leather does not breathe.

A pair of simple flip flops are a good idea for wearing in the shower and around the albergue. You get to recognise the Pilgrim Shuffle of those hobbling down the street in flip flops going to the pharmacy for more supplies of compeed!!

Modern hiking socks are pretty good, and there is little need for the old army rule of wearing two pairs of socks, one thin next to the skin and one thick for protection. In hot weather it is a good idea to change into fresh (dry!!) socks at lunchtime, or at least take your boots off for 30 minutes and let the feet and socks dry out. Best do this down wind of your friends whilst they are having their lunch!!

The most important thing is to break in your footwear before arrival, so wear them on your training walks and you need to walk at least 75kms before arriving in Spain. Boots/shoes take a pounding on the Camino, so make sure before you leave home that the seams are sound, and take a spare pair of laces (also useful as a standby washing line!!)