Which Shoe is Best for Camino de Santiago?
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- čas přidán 9. 03. 2021
- Many wonder how to decide the best shoe for Camino. It's the biggest equipment decision for your pilgrimage. I describe the three best kinds of shoes for Camino and make a few recommendations of my favorites. Every persons needs will be a little different. I help you know what questions to ask as you make shoe decisions.
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Merrel Moab Ventilator for Men: amzn.to/3cgT1hi
Merrell Moab Ventilator for Women: amzn.to/3vbcKaT
Salomon XA Pro 3D for Men: amzn.to/2PFI94T
Salomon XA Pro 3D for Women: amzn.to/3t7xUES
Chacos hiking sandal selections: amzn.to/3l22wVD
Superfeet insoles: amzn.to/3cgoHDD
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Training for my first Camino and went to North Carolina for hill work. Switched from shoes to sandals for the downhills, and that worked great. Couldn’t walk more than a hundred yards in shoes with toes. Have also switched to zero lift trail shoes (XERO brand) and find that the more natural gait helps my knees. This is an excellent video, and I am glad it reinforced much of what I thought I had figured out. I’ve subscribed to the series, and have learned a lot- feel better prepared for the Camino. BTW, I am 78, and have been training for over two years.
Thanks for your encouragement! And Buen Camino! I hope you can make the Way soon!
Thank you for making this video. I had the same question. Very helpful.
You're such a lifesaver! Thank so much Jeremiah!
Thanks for your kindness. Glad I can help!!
Thank you
giving us something to think about 👍
Great video and recommendations. I’m a big believer on the super feet inserts. My husband and I are planning on the Camino pilgrimage in April 2024 so we’re doing research on equipment and getting our 10,000 steps everyday.
Thank you for this great info! A lot to consider, like getting Gore-Tex or not. I saw many pilgrims with both shoes and sandals. I plan to bring both as well on my upcoming Camino. Buen Camino!
I wore hiking boots. They were heavier than trail runners but there were times when I was glad to have the ankle support.
Thanks so much for this! I have been researching shoes for a long while. :-) Love your Guatemalan stole in the background! (my father's native country)
I was in Guatemala in 1999 with the Marines, but the stole was purchased from a fair trade organization stateside. Good eye! I hope you find the right shoes.
Great video thank you
I am 💯 about trail runners. I’ve tried boots, hiking shoes and runners. My feet likes runners. They are flexible. My feet do not get hot. Comfortable without socks!! And I feel more stable- I have a better feel of the land and control over my tired legs and feet.
A group of friends are talking about taking el Camino. Thanks for your insights.
It is a wonderful journey to do together! It requires that all are willing to go only as far each day as the slowest person. But if everyone is glad to go a bit slower then it’s a wonderful journey together
I use trail runners with elastic lock laces. I can keep the tension correct on the fly, while still having some flex. For after hiking, cheap, non skid flip flops to let everything breathe and stretch.
I bought these for my son's running shoes. Maybe I should try these on hiking shoes since it's what I like about Solomon.
I am glad you brought up "Superfeet. The excellent heel cup and arch support keep your foot from moving around and rubbing until it blisters. I am on my feet all day and if I am wearing shoes, I have superfeet insoles in them. If I am wearing sandals, they are Chaco's for the same reason.
I use good arch support in all my shoes now. I had plantar fasciitis for years and I take no risks. The insoles changes the whole Camino experience!!
Just an idea, I use climbing chalk to keep my feet dry when running barefoot. Liquid or powder.
On my first Camino I used a Scarpa gortex shoes, finished up with a lot of blisters, was advised to use a silk stockings under my socks this worked perfect. No more blisters. On my Second Camino I used a Salomon trail runners, first applying Vaseline then a silk stocking and then a Marino socks. That work perfect no blisters and my feet stayed dry.
Excellent examples. As long as you reduce friction and moisture you can stop blisters. And there are many ways to do that. As long as your feet are damp (Goretext destroyed my feet with moisture!) then you can have a good walk.
Hi thanks for the information and was the Second Camino in summer or winter?
@@CaminoGuide I fell in a creek and my boots were filled with water. My double socking kept me from getting blisters in my Goretex boots, even though I walked another 4 hours. My Goretex boots keep my feet dry when it rains when everyone else has soaking wet feet.
@@caminoforeveryone9169 how about rain gaiters? Do they keep non gortex shoes dry?
@@CaminoGuide Goretex is suppose to keep moisture out, not in!
I’m doing Camino Portuguese this year. Will take trail running shoes (likely Decathlon) and Teva sandals. Plan is to wear sandals in evening and probably on some of the day’s walk. Think this will assist in blister prevention and let feet breath
Great video. Thanks for taking the time to explain everything in detail. Like you, my feet sweat a lot and perhaps Gore Tec shoes are not ideal. My concern is that I am planning to start the camino in late September when it tends to rain a lot. What do you think should I do? Someone told me to walk with sandals and water proof socks on the days that it is raining, then the rest of the time with my normal breathable shoes.
No way I’d do the waterproof socks thing. Sandals with a good pair of wool socks can work in the rain if you go slow. Your feet are wet but few rubbing point. Then put on dry shoes after. I usually just walk in my shoes and dry them that night…being careful to go slow while wet. I’ve recently heard someone say they bring two pairs and swap every other day. That’s a lot of weight but it could be worth it.
But honestly? My advice is to just get some breathable shoes and take it as it comes on the Way. Just remember to take it easy when your feet are wet.
@@CaminoGuide muchas gracias!! God Bless.
I used my old jogging-shoes - thought about going in them until the are gone - and then just buy another cheap pair while hiking anywhere ... I went around 1200 km within 5 weeks ... I brought the same shoes back home again. Important for me are just good socks and some Foot Powder (against stinking shoes) someday. Will start in spring again - with exactly the same shoes again.
But I also went barefoot for a few hours here and there - because I am used to it.
I used some old Nike running shoes and they were great, very lightweight and breathable, barely any blisters 🤙
I think most folks would be fine with that. I probably wouldn’t wear ones with a lot of age…but running shoes could be just fine.
thanks for another interesting video! what will next? best backpack? apart from that do you prefer poncho or rain jacket?
Thanks! I plan to do both of those actually. I’ve never walked with poncho (except in the marines) so I’m taking one on a section hike of the Appalachian Trail in May. I plan to make a video after that on the rain gear.
@@CaminoGuide thank you. looking forward to these videos and have a good time on the trail
Thank you….Semper Fi!
I am interested in walking the entire Camino, but I want to go on a guided walk with everything planned. Is there anything like this available? BTW, I love your CZcams channel.
Thank you for these videos! I am staring my Camino in late August, and recently bought a pair of Altra Lone Peak 6 train running shoes at REI. I think these are going to work well. In my younger days I was a marathon runner, and I wish I had these then. Buon Camino!!
Thanks for the video, what do you think about adidas agrovic TR (the non goretex ones)
Hi Daniel! I wasn’t familiar with that shoe at all. I just checked it out. It looks to have the right kind of sole (some lugs and looks to have some stiffness) and I assume it is fairly lightweight. I’d say those are a win.
Concerning sandals: my advice would be to, if you can accept the extra weight, have both a pair of sandals and trail runners or trekking shoes and do change between them during the walk depending on weather and road/track conditions.
I don’t think I’d want to carry two complete shoes, but it’s VERY tempting. I did the first walk and may do it again some day.
On advice from FB & YT experienced walkers, I chose waterproof trek runner shoes. In the end this was a bad decision as I felt every sharp stone come through even on the so called easy trails. On roads, forest trails and footpaths, they were fine but on the majority of the normal trails, an irritation. Next time, I will use my hard soled boots that I wore on Everest Base Camp Trek and Kilimanjaro. I'm BMI 35 and believe my weight played a big part on the need for a harder sole. Lesson learned. Everyone to there own, but how the people doing it barefoot cope, I'll never know. Must have skin of leather !
Nice summary! I (Michelle) love my Merrell Moabs, and Brian loves hiking in his Chacos. We are excited to start our 5th pilgrimage this year! Buen Camino!
Everyone's foot is different. I have owned multiple pairs of Salomons but they wouldn't work for me on the camino because the toe box is too big for distance walking. I recommend going to a store like Fleet Feet and being professionally fitted.
I think being professionally fitted is a good idea too. But I'd definitely tell them you want room for your feet to swell and that you will be going down hill a lot. Whatever the "proper" fit is, go one whole size up from that. I would assume people fitting folks regularly would know this, but they may not be hikers themselves so you may need to keep that in mind.
I tried to order the Salomon woman trailblazing shoes you recommended and there were only three sizes available on Amazon---5.0, 6.5, and 10.5. Crazy. I live on a remote island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, so I can't buy them in a store, unfortunately. Do you have any other recommendations for a similar shoe? I do not want boots or heavy-like shoes for this trip. I buy everything on Amazon. You have very nice, informative videos and I'm looking forward to my first Camino....thank you so kindly!!!
They change the color each year and it looks like they are sold out. Here is the current link!
amzn.to/3GI0BAI
What is the name and make of sandals that you use those brown ones you showed, please
I walked the Camino in 2013 wearing boots with sock liners and Smart Wool socks, now leaning towards a change to Trail Runners as you suggest, wehat about "sock-liners" with shoes vs boots?? Are they even needed? Thanks!
I don’t have much advice here. Some people love them. The liner is not really about the shoe you choose. Either kind of shoe, some people like liners and some don’t. I’ve always sweat through them to fast to be worth my time
4 Caminos and I wear Meindl Goretex boots. Would not want to wear anything else. No blisters either, because I wear nylons under my socks. If you double sock, you won't get blisters. My feet stay dry when it rains and walking through mud. Thick soles are great for road walking in all the cities and the highways that are on Camino Frances or on the horrible cobblestones in Portugal. Trail runners make my feet ache, boots don't.
Perhaps the Europeans are wearing boots because they know they might be better for all of the different surfaces that are on the Camino Frances?
All I know is that almost everyone had feet problems except for me and a few others that I met. Many were wearing trail runners, were using vaseline, were airing out their feet, etc. yet they still all had blisters. The only ones who were not having problems were doing some sort of double socking. It did not matter what kind of shoe or boot they were wearing.
I heard that trail runner is not made to go on asphalte so after 800km, the life of the shoes is over. It that true, from your experience? Did you use the same train runner for other Camino? Or do you buy a new pair every time? Also, should I get a one size bigger for sandales too? By the way, Keen's sandales had toe protection, almost like a shoues.
That’s about right. I wouldn’t go farther than 800km. I buy a new pair shortly before Camino. Then use them for training after. Some hiking sandals do have a toe covering. I’ve not worn them so I don’t have much to say there.
@@CaminoGuide thank you!
My trail runners were done at the end of Frances. I gave them a burial service in my last hostel's garbage can and traveled home in my camp shoes.
The best protection for your toes is to watch where you are walking. Barefoot walkers know this and have fewer injuries.
Do you have any recommendations for socks? My freind talks abont Salomon non-slip socks, and X-socks. I also saw someones recommending five toe socks. Have you tried one of those?
Personally, I am a huge fan of Darn Tough socks because of the lifetime guarantee. Careful, some of them are not wool. I think the wool ones are best. I wear these on every Camino: amzn.to/3rGn1um
Some folks love the Injiji toe socks as liners. I haven't used them, but if it you get toe blisters then they make sense as a liner sock to a more cushioned sock.
Try Grip6 wool blend socks. They now make a boot sock.
Arch Support, and Heel Cup, is good for support.. But if you walk long distance even though you have made it several times, there will come a time when ypure older that you start to have balance problems, knee pain, or back pain. Thats why people also say long distance marches arent good for your knees. On the long run, you should go Zero drop or a Xero minimalistic wide toes Shoes/sandals. Your foot was ment to be used that way, but that also requires training and stretch and of course alot of walking.
I saw you commented on my Altra video too...so you know I am trying this. Honestly, I think it may have cured my plantar facii issues. I'm not sure that I think that zero drop is going to help the knee, back, or balance issues associated with aging. I'd be glad to be wrong about that, but I have more modest hopes for what the zero drop can do. Nevertheless, I have probably been converted to Altra on these last two hikes.
@@CaminoGuide What i ment about that is that most people build the wrong shoes for us to at least be using 80 +- year of our life. the more Altra type shoe / Xero Shoes you where the better it is for you when you are an elder.
But im glad those Olympus 4 apparently did the job. My wife is using Timp 3, and Im using Lone Peak 5 and Olympus 4. Also Xero shoes as camp sandals even hikes. But yes the Zero drop require training.
But you should consider Nijmegen March or Camino Primitivo
That very well may be. I can only imagine how our strength would change if we wore any shoe with significantly different step for our everyday. Adding arch support to all my shoes definitely changed my feet. So far I only have the zero drop shoes for my walking shoes. But I imagine wearing them every day would change your leg strength considerably. And I could believe that would make a difference for other body pains too.
@@DanielOutdoors unfortunately all of my walks will probably be on the Frances. I primarily do this for my job where I lead students on Camino as a class once a year. But I don’t think any of the other ways have enough logistics support for my groups. Maybe Portugues will eventually.
Hi, I wanted to buy the Saloman shoes through your link but the women’s link is not functioning. Can you produce a new link for purchasing that shoe?
Thanks for supporting the channel! And for letting me know. Amazon links get broken all the time as products change. Here is the new link:
amzn.to/3M7hmZG
No site that discusses shoes for the Camino has ever mentioned New Balance, Nike, Brooks, Adidas or Rockport, just to name a few popular brands of running and walking shoes. Is there a reason for this? Personally, I love my New Balance walkers, but the tread is not going to be enough for the Primitivo, which is the route I plan on taking.
There may be folks who do fine with these. And I’m sure that some of those brands make trail runners. But I think most pilgrims find the toe protection and sole lugs of a trail runner to be essential. (lots of pilgrims wear Brooks trail runners) When I think of New Balance or Adidas, I don’t think of shoes that have an aggressive tread or toe protection. I’m sure they have models that do, however.
I train and run marathons and trail runs. My New Balances and Aisics fit and perform great right out of the box. I don’t know why people would chose a boot.
well...here we are 1 year later. 200 miles (including some walks of 8-9 miles) in my New Balance Hieros + Grip 6 wool socks, and zero blisters. Toe protection and treads that will get you through the mud
*
Some people suggest Vaseline on your feet to prevent blisters. What do you think about using Vaseline on your feet? or is there any other cream that might be better than Vaseline to prevent blisters?
That’s a great question. I have never used that method before but lots of people do. The reason it works is that the Vaseline keeps moisture from your skin by putting an petroleum jelly layer. You might give it a try on some long training days.
I’ll have remember that!
Robscamino on CZcams he always puts Vaseline on his toes, ball of the foot and heel, also hikers wool , and good socks , look him up
I would like to walk the Camino pilgrimage next year. I am coming from the US and I would like to join a group that I could join from the US. Is there such a tour? Can anyone direct me to such? Please.
There are groups like this. You may try Camino Ways. That’s an English company I think. There are lots of companies that lead these groups but I don’t have experience with any of them.
You'll meet americans on the trail. Just show up - plenty of english speaking people around, and then you're not obligated to following the speed of an arranged group. I've walked the camino 4 times, and meeting people is not an issue.
My anxiety is not as I walk the Camino. Rather, it is from the airport to my destination, I am anxious I may get lost, hehe....Anyway, going to St Jean would it be better to take the train from Paris to St Jean. Is there a direct trip?
@@adude386 you've to change train in biarritz. It's very easy. Local people and other pilgrims are more than happy to help. There's also a local transport that can pick you up in biarritz and drive you to st.jean. it's called express burricot - or something to that effect.
@@jesperkjaer8268 Thks Jesper.
When wearing sandals, do you wear socks? Skin chafing is something I'm worried about.
Michael, I did this for some training hikes and it worked modestly well. But if I were wearing sandals it would DEFINITELY be with socks. I have seen pilgrims with sandals and no socks. I’d suggest you try both on 10+ mile hikes. I’ll guess socks will be better
@@CaminoGuide it has been said though that wearing socks with sandals won't do your social life much good, haha. Thanks!
So true. One year my students went out in León on our first night in Spain. One of the women had socks and sandals on when we went to a bar. Some random Spanish man stopped her in the street and took the sandals and socks off her feet and put the sandals back on. He said she wasn’t allowed! Hilariously weird moment that we all still joke about.
Foot Freak here. 20 years of wearing Keen Sandals = zero blisters, callouses, or corns. Wet and dry.
FYI… minimalist shoes and barefoot walking (on grass, dirt, natural terrain) will do wonders for your plantar fasciitis. Lots of CZcamsrs cured their plantar from going to barefoot walking and minimalist shoes. Your arch support insoles and shoes are preventing your feet from developing to their natural ability. Minimalist shoes let the ground massage your feet. My feet often feel better after a long walk than before. It’s literally a massage for your feet… when you walk on natural terrain. The killer is flat even pavement. But for that, you need strong feet and proper walking form. You make it sound like you can’t transition to healthy barefoot walking because your body has already adapted to heel drop, cushioned shoes. Well, not really. Your body is struggling with those shoes and that is manifested in your plantar.
I walked in 3mm barefoot shoes, it felt amazing and made my Camino super special, but yes, you have to be adapted VERY WELL to it and overally rather fit, as it puts more demand on your body, rather than technology. Some regular shoes can be zero drop with thicker sole (Altra), but all barefoot/minimalist shoes are zero drop with very thin soles. I think zero drop thick sole is a good compromise for getting used to:health benefits ratio. Barefoot shoes of course are ideal, but most people's physique is very inferior to that of our ancestors/ indigenous tribes.
I actually have just ordered a pair of Altra Timp to try on a section hike on the Appalachian Trail. I like the wide toe box, and I didn't realize when I made this video that there were fully padded zero drop shoes. So I will try these and see if my opinion changes at all. When I said "zero drop" on the video I was thinking only of minimalist shoes.
This is very helpful. I am considering barefoot shoes for plantar fasciitis and preparing to do the pilgrimage.
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How do you dry a non gore tex shoe that got wet in the rain?
Hi. Maybe the hostel/ inn has a hair dryer that you could borrow? And if it's still wet the next morning, use trek sandals first or until your shoes are dry enough. Some hike in sandals with socks, some without, so it's up to you.
@@kitty_s23456 thanks for the tip
NOT wear a boot? My best decision was not to wear a trail shoe or sneaker. They have an average life of 800km so you may have to purchase another pair along the route, especially if you pre-trained in them . Not ideal.
They cope with rain (plenty of that!), snow (twice during our camino we walked in snow), rockfalls (try coming down from Alto de Perdon in sneakers!) dust and varying terrains while being light, comfortable and blisterfree. You dont get stones stuck in them, or dust inside, and modern boots are very lightweight.
We saw so many bad blisters enroute! And even on day one you should hzve seen half frozen to death wet and cold pilgrims arriving at Roncesvalles. Even with good boots and gear we found it hard to sign in with frozen fingers. But those people who thought a lightweight poncho and some sneakers would be fine were ditching gear and looking at buying new tougher stuff.
I’ve never experienced any weather or terrain on Camino that would be better with boots than trail runners. If snow got over 6 inches or so then I’d get off the trail, and that’s the only time I’d prefer my boots to trail runner. But I really appreciate you giving your perspective because some who will see this may agree with you. Thanks for sharing the comment!
We walked El Camino in 2018, the weather was super variable. It rained a lot of the first week, snowed 2 of those dsys. Thick snow on the first few days and again at Zubiri. Then snow and rain near Pamplona. The trail closed at Puenta la Reina with pilgrims being bussed forwards to avoid bridge closures (luckily at this point we were ahead of the weather). The path is not all sunshine and roses. Even finishing end of April the last 100km from Sarria was damp, misty and wet. Wet damp feet are prone to blistering and skin separation.
A shoe just doesnt have the life expectancy for my liking.
@@amazinggrace1965able So you went in April. Walking in summer (july august) must be a whole different story then.
@@CaminoGuide I had decided on trail runners but wondering about boots again after listening to Mike (a frequent poster from Germany) talk about deep mud on sections when it rained a lot. I plan to start in early April 2023.
Sandal!! really! For real? interesting!
You will see lots of the on the Way!
I heard that cotton socks are awful so wear marino wool socks instead
Definitely want wool or synthetic
My friend, it is *EL* Camino OR *The* Camino. Just saying "Camino" is like saying " Appalachian" in a sentence, instead of "The Appalachian Trail". For example " When you are hiking Appalachian, you will need a good backpack" or "When I hiked Appalachian, I wore trail runners".
Take it from a native Spanish speaker, it would really improve your presentation.
Otherwise, great advice. I walked from SJPP to Santiago in 2019
Thanks!