After trying on so many of the "popular recommended" shoes and getting frustrated, I went back to my trusted ASICS trail runners. They are my everyday sneaker I've been buying for 10 years. I just sized up to accommodate any swelling that might happen. That, combined with my sock technique, equaled no blisters for my entire Camino.
I've only walked one Camino but it was all of the Frances. I was 72 yrs old at the time. Did a lot of research and trained for a year. A sports chiropodist shot some video and showed me how my left ankle was poorly constructed and bends sideways noticeably! I wore ankle-high boots for support. They fit me perfectly so my feet didn't move around in them, so no blisters ever (I chose socks carefully). I kept my feet dry (walked in early spring when it was cold). I studied about blisters before going. Interesting. There's a genetic component - some people have skin layers which shear and separate easily with rubbing - so blisters. The trifecta includes rubbing and moisture. I will try a lighter more flexible shoe next time but will try to include ankle support. My boots were pretty stiff and I think they made my feet vulnerable to foot strike - so many hard surfaces on the Camino.
Thank you for including your age in your comment as I was wondering if trying to do a Camino for the first time at 58 yrs old is a realistic goal! I’m inspired :)
Mt first Camino Solomon waterproof, now onto my 5th Camino, have ditched waterproof and wear Merrill walking shoes, light easy walking shoe. Introduced Teva Tirra sandals, love them, so versatile to give your feet a rest when it’s hot or when blisters start forming, just walking around after a long day, being a tourist, they look great. Wouldn’t be without them now…🇦🇺 thanks for keeping us pilgrims updated with all your information and knowledge…
Like your videos, love your smile, I used hiking boots on my first 2 Camino's but now only trail runners, way less blister problem's and rarely ever shin splints/problems since changing
Altra Olympus 5's for me. They have a wide toe box, lots of ventilation, Vibram soles for good grip, very light and if you do get them wet they can be washed out under a tap (inside and out) and dry quickly. They were a complete gamechanger for me after walking in hiking boots and shoes my whole life.
I haven't done the Camino but I regularly hike. I use Merrell hike shoes (low cut). Some hikers recommend high or mid cut (for ankle support) but I haven't tried that. I also sometimes use sandals (like Teva). I've heard/ read from others that they found it best to have shoes & sandals - use alternately. You can also use the sandals when you shower in the albergue, buying groceries, etc. Sometimes, they use the sandals with socks (while hiking) to avoid blisters. Good luck everyone. Buen camino!
I used a hiking boot on my first Camino. My feet got super swollen ⚽️ and they were also quite heavy. Then I tried a couple of hiking shoes but they were too stiff. But then I found the Altra Lone Peak trail runners🎉🎉. Love, love, love them. They are light weight, have a wide toe box and you don’t need to break them in
For the potential one person who might read this.... TEVAS sandals grip can be really great. Little known fact is to avoid getting sand in them at the beaches because then the porous material grips to the sand then the sand might actually cause blisters.
We are doing the Portuguese coastal route on electric bikes next year. We are 73 years of age and I had my stomach removed due to cancer in 2021. What a great idea eh! A Canadian eh.
We were thinking about cycling it! It looks like a lot to find plug ins, are they going to steal parts…. Would you mind to share more of your plan related to the bikes?
I have the same problem with the wide feet. For the previous Camino and European trips, I wore a pair of Oxford leather shoes. I did bring another pair of hiking shoes, but never had to wear them. The pairs were also water proof and non -slip, with the dry weather, it worked well for me. People looked at me, seemed a little out of place, but worked well for me. Did give me very good support, and wide enough for me.
We walkedPortuguese Camino from Lisbon last may I have wide feet so I chose topo trailventure with 5mm drop they worked well for me my wife had Brooks Caldara and had good success thank you Nadine for your videos
I wear Chaco sandals all summer and they were my backup shoes for our camino Portuguese from Porto. My main shoes were Altra Timp 4, a lightweight, breathable, cushy trail runner that worked quite well for me. The only drawbacks- they were pricy $160, and the blue part of the tread did not wear well. I figured that between training and the camino I logged about 350miles and the tread on the blue part under the ball of my foot was gone. My wife wore Hoka's and was happy with them.
4 Caminos, boots on 3 of them, Merrel, Mountain warehouse and Berghaus. This year I went for. Merrel Moab Flight trail shoes which are great- not waterproof though and I suffered when the heavy rain came in October, as even after a short downpour my feet were soaked. As I only walk in Spring or Autumn It has rained everytime to some extent. I’ve come home and have bought the HOKA low Anacapa 2 GTX which promise a lot, so time will tell.
I use the Merrell Moab 3 Mid Gore-Tex Wide Width hiking boot. These are very comfortable and also durable, they are waterproof and breathe nicely with the Goretex and they offer the wide sizes for big-footed people like me. Plus having the Mid height provides better ankle support than the low cut. I also have another pair of these without the Gore-Tex for use in the desert and dry climate areas. The break-in period was virtually non-existent for both pairs as I pretty much wore them straight out of the box with no discomfort.
Thank you so much for sharing Nadine. I’m planning my second Camino and I walked my first one in Keen Targhees too. Not a single blister. I’ve been thinking about switching to Lowa but I think I’ll just stick with Keen now after watching your video.
Hello Nadine, Another superb and very timely video topic. Nothing more contentious than footwear for the Camino. Just two weeks ago our Calgary Camino chapter held our Spring Gathering where the one topic created such strong opinions which lasted nearly 30 min. but the most interesting of all was a husband/wife where he advocated a boot and she sandals w/socks for walking the Coastal Portuguese. Your advice is spot on baring in mind size, lacing, waterproof, treads, etc. I used Merrell trail runners for my Camino Frances and while well broken before hitting the Camino the weight of my backpack and walking consecutive days were compounded by the fact that I did not size up which created multiple blisters. For my Camino Portuguese from Lisbon I have acquired a pair of Columbia trail runners half a size up which I have used for the past year of training w/o issues. It is also worth mentioning that the insole of most shoes do not last & wear out very easily. Be prepared to get insoles at a pharmacy
I haven’t been on the Camino, but I do hike a lot. Keeping in mind that everybody’s feet are different, this is my hiking shoe journey. I wore Keens for years, but switched to Altra Timps and finally to the Lone Peaks. Going to zero drop without all the arch support really helped my knees and feet because of my personal alignment issues. The Timps were still not lasting long, and one day I came in straight off the trail, went to REI, and tried on shoes with my aching feet. The new Timps were okay but not great. The Lone Peaks made my feet feel like new. These are the right shoe for me for now, but the insoles don’t last that long. I discovered Xero brand athletic insoles and put them over the original insoles. They make it feel like a new pair of shoes and are light enough that I can carry an extra pair or two. I do have to use double sided tape on occasion to keep them from slipping, but otherwise they are great. I still don’t love walking on gravel in the Lone Peaks, so there may be another shoe in my future. It’s a quest in itself.😂
Excellent and informative video. I wore the same hiking shoe for 10 years (Vasque) with zero issues. I totally freaked out when they discontinued the model and spent tons of $ trying other brands and models. I do not care for the zero drop of the trail runners and they didn’t feel supportive enough so they were quickly eliminated. I have wide feet and after my first Camino one foot is 1 1/2” wider than the other. I discovered that a men’s shoe provides the wider toe box I require and have walked at least a couple of thousand miles over the past 4 years in men’s Merrell Moab 2 hiking shoes with the the awesome Vibram soles. I do wear the Goretex or WP model but have never had a blister. Genetics 🤷♀️ Like yours, mine have only been very wet a couple of times and have dried overnight. They are good to go straight out of the box. I am so grateful. Shoes are the most important piece of gear just ahead of your pack👍 Thanks again for sharing this great video 😊
Goodness! what a great video...whew! such a great topic...on my first Camino, Saloman boots...no blisters, but heavy, Camino #2 Altra Lone peaks, light weight, large toe box, very comfortable except on rough terrain, Camino #3 Altra olympus with the vibram sole, perfect!...but let's not forget about socks, and how you should change them every 2 hours regardless. Keeping feet dry is the best way to avoid blisters...SO! the magic combo of shoes and socks...you can only find out what works by finding out what works...walk each day, love each day, pray each day...be well, Nadine!
Interesting to see that you're doing the Camino in Keens. I had used Keen sandals for a very long time but hadn't really considered Keen for hiking shoes until determining that I needed to move up to a size 15 which wasn't really available in the Vasque models that I had been using for hiking. Keen has a good selection in larger sizes. Size 15 is a full size up from my nominal 14 shoe size and prevents blackened toenails. I've been using Targhee Low EXP's since transitioning to Keen. They're waterproof but that hasn't been an issue, even during multiple days of rain. I walked the Frances from Saint Jean in 2022 and the Del Norte/Primitivo from Donostia in 2023. The Keens have proven to be durable, comfortable shoes for repetitive days of walking. I've started each year with a new pair and immediately switched out the insoles for green Superfeet for good foot stability in the shoe. A break-in of a few weeks of hiking before leaving for the Camino is desirable. The daily foot routine on the Camino starts with a light coating of Aquaphor, then an Injinji toe sock and then a good wool sock. I've been able to walk both Caminos virtually blister free with plenty of life left in the shoes. Works for me but not necessarily everyone. Thanks for your great content on RUclips! Much appreciated.
Hola Nadine - una razón para que el zapato sea una medida mas grande, es porque el pie tiende a hincharse al caminar durante horas. Gracias por otro video con información muy útil.
Looks like your lacing method will also help you avoid super long trailing laces. That twisting at the top takes up some of the length, so you're less likely to trip.
Hi Nadine, very good video. Very interesting lacing tips - I'll try them out! I totally agree with your approach that while there are some key concepts that are important to consider, there are always exceptions as everyone is unique. On the Camino Frances in the spring of 2023 we met two people at different parts of the journey who were walking the entire Camino barefoot. We also met people who wore heavy hiking boots and seemed very happy in them. I personally like a light-weight runner, wide-fit, large toe-box, not waterproof (I prefer breathable), with a low-ish ankle, thick tongue to protect the top of my foot from the gradual aggravation of the laces, and for the Camino I would buy a half size larger than I normally wear. The brand that works best for me is Altra. I'm actually all-in on Altras now, and I own a Timp 4 (walked the Camino in these), Olympus 5, and Lone Peak 7. Happy with all of them! Thanks again, and best wishes.
I started my first Camino (Frances) in 2017 from Pamplona with hiking boots - for 2 days only! After that I wore my hiking sandals and walked 600km with sandals to Santiago (however, I had to replace them in Portomarin with other sandals). On the Portuguese Camino (from Lisbon) the following year I started with trail runners and walked with them for 7 days. And guess what ... for the last 20 days I've been walking with my hiking sandals again 😁. I still got blisters (my feet get hot very quickly). Maybe I should start with my hiking sandals next time! I imported Bedrock sandals from the States a few years ago and did quite a few short trails in them and they are working well. Oh yeah, and might I just add that my husband has walked both Caminos in his hiking boots and had no blisters/foot problems ... I guess some people are just lucky! Thanks for your valuable input on Camino shoes - that sure is one of the hardest decisions for anyone going on a long distance hike!
Trail runner (non-waterproof) fan. I do like a hiking shoe but more for serious off-road adventures. Really, a shoe that has good grip, comfortable and doesn't make your foot hot is all you need for Camino style walking. Thanks for the video.
For the one person who might read this continued... check the flexibility of the shoe for these not-super-technical but very long walks. The point is you want to remove any strain your actual shoe causes you (the weight, the lack of flexibility, an unsuitable sole), so you don't get injured.
Super episode again, Nadine! Trail runner for me, one size bigger, but because I have an issue with my foot bridge. What a brilliant idea about skipping a loop/hole... No idea why i never thought of that. Love your clips!
I love the targhee 3 for hiking in the woods My fav for off of concrete walks Need more cushion for concrete,… so altra lone peaks Love both shoes for different purposes
Thank you for another great video! I walked my first camino with a hiking boot - big mistake! Blisters from day one, not a good experience. So for my second camino I chose a hiking shoe, but unfortunately it wasn't suitable for me either - instead of blisters I had very bad ankle pain and my toes were rubbing against the hard shoe due to swelling. So for my next camino I will try some soft and comfy trail runners :) Fingers crossed they will be the perfect fit!
OMG....I have the same trouble with the top of my foot. never thought about skipping a loop. definitely be trying that.... I use a runners lace at the top to lock the heel down.... will try the twist to see if that locks the heel... thanks again fir these helpful hints Buen Camino
@@AidaJof please try it before you go...I tried 2 different looping where I skipped a loop...first was too low...2nd was perfect...release the pressure on top and.i did a runners hitch....(or heel lock) as sometimes called and locked my heel.i nicely.. good luck for your Camino... I start the Camino Frances in April woohoo buen Camino 🙏🏾
@@AussieWalker2024 I always lock my heel, but I will also try this one. I am not new to walking long distances and/or the Camino. I did the Frances in 2022 but I have also been walking/hiking daily. Buen Camino!
Hiking sandals are special :-) In rainy and windy conditions, your feet will be cold so its more of a warmer weather thing. My skin actually became too dry. So dry that the callus that had formed, cracked open and it was a quite a painful wound that didn't close bc the skin was missing its flexibility. I'm done with sandals and trail runners are my go to since years now.
Oof, that sandal experience sounded painful! I'm glad that the trail runners are working out so well... one of these days I'll have to find a pair that fits my feet well, just to give myself another option.
I have very wide ladies feet and totally understand your dislike of shoe shopping! I was overjoyed when Altra first brought out a version of the Lone Peak in ladies wide fit. I love these shoes and wear them daily as I have no other shoes as comfortable and I walk a lot. (I do have traditional walking boots for UK winter trails.) Last year I walked from SJPdP to Finisterre and my shoes held up just fine. Some wear inside the heel. I did bring some spare insoles which had a bit of give in the sole. I swapped out my insoles around 600km along. It wasn't a necesity but was a nice treat for my feet. Not every iteration of Lone Peak offer ladies wide shoes. I've had the 5's and 6's and I believe there are ladies wide 8's. Getting the right sock and shoe combo is the most important thing. If your pack is wrong there is the option of getting it transported. While you can buy shoes and sandals in the bigger towns they won't offer awkward fitting options.
funny your shoe collection. i had 6 pairs of voyageurs myself and finally threw out 3 of them bec the soles are unsalvageable no matter how much i glue it back. this is the only issue i have with my keens. Maybe they are knockoffs? your keens seems to be still in good shape after all that camino miles. I tried sandals for a little. what i dont like is rocks getting in every few feet even with socks on. maybe its the way the sandals are constructed... i have been using keen voyageur hiking shoes for a while now and they work best for me for short distances but anything past 5 miles and i get foot pain. part of that is bec i gained around 10lbs of weight past my ideal weight. i also have keen targhee hiking boots and it does the same thing. lately i been trying altra lone peak 6 and so far going past 10mi and i dont have foot pain. swelling is still there but it doesnt cause me pain like the keens which i should be able to mitigate if i lose that 10lbs. I do tie down the laces tight so my foot wont move around too much. for the other folks, its good to keep trying shoes until you find the one that will help you walk that 10-20 miles without foot/ankle/knee/thigh pain.
Hello Nadine, Here I am late to your post. I have also saved my Camino shoes. My first Camino, the Frances, I did on a pair of Merrell trail runners which served me very well, as you pointed out, they had better treads which gave me better footing. The other point is the wear & tear of not only the treads over long time & distances (6 weeks on the Frances) but also wear & tear of the insoles ... I was feeling every stone & rock along the trail. In Leon, I got some gel Dr Scholls which made a huge difference for the rest of the way.
In 2018, I sustained Morton's neuroma on my first Camino. I was wearing K*** Durand and the soles broke down around 400 miles. My inexperience pushing the last 100+ miles on in those boots is causing me a lifetime of pain. Since then I have gone through 3 pairs of boots/shoes on two other Caminos. Am curious if any of you have had customized boots that can be resoled. Am looking for suggestions? I hate to keep throwing away shoes after 500 miles.
I'm probably going with Merrell Moabs, which I have worn for many years. I flirted with Hokas, but I think I will continue with hiking shoes. My question is one foot is 8 1/2 and on other foot is 9 and I wear size 9. For the Camino, should I go up to size 9 1/2? But that would put one foot into maybe too big of a shoe? I guess it might be an REI question.
Nadine, thank you for your videos. I watched so many of them and it was a big help. Please make a video about eating at albergues. I've seen you had breakfasts and dinners... the question is, how it's all organized? Is the food included in the price? There is a kitchen in some albergues, and in some videos I saw all people having dinner all together... so who was cooking for all of you? Did you have to cook for yourself? I'm planning my first Camino in 2 months time... and there are still some questions I'm a bit concerned. Thank you.
Hi. I haven't done the Camino but have watched a lot of vids. To my understanding, the price of the meals are different from the price of the bed. You can stay at the albergue w/o eating their food, it's up to you. Not all albergue offer meals. When you arrive at the albergue in the afternoon, the staff will ask you if you want to order a meal (if they offer it). The staff prepare the meal & all pilgrims eat in the dining area. Some albergue have cooking facilities for guests, others don't. One issue that I've heard is that some have kitchens but don't have pots & pans for public use. If you intend to cook some meals, it's best if you bring an empty Tuppetware container for yourself and a spoon or spork. In many places, the albergues are in the town center, so you can buy groceries. If you can cook with others (example a simple pasta dish), then you can split cost. You can also buy food from grocery stores for your breakfast, lunch & snacks the next day. If you're on tight budget, I've heard that you can still do it on 25 to 40 euros per day, depending on your situation. I suggest to also watch "camino tellers" channel. Hope that helps. Buen camino!
@@big7macyou're welcome! I've also heard/ read that some restos offer a menu del dia/ meal of the day or pilgrim's meal, which costs 10 to 15 euros. If you're prebooking your albergue or hostel (by calling the day or 2 days before), you can also ask them if they offer the pilgrim's meal. It all depends on your budget. Some can survive on buying bread/ cheese/ ham, tuna, fruits, nuts, cereal bars, etc from supermarkets or cooking own food if on a tight budget. Safe travels & buen camino!
I bought hiking shoes, about a half size bigger. I have been wearing them for training walks, and am noticing my heel is slipping a bit. So far no issues at all with blisters, but I worry that when I'm walking multiple days, that blisters might be a problem. I'm assuming they are slipping because they are a touch big...I'm hoping this will be solved once I buy some smart wool hiking socks, with more padding to fill the shoe. Does anyone have tips to help my slipping heel???
@@DougChamorro I've switched to Topo Ultraventure from Salomon. So far (3 months), loving them - toe space, cushioning and durability - and can't see me going back to Salomon
No toenail trauma from them tapping the solid shoes with each step? That was my struggle so I switched to trail runners,which are softer and less toe trauma.
For in winter snow conditions. Against for summer and wet conditions. They are too hot and if they fill up with rain from the ankle and take longer to dry out. I’m planning a first Camino in sandals during hot or wet conditions. May take non Gortex trail runners for cooler conditions and they will be as breathable as possible. Currently struggling to find the latter as I have wide feet.
I'm in a total panic. I bought five different pairs. I'm already in Spain and I'm afriad the pair I chose is the wrong one. I bought Merrill hiking shoes; I wasn't comfortable with the next size up, so I only went a half-size up. They felt roomy. Then I paid $300 for a fancy insert -- and now the shoes feel too tight. PANIC MODE!
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After trying on so many of the "popular recommended" shoes and getting frustrated, I went back to my trusted ASICS trail runners. They are my everyday sneaker I've been buying for 10 years. I just sized up to accommodate any swelling that might happen. That, combined with my sock technique, equaled no blisters for my entire Camino.
I like Asics Trabuco. 👍
@@griseldanelson2141 Ditto. And unless the HOKA Speedgoat 6 are way better, I'll be walking the coastal in Trabuco Max 2 this summer.
I've only walked one Camino but it was all of the Frances. I was 72 yrs old at the time. Did a lot of research and trained for a year. A sports chiropodist shot some video and showed me how my left ankle was poorly constructed and bends sideways noticeably! I wore ankle-high boots for support. They fit me perfectly so my feet didn't move around in them, so no blisters ever (I chose socks carefully). I kept my feet dry (walked in early spring when it was cold). I studied about blisters before going. Interesting. There's a genetic component - some people have skin layers which shear and separate easily with rubbing - so blisters. The trifecta includes rubbing and moisture. I will try a lighter more flexible shoe next time but will try to include ankle support. My boots were pretty stiff and I think they made my feet vulnerable to foot strike - so many hard surfaces on the Camino.
Thank you for including your age in your comment as I was wondering if trying to do a Camino for the first time at 58 yrs old is a realistic goal! I’m inspired :)
@@joannamonteith4152 I got very bad plantar fascitis. It cleared up in a couple of months after I got back. Everyone is different. Good luck.
I wear Teva hiking sandals with Injinji toe socks because my toes are prone to blisters. The specific model is the Teva Terra Fi 5.
Mt first Camino Solomon waterproof, now onto my 5th Camino, have ditched waterproof and wear Merrill walking shoes, light easy walking shoe. Introduced Teva Tirra sandals, love them, so versatile to give your feet a rest when it’s hot or when blisters start forming, just walking around after a long day, being a tourist, they look great. Wouldn’t be without them now…🇦🇺 thanks for keeping us pilgrims updated with all your information and knowledge…
Oh my lord your shoe collection photos are the best.
Like your videos, love your smile, I used hiking boots on my first 2 Camino's but now only trail runners, way less blister problem's and rarely ever shin splints/problems since changing
Altra Olympus 5's for me. They have a wide toe box, lots of ventilation, Vibram soles for good grip, very light and if you do get them wet they can be washed out under a tap (inside and out) and dry quickly. They were a complete gamechanger for me after walking in hiking boots and shoes my whole life.
I haven't done the Camino but I regularly hike. I use Merrell hike shoes (low cut). Some hikers recommend high or mid cut (for ankle support) but I haven't tried that. I also sometimes use sandals (like Teva). I've heard/ read from others that they found it best to have shoes & sandals - use alternately. You can also use the sandals when you shower in the albergue, buying groceries, etc. Sometimes, they use the sandals with socks (while hiking) to avoid blisters. Good luck everyone. Buen camino!
I ditched my shower flip flops for sandals for precisely the reasons you gave. Buen Camino🙋♀️
@@AidaJofsafe travels and buen camino!
@@kitty_s23456 Gracias, Pilgrim🙏
I used a hiking boot on my first Camino. My feet got super swollen ⚽️ and they were also quite heavy. Then I tried a couple of hiking shoes but they were too stiff. But then I found the Altra Lone Peak trail runners🎉🎉. Love, love, love them. They are light weight, have a wide toe box and you don’t need to break them in
I tried the Lone Peak, but they were just too floppy for me. I've had good luck with Topo and Merrell trail runners. Glad you found the ones you like!
For the potential one person who might read this.... TEVAS sandals grip can be really great. Little known fact is to avoid getting sand in them at the beaches because then the porous material grips to the sand then the sand might actually cause blisters.
We are doing the Portuguese coastal route on electric bikes next year. We are 73 years of age and I had my stomach removed due to cancer in 2021. What a great idea eh! A Canadian eh.
Buen Camino, fellow Canuck. I am also doing the Coastal and leave in 11 days, eh!
the Camino Coastal is spectacularly beautiful...start in Porto, but give yourselves a couple of days in Porto an awesome City!
@@billkrueger9305 Thank you, I am leaving in 6 days to start from Lisbon and plan to spend a couple of days in Porto.
You can do it by bus in 3 hours. Almost the same as electric bikes
We were thinking about cycling it! It looks like a lot to find plug ins, are they going to steal parts…. Would you mind to share more of your plan related to the bikes?
I have the same problem with the wide feet. For the previous Camino and European trips, I wore a pair of Oxford leather
shoes. I did bring another pair of hiking shoes, but never had to wear them. The pairs were also water proof and non -slip, with the dry weather, it worked well for me. People looked at me, seemed a little out of place, but worked well for me. Did give me very good support, and wide enough for me.
We walkedPortuguese Camino from Lisbon last may I have wide feet so I chose topo trailventure with 5mm drop they worked well for me my wife had Brooks Caldara and had good success thank you Nadine for your videos
I wear Chaco sandals all summer and they were my backup shoes for our camino Portuguese from Porto. My main shoes were Altra Timp 4, a lightweight, breathable, cushy trail runner that worked quite well for me. The only drawbacks- they were pricy $160, and the blue part of the tread did not wear well. I figured that between training and the camino I logged about 350miles and the tread on the blue part under the ball of my foot was gone. My wife wore Hoka's and was happy with them.
4 Caminos, boots on 3 of them, Merrel, Mountain warehouse and Berghaus. This year I went for. Merrel Moab Flight trail shoes which are great- not waterproof though and I suffered when the heavy rain came in October, as even after a short downpour my feet were soaked. As I only walk in Spring or Autumn It has rained everytime to some extent. I’ve come home and have bought the HOKA low Anacapa 2 GTX which promise a lot, so time will tell.
I use the Merrell Moab 3 Mid Gore-Tex Wide Width hiking boot. These are very comfortable and also durable, they are waterproof and breathe nicely with the Goretex and they offer the wide sizes for big-footed people like me. Plus having the Mid height provides better ankle support than the low cut. I also have another pair of these without the Gore-Tex for use in the desert and dry climate areas. The break-in period was virtually non-existent for both pairs as I pretty much wore them straight out of the box with no discomfort.
Such great advice, from a supremely experienced pilgrim!
Thank you so much for sharing Nadine. I’m planning my second Camino and I walked my first one in Keen Targhees too. Not a single blister. I’ve been thinking about switching to Lowa but I think I’ll just stick with Keen now after watching your video.
I also used Superfeet insoles, both the cushy hiking ones and the stiffer green ones.
Hello Nadine,
Another superb and very timely video topic. Nothing more contentious than footwear for the Camino. Just two weeks ago our Calgary Camino chapter held our Spring Gathering where the one topic created such strong opinions which lasted nearly 30 min. but the most interesting of all was a husband/wife where he advocated a boot and she sandals w/socks for walking the Coastal Portuguese. Your advice is spot on baring in mind size, lacing, waterproof, treads, etc. I used Merrell trail runners for my Camino Frances and while well broken before hitting the Camino the weight of my backpack and walking consecutive days were compounded by the fact that I did not size up which created multiple blisters. For my Camino Portuguese from Lisbon I have acquired a pair of Columbia trail runners half a size up which I have used for the past year of training w/o issues.
It is also worth mentioning that the insole of most shoes do not last & wear out very easily. Be prepared to get insoles at a pharmacy
Sounds like a fun meeting! It is a topic that gets people excited (me included). Blister prevention techniques is another 😊😊
I haven’t been on the Camino, but I do hike a lot. Keeping in mind that everybody’s feet are different, this is my hiking shoe journey. I wore Keens for years, but switched to Altra Timps and finally to the Lone Peaks. Going to zero drop without all the arch support really helped my knees and feet because of my personal alignment issues. The Timps were still not lasting long, and one day I came in straight off the trail, went to REI, and tried on shoes with my aching feet. The new Timps were okay but not great. The Lone Peaks made my feet feel like new. These are the right shoe for me for now, but the insoles don’t last that long. I discovered Xero brand athletic insoles and put them over the original insoles. They make it feel like a new pair of shoes and are light enough that I can carry an extra pair or two. I do have to use double sided tape on occasion to keep them from slipping, but otherwise they are great. I still don’t love walking on gravel in the Lone Peaks, so there may be another shoe in my future. It’s a quest in itself.😂
Working on finding shoes for my Camino in September. Have learned I need wide shoes!
Excellent and informative video. I wore the same hiking shoe for 10 years (Vasque) with zero issues. I totally freaked out when they discontinued the model and spent tons of $ trying other brands and models. I do not care for the zero drop of the trail runners and they didn’t feel supportive enough so they were quickly eliminated. I have wide feet and after my first Camino one foot is 1 1/2” wider than the other. I discovered that a men’s shoe provides the wider toe box I require and have walked at least a couple of thousand miles over the past 4 years in men’s Merrell Moab 2 hiking shoes with the the awesome Vibram soles. I do wear the Goretex or WP model but have never had a blister. Genetics 🤷♀️
Like yours, mine have only been very wet a couple of times and have dried overnight. They are good to go straight out of the box. I am so grateful. Shoes are the most important piece of gear just ahead of your pack👍
Thanks again for sharing this great video 😊
Goodness! what a great video...whew! such a great topic...on my first Camino, Saloman boots...no blisters, but heavy, Camino #2 Altra Lone peaks, light weight, large toe box, very comfortable except on rough terrain, Camino #3 Altra olympus with the vibram sole, perfect!...but let's not forget about socks, and how you should change them every 2 hours regardless. Keeping feet dry is the best way to avoid blisters...SO! the magic combo of shoes and socks...you can only find out what works by finding out what works...walk each day, love each day, pray each day...be well, Nadine!
Interesting to see that you're doing the Camino in Keens. I had used Keen sandals for a very long time but hadn't really considered Keen for hiking shoes until determining that I needed to move up to a size 15 which wasn't really available in the Vasque models that I had been using for hiking.
Keen has a good selection in larger sizes. Size 15 is a full size up from my nominal 14 shoe size and prevents blackened toenails. I've been using Targhee Low EXP's since transitioning to Keen. They're waterproof but that hasn't been an issue, even during multiple days of rain.
I walked the Frances from Saint Jean in 2022 and the Del Norte/Primitivo from Donostia in 2023. The Keens have proven to be durable, comfortable shoes for repetitive days of walking.
I've started each year with a new pair and immediately switched out the insoles for green Superfeet for good foot stability in the shoe. A break-in of a few weeks of hiking before leaving for the Camino is desirable. The daily foot routine on the Camino starts with a light coating of Aquaphor, then an Injinji toe sock and then a good wool sock. I've been able to walk both Caminos virtually blister free with plenty of life left in the shoes. Works for me but not necessarily everyone.
Thanks for your great content on RUclips! Much appreciated.
Thank you for the information. Great video and a throughly covered shoes.
Hola Nadine - una razón para que el zapato sea una medida mas grande, es porque el pie tiende a hincharse al caminar durante horas. Gracias por otro video con información muy útil.
Looks like your lacing method will also help you avoid super long trailing laces. That twisting at the top takes up some of the length, so you're less likely to trip.
Hi Nadine, very good video. Very interesting lacing tips - I'll try them out! I totally agree with your approach that while there are some key concepts that are important to consider, there are always exceptions as everyone is unique. On the Camino Frances in the spring of 2023 we met two people at different parts of the journey who were walking the entire Camino barefoot. We also met people who wore heavy hiking boots and seemed very happy in them. I personally like a light-weight runner, wide-fit, large toe-box, not waterproof (I prefer breathable), with a low-ish ankle, thick tongue to protect the top of my foot from the gradual aggravation of the laces, and for the Camino I would buy a half size larger than I normally wear. The brand that works best for me is Altra. I'm actually all-in on Altras now, and I own a Timp 4 (walked the Camino in these), Olympus 5, and Lone Peak 7. Happy with all of them! Thanks again, and best wishes.
I started my first Camino (Frances) in 2017 from Pamplona with hiking boots - for 2 days only! After that I wore my hiking sandals and walked 600km with sandals to Santiago (however, I had to replace them in Portomarin with other sandals). On the Portuguese Camino (from Lisbon) the following year I started with trail runners and walked with them for 7 days. And guess what ... for the last 20 days I've been walking with my hiking sandals again 😁. I still got blisters (my feet get hot very quickly). Maybe I should start with my hiking sandals next time! I imported Bedrock sandals from the States a few years ago and did quite a few short trails in them and they are working well. Oh yeah, and might I just add that my husband has walked both Caminos in his hiking boots and had no blisters/foot problems ... I guess some people are just lucky! Thanks for your valuable input on Camino shoes - that sure is one of the hardest decisions for anyone going on a long distance hike!
Yeah, quicker drying shoes are essential. Cheers and adventure on!
Trail runner (non-waterproof) fan. I do like a hiking shoe but more for serious off-road adventures. Really, a shoe that has good grip, comfortable and doesn't make your foot hot is all you need for Camino style walking. Thanks for the video.
For the one person who might read this continued... check the flexibility of the shoe for these not-super-technical but very long walks. The point is you want to remove any strain your actual shoe causes you (the weight, the lack of flexibility, an unsuitable sole), so you don't get injured.
Super episode again, Nadine! Trail runner for me, one size bigger, but because I have an issue with my foot bridge. What a brilliant idea about skipping a loop/hole... No idea why i never thought of that. Love your clips!
Thanks for this, very helpful.
I love the targhee 3 for hiking in the woods
My fav for off of concrete walks
Need more cushion for concrete,… so altra lone peaks
Love both shoes for different purposes
Thank you for another great video!
I walked my first camino with a hiking boot - big mistake! Blisters from day one, not a good experience. So for my second camino I chose a hiking shoe, but unfortunately it wasn't suitable for me either - instead of blisters I had very bad ankle pain and my toes were rubbing against the hard shoe due to swelling. So for my next camino I will try some soft and comfy trail runners :) Fingers crossed they will be the perfect fit!
OMG....I have the same trouble with the top of my foot.
never thought about skipping a loop.
definitely be trying that....
I use a runners lace at the top to lock the heel down....
will try the twist to see if that locks the heel...
thanks again fir these helpful hints
Buen Camino
I agree, that lacing technique was very interesting and I will be using it.
I can't believe it...skipping a loop has reduced the pain on top of my foot by 90%.....
I love it...great tip Nadine...thank you
👍🏾🙏🏾👍🏾🙏🏾👍🏾🙏🏾
@@AussieWalker2024 Thank you for the feedback. I leave for the Portuguese (from Lisbon) next week - I will definitely try it. Buen Camino!
@@AidaJof please try it before you go...I tried 2 different looping where I skipped a loop...first was too low...2nd was perfect...release the pressure on top and.i did a runners hitch....(or heel lock) as sometimes called and locked my heel.i nicely..
good luck for your Camino...
I start the Camino Frances in April
woohoo
buen Camino
🙏🏾
@@AussieWalker2024 I always lock my heel, but I will also try this one. I am not new to walking long distances and/or the Camino. I did the Frances in 2022 but I have also been walking/hiking daily. Buen Camino!
Salomon XA PRO 3D for me. Great shoes. Love all of your videos, Nadine🥰Yes, size up a hole size.
Thank you for this video, very informative!
Used Altra Lone Peak 7s last year and didn’t get a single blister. Comfortable out of the box but recommend practice walks to get used to zero drop.
Best shoe ever
Love, love, love them
I am so worried about zero drop in these shoes.
Hiking sandals are special :-) In rainy and windy conditions, your feet will be cold so its more of a warmer weather thing. My skin actually became too dry. So dry that the callus that had formed, cracked open and it was a quite a painful wound that didn't close bc the skin was missing its flexibility. I'm done with sandals and trail runners are my go to since years now.
Oof, that sandal experience sounded painful! I'm glad that the trail runners are working out so well... one of these days I'll have to find a pair that fits my feet well, just to give myself another option.
I have very wide ladies feet and totally understand your dislike of shoe shopping! I was overjoyed when Altra first brought out a version of the Lone Peak in ladies wide fit.
I love these shoes and wear them daily as I have no other shoes as comfortable and I walk a lot. (I do have traditional walking boots for UK winter trails.)
Last year I walked from SJPdP to Finisterre and my shoes held up just fine. Some wear inside the heel. I did bring some spare insoles which had a bit of give in the sole. I swapped out my insoles around 600km along. It wasn't a necesity but was a nice treat for my feet.
Not every iteration of Lone Peak offer ladies wide shoes. I've had the 5's and 6's and I believe there are ladies wide 8's.
Getting the right sock and shoe combo is the most important thing. If your pack is wrong there is the option of getting it transported. While you can buy shoes and sandals in the bigger towns they won't offer awkward fitting options.
funny your shoe collection. i had 6 pairs of voyageurs myself and finally threw out 3 of them bec the soles are unsalvageable no matter how much i glue it back. this is the only issue i have with my keens. Maybe they are knockoffs? your keens seems to be still in good shape after all that camino miles. I tried sandals for a little. what i dont like is rocks getting in every few feet even with socks on. maybe its the way the sandals are constructed... i have been using keen voyageur hiking shoes for a while now and they work best for me for short distances but anything past 5 miles and i get foot pain. part of that is bec i gained around 10lbs of weight past my ideal weight. i also have keen targhee hiking boots and it does the same thing. lately i been trying altra lone peak 6 and so far going past 10mi and i dont have foot pain. swelling is still there but it doesnt cause me pain like the keens which i should be able to mitigate if i lose that 10lbs. I do tie down the laces tight so my foot wont move around too much. for the other folks, its good to keep trying shoes until you find the one that will help you walk that 10-20 miles without foot/ankle/knee/thigh pain.
Hello Nadine,
Here I am late to your post. I have also saved my Camino shoes. My first Camino, the Frances, I did on a pair of Merrell trail runners which served me very well, as you pointed out, they had better treads which gave me better footing. The other point is the wear & tear of not only the treads over long time & distances (6 weeks on the Frances) but also wear & tear of the insoles ... I was feeling every stone & rock along the trail. In Leon, I got some gel Dr Scholls which made a huge difference for the rest of the way.
In 2018, I sustained Morton's neuroma on my first Camino. I was wearing K*** Durand and the soles broke down around 400 miles. My inexperience pushing the last 100+ miles on in those boots is causing me a lifetime of pain. Since then I have gone through 3 pairs of boots/shoes on two other Caminos. Am curious if any of you have had customized boots that can be resoled. Am looking for suggestions? I hate to keep throwing away shoes after 500 miles.
Great post Nadine! I'm going with Altra Lone Peaks as they have a wide toe box. April 17!!!!!!
Safe travels. Buen camino!
I'm probably going with Merrell Moabs, which I have worn for many years. I flirted with Hokas, but I think I will continue with hiking shoes. My question is one foot is 8 1/2 and on other foot is 9 and I wear size 9. For the Camino, should I go up to size 9 1/2? But that would put one foot into maybe too big of a shoe? I guess it might be an REI question.
You could maybe double (or triple) sock in your small foot 😄
Interesting, which model of the brand Keen is?? Thank you
Nadine, thank you for your videos. I watched so many of them and it was a big help. Please make a video about eating at albergues. I've seen you had breakfasts and dinners... the question is, how it's all organized? Is the food included in the price? There is a kitchen in some albergues, and in some videos I saw all people having dinner all together... so who was cooking for all of you? Did you have to cook for yourself?
I'm planning my first Camino in 2 months time... and there are still some questions I'm a bit concerned. Thank you.
Hi. I haven't done the Camino but have watched a lot of vids. To my understanding, the price of the meals are different from the price of the bed. You can stay at the albergue w/o eating their food, it's up to you. Not all albergue offer meals. When you arrive at the albergue in the afternoon, the staff will ask you if you want to order a meal (if they offer it). The staff prepare the meal & all pilgrims eat in the dining area.
Some albergue have cooking facilities for guests, others don't. One issue that I've heard is that some have kitchens but don't have pots & pans for public use. If you intend to cook some meals, it's best if you bring an empty Tuppetware container for yourself and a spoon or spork.
In many places, the albergues are in the town center, so you can buy groceries. If you can cook with others (example a simple pasta dish), then you can split cost. You can also buy food from grocery stores for your breakfast, lunch & snacks the next day. If you're on tight budget, I've heard that you can still do it on 25 to 40 euros per day, depending on your situation. I suggest to also watch "camino tellers" channel. Hope that helps. Buen camino!
Thank you Kitty!@@kitty_s23456
@@big7macyou're welcome! I've also heard/ read that some restos offer a menu del dia/ meal of the day or pilgrim's meal, which costs 10 to 15 euros. If you're prebooking your albergue or hostel (by calling the day or 2 days before), you can also ask them if they offer the pilgrim's meal. It all depends on your budget. Some can survive on buying bread/ cheese/ ham, tuna, fruits, nuts, cereal bars, etc from supermarkets or cooking own food if on a tight budget. Safe travels & buen camino!
Woooohoooo ❤
Curious if you wear those shoes for your every day walking?
I bought hiking shoes, about a half size bigger. I have been wearing them for training walks, and am noticing my heel is slipping a bit. So far no issues at all with blisters, but I worry that when I'm walking multiple days, that blisters might be a problem. I'm assuming they are slipping because they are a touch big...I'm hoping this will be solved once I buy some smart wool hiking socks, with more padding to fill the shoe. Does anyone have tips to help my slipping heel???
Im walking the Mozarabe right now with Altra Olympus 5. Garbage. Very disappointed. Falling apart.
Please take care and Buen Camino🙋♀️
My Altra’s never last more than 400 miles so I switched to Topo’s and I love them (700 to 800 mile on them)
Disappointing. But that's a common complaint with Altra shoes. Happy walking 😊
@@DougChamorro I've switched to Topo Ultraventure from Salomon. So far (3 months), loving them - toe space, cushioning and durability - and can't see me going back to Salomon
No toenail trauma from them tapping the solid shoes with each step? That was my struggle so I switched to trail runners,which are softer and less toe trauma.
Interested in knowing from commenters: FOR or AGAINST gortex shoes (gortex trail shoes)?
For in winter snow conditions. Against for summer and wet conditions. They are too hot and if they fill up with rain from the ankle and take longer to dry out. I’m planning a first Camino in sandals during hot or wet conditions. May take non Gortex trail runners for cooler conditions and they will be as breathable as possible. Currently struggling to find the latter as I have wide feet.
I'm in a total panic. I bought five different pairs. I'm already in Spain and I'm afriad the pair I chose is the wrong one. I bought Merrill hiking shoes; I wasn't comfortable with the next size up, so I only went a half-size up. They felt roomy. Then I paid $300 for a fancy insert -- and now the shoes feel too tight. PANIC MODE!
Not very helpful