Greg. I think you need to mention the time of year too regarding footwear. I’ve walked the Frances twice in hiking boots, both times in January/February with temps down to -15c/ 5f and you definitely needed boots. At times the snow was well over a foot deep and once over 3 foot deep.
Great vid! Like you, I've tried various shoes on my Caminos but just (Nov-Dec) walked the Portugues in my favorite shoe so far. The Topo Althletic Ultraventures. 5mm drop, plenty of cushion, with a roomy tou box.
I completed the Frances in late October. I wore Altra Lone Peak 6, my everyday shoe. I had trained in New Balance trail runners but they just didn’t feel right. My buddy wore his very old hiking boots. He had foot and heel problems EVERY DAMN DAY. Stay away from boots.
@ I took one long sleeve shirt and wore it over my tech running shirt. I had a Patagonia rain jacket and I bought a puffy jacket in St Jean for €10. I pretty much used all my gear every day. Jacket on. Jacket off. Jacket on. Jacket off. All day. Cool mornings. Cloudy skies. No rain. No Spain. I start some days in long pants and zipped off the legs after I got warmed up. Toward the end I kept my pants on and used the long sleeve shirt all day. Temps started in the 40’s and could rise to high 60’s or low 70’s. I don’t like the cold so wore my puffy jacket nearly every evening but not on the trail.
@ I also took a light weight sleeping bag. It was about 1/3 of my volume. I would not take it again. There were blankets available in all but one hostel.
Agree everyone's foot is different. I found that the Olympus were best but with a gel heel added. Normally, like you, I don't care if it rains as use injinji toe socks and.darn tough sock combo. However , after last year on the norte and primative in May I have bought a pair of waterproof socks... not for the rain but the mud. So much and upto ankle depth in places. The only other thing I have added is a nail brush. It's v light weight and can clean my soles well. Have a great next camino. I'm off to the San Salvador and primativo this year.
@@jq2639 The biggest problem on the Camino is blisters, so I generally recommend a nice soft running shoe. You could also go with trail runners, but most of the terrain is relatively flat and does not require the tread on hiking shoes. Running shoes have less resistance, so they are a bit easier to walk in on flat road. I don't worry too much about the rain. You can go two ways with it. You can wear shoes that are water resistant, but they don't breathe quite as well. I prefer to go with a lightweight running shoe so that if they do get wet they dry more quickly. And I don't really care if my feet are wet. It's an adventure and not a problem for me. You see more people wearing running shoes every year, particularly ones that are designed more for walking. They have more of a rocker design that makes it less effort. You see a lot of hokas and Brooks running shoes. But I like these Brooks Ghost Max shoes.
Really glad you are back and posting Greg. You are my go to for all things Camino😊👍
Só great to have you back Greg! Greetings from Australia!🦘
Greg. I think you need to mention the time of year too regarding footwear. I’ve walked the Frances twice in hiking boots, both times in January/February with temps down to -15c/ 5f and you definitely needed boots. At times the snow was well over a foot deep and once over 3 foot deep.
I’m using the Altra Olympus 2. Absolutely love them.
Great vid! Like you, I've tried various shoes on my Caminos but just (Nov-Dec) walked the Portugues in my favorite shoe so far. The Topo Althletic Ultraventures. 5mm drop, plenty of cushion, with a roomy tou box.
Welcome back
The best shoe for me....Altra Mont Blancs. Trail runner with a wide toe box.
I completed the Frances in late October. I wore Altra Lone Peak 6, my everyday shoe. I had trained in New Balance trail runners but they just didn’t feel right. My buddy wore his very old hiking boots. He had foot and heel problems EVERY DAMN DAY. Stay away from boots.
I'm going in October this year. What was the weather like for you?
@ I took one long sleeve shirt and wore it over my tech running shirt. I had a Patagonia rain jacket and I bought a puffy jacket in St Jean for €10. I pretty much used all my gear every day. Jacket on. Jacket off. Jacket on. Jacket off. All day. Cool mornings. Cloudy skies. No rain. No Spain. I start some days in long pants and zipped off the legs after I got warmed up. Toward the end I kept my pants on and used the long sleeve shirt all day. Temps started in the 40’s and could rise to high 60’s or low 70’s. I don’t like the cold so wore my puffy jacket nearly every evening but not on the trail.
@DunRovinRanch-1969 Thank you. That was a very helpful response! I've been watching yt videos trying to get all the info I can.
@ I also took a light weight sleeping bag. It was about 1/3 of my volume. I would not take it again. There were blankets available in all but one hostel.
Agree everyone's foot is different.
I found that the Olympus were best but with a gel heel added. Normally, like you, I don't care if it rains as use injinji toe socks and.darn tough sock combo. However , after last year on the norte and primative in May I have bought a pair of waterproof socks... not for the rain but the mud. So much and upto ankle depth in places. The only other thing I have added is a nail brush. It's v light weight and can clean my soles well.
Have a great next camino. I'm off to the San Salvador and primativo this year.
No hiking shoes? What about rain?
@@jq2639 The biggest problem on the Camino is blisters, so I generally recommend a nice soft running shoe. You could also go with trail runners, but most of the terrain is relatively flat and does not require the tread on hiking shoes. Running shoes have less resistance, so they are a bit easier to walk in on flat road. I don't worry too much about the rain. You can go two ways with it. You can wear shoes that are water resistant, but they don't breathe quite as well. I prefer to go with a lightweight running shoe so that if they do get wet they dry more quickly. And I don't really care if my feet are wet. It's an adventure and not a problem for me. You see more people wearing running shoes every year, particularly ones that are designed more for walking. They have more of a rocker design that makes it less effort. You see a lot of hokas and Brooks running shoes. But I like these Brooks Ghost Max shoes.
@ Thank you for the thoughtful information.