Whatever the coolest equipment you have, no matter how carefully you plan your trip, one little callus, abrasion, or worn pad under your thumb can ruin the whole trip.
Leg problems are a really serious thing that many people don’t think about before going on a trip, and then it’s too late, painful, and annoying.
In order not to leave the route in advance due to worn-out legs and not to suffer the whole trip, sticking plasters on your fingers at each halt, you must follow two rules:
- Go hiking only in worn-out boots;
- Wear proper trekking socks.
This review will focus on shoes for the Camino Way, where you have to travel outside the city on asphalt.
Shoes are perhaps the most basic element!
It ensures that you don’t get wet feet or blisters, don’t hurt your soles, and feel less tired, so you can enjoy the Camino without scarifying and different adventures more fully.
What Shoes to Wear on the Camino de Santiago?
Tracking shoes.
You will see them on the feet of travelers around the world, from the tropical jungle to the polar regions.
Tracking shoes are suitable for most types of travel outside of asphalt.
Their versatility is their main advantage. Yes, they weigh more than hiking bags and are not as technologically advanced as mountain climbers, but they give the owner the greatest freedom of movement for a more or less humane price.
Almost all outdoor companies produce such shoes, which makes it possible to choose a design to your liking, from high-tech to classic.
The use of a membrane is still discussed and controversial, but manufacturers, as a rule, decide for us, and it becomes more and more difficult to buy hiking boots without a membrane every year. Marketing is a formidable hurdle, and smart-tech shoes are easier to advertise and cost more.
Rubberizing shoes around the entire perimeter is very practical.
This significantly reduces wettability in wet weather, in snow, and in high-wet grass—conditions where even a membrane does not always provide reliable protection. At the same time, the vapor permeability of shoes does not significantly suffer.
Trekking shoes, unlike mountaineering and heavy trekking shoes, have a more flexible sole.
This allows you to better feel the topography of the surface and to cover a large distance with less fatigue. And the stiffness of the boot as a whole protects the ankle well from dislocations.
The 3 Best Shoes for the Camino de Santiago
The 3 BEST brands of trekking shoes are Asolo, La Sportiva, and Meindl.
It is impossible to advise a specific company; this is a purely individual choice.
There are a huge number of models of trekking shoes. To determine what type of shoes you need, you need to answer the following questions for yourself:
How much will your backpack weigh?
The heavier your backpack, the better ankle support you need.
What is your weight and fitness level? …
The 3 Best Sport Sandals for the Camino
Ecco X-Trinsic is the lightest and most compact sandal; Ecco Offroad is the most comfortable off-road sandal; and Adidas Cyprex Ultra II is the most grippy sandal. These are the 3 best sport sandals for the Camino Way.
Trekking sandals are a very specific type of footwear. They differ from ordinary sandals in having a rigid sole made of the same materials as sneakers with boots and fully adjustable straps (including a heel strap). Sandals have, in fact, only one plus, but its significance is enormous: they are the only shoe that is not hot in summer.
The cons are the following:
- Small pebbles, sand, and grass blades frequently get caught in the straps or under the foot, causing blisters or skin abrasion.
- When the foot is wet, it is not very well fixed in the sandal.
- There is no protection from hitting stones and thorns.
- The first two disadvantages of sandals can be compensated for by putting them on a thin or thick (depending on the weather) trekking sock. Few people care about appearance during a hike.
The sock almost guarantees that you will not rub your foot with straps or unfortunate grains of sand; over the toe, the straps can be tightened tight enough, and the leg will be well fixed. In addition, you can walk in sandals with a warmed toe even in fairly cool weather. Who cares about the fashion on Camino Way?
Popular Socks for Walking the Camino
Modern trekking socks (or thermal socks) are popular socks for walking the Camino Way.
They are not only durable but also have the function of supporting the foot, preventing the development of bacteria and odor, and “breathing” and removing moisture, minimizing the likelihood of blisters.
They have become more specialized. There are dozens of different types of trekking socks, ranging from lightweight synthetic models made of polyester or polypropylene to thick wool socks or a combination of the two.
For the Camino Way, you will need thermal socks. Here, first of all, increased strength of the toe-heel and ankle, as well as “breathability” and the ability to drain water, are required.
As a rule, these socks are worn under trekking boots, support their membrane properties, and have a height just above the ankle or to the middle of the calf.
Synthetic materials are popular in them, providing strength, breathability, moisture removal, and shock absorption.
Proper trekking socks have the following benefits:
- Tight fit to the leg. They do not form wrinkles that can rub the skin during a long walk. That is, you will not become a burden for your comrades, having received calluses in the very first transitions.
- Durable. Trekking socks are knitted from strong threads that are intertwined in a special way. And on the heel, toe, and sole, reinforcement is made with a double layer of knitwear or protective overlays. You’d rather lose them than make a hole.
- Reduce the risk of microtrauma. Special bandages and protectors support muscles, joints, and ligaments.
- Breathe. The socks have a system of channels through which the heated, moist air from the boot comes out and the cool, fresh air is pulled back.
- They wick away moisture. Knitwear transfers moisture from the skin’s surface to the outer layer of the fabric. So the skin is less soaked, and the sock dries fast.
Should I wear hiking boots or trail runners on the Camino?
It is recommended to wear hiking boots, but you can wear trail runners as well, and always remember that the choice of shoes or sneakers is a very responsible event; the comfort of the entire trip on the Camino Way depends on it.
Should I wear Gore-Tex Camino Waterproof Shoes?
Yes, it is recommended. Gore-Tex protects against wind, stops water, and at the same time allows water vapor to escape from the fabric.
Can You Walk the Camino in Trainers?
Yes.
You can pass the Camino in ordinary urban sneakers or even sneakers, but such shoes have very serious drawbacks, and it is the owners of ordinary shoes who “boast” of huge calluses more often than others.
Cons of trainers: too soft a sole, through which all the bumps and stones are felt.
How Do You Prepare Your Feet for the Camino?
There is nothing better than a little practice beforehand.
Thus, it is recommended that at least 3 or 4 weeks before the start of the Camino, you go out for an hour or more of walking.
Of course, if you are already used to it, you can always alternate this exercise with other resistance disciplines.
In this way, the whole body will also prepare for what is to come.
If you don’t exercise, it may be convenient to start prepping your legs ahead of time. You should purchase mountain or “trekking” boots and make sure you wear them well fastened at the ankles. You can wear alternative shoes like running shoes with good cushioning, but you will only use them on the road and on smooth surfaces.
In the evenings, it is also recommended to do a good foot bath every evening and, afterward, apply a moisturizing cream in the form of a massage.