Your upcoming Camino is on the horizon and it’s time to start preparing.
It’s time to talk about footwear, aka. your hiking boots
The following is a universal truth: No matter how fit and prepared you are, your footwear will make or break your hike. This means that your footwear will help protect and support your feet and ankles, as well as help avoiding other problems, such as blisters. Footwear that doesn’t fit well, is not appropriate to the season and/or terrain, or has not been broken in is a recipe for disaster.
We have found that waterproof hiking shoes do the job on the Camino, although some pilgrims lean towards the lighter trail-runners. Pilgrims that require a bit more ankle support may prefer a mid-cut boot. In the middle of the summer, and depending on where you are hiking, hiking sandals are wonderful. Bear in mind that we do not usually hike in the winter nor in the high mountains, so heavy winter hiking boots are not appropriate. Your footwear should be waterproof, light and allow your feet to breathe. If you are not sure about the weather and terrain before your Camino, do not hesitate to ask us!
Now that you’ve bought your boots, give yourself at least a couple months to break them in. Showing up with brand new hiking boots spells blisters. We also recommend getting footwear a bit larger than your actual size, your toes will appreciate this on the downhills.
Fresco tip: It may not sound to glamorous, but wearing your boots on board your flight avoids potential problems if your luggage doesn’t arrive with you.
Not sure where to start, your local REI or any other specialised outdoor recreation store is a good option: https://www.rei.com/c/womens-footwear We also suggest purchasing your boots in a shop and not over the Internet as, not only can sizes can be tricky but also, every boot feels different.
