Shoes and over the ankle imperative

[Delphia Dirks]

My goodness!  I  feel like I have "shoe-peaked" too soon.   Who would like
to buy a pair of ankle-high, $300 Mephistos???     Just kidding, they're not
for sale!  I expect them to take me the whole way!  :-)   delphia

> From: "Robert E. Spenger" <rspengeraHOME.COM>
> Reply-To: Road to Santiago Pilgrimage <GOCAMINOapete.uri.edu>
> Date: Fri, 25 May 2001 03:58:11 -0700
> To: GOCAMINOapete.uri.edu
> Subject: Re: Shoes and over the ankle imperative
>
> Imperative is a rather strong word to use. I had low cut, lightweight wlking
> shoes (not running shoes) and had no problems with the terrain. Any foot
> soreness that I had was not really very much different than what I have
> experienced hiking around home. This year I didn't even have a blister
> problem. I had used the same make, model, and size of shoe last year and had
> toe blister problems during the 2nd through the 4th week, but then it cleared
> up. The problem was that size 13 was available only in medium widtrh. I had
> them stretched once, but apparently that was not enough. This year, I got a
> new pair and also increased the sock thickness by using very thin inner socks.
> This time, I had the
> stretching treatment done three times and that did the trick. Not a single
> blister.
>
> I always used to use big, heavy, over the ankle boots backpacking in the
> Sierra Nevada, which has much rougher terrain than anything I encountered on
> the pilgrimage routes and I am convinced that the business of ankle protection
> is a myth.
>
> Howard Mendes wrote:
>
>> After 5 days on the Camino in Estella, I will tell you all that it is
>> imperative to have medium to heavy weight over the ankle hiking boots.  The
>> terrain is very rocky and difficult to negotiate.  Forget about running shoes
>> my friend unless you want to wear them or sandals at night.  By the way I am
>> sorry that I didn¨t bring a second pair of hiking boots to alternate with the
>> pair I have.  Everyone complains about sore feet. It is rougher than I
>> imagined, but one of the best experiences of my lifetime.  The people you
>> meet are extraordinary and the Camino is unbelievable.  There are free
>> internet hookups in the library here in Estella, a beautiful small city.
>> Ultreya.  Howard Mendes, NYC