Archives, hiking boots, advice and all that

[Diane Grust]

Archives.  Although there seems to be a resistance to do this...everyone
seems to want their question answered I always think it is fair to put the
shoe on the other foot.  I walked to Santiago from Roncesvalles in may 2001
and joined this list in July 2001.  Since joining this list and the yahoo
list the boot question has come up numerous times.  Most people when asked
the same question over and over will answer it a couple of times but honestly
your interest wanes.  Especially when the question is asked as simply as what
boots do you recommend? Sometimes this question goes unanswered sometimes
there are 10 or so replies.  Honestly, there has never been a consensus on
this.  People get to Santiago with all types of footwear (it is like that
Lance Armstrong title it's not about the bike) there is no one magic boot.
Do people have trouble with boots certainly.  To me many foot problems are a
result of poor and no training and carrying way too much weight on your back
(and although you can lower the weight later the damage is done).  If you
walk from France it is about a 30 days walk everyday give or take.  If you
injure yourself in the beginning you make it very difficult for your body to
heal as you continue to walk day in day out on an injury.  So here is my boot
answer, I did not wear boots I wore trekking shoes with vibram soles I think
they were made by merrill.  Why, I did not want the weigh on my ankle which I
had broken the year before nor did I want a boot that went over my ankle for
the same reason.  What is important is the fit and the insole.  In the
archives you will find Maria Schell's patient and thoughtful answer on how to
find boots.  I will quickly repeat it.  You find a sporting goods store and
speak to the trained salespeople, try on the boots preferably at the end of
the day as your feet swell with the socks you will wear.  I shop alot over
the internet but for this I would go in person to a number of store if
possible to see a wide range of shoes.  Try on all types of boots and shoes
and see what you think.   The store I bought mine in allowed you to buy them
take them home and return them as long as you did not wear them outside.
Which means you can demo them to your heart's content and should.  How do you
decide?  You use the one thing that no one on this list has any of but you
have much of.  You use your excellent knowledge of YOU.  This is a point I
cannot convey enough.  I have lived long enough with myself to know a couple
of facts that affected my packing for Spain.  First, I am always cold, the
heat does not bother me as I have no air conditioning at home but cold yikes.
 So what did I do I brought warmer clothes than most people and used them.
On days I was wearing all my clothes and people would pass me in hiking
shorts.  I don't know about them but I was comfortable.  Second, I have
almost no upper body strength.  I bought a number of back packs first packing
a large one full of "everything" I thought I "needed" and I could barely
stand on the scale much less walk for a day.  I think that one was like 16
pounds.  Finally got it down to around 11 pounds without food and water which
is about 10% of my body weight which is a measure I had heard as a target.
Whenever I met anyone doing the Camino for a second or more time they were
the ones with the smallest pack....and that should tell you something.  And
finally, even if this is your first Camino it is not THE first Camino.  There
is an infrastructure of refugios, stores, bars, farmacias(pharmacies),
medical centers et al which serve pilgrims in even the smallest towns. Which
menas if you need/want something you will be able to find it.  So fears, yes
most people have them before starting out but don't give them too much power.
 Just my thoughts.

End of sermon
Diane