boots , trail runners, sandals

[Donald Schell]

Dear Joseph,

No one can fully answer your question of what to wear on your feet, but
you'll hear lots of opinions and experience.  My first time on the camino I
walked in my good, thoroughly broken-in Reichle boots.  They were too hot
(my feet were constantly sweaty and I think the heat exacerbated swelling)
and worse, I didn't realize that boots wear much longer than their removable
insoles.  I had painful blisters on the bottom of my feet most of the way.
I learned a great deal about blister care and walking on half-dollar sized
blisters.  I was carrying Birkenstocks which I wore exploring towns when I
stopped, but I was having a hard enough time that I was afraid sandals and
dust getting into socks might lead to infection on an open blister, so I
never tried walking in the Birkenstocks.  That time I walked 300 miles (St.
Jean to Logronyo, Leon to Santiago).

Last May, crossing Somport pass and walking to Estella (115 or so miles), I
wore a new pair of LOWA boots (gore-tex/canvas/suede combination and much
cooler than my old boots).  I carried a second custom insole so I could
alter the boots' fit slightly during the day.  And when the terrain and
weather were appropriate, if my feet were tired or sore toward the end of
the day, I switched to my Birkenstocks.

I also learned to stop immediately if my feet hurt, check what was going on,
make a moleskin or compeed patch (or burst and clean a tiny blister if one
had begun).

The difference to my feet and the pleasure in walking was astonishing.

love,
donald