Sandals???

[Russ Irwin]

Glenn,

I spent about 6 months looking for the right shoes/boots before my Camino in 2001. I settled on
Rockport Alomosas (not sure of the spelling). They are low cut, light weight, waterproof and
breathable, with a 3/4 length steel shank. Not cheap either as the retail price was $130, although I
got them cheaper at a Rockport outlet store. I replaced the insoles that came with them with a 3rd
party insole (Superfeet). They are so comfortable that you could start your Camino wearing them
right out of the box. From St. Jean to Belorado (where I ended due to back problems), I never even
had the start of a blister. I also wore (hiking) Coolmax socks for their ability to 'wick away'
moisture.

While I prefer tennis shoes to hike in at home, I still use my Rockports when the weather's bad. I
only wear 'boots' when it's snowing.

Russ


On Wed, 6 Aug 2003 13:53:35 -0400, "Jilek, Glenn" <Glenn.JilekaFHWA.DOT.GOV> wrote:

>Kerrie mentioned in the recent message on her Camino experience that some walkers were in sandals (tevas, etc).  This makes me wonder again how essential are hiking shoes/boots?  Can a good grade of walking or running shoes work on the Camino?  Those types of shoes are much more flexible, lighter, and therefore more comfortable and should cause less blisters.
>
>I walk as a hobby and log in about 30 miles per week in good weather and much more when I don't work.  The surface is mostly paved and and sometimes hard packed earth.  I have gone through many walking shoes.  Since I am planning on walking the Camino, I have tried various hiking shoes and they all seem so rigid and heavy in comparison.  Are their advantages in stability worth their disadvantages?
>
>Glenn