boots

[Maura Santangelo]

I walked the camino in May June and we had several days of rain in the
first week (over the Pyrenees, over the Sierra del Perdon), the mud was
either slippery or stuck to the soles like cement. I don't think that I
would have been able to walk as comfortably that section with
lightweight low cut hikers, though I did wish that I had my running
shoes when I had to walk for long stretches on the pavement.  Waterproof
is good, though in reality my feet got wet from my own perspiration when
it did not rain.  I wore goretex lightweight Merrel boots.  In the past
I had hiked with leather goretex Vazque boots. If I had to do it over I
would use the heavier Vazque boot as I never had any difficulty with
foot pain or blisters with them even while carrying a heavier pack than
I carried on the camino.
Enjoy your trip

Maura

On Monday, July 28, 2003, at 05:48 PM, Mary Bolster wrote:

> I'm going to begin the Camino in late September, and am beginning to
> gather
> my gear. I have never hiked anything close to this distance although
> I'm a
> runner and in good shape.
> My question to all of you is about boots. I tried on several types of
> boots.
> The most comfortable was a lightweight hiker that was well ventilated
> but not
> Gortex. I hesitated to buy it for two reasons: 1) it is below the
> ankle, and
> while I'm not worried about support, I haven't carried 25# w/ a
> lightweight
> low, boot; 2) it isn't waterproof, although the material wicks, and
> will dry
> quickly. It is, by the way, the lightest weight of any boot I tried.
> The
> "competition" is a hightop, Gortex boot that has a lot of support--but
> feels
> constrictive consequently. So, it will keep out the rain, and protect
> my ankles, but
> seems stiff.
> I'm interested in feedback from those of you who have walked the
> trail--especially those who are familiar w/ the walk in Fall.
> Thanks, Mary Catherine
>