Your boots will make or break your Camino

Your boots will make or break your Camino.

Most people buy their boots too late. They pick them up a few weeks before departure, wear them around the house a couple of times, and show up in St. Jean convinced they're ready. They are not.

Boots for the Camino need weeks of breaking in — proper walking, varied terrain, long distances. The leather needs to soften around your specific foot shape. Your ankles need to adapt. Your socks need to be tested with them. None of this happens in a living room.

The second mistake: buying too stiff or too heavy. Trail runners have quietly replaced traditional hiking boots as the footwear of choice for experienced pilgrims. They're lighter, they dry faster, they flex more naturally with your stride. Many podiatrists who specialize in long-distance walking now recommend them over boots for most pilgrims.

The third mistake: sizing. Feet swell significantly over a full day of walking. Boots sized for your normal foot will compress your toes by afternoon and create blisters by evening. Size up half a size, minimum.

Your feet will carry you 800 kilometres. They deserve better than a last-minute decision.

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