Which hiking shoe is right for you? A guide to sandals, low-tops, and high-tops for the Camino de Santiago.

Our opinion:
Old ideas die hard (wearing high, thick leather boots - now that's what real hiking boots are, right?). Sure, the best pair of shoes is the one that feels like slippers, and why not high ones if you've been wearing them for years.
Let's also eliminate the exceptional circumstances of those who leave "off-season" and walk a good part of the route in the snow, that's not the majority of pilgrims.
We can't foresee every situation. It's up to you to make a choice based on the route you've chosen, the time of year, etc.
That said, if you don't already have hiking shoes, AND, you don't have any problems like old sprains, or if you have weak ankles (you often twist your ankle for nothing with your "normal" shoes) or other similar issues, here's our advice:

Get a pair of low-cut shoes (center of the photo), we'll explain why in the rest of this article, but also in the one about blisters (link below).

Blisters on the Camino de Santiago.

But also take a pair of hiking sandals (on the left in the photo). In fact, you'll need to give your feet a rest in the evening once you arrive at your stage. But you'll kill two birds with one stone! This pair of sandals will also serve you during the day, when you're on less rugged paths (asphalt, crushed limestone, compacted earth...), and even if it goes uphill, because what you need to look at is what type of terrain you're walking on. These paths are the majority before arriving in Santiago de Compostela, both in France and in Spain. The hiking trails you will take to go to Compostela are not mountain trails with stones everywhere or potholes. We'll go into more detail about this later in this article.
With sandals, goodbye blisters... well, in principle, except for some, we'll come back to that, and we'll talk about it in the article dedicated to Blisters on the Camino de Santiago.
Know that many seasoned pilgrims only wear these types of sandals, and for the entire pilgrimage! (there are some with a closed end, and although this can be an alternative choice, it's not really sandals anymore.)

Of course, it will also depend on the month of departure. If it's cold, it's certain that walking sandals won't necessarily be the best choice (although it will also depend on your experience), but it remains a useful purchase anyway, because as we said, they can still be used for the end of the day.

We have sometimes been criticized for being too vague and ultimately leaving the reader a bit alone with their choices, and not giving real advice. We won't do this for low-cut shoes that must absolutely be tried on as we describe in the rest of this article.

However, and except for those already described above, choose the "low-cut" model. Second tip, choose real hiking shoes from among the few brands that have proven themselves...

On the other hand, for sandals, choose this type of model. Quality and comfort have a price. We have selected 3 open sandals and one slightly closed:

Warning

You still need to be careful of your surroundings. You shouldn't wear sandals on just any terrain. Apart from the risk of sprains on uneven ground, in certain places, mainly in forests or tall grass, and from May to October when you are most exposed, when the temperature is between 10 and 25 degrees, there is a risk of being bitten by a tick.

That wouldn't be too bad, except that ticks carry the bacteria (Borrelia) that can trigger Lyme disease. Several thousand cases are reported in France each year.

In the special summer newsletter of August 2023, the magazine "Que Choisir" indicates that another disease could develop, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. In fact, the text says "with the increase in high temperatures, the possible emergence of another disease, carried and transmitted by ticks". For now, nothing in France, but a few cases have been diagnosed in Spain since 2010 and in Turkey since 2002. But it should be noted that the risk is very low.

Outside of these areas, no worries, you can wear sandals, your feet will thank you.

So of course, for Lyme disease, it's "only" 84 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. But since it doesn't only happen to others... be vigilant.

Read more on this web site : Lyme Disease

To learn more and choose your hiking shoes for the Camino de Compostela:

As we said at the beginning of the article, the choice is above all a personal matter and also depends on the time of year you start. In France, on the GRs, and for example on the GR65, the Way of Puy-en-Velay, even if there are some memorable climbs, the terrain is rarely so rugged as to require high mountain boots. So some people will talk about "muddy" passages in heavy rain. That's not wrong! Except that Compostela is 800, 1600... kilometers? 33 days, 70 days? - So will you have 70 days of rain and 800 km of muddy paths? There is little chance... Do you want to choose shoes to deal with the exceptional in view of the entire route? And thus, be in walking discomfort the rest of the time? - In France or in Spain, as on the Camino Frances for example, there are 70% of "flat" paths (even when it goes uphill) it can be crushed limestone or beaten earth, a few very rare very stony paths and there is at least 20% of asphalt... The Northern Way (the Camino del norte) is of the same kind, and of course some stages with climbs. But in no case can it be compared to high mountains. These are "developed" paths. You don't walk in the middle of stones, or very rough terrain as you can find when you go into the mountains off the beaten track!

Of course, there are inevitably some difficult passages (the climb out of Conques for example, but it's just a dirt road that goes up in hairpin bends), the stony ones like in the climb (and especially the descent) del Alto del Pardon after Cizur-Minor on the Camino Frances (but the descent in what looks like an old riverbed, is only a few hundred meters long). A few dirt roads like the climb to O Cebreiro. Except for serious ankle problems, it therefore seems pointless to take high-top shoes (and even mid-top, the third one in the photo at the beginning of the article) since they are both heavier, less comfortable and more difficult to bear on the flat than low shoes that leave the ankle free.

Several thousand pilgrims (and several million hikers worldwide) now use low shoes and have no problem - On the other hand, you have to deal with possibly rain and mud in certain months. But in the end, it's not a mid-top shoe that will protect you from the rain... In any case, from humidity. If you are very worried, you can at the very least take gaiters? (in this case, take those with a steel wire that goes under the shoe).

Of course, in case of very muddy terrain, a mid-top shoe is a little more "reassuring"...

For decades, thousands of pilgrims have been using these famous mid-top shoes. Moreover, they were often advised by sellers who did not want to take the risk of deviating from the traditional high hiking shoe... and then, such a pair of shoes, it looks serious! But should we continue to follow "the crowd"?

There are now excellent low hiking/trekking shoes that experienced hikers have extensively tested during their pilgrimage of several thousand kilometers to Santiago de Compostela (or on other major hiking trails).

Should you, for a few difficult passages here and there, take mid-top shoes, which, let us remind you again, are less comfortable on the flat than low shoes, heavier, and which, not to mention the increased risk of blisters, (the feet heat up a bit more) will hinder your walking comfort the rest of the time? And often, due to poor lacing (we'll talk about it later), will end up in tendinitis for some. See our article on this subject tendinitis on the Camino de Compostela (under translation)

Finally, know that there is no good or bad type of shoe in terms of model, you can very well be comfortable in mid-top shoes, it is above all a matter of taste and personal comfort...

Lacing mid-top shoes

The problem with mid-tops, (on the right in the photo at the beginning of the article), is that people generally tighten the laces too much at the instep, which has the effect of blocking the movement of the tibia with the ankle during walking, and this is a surefire way to get tendinitis, either at the level of the Achilles tendon or on the front of the tibia.
If you really want to wear this type of shoe because for example it reassures you, then do a special lacing as follows:

You have passed your laces, and you have two holes (or two hooks) left at the top of the shoe. Instead of continuing to the next hole (hook), go directly to the last one, then go back down to the holes (hook) number 2 and make your loop there. This will have the effect of freeing the instep. You can even tilt your tibia slightly forward, then tighten the loop, it will only be better!

Visual guide to lacing hiking boots

Whatever type you choose, **be sure to try them on with the exact socks you'll be wearing on the pilgrimage.**

The combination of socks and shoes is often key to preventing blisters and other foot problems. While it doesn't guarantee complete protection, it eliminates one potential cause. Plus, you might be surprised by the comfort level if you've tried them on with different socks. Your foot might move around more or less.

Unless you're planning to go during the winter months, we recommend thin socks (for warm weather).

For the best fit, try on your shoes late in the day or after a brisk 45-minute walk. **It's always recommended to choose a half size up.** (Many brands offer half sizes, providing a more precise fit.) This is especially helpful if you're between sizes. Your feet tend to swell after walking long distances, so trying on shoes after some physical activity will give you a more accurate sense of how they'll feel on the Camino.