Time to do Some Serious Research

Last evening my "partner in crime" and I got all geared up for a BIG walk (training for the Camino de Santiago). There had been showers, but they passed and the sky looked clear. We brought umbrellas just in case. About ten or fifteen minutes on to the trail it started to rain. Nothing too serious at first. Besides, we thought, when we are on the "Camino" there will be rainy days so we may as well get used to it. However, the light rain soon became a torrential downpour and up went our umbrellas. Thank goodness, because that rain turned into hail and there was no immediate shelter to run to. If it wasn't for the umbrellas shielding us from the pellets of ice we might have ended up looking like we were targets for a BB gun! (or at least felt like it) 

So our big walk was cut short since we were soaked. My hiking boots were not only wet but filled with water like a couple of sinking boats! I think they will take at least a whole day in in the sun to dry out (certainly longer if it's cloudy). The experience did zero for our fitness level, but inspired us to do some serious thinking about what to bring on our "pilgrimage" especially what to wear on our feet!

My wet duds ... a sad sight.

From what I have gleaned so far, footwear is the most important consideration when doing the Camino. There are a variety of opinions on what is best .... hiking boots? trail shoes? hiking sandals? On the link below, they recommend taking two pair so that you can change periodically, allowing the other pair to dry out thoroughly (from sweat as well as water). Since we will encounter a variety of terrains, hikers may be good at times and a lighter weight option for gentler surfaces. A good pair of flip flops is a must as well for wearing around the "auberges" (especially in the showers) and to give your feet a well deserved bit of freedom! The site below "Travel Past 50" has some great info.

https://travelpast50.com/camino-de-santiago-shoes-or-boots/