Packing list

 So the packing list for the Camino Trifecta:

Rucksack – Northface- terra 45

Boots – Lowa Renegade

Walking Sandals – Teva’s

Trousers – 2 x Craghoppers – Kiwi zip offs (only one set of zip offs
Tshirts- 2 x Under Armour – Technical loose fit T-shirt & Under Armour – Compression top
Mid-Layer – Rab Boreas pull over
Jacket – Mountain Equipment – Firefox
Hydration – 3L camelbak antidote (fits in rucksack)

Socks – 3 x bridgedale light hiker
1 x Sealskin waterproof – ankle socks
Underwear – Under Armour Boxing Shorts x 3 (best things I bought soo comfy)
First Aid Kit – various compeeds, zinc oxide tape
Walking Poles – Karrimor X-Lite Carbon
Rab Silk sleeping bag liner
Various carabiners
Head Torch
Pen knife
2 x summit series waterproof bags (to put everything in)
Salomon – running hat
Camino de Santiago credential buff
Toiletries
Microfibre bath towel
International plug and phone charger
Pegs
Para string (to make a washing line)

fitbit surge hr and iPhone 5 in Griffen survivor case
A pic of most of the stuff and when fully packed:

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These shoes ain’t made for walking – Shoe troubles and the ultimate decision!

 So the biggest debate that can divide opinion is not over religion or politics but on the Camino forums over shoes vs boots.  Then next is the endless debate over socks and foot treatments but I shall leave those for another time. 

Today’s post is all about my experiences over shoes and the debate that is still going on in my mind right now.

So I shall start my my original thoughts  on the whole thing and it was boots, I went out and bought salomon cosmic 4d 2 Gtx boots, for a while I gave them a whirl but realized probably about 2 weeks to late that they weren’t going to stretch past the pain I was getting in my feet and then I started on the salomon shoes but found durability to be an issue but these were the cheaper trail running shoes cross max 2.  They fit me well but I was burning through them in 6 weeks.  So I decided I needed professional help so went to a running shop where they did a whole gate analysis think and recommended me a pair of Brooks.

If you have read my original Frances blog you will know this did not go well and 2 weeks into my Camino I had to buy some other shoes Salomon ultra pro 3d Gtx these I have to say we’re great and although these required a little fixing survived all the way to my cycling Camino and in a circle of life kind of way I left them in finisterre to be burned, due to not having fire to do it myself.  

After returning I of course bought another pair, I had no reason not to, I used them in work and for general out and about stuff but very little concerted walking, within 4 months however they wore through on the heal. I then got another pair putting it down to a fluke. Within 4 months these were also goosed. 

Then I noticed Salomon changed the range and split Ultra’s x a more traditional walking shoe and the pro 3d x a trail running shoe. So I did what any fan of a good shoe and got both. The Ultra’s were a bit bulky but I give them a whirl, alas 8 weeks and the heal was done. On the pro 3d they lasted 10 weeks but again heal down.

They just don’t make them like they used to I guess so in search of a comfortable shoe with durability I was recommended Merrells.  So after reading lots of reviews got the chameleon wrap slams and the MOAB ventilators which sounded ideal for the summer weather.  Merrells run a bit small but actually had quite good success for a while there, but alas I started getting pinch blisters on both sides of both feet wearing the ventilators, I assumed this could have just been a sizing issue so got the next half size up. 

Alas while wearing the wrap slams just after my heals had healed from the blisters I was out for a walk and got hot spots across the back of both feet, this soon blistered and I was in trouble, the left heal had also warn through on this walk. So after threading once again more blisters I sent the shoes back, still not having really tried the Bigger ventilators I was fed up of shot durability and decided I should think about boots once again. 

When I think of boots I think of my combat slippers that I wore for many years a pair of Lowa Combat boots.  So I decided to look into Lowa hiking boots and the Renegades came up more than once.  So I went and tried them on and sure enough bliss in a boot. Ok comfortable for sure but it’s undeniable my feet get hot in them and I’m a sweaty bloke.  So here I am now with two options to go with the boots or give the ventilators another try even tho I am deadly suspicious of the insoles in Merrells and also noticed in the latest shoes have a different insole just not in their top of the range stuff.  So I decided Sunday just past to give the ventilators a final bash and yup sure as shit the insoles blistered my feet in a few places even tho I managed to walk 18 miles my faith in Merrells is now done.  So alas another return but here is the twist Salomon have updated the Ultra X which now look more like the pro 3d x but with better soles.  So I now have a pair of them and are wearing them through so far so good but honestly have no idea what to do.  To take the boots but have super hot feet or take the salomons if I get on ok with them and have cooler more comfortable shoes but risk Wearing through them?

The debate continues…

Random pics of the shoes that I have beaten or currently in play:

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Fitness/preparation for the Camino Trifecta

 So last years cycle along the Camino Frances was done with little issues but a sore arse.  As part of the training for last year I went back to cycling everywhere so it’s fair to say little walking was done.  Combined with me being lazy for the second half of the year and being full swing back into gaming the weight soon started accumulating. However I started thinking about going back on Camino in November and not wanting to let the weight gaining run out of control I started walking to work again which is around 4k each way.  I managed to keep this up and soon started averaging 12k a day.  Next was buying a Fitbit, sure it’s not hugely accurate but it provides a good benchmark and gives you a target and a good reminder to do more.

Soon after getting the Fitbit and with the weather starting to get better from Feb onwards more walks were being introduced into the regieme.  Along with way more variety being added to the walking line up in and around Aberdeen.  Ranging from smaller walks 3-6 miles up to the classic staple of the old railway line.  

In recent months I have certainly noticed my legs have become stronger and I seem to have my Camino stride back.  Sure I could still do with losing a bit of weight but it’s moving in the right direction so I shall not grumble.  

In recent weeks I have been doing bigger walks up to 21 miles, however certainly been having feet/blister/shoe issues but I will go into more details about that in another post.  The plan is to keep up these bigger walks on the weekends and slowly add more miles during the week. But looking back on my original Camino Frances and GPS data I am doing more walking and training this time so not feeling too bad.

However this Camino is not just about me so first it is defo worth noting Lauren is more active than me between playing badminton/squash, climbing and yoga she is certainly not unfit. However walking long distances is a different kind of thing.  Certainly in the 3-6 mile stuff there have been no problems but anything over 10 miles is few and far between so we have been slowly increasing the mileage and last weekend we got up to 19 miles, ironically it was my feet that spoiled the party but I really don’t see any issues ahead on preparation.

Random selection of pics from training walks:

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