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Footwear is likely the single most important piece of gear that you will choose as you plan for your Camino. The same could also be said about the bag you carry. Your backpack choice certainly plays an important role on your trip, but in the end, your feet are where the rubber hits the road.

Terrible puns aside, many pilgrims wonder why people might choose boots, shoes, or other types of footwear for this walk.

In this post I go over the reasons why people might choose each type of footwear, and provide a couple of options for different shoes, boots and sandals for both men and women.

What to look for in your Camino de Santiago footwear?

Comfort, breathability, weight, and durability are all important factors when choosing the right footwear for the Camino de Santiago.

Keep in mind that the most comfortable pair of shoes for a short hike might become incredibly uncomfortable once you put a few hundred miles on them. When choosing gear, everything comes with a tradeoff of some sort, so figure out your non-negotiables and then prioritize for those.

No matter what you end up choosing, make sure that your footwear is well broken in before setting out on your hike. You’ll thank me later.

Best hiking shoes for the Camino

For a 500-mile trek like the Camino de Santiago, the majority of people opt for a pair of lightweight hiking shoes that are sturdy enough to hold up for the entire hike but light enough not to weigh them down.

If you’re walking a generally flatter route like the Camino Francés, you can likely prioritize comfort over ankle stability. Don’t get me wrong – there are certainly climbs on the Camino Francés, but they tend to be longer, sustained hill climbs rather than steep uneven inclines like those found on the Camino del Norte.

This low-cut shoe style maximizes for weight savings, freedom of movement and breathability.

Hiking shoes for men

Merrell Men’s Moab 3 Hiking Shoe

The Merrell Moab 3 hiking shoe is lightweight and versatile, offering comfort, traction, and durability for long-distance hiking. One of the most important factors for these shoes are their breathability.

If you’re walking in the hotter summer months or if your feet tend to sweat a lot, these well ventilated shoes let that sweat evaporate off, allowing for quick drying. Remember, the build up of excess humidity in your shoes can eventually lead to blisters out on the trail.

• Merrel Air Cushion in the heel absorbs shock and adds stability
• A blend of style and comfort ideal for a mixed-terrain hiking trail like the Camino
• Vibram sole for a sturdy grip on rocks and roots

These shoes feature a Vibram sole, they’re extremely breathable, lightweight, and they’re durable enough to easily make it the whole way across Spain.

Salomon Men’s X ULTRA PIONEER

Salomon is a leading brand in the trail running, hiking and skiing niches, and these lightweight shoes are made with their standard dedication to quality.

The X Ultra Pioneer trail runner makes for a lightweight, versatile option for people who are trying to keep things fast and light for this long trek.

The advanced lightweight chassis helps optimize motion control, energy management and protection for an efficient, stable, yet responsive step.

• SensiFit foot cradle helps achieve a snug fit and enhanced foot control
• Advanced chassis maximizes efficiency to get the most out of every step
• Lightweight and breathable

If you’re trying to keep things light and move quick, this would be my choice for an affordable, durable shoe from a trusted outdoors brand.

Hiking shoes for women

Merrell Women’s Siren Edge 3 Hiking Shoe

This women’s specific hiking shoe is a lightweight, breathable option that is perfect for the Camino. The porous upper section will let sweat evaporate off, keeping your feet cool during those long distance days.

This shoe, like most Merrell shoes, comes in both a medium width, as well as a wide width option.

• Mesh and TPU upper
• Breathable mesh lining
• Kinetic Fit BASE removable contoured insole for flexible support

Overall, this highly breathable walking shoe with a Vibram sole is a great option for someone planning to tackle just about any Camino route.

KEEN Women’s Nxis Speed Low Height Vented Hiking Shoes

This lightweight hiking shoe makes a great choice for women looking to hike the Camino quickly. KEEN does offer a fully waterproof version in case you plan to tackle this trail during the cooler, rainier winter months, but for the vast majority of hikers this version should be perfect.

Built on KEEN’s traditional wider footwear form, the NXIS speed is an excellent option for hikers with wider feet. Since your feet will likely swell up a bit during long days on the trail, these shoes can really make a great option for any hiker.

• Rubber outsole provides high-traction grip in muddy environments and on rocky surfaces
• Performance mesh upper provides lightweight durability while keeping your feet cool in warm conditions
• Iconic KEEN fit with generous space across forefoot for toes to spread out
• Removable PU insole for long-lasting comfort

This shoe makes for a great lightweight option for any women on the Camino looking for a quality lightweight piece of footwear.

Best Hiking Boots for the Camino

Hiking boots offer maximal ankle support and sturdy soles for walking over rough, uneven terrain. If you tend to roll your ankles, or are planning to tackle a more rugged route, boots could be the ideal option for you.

For my Camino del Norte/Camino Primitivo hike in 2022, I wore a pair of Merrell boots that provided additional ankle stability but were also well ventilated. The breathability was a godsend, as many of my days included 8 hours or more of hiking in intense heat.

If your ankles tend to roll, or you are tackling steep terrain, I would recommend a sturdy, breathable boot over lighter low cut hiking shoes.

This higher-cut shoe style maximizes ankle support to prevent ankle rolls and sprains, as well as an overall more aggressive tread style.

Hiking boots for men

Merrell Men’s Moab 3 Mid Hiking Boot

This is the exact boot that I wore for my hike across Spain. Long, hot summer days made me glad that I prioritized airflow when picking my footwear.

Because I was carrying some extra camera gear with me, I was also glad that I had the ankle support while carrying my heavy pack.

• Breathable mesh upper that allows sweat to evaporate
• Vibram TC5+ Outsole
• Increased Ankle Support from the higher laces

If I were to do a different Camino route next time, I would maybe consider trying some hiking shoes or trail runners. But if I were to tackle the Camino del Norte again, I would without a doubt repurchase these exact shoes.

Adidas Men’s Terrex Ax3 Hiking Boot

Available both in a high top and a low top version, the Adidas Terrex is one of the most budget-friendly shoes on this list.

Similar to the Merrell Moab, the Adidas Terrex A3 makes for a more discrete boot choice that will help you blend into the crowds when taking a rest day in a Spanish city.

• Continental rubber soles
• Integrated torsion bar for midfoot stability
• Lightweight EVA for long-lasting cushion and comfort

This shoe is a favorite among workers who spend whole days on their feet. This lightweight boot has a sleek look that will perform well out on the trail but also fit in seamlessly in town.

Hiking boots for Women

Merrel Women’s Moab Hiking Boot

For women looking for a quality, breathable boot with an aggressive tread, the Merrell Moab would be my top pick. The aggressive tread and breathable mesh upper make this a solid choice for any Camino route.

• Protective toe cap
• Breathable mesh lining
• Kinetic Fit ADVANCED removable contoured insole with reinforced heel cushioning for medium support

If you’re looking for a sturdy boot with quality ventilation, the Moab is a great option.

Keen women’s voyageur low height breathable hiking shoes

This low height, breathable hiking shoe is the perfect balance between a boot and a shoe. With an aggressive tread but a low cut breathable profile, this shoe gives you the best of both worlds.

If you want a sturdier shoe that feels like a boot on trail, but doesn’t hinder ankle mobility at all, this could be the ideal option for you.

• Water-resistant leather keeps your feet dry, and performance mesh increases air flow
• Multi directional lugs increase traction on and off the trails
• Stability support shank provides support on uneven surfaces; Injected heel capture system provides next level stability by holding the heel in place
• Low profile upper for comfort and secure fit with a padded tongue and collar
• Removable footbed design provides excellent arch support and allows for customization

I saw a lot of people with this kind of low-cut boot on the Camino. With a blend of traction and comfort, I understand why.

Best Hiking Sandals for the Camino

Though slightly unconventional, hiking sandals can be a suitable option for those walking shorter segments such as the final few Camino stages as part of a longer trip.

There are people who walk the Camino barefoot each year, so far be it from me to leave hiking sandals out of this footwear roundup.

Hiking sandals for men

Teva Omnium 2 Sport Sandal

If you’re going to wear sandals for a long hike, at least make sure they have a covered toe-box, like these sandals do. These are ideal for people doing shorter segments, like the last 100km or so of the Camino, who may be hoping to mix in a little beach time with their trekking.

• Plastic buckle closure gets you in and out quickly and gets the fit just right
• Elastic gore for a quick and easy slip-on entry.
• Lightweight EVA-foam midsole adds extra cushioning for maximum comfort, Nylon shank stabilizes and supports your foot
• Rugged Spider Rubber outsole, designed to work in wet conditions, is extremely durable and supplies great traction
• Water-ready quick-drying synthetic upper for any conditions

With the closed toe-box, these sandals provide maximum breathability and airflow while keeping pebbles and debris out from under your toes. If you have ever hiked in sandals you know what a pain point this can be.

While I wouldn’t necessarily recommend sandals for anyone hiking the entire length of any Camino routes, if you’re only doing a short segment, and you are very set on only bringing hiking sandals, these would make a great option.

Hiking sandals for women

Teva Women’s Omnium Sandal

It’s hard to beat this popular sandal brand, and my women’s recommendation is also from Teva. This light-weight, closed-toe sandal is popular for good reason.

• Closed-toe sandal with grosgrain webbing overlays, multiple drainage ports and quick-dry mesh lining
• Molded EVA foam midsole
• Shock-absorbing ShocPad technology in heel
• Bungee lacing with quick-release buckled strap at vamp and hook-and-loop backstrap
• Non-marking Spider Rubber outsole

As I said above, I would not recommend wearing sandals if you are walking the entire 500 miles of the Camino. But for walking just a few segments, these sandals make for a breathable option that you could also wear to the beach.

Final thoughts

Whether you decide to wear boots, shoes or sandals for your Camino, remember that this journey can be completed with just about any footwear.

It’s easy to get caught up in thinking that you need the best, newest gear, but the focus should really be on completing the walk itself. Whether you end up choosing a lightweight pair of shoes, a sturdy pair of boots or a breezy pair of hiking sandals, make sure you are taking the time to savor your Camino.

Finding a quality pair of footwear and making sure to properly break them in will allow you to focus your attention on the experience. Bringing a pair of brand-new shoes to the start of the Camino is almost certain to end in blisters.

If you found this article helpful, you might also like my articles on planning a budget for your Camino, or my piece about hiking across Spain on your own.

If you have already completed a Camino, or have advice on choosing hiking footwear, let me know down in the comments! Give this article a like if you found it useful, and as always, ¡Buen camino!