It is very important to dedicate a special attention to take care of our feet if we decide to make the way, as these will be responsible for taking us to Santiago de Compostela,
In this guide we will show you some recommendations to keep them in perfect condition, and how to avoid injuries that hinder the development of the journey.

Taking care of your feet: Choose the right footwear and socks

Obviously, the time of the year when we are going to make our trip to Santiago will be decisive to choose a good footwear.

Boots:

They are the most appropriate for hiking in cold and rainy weather. They will help us to overcome any surface, they will protect us from the water, and they will guarantee a good subjection to the ankle.

Hiking boots

Trekking shoes:

No doubt they are the best for drier and hotter seasons, they will not offer the same protection as hiking boots, but an advantage is that they are usually lighter, and on the other hand will keep our feet much cooler and drier. We also recommend the use of seamless socks, and keep our feet dry to avoid chafing and blisters.

Trekking shoes

The importance of auxiliary footwear

Remember that you will be walking an average of 20 kilometres a day, so at the end of the stage your feet will need to rest.

Sandals or trainers: We recommend packing a spare pair of trainers or sandals in your suitcase. Multifunctional sandals are perfect, as you can also use them in summer on some sections of the Camino.

Flip-flops: Essential for the showers in the hostels and will also help you to rest and air your feet.

Sandals

Use Vaseline to take care of your feet

Applying a thin layer of Vaseline will moisturize the skin and prevent friction with footwear from causing chafing or blisters that can be very annoying in the long run. For people who sweat a lot, talcum powder will keep the foot dry and free of fungus.

Foot care

Prepare a first aid kit

Prevention is better than cure, so it is highly recommended to make a small first aid kit containing everything you need to heal a possible injury, ointments, needles for suturing, gauze, bandages and some antiseptic will be ideal in case of any injury.

Moisturize your feet

After a long walk, the ideal is to massage the sole of the foot with some moisturizer after bathing and relax the area so that the next day we can face the new stage without any problem. It is important not to shower just before going for a walk, as the skin will soften and blisters will appear.

What to do if you get a blister

Although doctors do not recommend it, it will be necessary to treat the blister if we are in the middle of the route, the ideal is to burst it with a small disinfected needle previously covering the wound with a band-aid or gauze after, to avoid an infection, you must take into account that never remove the excess skin, as the only thing we will get will be to expand the focus of infection.

How to cure a blister

What did you think of the article? Feel free to leave your recommendations in the comments section. I’m sure you’ll also be interested:

All the routes of the Camino de Santiago
Ver