Footwear

Boots, trail runners or sandals? It's a personal choice. Some find boots the perfect mix of support and cushion. Others find them way too heavy next to a good pair of trail runners. I know of at least one pilgrim who crossed the Pyrenees from Valcarlos to Roncesvalles in sport sandals, socks and plastic grocery bags, through 6 inches of wet snow. No, really…

So how do you know? The only way is to try options for yourself. Find a good outdoor shop with knowledgeable staff, tell them what you're doing, and get properly fitted.

Remember what you'll be walking on: pavement, dirt, grass, mud, gravel and rock, sometimes uphill for hours and downhill for hours on the same day. Fit is everything. Your toes should never hit the front of the shoe, or you'll lose toenails on long descents. Many walkers go up a half size for foot swelling.

Break them in for at least 100 miles before you leave. That's how you find out whether they really work for your feet. With the right shoe or boot and good socks, you can finish a Camino with no blisters and no serious foot pain.

Buy from a store with a generous return policy. Don't be shy about returning a pair that doesn't work. Plenty of pilgrims go through several pairs before they find the right one, and it's worth every trip back to the store.

Sandals and shower shoes

At the end of the day you'll want something else on your feet. Most albergues make you leave your boots and poles in a separate room, so sport sandals or flip-flops make life easier.

Wear them in the bathrooms and showers. You don't want foot fungus, and nobody wants yours.

Pick something light, quick-drying and comfortable. You might even end up walking a day in them for a change.