I wore the world's 'bestselling' hiking boots on the Camino de Santiago, but I would wear this pair next time
I walked 500km through Portugal and Spain in these (surprisingly affordable) Merrell women's hiking shoes — here's how they stacked up.
Before trekking the Camino de Santiago earlier this summer, I knew my shoes and backpack would be my two most important pre-hike purchases. My backpack, the Gregory Jade 43 Backpack, was an easy sell when I went to try it on at MEC. With its padded hip belt, hydration sleeve and adjustable torso, it checked all the boxes for long-distance treks. Plus, with 41L of storage space (versus the small/medium with 43L), it was the perfect size for a three-week hike.
On the other hand, finding the perfect pair of shoes required far more hemming and hawing. Initially, I was drawn to Arc'Teryx's Aerios Mid GTX shoes because they're super cute (priorities) and have many of the technical features I was looking for — they're breathable, lightweight and durable.
However, after speaking with someone who had just returned from his own Camino, I was influenced to buy Merrell's Moab Speed Mid Waterproof Hiking Shoes.
A cross between a hiking boot and a shoe, I wore Merrell's Moab Speed boots on a recent 500km hike through Portugal and Spain.
- Exceptional waterproofing
- Shields feet from uneven surfaces
- Lightweight & durable
- Break-in period needed
- Wish they had a wider toe box
Already a fan of Merrell's Bristol Hikers, I was familiar (and confident) with the brand's out-of-the-box comfort and technical features. A friend once told me, if you want a good watch, buy from a watch brand. That adage, I believe, is the same for technical footwear. Anyone can make a decent-enough sandal, boot or sneaker, but when you're walking for 500km, decent enough doesn't cut it. If you want tested, durable performance — you need to go straight to the source.
The details
The Moab Speed Mid GTX hikers are a hybrid of a hiking boot and a shoe. They feature a GORE-TEX waterproof membrane, a protective rock plate and toe cap, and a durable, non-slip outsole.
Famous for their out-of-the-box comfort, durability, and versatility, Sport Chek has dubbed the shoe the "bestselling hiker in the world."
Tried & Tested by Yahoo Canada
Merrell Moab Speed Mid Waterproof Hiking Shoes
The pros
They're actually waterproof: I won't name any names, but I have tried my fair share of "waterproof" shoes that turned out to be anything but. The Merrell hikers, on the other hand, were reliably waterproof, even on days with near-constant rain and muck.
They are super supportive: As I mentioned, I walked 500km of the Camino de Santiago, and as you can imagine, that involved a lot of different terrains. Whether I was trekking through sand, over rocks, up dirt hills or across cobblestone streets, these shoes provided reliable support and stability, no matter what lay below my feet.
They're lightweight: When hiking long distances, you want to carry as little weight as possible, and that includes what you wear on your feet. These shoes weigh just 1,101 grams, which, in layman's terms, translates to lightweight hiking boots that won't make your feet drag. Plus, a lightweight shoe takes up less weight in your suitcase or backpack.
They're comfortable: Are the Moab Speed Mid GTX shoes comfortable? Yes. Do you still need to break them in? Also yes. Full transparency: I got a ton of blisters on the Camino, but I don't necessarily blame the boots. I did not break them in nearly enough as I should have beforehand.
In everyday life, you're not walking in the same shoes for 30-35km a day, seven days a week. Therefore, the hikers would likely be comfortable right out of the box for normal, shorter treks. However, when you're not changing your shoes and repeatedly rubbing on pain points, you're far more likely to irritate your skin, even in comfortable footwear. Moral of the story: they're good, but do your due diligence and break them in.
The cons
They could use more arch support: Everything labelled under "room for improvement" should be taken with a grain of salt because, again, the average hiker is not covering the same distances in the same time frame as I did wearing these shoes. In my experience, arch support only became a problem after I hit 20km or more in a day. Of course, that could also be tied to exhaustion and tired feet, but I would have benefitted from a little extra oomph in the arch, or Dr. Scholl's, for that matter.
Width of toe box: I don't have wide feet, but the toe box could be a bit wider on these shoes. I found that most people I met who loved their shoes had ones with a wider toe box. If you're debating on which shoes to buy, I'd add that to your list of priorities.
Walking the Camino de Santiago? These are the shoes that pilgrims recommend
On my next Camino, I'm going to try Topo's MTN Racer 3 or Ultraventure 3s. Shoe reviews are a popular topic among pilgrims, and those who wore Topos, especially when partnered with Injinji toe socks, were thrilled with their choices.
These trail running shoes come highly recommended by long-distance walkers.
This cushioned trail runner and speed hiker was built for long hikes.
These toe socks offer blister and hotspot prevention.
Unlike traditional hiking boots, the Topo's are trail runners, so they come with a different set of technical features. You lose the waterproofing and durability that some hiking boots provide but gain breathability and longer-term comfort. If you hiking in the rainy season, they might not be ideal, but for those heading out in the hot summer heat, the breathability will be an asset.
I hiked the Camino de Santiago — here's what I packed
Team Canada Future Legacy Mini Belt Bag
Birkenstock Arizona EVA Sandals
Merino Hike+ Light Crew Socks
The Insider Packing Cubes
Gregory Jade 43 Backpack
Women's 125 Cool-Lite Merino Blend Speed T-Shirt
MEC Pack Rain Cover
Gregory 3D Hydro 2L Reservoir
Kathmandu Trailhead Stretch Jacket
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