Socks for the Camino de Santiago: Why are they so important?

Calcetines y botas

When we plan a trip related to adventure, with contact with nature and, above all, with long daily walks - sometimes through ungrateful terrain, we think about preparing our best. This also happens when we plan the Camino de Santiago: a good backpack, mats, sleeping bag for flies, comfortable clothes, good walking boots... But sometimes we forget the most basic, the socks for the Camino de Santiago.

And sometimes we think big and, in an experience like the Way, you will notice that it is the little things, the ones we have not thought about, the most annoying. Specifically, the choice of good socks is as or more important than the footwear itself, since we must remember that they are the underwear that is in contact with our cakes, the area of our body that will suffer most the Camino de Santiago.

? Recommendations of socks for the Camino de Santiago

The most important thing for good socks when making the Camino de Santiago, is that they are not too thin, a fin to dampen a little more the pace of the march. Choose a good model in which the seams are comfortable and do not bother, for example, in the area of the fingers. It is a good idea to try them days before or at least similar pairs. Take the three or four most comfortable pairs and raise them every day.

In the market you will find many specific socks for long walks, such as trekking and hiking socks, which in theory specific perfect for this activity. The anti-blister socks do not work 100% that you do not get blisters and, in fact, there is a pilgrim that works perfectly and others do not. But obviously it is always a good recommendation to wear specific walking socks.

These socks prevent the rubbing of the cake by sliding inside the boot, which should avoid the appearance of blisters, which are usually one of the pilgrims' large males. Walking specials are usually made of a fabric that allows perspiration very well, and can have a reinforced heel and toe. However, ten take into account that other factors come into play such as a suitable footwear and of the right size, so that not only the choice of the right sock is important.

? Apart from the socks, what else can I do to avoid blisters?

As we have said, a good choice of socks is important, but also the work you can do previously to avoid blisters. As we have said, footwear is an important factor and must be accommodated in our cake in previous days. Also, try to make it a footwear in which the foot is firm, and is not moving inside it, since neither the socks can do anything to avoid blisters.

The walking days can be extended for many hours, which is why we recommend - if time permits - take breaks every two or three hours. Try that these breaks are in a fountain or a river, to take off your feet and get your feet wet a little. Remove the socks, wet them and remove the sweat, and allow them to dry outdoors. Put your socks also in the sun to ventilate and sequence. With 10 minutes of rest we can greatly reduce the stress of our feet and improve the comfort of the socks.

Some tricks of the pilgrims, in addition to the ampoule socks, is to throw anti-scratch cream on the feet. This helps prevent chafing, especially with boots, and improves the possibility of not causing a blister. If they are not special socks, many pilgrims choose to place the socks upside down, since this way the seams are out and disturb less when walking.