Any serious hikers on MN? - kit advice needed for waterproofs, trousers and socks

[CaminoPlanner]

I am planning to walk the Camino next year. I walk regularly and have very comfortable Salomon boots and walking shoes, but most of my walks are no longer than about 8 miles. As Camino is 12-15 miles a day, I want to do my best to avoid blisters or recurrence of plantar fasciitis which I've had before.

Can anyone recommend the most padded and comfortable socks? I usually buy Bridgedale men's and then shrink them in the wash as their women's socks are thinner. But I'd love to find some supersoft, thick, absorbent ones to help avoid blisters.

I haven't a clue what trousers to go for. I usually walk in very cheap old sweatpants or chinos but would prefer something a bit more practical. I have very chunky legs, and in the past no walkers trousers have suited me, as to ensure they fit around the waist, they end up with no give in the leg. Ideally I'd love something with a bit of lycra-like stretch in them, but not leggings as despite being very active my legs really are my weakest feature and I don't want to feel self conscious. Does such a thing exist as lightweight combat style trousers with a bit of stretch in them? Need to be very lightweight and fast drying.

Also looking for very lightweight waterproofs, capable of surviving proper downpours. Happy to spend on something sturdy, really dry and very lightweight.

Sorry for long post but I wanted to be as specific as possible - if you're still reading, thanks! Any advice, suggestions, links very welcome.

Climbing trousers might work as they're designed to be stretchy.

Nike dri fit running trousers are amazing- thin, tough, stretch, zipped pockets, quick dry and lovely shape. I use mine for summer walking pretty much every day and work when in field trips and I love them. Also on holiday as travel trousers!! Mine are an older model.

https://nike.sng.link/Astn5/6tbz/r_e12971492d
HM do a similar pair called training pants
sweaty betty do an adventurer pant I believe is the same.

i should say that in my 30 years of of adult size clothing and hiking I have never found a pair of walking bend trousers to fit my curvy shape! And they are all so unstylish. I do think they have got better in the last few years though.

Another vote for smartwool socks. My son has been doing lots of intensive long distance / endurance type hiking with his explorers group, as well as gold d of e, and the smartwool classic edition extra cushioned merino wool socks have been absolutely brilliant. The material stays springy far longer than others, they have excellent cushioning, he’s had no blisters where others have suffered.

Also, and just as important, changing socks frequently. Take spare pairs, it’s worth it. These ones wash and dry out very easily compared to some other heavier type ones.

Hi OP

Have you done much thru hiking before? I recently completed The South Downs way and I was surprised about the accumulative impact of 20ish km per day.

I ended up getting blisters with one toe getting infected and in our first aid kit I had some antiseptic cream which saved me! I’m now looking at the socks with compression in the legs and individual toes so help with my PF and blisters.

Waterproof trousers wise I’ve got the waterproof cut off north face. I don’t love them but I wear them.

Good luck, I’m desperate to do the Camino!

And I agree anything mireno wool is amazing. Smartwool is great for gear (though I don’t love their shirt but love everything else)

I just finished walking the Camino last week.

For kit it depends a lot on

1. Which route
2. What time of year and
3. Are you using rucksack delivery ?

For waterproof gear I would highly recommend Paramo as worn by the mountain rescue.

I have had a full waterproof (paramo cascada) for nearly 15 years and it still keeps me warm and dry for hiking, horse riding and stable duties. It gets pretty much daily use for about 10 months of the year, including being out in absolute downpours. I have a light weight windproof from them too which was perfect when I did the Italian dolomites but wouldn't keep me dry in a UK downpour unless combined with something else.

I find paramo waterproof gear much more wearable than goretex. Prior to buying my paramo I would pack my waterproof gear and only put it on if it rained wearing a fleece the rest of the time, now I often wear a base layer and my coat, because it is soft and breathable enough to wear all the time.

For socks and base layers I love merino wool, don't think you can beat it especially for not getting smelly.

I haven't done the camino so no specific advice I'm afraid.

I agree with this, those thin slippery under socks saved my feet when I was breaking in a particularly tricky pair of boots. Silk socks work the same too.

Trousers, I think unless you are expecting very wet weather Ron Hill tracksters take some beating. Cheap, stretchy, quick drying, pull on, lightweight, different weights available, pockets.

I don't like hiking in shorts, even in hot weather. I like my legs covered to protect them from scrapes, bites, and stings.

I’ve done several multi-day hikes although not the Camino (yet!) I’m also blessed with powerful thighs and a good bottom!
Do not underestimate the effect on your legs and feet of walking day after day. Personally, no matter how good my boots, I always wear additional insoles. I love Darn Tough socks and each morning, I cover my feet with a thin layer of Vaseline. I carry compeed blisters just in case but hardly ever need them.
Decathlon or Alpkit walking trousers fit me well. They are strong and lightweight plus they dry quickly which is very important on a distance hike.
I wear a Rab waterproof jacket with the all-important pit-zips and for years have used Berghaus waterproof trousers.
Finally, I would never do a distance hike without walking poles. They give me an extra couple of hours walking at the end of the day; help my knees and my back; stop my hands from swelling up and provide balance on tricky downhills. The basic decathlon ones or fine but if you’re happy to splash out, Black Diamond are brilliant. Don’t forget to wear cycling gloves too!
More than happy to answer any questions

I never wear walking trousers. I dont like them. I find them uncomfortable.

I wear Sweaty Betty Power leggings. They are compressing and have side and wait pockets. They bend and stretch with you and provide support as they have a compression factor.

They have a sale section permanently online so im sure you can find some reduced.

As for waterproof trousers I have a pair of these. They are good for lighter rain. They didnt prevent the heavy rain from soaking through in Iceland. But Icelandic rain is legendary and Spain wont be as prolonged or as heavy.

So I wear leggings and put dry trousers over the top in rain.

Rainbird Waterproof Trousers in Black | Finisterre finisterre.com/products/womens-recycled-rainbird-trouser-black Dry trousers

66° North is an Icelandic brand that does great waterproofs etc but it will cost you. They are £££££

I have loads from there but I got it all in the outlet store in Akureyri on a trip there. You'd have to pay full price here.

I would also second Black Diamond hiking poles

Bridgedale with a socket liner ... my son used these on mount killimanjaro and won't use anything else.

I’ve done bits of the Camino! You are already ahead of the game if you are planning well. As someone said, are you carrying or walking with a day sack? I took a foot care kit (plasters, micropore, Vaseline) and taped as soon as I even thought I felt rubbing in my feet. I was amazed at the number of people who walk with no prep-one person in my group had new socks and shoes for the trip, not walked in…..they didn’t walk all the way due to pain/blisters.

I can’t find trousers so walk in leggings. RAB do a brilliant lightweight waterproof but I have yet to find a decent waterproof that is properly breathable so interested in the suggestions here.

Definitely no bamboo clothes or socks with multi day hiking. Bamboo is incredibly slow to dry. As everyone else has said, merino wool is much better.

I swear by toe socks to prevent blisters. I particularly like Injinji liner socks and Darn Tough merino socks.

For waterproofs try Frog Togs (US brand that's very popular with through hikers).

I have a totally different body shape from you, but decathlon do amazing, slightly stretchy hiking trousers and below the knee shorts that I love for long distances..

The other thing that might help is a pair of hoka recovery slides for wearing in evening. The size are US ands small so calculate you size by adding 1 to the UK size and then converting

Spend time on your baselayer an things close to skin, not a fancy pantsy waterproof IMO.

RE trousers, you can get ones with soft waistbands like yoga pants. They are usually 'climbing trousers' not 'walking' or 'hiking'.

eg

https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/p/patagonia-womens-caliza-rock-trousers-regular-B11CEH0048.html

https://rab.equipment/uk/womens-harpur-pants

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/women%27s-stretch-climbing-trousers-prune//R-p-304649

I will always recommend Berghaus for a good variety of womens sizes that fit - from XS and short leg trousers, to 22 and long leg....I have 28 staff who wear Berghaus head to toe as staff uniform and this is one the reasons.

I also think Decathlon is great for walking kit.

I would also say, focus on your footwear not the socks. Socks can help, but a decent fit shoe is the way forward. In Spain i would probably go without a waterproof shoe as it is more breathable and less sweaty.

I am another fan of Ron Hill tracksters for walking - lightweight, stay warm when wet and dry quickly. Although walking in the Alps this summer, I just used running leggings. I also used walking poles for the first time this summer and they were a game changer.

I can’t advise on trousers as I love leggings for hiking in.

Socks - I swear by Darn Tough socks, never get blisters plus they have a lifetime warranty!

I prefer trail runners for hiking in, particularly Hokas.

Waterproofs - I have had a North Face waterproof jacket for about 10 years which is still going strong, not sure if their quality is still the same though, so when I replace I’ve heard good things about Arcteryx and the Patagonia torrentshell.

Rab and Montane both do soft, stretchy walking trousers. You can add a stretch belt to a larger size to accommodate a pear shaped lower half so they don’t flap around your waist. That's what I have to do anyway!

Have you tried mens hiking trousers. My DH has done that I sometimes pop on top of my jeans/trousers if it's raining and I need to get the dog out quickly and can't be bothered to change. I have thick thighs and they fit me fine, I think they're Berghaus.

Another fan of poles here - we are walking around the circumference of Wales bit by bit and poles are a lifesaver on hills, esp when technical or muddy.

No particular advice on kit, it’s so personal, all I would suggest is to go to a few physical shops and take armfuls of stuff to try on. Often something looks great to look at but as soon as you try it you can tell if you can bend/ sit/ stretch in it. It’s the only way.

Plantar fasciitis - I have had this, not from hiking but from a combo of menopause and running. Would suggest - if possible, have hiking shoes with a flexible sole so you can roll your foot through your stride; go barefoot as much as possible outside of walking times; find some specific exercises to counteract the tendon under the foot becoming stiff, there are plenty online (heel raises and drops on stairs are a good one to strengthen instep and calf); every morning, massage your foot and toes and instep to put as much movement and flexibility in that tendon as possible.

Also agree re build up practice. Continuous hiking strains tendons and ligaments same as muscles. Do a few 2/3 day stints before you go. And, cold water works wonders - get in the sea as often as possible and the end of a day, or run a shallow cold bath and get your legs in it!

Darn Tough socks
Fjallraven trousers
Patagonia waterproofs

Another vote for properly taping your feet for long walks/hikes being a total game changer.

I've always been very blister-prone and no sock strategies ever really prevented them - taping has totally changed that. I use mainly Leukoplast as well as moleskin - I've never had to cut the edges and it's worth watching YouTube videos about how to specifically tape for areas where you're prone to blisters. And as soon as you feel a hot spot stop and tape it up.

Otherwise I'm a big Bridgedale socks fan and am watching the trouser chat with interest as I struggle here!

Check out the LoveHerWild group on Facebook, a wonderful group of outdoorsy women and loads of kit recommendations and a very friendly place to ask Qs. There are local groups of LHW if you are looking for training/ walking buddies near you.