Camino Boots

My beloved muddy Camino boots! This photo was taken as we
waited in the long and winding line at the Cathedral office
to get our Compostellas, May 30, 2008. As we stood and waited
I had plenty of time to switch into my sandals.

Whatever I did or did not bring on Camino, I absolutely had to have three things, all of which symbolized to me what a "real" hiker should look like. They were, a homemade wooden hiking staff, a wide brimmed hat and a pair of leather hiking boots, the kind you need to waterproof yourself with various creams and oils.

The staff and the hat were easy to come by. The leather boots were not. I guess the type of boot I was looking for is easier to come by in Europe because so many people, in Camino photos and videos, were wearing them. Yet I couldn't find anything even close in my shopping expeditions or on line.

Seems every sold here has ventilation material, strips of this and that ... just like the Vasque boots that I bought right before my very first hike. Very high tech I'm sure but just not what I wanted.

In March, on one of my many trips to REI for clothes and gear, I saw mounted at the top of the shoe display like some kind of trophy, a dark brown, all leather pair of Asolo backpacking boots. They weren't exactly what I wanted but certainly worth a closer look, despite the $249 price tag.

I tried them on at one of my lunchtime shopping expeditions. They felt great! But I didn't want to invest that kind of money on boots without having a chance to take them for a few turns around the store and really get a feel for them. I had to get back to the office but also, I needed to be sure that these boots were worth the expense, particularly since I already had a perfectly good pair at home.

Later that week, Joe, Karin and I met at REI for yet another shopping expedition. I again tried on the boots and they really did feel perfect. A little heavy but I would get used to it, just like switching from open sandals in the summer to regular shoes. They looked good too. I wore them as I walked around the store and they really were comfortable. Decision made - I had to have them!

Turns out I wound up paying only just over $160 for them. I had a 20% off coupon plus used my REI bonus which was just under $40. Wow, that bonus was based on last year's purchases which really weren't all that much. I can't wait to see what my bonus will be for this year!

Were these boots overkill? A big expenditure to try and capture some look I was seeking? Sure! But after having walked the Camino with completely dry, blister and problem-free feet in those boots, it worked out that they were the best and most sensible purchase I have ever made in my life.