Alpine hiking boots? Running shoes? Sneakers?
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Which Shoes Are Best for Pilgrimage?
Short answer: any shoe—as always, it depends on the person. However, there are specialized shoes designed for hiking or pilgrimage, and I’d like to introduce them here.
I’m skipping alpine hiking boots made from sturdy leather, as while they’ve been spotted on the Camino Portugués, they aren’t well-suited to the terrain and conditions.
Soft Hiking Boots
The classic choice is an all-rounder with an ankle-high collar.
Unlike alpine boots made from stiff leather, these are softer but still offer good support.
This type of hiking boot is highly versatile—you can walk on both asphalt and uneven terrain with ease.
Their higher collar provides some protection if you twist your ankle—not as much as stiff hiking boots, but certainly more than sneakers.
If you're looking for a versatile option that’s suitable not only for the Portuguese Camino but also for more demanding routes like the Camino del Norte, these boots are an excellent choice.
I’ve walked the Camino Portugués twice in these boots. While they weren’t ideal in hot temperatures, they performed well in muddy conditions.
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Trail Runners
Trail runners are a middle ground between basic sneakers and hiking boots.
They have more grip, even on muddy ground, and feature a reinforced sole to protect the foot from sharp edges. At the same time, they’re comfortable enough to cover long distances on wooden planks or forest paths, making them a great recommendation for the Camino Portugués if I had to suggest something in general.
For those traveling in the autumn/winter months, when conditions can be cold, muddy, and slippery, I’d still recommend the hiking boots mentioned earlier—especially for those prone to twisting their ankles. If that’s not an issue, trail runners are definitely a great choice.
Sneakers
The Portuguese Camino is generally suitable for sneakers. Depending on the route you choose, there are sections with fairly easy terrain, such as wooden planks along the coast, red rubberized bike paths, or flat forest trails.
However, it’s important to consider that there are sections where you walk on large, flat, slanted, and smooth stones.
These can be slippery when dry, but after rain, they become quite dangerous.
Therefore, it’s advisable to either bring sneakers as a second pair or plan to be particularly slow and cautious on these sections. However, I can’t really recommend it.
Hiking Sandals
Especially in the warmer months, many pilgrims can be seen wearing hiking sandals.
Opinions on this vary widely—some are thrilled by their breathability, while others find them completely unsuitable due to the usual sandal problem with sand and small stones.
Proper trekking sandals feature a solid, cushioned footbed and prioritize high slip resistance, making them very different from regular summer sandals.
Barefoot Shoes
Barefoot shoes are essentially the opposite of hiking boots since they offer no support or cushioning at all.
As the name suggests, they are designed to replicate the experience of walking barefoot as closely as possible. Therefore, their soles are flexible, and the shoes are breathable and non-restrictive. The key advantage over actual barefoot walking is protection from sharp stones and pine needles.
Barefoot shoes come in many forms—closed-toe shoes, sock-like designs where each toe is individually encased, and sandals.
Walking the entire Camino in barefoot shoes is primarily for true barefoot enthusiasts. However, since they are so lightweight, they could serve as a useful second pair of shoes for occasional sections of the trail.
Which Shoes Are Suitable for the Portuguese Camino?
My personal recommendation for cooler, muddier seasons is to set out with hiking boots. If you don’t have a tendency to twist your ankle or if you plan to walk the coastal route without the Variante Espiritual, trail runners are also a good choice.
Regular sneakers are less ideal as they can be too slippery.
In summer, hiking sandals can serve as your primary footwear, while barefoot shoes are better suited for enthusiasts.
If I had to choose one type of shoe that’s the most versatile for all seasons and route variations, it would certainly be trail runners.
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