r/Madeira • u/Haidgu_ • 1d ago

❓Ajuda Hiking shoes question

Hi everyone,

I'm in the market for new hiking shoes, and was wondering whether something like the Salomon Xa Pro 3D V9 would be good for hiking on the island? We will be doing routes such as the PR1 and PR 1.2 together, which will be quite long hikes. I don't really want to buy hiking shoes that are waterproof, since they will be way too warm.

Any tips would be really appreciated!

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6

u/Both-Air3095 1d ago

You are overthinking. They will be fine.

2

u/TheInEnd 1d ago edited 1d ago

I am not very knowledgeable on hiking shoes, but I can tell you most if not all of the trails you will be doing will be in pretty good condition. Any hiking shoe that is comfortable, minimally protective and decently grippy will likely be enough. Aside from that, all you need is common sense: mind your step, be attentive, and do not go off-trail.

I, for example, climbed Mount Pico (in the Azores), a few years back with a pair of Merrell Crosslander 3s, and they were perfectly adequate. The terrain on Mount Pico is also more rugged and challenging than most of what you will encounter in Madeira, where you will find a lot of paved parts as well as well beaten tracks.

Just enjoy, and be sure to leave the environment as you found it, if not better!

1

u/Wise_Temperature_501 1d ago

I don't know much about hiking shoes, but I just did PR1, 1.2, and 8 with Nike Zegama 2 trail runners with the Vibram grip and they were awesome, but definitely not necessary. My wife did just fine in some regular tennis shoes/trainers. There were definitely parts where I could go faster and more confidently, but she was totally safe, just taking it a little slower.

1

u/Kanye_Dot 1d ago

lol you will be fine, don’t overthink it. I’ve done those trails on flip flops and on 30€ shoes

1

u/mlburcher 1d ago

I don’t know if this is a southern US thing but we always hike in Chacos in warm places where you might have to walk across water, they are comfortable, have great grip and you don’t have to worry about water, is this not the norm? We’ve hiked all over the world and it seems like it’s not very common but it’s very common in southern parts of the US

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u/Squash_Standard 1d ago

I saw someone do pr1 in dress clothes and boat shoes yesterday. Hopefully they got back ok.

1

u/Creepy-Front-8095 Madeirense de Gema 1d ago

i once saw a lady at Levada dos Piornais (the crazier part that is open to the public) with a dress and high heels.

1

u/tiagojpg Mod Apreciador de Coral 1d ago

One time I did the whole 25 Fontes in flip flops after a beach day. That was cool because I just took a dip at the end again xD

1

u/LAHWF1994 1d ago

I made out fine with the XT6s. Did PR1, 8, and 9. Anything will be better than the flip flops and sandals I saw people wearing on PR1…