A few thoughts on what to wear when hiking in the Serra de Tramuntana, Mallorca.
Shoes/Boots
For me it’s a matter of personal preference whether to wear shoes or boots. Some like the strong support a boot gives around the ankle especially when walking on rocky terrain. Others, like me, favour a shoe because it can strengthen the ankle and allow greater flexibility.
At the moment I have two makes of shoe in my collection:
Scarpa Mescalito.
Salewa Mountain Trainer GTX.
I am really impressed with the Scarpa shoes. So much, I got a second pair last season. They are very comfortable, provide good ankle support despite only being a shoe and have incredible grip. I feel like Spider-Man when walking along the narrow ridge of Penyal des Migdia!
The Salewa shoes are in their second season and are the most comfortable walking shoes which I have ever possessed.
The simple advice is to try a variety of shoes or boots until you find the pair which suits your needs best. Some makes, like LA Sportiva and Salewa, tend to favour a narrower foot. Others such as Meindl are good for a broader foot.
In the UK I recommend The Cotswold Store because of the attention given to fitting by the well-trained staff. There are stores throughout the country. On Mallorca, I suggest you try Foracorda and El Corte Inglés in Palma as well as Tramuntana Tours in Port Sóller.
A good tip is to take two pairs of socks when trying on the footwear, a thin pair and a thicker pair, reflecting use over four seasons of the year. Also it is better than using the shop pair which have probably seen many different feet!
Finally I have received many recommendations for Bestard mountain boots and shoes. These are produced at Lloseta on Mallorca. There is a factory shop there. My wife got a pair and is delighted with them. You will also find them at the shops mentioned above.
One final tip. Don’t give up on your shoes or boots when the soles wear thin and lose grip. If the uppers are still good, you can get them re-soled. There is a fantastic shoe repairer in Palma, Es Sabater in Carrer Ticià. They come back as good as new.
