Camino de Santiago de Compostela

[timothyd]

Has anyone walked in jeans? Would it be crazy? I don't own anything more comfortable than jeans.

[gittiharre]

I have seen a young woman wearing jeans, she almost never washed them, because they took ages to dry. If you can cope with the unwashed state it is ok I guess, but when it rains they get very heavy when wet, stay wet on your body, so that's not a great feeling. If you decide not to wear them for a day and put them in your pack they are quite a load to carry. I find the quick drying materials by companies like Columbia, Royal Robins or Godzwana really fantastic and the pants are super comfortable. I washed my pants every day and they were dry within an hour or so. Regards, Gitti

[Martin0642]

Has anyone walked in jeans? Would it be crazy? I don't own anything more comfortable than jeans.

I'd agree - not great things to wear. When they get wet - and they will - they'll rub and chafe as well as everything else. Cotton holds four times its own weight in water and doesn't give it up easily. Next time you wash your jeans put them in a warm room over a chair and see how long they take to dry.

Its not just that though, you'll lose heat faster in wet clothes which could be a problem (depends when you go of course).

If you really want to wear jeans you could look at Alpkit.com for some outdoorsy jeans that aremade to be more water resistant but I'd still say either proper outdoor trousers - they don't have to be expensive - or lightweight army trousers. The key things are: Light, durable, quick drying.

I used north face trousers last time - they cost a bit more than i'd usually pay but i got caught in rain..they got soaked...and oncethe rain stopped they were dry in about 30 minutes even though it was still drizzling. Well worth it I thought. Don't forget its not just the rain you need to think about - even if it's fairly cool weather when you go you'll be sweating quite a bit on some stretches.

[Rebekah Scott]

A lot depends on what trail you walk, and when. I wore jeans last March when I very stupidly walked over the mountain section of the Camino Salvador. (the snow was too deep, I was alone, it was dangerous, I was foolhardy.) I was wearing an old pair of Levi´s, and I was very glad I had them instead of anything lighter or thinner. Thorns, ice-crusted snow, barbed wire, etc. Royal Robbins would not have taken that punishment. And the jeans dried overnight draped over a radiator.

You won´t face those conditions on the Frances (god willing). But never say never.
Plenty of people are out there on the Frances in jeans and sneakers and regular street clothes. But if you have the money and the inclination, the zippy travel wear is the way to go.

Reb.

[DylanRomero]

Here's my equipment list: http://walkingthecamino.wordpress.com/2010/07/28/the-under-20-lb-camino-packing-list/

As for jeans (a little late to the thread, I know), they are definitely a sturdy and cheap option. I got my lightweight pants at a scratch and dent sale at REI. The zipper didn't work, but otherwise they were perfect!

[Bridget and Peter]

The zipper didn't work, but otherwise they were perfect!

Did you wear long shirts?

[DylanRomero]

Haha, no long shirts. The pants had a bit of an overlapping flap in front of the zipper, so it wasn't too risque.

At least I hope it wasn't...