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  1. backpack45scb

    Carbon vs aluminum hiking poles: experiences and recommendations

    I've used Black Diamond carbon poles for many years and thousands of miles. I've broken about 3, always my fault and from a strong sideways blow. Once I tripped over my own poles, kicking one and breaking it (they still moderated my fall). Once by sticking it in a hole in the ground and pushing...
  2. backpack45scb

    Peter Robins

    The santiago.nl is an excellent resource and not just for routes in Spain. It is my go to place for Vezelay route info also in English. Books gps info and so on.
  3. backpack45scb

    What (if anything) I did wrong?

    One heads up if you switch to T-Mobile. We do use it and like it. However, for this plan and any other where you use your United States number, for someone calling you from Europe, it is an international call. If you leave a message on phone mail for a hostel or some place where you want a call...
  4. backpack45scb

    How light is too light? Backpack question

    What worked for you on the Primitivo will work on the Francés. The ultralight packs are essentially bags with shoulder straps, so no structure other than your folded foam pad slid vertically in the pack to protect your back from sharp objects. The manufacturers sometimes sell small pads for...
  5. backpack45scb

    Altra Lone Peaks, durability?

    I've been wearing Altra Lone Peaks for the last three years or so, and find that a pair is showing signs of wear around 500 miles, but I get about 200 miles out of them after that. They finally break down by getting cracks at the fold point on the side of the shoe above the ball of the foot. As...
  6. backpack45scb

    Best kindle Guide for CF or is an app better?

    I think that Moon guide treckle mentioned is by far the best Kindle guide. On apps I've used Wise Pilgrim for Norte and was impressed. I assume their CF guide is also good.
  7. backpack45scb

    Google Maps Issue

    An alternative is to use maps.me app and load the tracks there. If you preload the maps, it does not require internet access to work.
  8. backpack45scb

    Rain covers for shoes

    I wear rain pants under such conditions, and they keep most of the rain from running down my legs into the trail runners. If you hike in shorts without rain pants it is more of a problem. My wife carries dirtygirlgaiters.com and will use them more to keep mud out than rain. They weigh next to...
  9. backpack45scb

    Does having a half-full pack affect the weight distribution in a pack?

    Rhun, there is a lot of good info in the replies. One question you did not answer was what is the empty weight of your 70L pack? There is no need to use a pack much over 2 lbs. If your pack is 7 lbs for example, the burden of carrying that extra 5 lbs is greater than anything you might do in...
  10. backpack45scb

    Ready to look at new footwear for Camino

    Should have added in my initial response, as others have mentioned, always get at least a half size larger than your normal pre hiking size. Also, we both wear only liner socks, so just a very thin sock.
  11. backpack45scb

    Ready to look at new footwear for Camino

    My wife and I both wear the men's version of the Altra Lone Peaks. She has bunions and really appreciates the wide toe box. They have been extremely comfortable, and last fairly well. My current pair is starting to show some wear - slight delamination of sole at toe and some cracking of the...
  12. backpack45scb

    Black Diamond hiking poles problems

    We have been using Black Diamond poles for 1000s of kilometers without a problem. Sometimes I've had to adjust or clean a little. Our poles are the carbon variety, a little lighter that the ones I see in the photos, but I think assemble the same way. In Bilbao, there is a Decathalon sporting...
  13. backpack45scb

    Hiking Shoe - dilemma

    I've been wearing Altra Lone Peaks for a couple of years now, and get 500 miles out of them with no problem. By the end, they are getting some cracks and the toe is starting to delaminate, but you can finish out your camino. As for your current problem, the first thing I would try is ENGO...
  14. backpack45scb

    Permethrin or silicone spray?

    We permethrin spray all outer clothing, sleeping bag outer surface, pack outer surface. Never silicone anything. Every few years any breathable rain gear needs to be washed according to directions, and sprayed with the proper material such as NikWax https://www.rei.com/product/783563/
  15. backpack45scb

    Overheating Gortex Shoes

    I wear non Goretex trail runners for that very reason. I also wear just liner socks as Charles above. Since you are not going to change your shoes, at least stop and take your shoes and socks off every two hours and let your feet cool down. Your liner socks will probably dry out during that...
  16. backpack45scb

    Footwear for the Primitivo..... (sorry!)

    We wore trail runners in 2016 on the Primitivo in May and had no problems. Parts that are slippery in trail runners are also slippery in boots. We do rely on our two hiking poles. Our feet are cooler and more comfortable in trail runners.
  17. backpack45scb

    Hiking shoes/boots versus trail runners on the Norte/Primativo

    We did both the Norte and Primitivo over 2015 and 2016 using trail runners. They were problem free. Both these routes include a lot of road walking where the additional cushioning of trail runners is helpful.
  18. backpack45scb

    Sealskinz Waterproof Socks

    I always wear trailrunners (not gortex). When they get wet, they dry quickly. However, if it is an all day rain, it is usually cold, and my feet get cold, even though my body is comfortable. With the Sealskinz (with liner socks), my feet stay comfortably warm, not hot. I would never wear...
  19. backpack45scb

    Sealskinz Waterproof Socks

    I wear mine when expecting rain most of the day. One of them has developed a leak, but even though that sock might be sloshy when I step in a deep puddle, the excess water squishes out and that foot feels about the same as the other one. In any case, both feet stay warm, which is a big...
  20. backpack45scb

    Footwear: do you need waterproof?

    I think you are starting too late to expect many continuous days of rain. My recommendation would be running shoes or trail runners which are NOT Gortex. You want the shoes to dry quickly once they get wet. I use Asics Gel Nimbus and just wear liner socks. If I am going early enough or late...

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