Altus poncho and windbreaker jacket?

[Therese81]

Hi all!

In your opinion do I need an Altus and a windbreaker jacket? Or can I just use the Altus if it gets too windy. I'm also taking a lightwight fleece and a longsleeved icebreaker. I'm leaving in the beginning of June.

I was thinking I would buy my Altus when I get to St Jean, are they usually in stock or should I reserve one?

All advice is appreciated
Regards Therese

 

[robertt]

As a cold-weather walker, I've adopted a policy of not carrying on my back what I can wear on my back. The Altus is stable in wind, and can also be converted to a simple long coat. I think there's a strong case for using it as the wind layer. Won't be as good dedicated windbreakers, Goretex etc, but, if combined with some smart layers, it should do the job. As bonus, it covers much more of the body than any jacket.

I've also decided that, since I'm such a slow and waddly walker, I may be able to go without trekking poles. This means I can tuck my hands into the sleeves of the Altus in wet weather. I really don't like exposing my hands to rain and cold, no matter what gloves I'm wearing. Of course, people who aren't slow and waddly will want their trekking poles. In that case, the sleeves of the Altus are pretty generous and one can draw them over most of the hand while poling.

An Altus can sell for as low as 30 euros. If it cost 300 euros...I'd still have to at least think about owning one. It could be improved without sacrificing simplicity, and I hope that happens one day.

Therese, for June I'd say it's a no-brainer to combine Altus with ice-breaker. One can still have severe cold-snaps at that time, but I certainly wouldn't be shy of leaving the wind-breaker at home. Mind you, I have no experience of a summer Camino, so the opinion of others may be needed.

Lastly, I saw heaps of Altus on sale in Saint-Jean.

 

[BlackDog]

An Altus can sell for as low as 30 euros... Lastly, I saw heaps of Altus on sale in Saint-Jean.

The only online ones seem to be 43 euros so a link would be useful to cheaper ones.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

T-shirt, shirt, fleece, and poncho will be plenty of layers for any cold weather you might hit in June.

 

[robertt]

David, the 30 euros is not an online or linkable price. It's just what I've seen them selling for in shops in Spain. They weren't that available in France, but I saw lots of them in SJPDP going pretty cheap. Wish I could be more exact for you. Also, mine is a zipped version, which I greatly prefer. I seem to recall that there are non-zipped versions - though I may be wrong here - and perhaps these are the cheapest.

 

[anniethenurse]

The only online ones seem to be 43 euros so a link would be useful to cheaper ones.

http://www.peregrinoteca.com/tienda/pon ... -8241.html

 

[Therese81]

Thank you guys for your replies! No windbreaker it is it was the answer i was hoping for. Less is more.

I've also made a reservation for an Altus via Annies post from Pierre.

Therese