Stephenpalssi
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- April 4, 2023
What do I wear?
This is a topic that surfaces frequently.
Hi fellow pilgrims,
As mentioned in my previous posts what I suggest may or might not work for you. All I hope is that I can be of help.
Clothing clothing clothing….. what should I wear to the ball? This is a tricky question especially when we do not know what to expect weatherwise.
My experience in this field comes from my past adventures in cycle and motorcycle touring. The most applicable would be my trip peddling my touring bicycle, my longest trip being from Victoria British Columbia to California.
In short, expect everything. Rain, cold, heat, wind (and I will include snow). The difficulty in trying to predict what to wear is that weather is totally unpredictable. Forecasts are a good indicator of what you will face overall, but during a long walk, you will experience microclimates. I did a 15 km walk recently and I experienced t-shirt warm all the way to hand chilling cold. (Two microclimates within 15 km)
Examples:
- cold at higher altitudes
- random and rain torrents
- sustained rain – for days!
- snow in the passes (I experienced snow in June)
- high winds
- scorching heat
Rain – You are going to get wet or… are you?
Outer shell – jacket
I absolutely hate getting wet or touring with wet clothing. My solution is a totally waterproof shell, I mean stand under a waterfall and stay dry waterproof (not water resistant or other moist resistant types). I have owned my OR (Outdoor Research) rain jacket for years and it has yet to let me down. There are several high-quality manufacturers out there that produce similar clothing. I choose a loose-fitting jacket with vents zippered waterproof, this reduces the chance of getting clammy and sweaty.
Pants
As mentioned, I hate getting wet and that goes for my feet and legs. My solution is totally waterproof (is there an echo hear?) pair of lightweight hiking pants. Again, my choice is from Outdoor Research, my pants are lightweight and comfortable, but with a twist…. I wear merino wool long underpants. In my opinion, this is the best marriage for both cold and wet.
Shoes, Hiking shoes, and soggy bags
Did I mention that I hated getting wet? Oh yes, I did. Shoes will get wet unless you wear totally waterproof shoes/boots and even then, there is a chance you will still get wet. My solution is a pair of cycling-over boots that I tuck under my waterproof pants. Mine is extra large so that they fit comfortably over my vented and breathable trail runners. You might have a tough time trying to locate waterproof over boots, I would suggest a cycle shop.
Poncho
I do not care if folks laugh at me… I know I look cool because Clint Eastwood wore one. I am bringing an extra-large lightweight waterproof (there’s that word again) poncho that is probably good for two persons walking in unison. I know that I am already dry but this is extra insurance and it will keep my backpack dry. (I store all my clothes, bedding, and pillow in a lightweight waterproof kayak bag inside my backpack, I hate wet stuff)
Balaclava and scarfs
When it gets really nasty, I mean windy and cold, I resort to a balaclava and a scarf.
Cold - climate attitude and altitude will bite you …. or will it?
As mentioned, you will experience everything weatherwise during your pilgrimage, cold is no exception. Early morning starts, mountain passes, and cold weather systems will catch you by surprise…. Or will they?
Gloves
My youngest daughter had competed in the Camino a few years ago and I asked her what she missed clothing-wise. That one thing was a pair of warm gloves. She mentioned that there were a few instances where she could have used a pair. So…. I will be bringing a pair since I hate being cold… or was it getting wet …. No, it's both.
Socks
You may have guessed what type of socks I wear…. Yup Marino wool yet again. I have three pairs of medium-weight Darn Tough. (No layers required……)
Hat
Headgear for me consists of a lightweight waterproof brimmed (I wear glasses) and a Marino wool toque. This keeps my noggin dry or warm.
Heat
I’ll leave this to you. Stuff like water (hydration), electrolytes, and sunscreen are mainstays during the heat. Again layer up or down.
Wind
Wind, an especially cold wind has a nasty tendency to find the weak points in your clothing repertoire. If your outer shell is waterproof, then bonus! Its windproof as well. Waterproof jackets and pants will put a stop to that nasty breeze in its tracks.
I hope I covered most of what you might encounter weatherwise along our Camino pilgrimage.
I wish you all the very very best. I get a warm feeling inside if I was instrumental in helping you with your clothing decisions.
Pilgrim Pisti
This is a topic that surfaces frequently.
Hi fellow pilgrims,
As mentioned in my previous posts what I suggest may or might not work for you. All I hope is that I can be of help.
Clothing clothing clothing….. what should I wear to the ball? This is a tricky question especially when we do not know what to expect weatherwise.
My experience in this field comes from my past adventures in cycle and motorcycle touring. The most applicable would be my trip peddling my touring bicycle, my longest trip being from Victoria British Columbia to California.
In short, expect everything. Rain, cold, heat, wind (and I will include snow). The difficulty in trying to predict what to wear is that weather is totally unpredictable. Forecasts are a good indicator of what you will face overall, but during a long walk, you will experience microclimates. I did a 15 km walk recently and I experienced t-shirt warm all the way to hand chilling cold. (Two microclimates within 15 km)
Examples:
- cold at higher altitudes
- random and rain torrents
- sustained rain – for days!
- snow in the passes (I experienced snow in June)
- high winds
- scorching heat
Rain – You are going to get wet or… are you?
Outer shell – jacket
I absolutely hate getting wet or touring with wet clothing. My solution is a totally waterproof shell, I mean stand under a waterfall and stay dry waterproof (not water resistant or other moist resistant types). I have owned my OR (Outdoor Research) rain jacket for years and it has yet to let me down. There are several high-quality manufacturers out there that produce similar clothing. I choose a loose-fitting jacket with vents zippered waterproof, this reduces the chance of getting clammy and sweaty.
Pants
As mentioned, I hate getting wet and that goes for my feet and legs. My solution is totally waterproof (is there an echo hear?) pair of lightweight hiking pants. Again, my choice is from Outdoor Research, my pants are lightweight and comfortable, but with a twist…. I wear merino wool long underpants. In my opinion, this is the best marriage for both cold and wet.
Shoes, Hiking shoes, and soggy bags
Did I mention that I hated getting wet? Oh yes, I did. Shoes will get wet unless you wear totally waterproof shoes/boots and even then, there is a chance you will still get wet. My solution is a pair of cycling-over boots that I tuck under my waterproof pants. Mine is extra large so that they fit comfortably over my vented and breathable trail runners. You might have a tough time trying to locate waterproof over boots, I would suggest a cycle shop.
Poncho
I do not care if folks laugh at me… I know I look cool because Clint Eastwood wore one. I am bringing an extra-large lightweight waterproof (there’s that word again) poncho that is probably good for two persons walking in unison. I know that I am already dry but this is extra insurance and it will keep my backpack dry. (I store all my clothes, bedding, and pillow in a lightweight waterproof kayak bag inside my backpack, I hate wet stuff)
Balaclava and scarfs
When it gets really nasty, I mean windy and cold, I resort to a balaclava and a scarf.
Cold - climate attitude and altitude will bite you …. or will it?
As mentioned, you will experience everything weatherwise during your pilgrimage, cold is no exception. Early morning starts, mountain passes, and cold weather systems will catch you by surprise…. Or will they?
My answer to these challenges is …. The envelope please… and the overall winner is….
Merino wool!
Marino wool is the wonder child of the outdoors. Lightweight, very warm, easily washed, and will not odor for days. The key is layers. Layer up and layer down, its simple and very effective. I carry two lightweight and one heavier Marino sweater. My regular (Smart wool) jacket is a poly Marino blend. This combination saved my bacon several times during my motorcycle and cycling trips. In Alaska, I wore all three of my sweaters in combination with my Klim suit… I was toasty warm at freezing temperatures. I once gave a sweater to a borderline hypothermia hiker (probably saved her bacon as well). If gets warm just peel down and adjust to both your temperature (people feel warm/cold differently) and the ambient temperature. My base layer is also Merino wool (T-Shirts etc.)Merino wool!
Gloves
My youngest daughter had competed in the Camino a few years ago and I asked her what she missed clothing-wise. That one thing was a pair of warm gloves. She mentioned that there were a few instances where she could have used a pair. So…. I will be bringing a pair since I hate being cold… or was it getting wet …. No, it's both.
Socks
You may have guessed what type of socks I wear…. Yup Marino wool yet again. I have three pairs of medium-weight Darn Tough. (No layers required……)
Hat
Headgear for me consists of a lightweight waterproof brimmed (I wear glasses) and a Marino wool toque. This keeps my noggin dry or warm.
Heat
I’ll leave this to you. Stuff like water (hydration), electrolytes, and sunscreen are mainstays during the heat. Again layer up or down.
Wind
Wind, an especially cold wind has a nasty tendency to find the weak points in your clothing repertoire. If your outer shell is waterproof, then bonus! Its windproof as well. Waterproof jackets and pants will put a stop to that nasty breeze in its tracks.
I hope I covered most of what you might encounter weatherwise along our Camino pilgrimage.
I wish you all the very very best. I get a warm feeling inside if I was instrumental in helping you with your clothing decisions.
Pilgrim Pisti