- Time of past OR future Camino
- Sept/Oct 2023
Well- I've been shopping for Camino gear and thanks to suggestions here and from a super wonderful REI salesperson, I've purchased a few basics.
For a backpack, the 38L Gregory Jade in xs/s fit me the best. I'm 5'4" and 150lbs with a very short torso. I must have tried on 20 backpacks before finding one that felt good to me. The salesperson was soooo patient and helpful. I cant imagine trying to buy one online- I'd be making a million trips to return the 20 or so packs that didnt work (or get tired of returns and settle on something that didnt).
For shoes I purchased Altra Lone Peak but I am going to return them and try the Altra Olympus. The Lone Peak is really comfy but after walking 6-7 miles 2 days in a row over uneven hiking trails I feel the need for a shoe with a thicker sole and a little more structure.
A sleeping bag/sleep kit has caused me the most consternation as I expect the first half of the Camino to be hot (late Sept/mid Oct) and the second half to be cold and wet. Other than finding a good bag at a reasonable price, the biggest
priority to me was very low weight. I found this on the REI used gear site : REI Co-op Magma 30 that only weighs 1lb 6oz! I was very happy to get this top-rated bag at an amazingly low price.
On Ebay I found a Sea to Summit silk & cotton bag liner, new, and very reasonably priced.
Toe socks rock! I'll be wearing them as a first layer and silk "liners" as a second layer. Unusual, I know, but it seems to work well on my training hikes.
I'm being called to the dinner table so I must stop now, Buen Camino!
For a backpack, the 38L Gregory Jade in xs/s fit me the best. I'm 5'4" and 150lbs with a very short torso. I must have tried on 20 backpacks before finding one that felt good to me. The salesperson was soooo patient and helpful. I cant imagine trying to buy one online- I'd be making a million trips to return the 20 or so packs that didnt work (or get tired of returns and settle on something that didnt).
For shoes I purchased Altra Lone Peak but I am going to return them and try the Altra Olympus. The Lone Peak is really comfy but after walking 6-7 miles 2 days in a row over uneven hiking trails I feel the need for a shoe with a thicker sole and a little more structure.
A sleeping bag/sleep kit has caused me the most consternation as I expect the first half of the Camino to be hot (late Sept/mid Oct) and the second half to be cold and wet. Other than finding a good bag at a reasonable price, the biggest
priority to me was very low weight. I found this on the REI used gear site : REI Co-op Magma 30 that only weighs 1lb 6oz! I was very happy to get this top-rated bag at an amazingly low price.
On Ebay I found a Sea to Summit silk & cotton bag liner, new, and very reasonably priced.
Toe socks rock! I'll be wearing them as a first layer and silk "liners" as a second layer. Unusual, I know, but it seems to work well on my training hikes.
I'm being called to the dinner table so I must stop now, Buen Camino!