Gear I used and liked for the Camino Frances

[brickthomas]

Here is a post on what equipment I used and liked for the Camino Frances. It is not the only way to hike the Camino but it was lighter than most and worked great for me. Good luck.

http://brickthomasblog.wordpress.com/2013/10/17/camino-what-to-pack/

 

[HalfDomeOrBust]

Here is a post on what equipment I used and liked for the Camino Frances. It is not the only way to hike the Camino but it was lighter than most and worked great for me. Good luck.

http://brickthomasblog.wordpress.com/2013/10/17/camino-what-to-pack/

Loads of great info there. Thank you for sharing.....

 

[brickthomas]

Loads of great info there. Thank you for sharing.....

No problem.

 

[Irène Elisabet]

Looked over your list - thanks so much for the great information

 

[brickthomas]

Looked over your list - thanks so much for the great information

My pleasure.

 

[Diogo92]

One of the best posts ever! I'm intendiong to pass from a 40L backpack to a 20L one, so this has been a great help!

Best Regards
Diogo

 

[brickthomas]

One of the best posts ever! I'm intendiong to pass from a 40L backpack to a 20L one, so this has been a great help!

Best Regards
Diogo

Thanks. I am glad it helped.

 

[ivar]

Hey! There is a picture of me in that post! Great posts, thanks for sharing @brickthomas

 

[LTfit]

Congratulations in fitting everything into the Osprey Talon 22L, that's quite an accomplishment! I have the same pack but only for weekend hikes. I consider myself a minimalist but think that I'll stick with my Osprey Atmos 35L. Don't want to forsake the gods after 4 Caminos with the Atmos.

I see that you stayed at l'Esprit du Chemin. My ribbon has been attached to my backpack since 2010.

 

[Diogo92]

Just one question @brickthomas ... Do you think that, if you have done the Camiño in the current season, or earlier (for example, April/May), you would need a bigger backpack because of rain/cold gear?

Best Regards
Diogo

 

[brickthomas]

Hey! There is a picture of me in that post! Great posts, thanks for sharing @brickthomas

I hope I got your best side.

 

[brickthomas]

Congratulations in fitting everything into the Osprey Talon 22L, that's quite an accomplishment! I have the same pack but only for weekend hikes. I consider myself a minimalist but think that I'll stick with my Osprey Atmos 35L. Don't want to forsake the gods after 4 Caminos with the Atmos.

I see that you stayed at l'Esprit du Chemin. My ribbon has been attached to my backpack since 2010.

If it works for you why change? l'Esprit du Chemin was a great place to get into the mindset of the Camino.

 

[lynnejohn]

Here is a post on what equipment I used and liked for the Camino Frances. It is not the only way to hike the Camino but it was lighter than most and worked great for me. Good luck.

http://brickthomasblog.wordpress.com/2013/10/17/camino-what-to-pack/

I like your style, brickthomas. I've learned a few things from you. Impressive! (not my learning something, but your practical minimalism)

 

[nellpilgrim]

Just one question @brickthomas ... Do you think that, if you have done the Camiño in the current season, or earlier (for example, April/May), you would need a bigger backpack because of rain/cold gear?

Best Regards
Diogo

You need more gear if walking in Winter, Spring, late Autum that's a given- but the advantages of those seasons more than compensate IMHO....

 

[Diogo92]

You need more gear if walking in Winter, Spring, late Autum that's a give but the advantages or those seasons more than compensate IMHO....

I've done the Portuguese this year, and my question was regarding a think that I have noticed: even in winter, I've seen people taking 20 to 25L backpacks. So that's why I was asking if brickthomas would take more things, or if he would just change some things and stick with the 22L backpack

Best Regards
Diogo

 

[brickthomas]

I like your style, brickthomas. I've learned a few things from you. Impressive! (not my learning something, but your practical minimalism)

Thanks!

 

[brickthomas]

Just one question @brickthomas ... Do you think that, if you have done the Camiño in the current season, or earlier (for example, April/May), you would need a bigger backpack because of rain/cold gear?

Best Regards
Diogo

When I hiked in the snow and rain in the mountains of Maine, New Hampshire, etc. I used a 46 liter pack and that included carrying a weeks worth of food.

 

[brickthomas]

I've done the Portuguese this year, and my question was regarding a think that I have noticed: even in winter, I've seen people taking 20 to 25L backpacks. So that's why I was asking if brickthomas would take more things, or if he would just change some things and stick with the 22L backpack

Best Regards
Diogo

Maybe a better answer to your question is on the Camino if I was expecting a lot of rain the only thing I would change is I would have packed my rain pants. If I was expecting freezing temperatures I would have a pair of long underwear. If I am sleeping inside I don't need another set of warm clothes like when I am tenting. By the way the 46L pack I referenced earlier also included a tent, sleeping bag and pad none of which I would carry if I was staying in alburgues. I hope the info helps.

 

[Diogo92]

Maybe a better answer to your question is on the Camino if I was expecting a lot of rain the only thing I would change is I would have packed my rain pants. If I was expecting freezing temperatures I would have a pair of long underwear. If I am sleeping inside I don't need another set of warm clothes like when I am tenting. By the way the 46L pack I referenced earlier also included a tent, sleeping bag and pad none of which I would carry if I was staying in alburgues. I hope the info helps.

They sure did, thank you very much again

Best Regards
Diogo

 

[alicia]

Thanks brickthomas, your comments about packing for rain, freezing temps etc confirmed the need for some of the items listed on our packing list that I've been questioning. We couldn't fit our gear in the first packs (30, 33L) and still leaving room for a little food & water plus a few items we've yet to purchase. Our new packs will be a little bigger (40, 50L) and that's right in line with your recommendation. We won't be carrying a pad or tent, just a light sleeping bag so we hope to fit everything in compactly and still be able to carry-on so as not to risk getting separated from our pack.

 

[brickthomas]

Thanks brickthomas, your comments about packing for rain, freezing temps etc confirmed the need for some of the items listed on our packing list that I've been questioning. We couldn't fit our gear in the first packs (30, 33L) and still leaving room for a little food & water plus a few items we've yet to purchase. Our new packs will be a little bigger (40, 50L) and that's right in line with your recommendation. We won't be carrying a pad or tent, just a light sleeping bag so we hope to fit everything in compactly and still be able to carry-on so as not to risk getting separated from our pack.

By the way I found Pamplona was a good place to pick up gear you didn't pack but needed after all or to mail ahead things you decide you could do without. I almost bought a pair of hiking poles in Pamplona at a resale shop for only a few Euros. Of course the truth is after a couple of weeks of hiking you get use to what ever size pack you are carrying. The right attitude is your most important piece of equipment and that's what makes the walking fun. Have a great adventure and a fun walk.

 

[jmcarp]

My wife and I walked with Tom and Sue several days and I was always envious of their small backpacks. Mine was a 38L Osprey, and it was stuffed. Every time I thought about eliminating something, I ended up saying to myself, "No, I might need that." Next time I'll call Tom before I leave and let him talk me out of all those "might need that" things.

Jim

 

[lynnejohn]

I have been in "deep thought" about packing since reading @brickthomas' post. I thought I was a pretty savvy peregrina, and really wise about minimalist packing. We carry about 8 kg each. That's for about 60 days. Although we thought we had distributed stuff that we could share, it seems we haven't done such a great job. After all these caminos, I find it so exciting to examine some parameters that I thought were pretty set. Now everything is up for grabs. Sometimes it just takes a trigger such as this post to get you to refocus what you're doing. In our case, this already is making its insidious way through the camino trunk at the bottom of our closet. We won't open it till after Christmas. Too scary. But after Christmas? Kaboom!!!! Throwing out all our plans. Opening up our minds! Starting at square one!

 

[gerardcarey]

Great stuff BT. It enables one to start planning from a minimal but acceptable base.

 

[brickthomas]

My wife and I walked with Tom and Sue several days and I was always envious of their small backpacks. Mine was a 38L Osprey, and it was stuffed. Every time I thought about eliminating something, I ended up saying to myself, "No, I might need that." Next time I'll call Tom before I leave and let him talk me out of all those "might need that" things.

Jim

Hi Jim!

 

[brickthomas]

Great stuff BT. It enables one to start planning from a minimal but acceptable base.

Thanks. Glad you find it helpful. Have a great walk!

 

[brickthomas]

I have been in "deep thought" about packing since reading @brickthomas' post. I thought I was a pretty savvy peregrina, and really wise about minimalist packing. We carry about 8 kg each. That's for about 60 days. Although we thought we had distributed stuff that we could share, it seems we haven't done such a great job. After all these caminos, I find it so exciting to examine some parameters that I thought were pretty set. Now everything is up for grabs. Sometimes it just takes a trigger such as this post to get you to refocus what you're doing. In our case, this already is making its insidious way through the camino trunk at the bottom of our closet. We won't open it till after Christmas. Too scary. But after Christmas? Kaboom!!!! Throwing out all our plans. Opening up our minds! Starting at square one!

Wow! Thanks. I am sure I could learn a lot from you and all your experience too. Buen Camino!