Pack recommendations

[sjdaotearoa]

Hola peregrinos. I've done 2 camino's now with an Osprey 36 which on the whole has been great. However, I'm 6ft tall and am feeling like it's a bit too short. It does not have an adjustable back, but I do love the trampoline back-ventilation feature. I also love the water bladder feature. My large Osprey does have an adjustable back but it's 75L so far too big for a camino. Does anyone have any recommendations for a 30-40L range pack with adjustable back length and preferably the bladder feature. Thanks in advance. Sara

 

[J Willhaus]

I though Ospreys came in sizes like small medium, large? I tried on a sizer which helped me know how many inches the back support needed to be. There is also a way to measure with a tape.

 

[Copper Image]

I used the Gregory Jade 33L and loved it. Adjustable back. Big enough to not play jenga with your stuff in the morning but not enough room to be sloppy. Bladder feature. But no pole storage like Osprey has. I am tall as well.

 

[Kitsambler]

You're looking for the Osprey Exos 38. https://www.backcountry.com/b/osprey-packs-exos-38l-backpack I've been using the previous (non-adjustable) version Exos for the past ten years, they hold up really well. It has all the features you're looking for as well as light weight and an adjustable back length.

 

[Simperegrina]

Hola peregrinos. I've done 2 camino's now with an Osprey 36 which on the whole has been great. However, I'm 6ft tall and am feeling like it's a bit too short. It does not have an adjustable back, but I do love the trampoline back-ventilation feature. I also love the water bladder feature. My large Osprey does have an adjustable back but it's 75L so far too big for a camino. Does anyone have any recommendations for a 30-40L range pack with adjustable back length and preferably the bladder feature. Thanks in advance. Sara

I love my Lowe Alpine Cholatse 40L. Can extend to 45L if needed. It’s not the lightest pack, but I love it

 

[timinOK]

I plan to use a Gregory Zulu 40 on my first Camino in April. What attracted me to it is 1) it's not too big for the camino, 2) It's adjustable so I can get a proper fit, 3) it has the trampoline frame to allow air flow between the back, 4) can access it from the top or front and 5) the price was right. It also has the sleeve for a water bladder though I don't plan to carry one.

 

[rgbarch330]

Hola peregrinos. I've done 2 camino's now with an Osprey 36 which on the whole has been great. However, I'm 6ft tall and am feeling like it's a bit too short. It does not have an adjustable back, but I do love the trampoline back-ventilation feature. I also love the water bladder feature. My large Osprey does have an adjustable back but it's 75L so far too big for a camino. Does anyone have any recommendations for a 30-40L range pack with adjustable back length and preferably the bladder feature. Thanks in advance. Sara

Check out the Osprey Kestrel 38L for carrying less during warmer months and Kestrel 48L for carrying more/warmer clothes for the cooler months. Buen Camino

 

[sjdaotearoa]

I though Ospreys came in sizes like small medium, large? I tried on a sizer which helped me know how many inches the back support needed to be. There is also a way to measure with a tape.

Good thought. I did buy my pack second hand so no real idea which size it is. Maybe that's my problem!

 

[Mary Doll]

I love my Lowe Alpine Cholatse 40L. Can extend to 45L if needed. It’s not the lightest pack, but I love it

I used this pack for Camino Portuguese and loved it. It fits me really well and was so comfortable. Much heavier than the Osprey Tempest I took on Camino Frances and hated. If the pack fits well you don’t notice the extra weight.

 

[DTCamino]

I plan to use a Gregory Zulu 40 on my first Camino in April. What attracted me to it is 1) it's not too big for the camino, 2) It's adjustable so I can get a proper fit, 3) it has the trampoline frame to allow air flow between the back, 4) can access it from the top or front and 5) the price was right. It also has the sleeve for a water bladder though I don't plan to carry one.

I like my Zulu 40 for the fit as well. Adjustable torso length and the ventilated waistbelt and trampoline back breathe like no one’s business. The only downside is the 3lb weight. I’m considering a Gossamer Gear pack at half the pack weight for my next trip, but the Zulu 40 fits so well it’s a tough decision.

 

[Bill905]

Check out the Osprey Kestrel 38L for carrying less during warmer months and Kestrel 48L for carrying more/warmer clothes for the cooler months. Buen Camino

Excellent recommendation ... I used a Kestrel 48 for a couple of Caminos, and as I improved my packing, I found I had too much empty space. So, I just purchased a used Kestrel 38 and will be walking the CP with granddaughter #2 in the spring of '24. Really looking forward to it. Re: Kestrel packs - built-in rain cover; lots of straps; adequate pockets; good access; and can accommodate a water bag.

 

[Willdtrout]

Hola peregrinos. I've done 2 camino's now with an Osprey 36 which on the whole has been great. However, I'm 6ft tall and am feeling like it's a bit too short. It does not have an adjustable back, but I do love the trampoline back-ventilation feature. I also love the water bladder feature. My large Osprey does have an adjustable back but it's 75L so far too big for a camino. Does anyone have any recommendations for a 30-40L range pack with adjustable back length and preferably the bladder feature. Thanks in advance. Sara

I bought an Osprey Stratos 36 recently. It does have an adjustable length for the back. Maybe the new ones are different

 

[KathyRugg]

I like my Zulu 40 for the fit as well. Adjustable torso length and the ventilated waistbelt and trampoline back breathe like no one’s business. The only downside is the 3lb weight. I’m considering a Gossamer Gear pack at half the pack weight for my next trip, but the Zulu 40 fits so well it’s a tough decision.

I love my Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60. While it is technically a 60 liter backpack, they curiously count the space in the ample pockets. The main compartment holds 36 liters. The bag empty only weighs 32 ounces (2 pounds even). I used it for my Camino Francés this year and it was perfect. I have a Zulu 40 as well but when it came to deciding which one to bring, the Mariposa won out.

 

[DTCamino]

I love my Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60. While it is technically a 60 liter backpack, they curiously count the space in the ample pockets. The main compartment holds 36 liters. The bag empty only weighs 32 ounces (2 pounds even). I used it for my Camino Francés this year and it was perfect. I have a Zulu 40 as well but when it came to deciding which one to bring, the Mariposa won out.

I have the Mariposa and the Gorilla and when doing practice hikes before my Camino trip in September I did half the hike with the Zulu and the other half with the Gossamer gear bag (both with full weight and water) and the Zulu was a little better ( especially so in the heat). Gossamer gear has a great sale going on right now and I bought both the Fast Kumo and the regular Kumo which are 21 ounces. If they are tolerable I might use one of these and sell the rest as they’re nearly a pound lighter than the Mariposa and 2 lbs lighter than the Zulu. I should be able to get my total pack weight minus water food down to under 10 lbs. It was 14 lbs with the Zulu this year. I also carried too much water and food on the Camino Madrid (8-9lbs) due to the heat and 20 mile days without services. I’ll bring a filter bottle for the Lana next year and I can fill it anywhere…