Backpack Size

[Frankybaby66]

Hi, whilst I don't consider myself an experienced backpacker, I have had some Camino experience - I walked SJPDP to Santiago in 2016, Roncesvalles to Burgos in 2017 and have just returned from walking Porto to Santiago along the Central route.
I am planning to walk the Primitivo next year and am considering treating myself to a new backpack. I have heard that the stages are probably longer on the Primitivo due to the climbs/ descents and less frequent accommodation options.
I an considering the Osprey Atmos 65 to allow for more substantial wet-weather gear and carrying food and a lightweight tent to give myself options to free camp.i would be interested in any advice around this.
I am used to packing light but have always walked Caminos with a better infrastructure. I am no spring-chicken and want to walk the 'tougher' Caminos without being forced into long stages.
Thanks in advance

 

[Pathfinder075]

If you are an experienced walker/trekker then you should have a good idea of what you need when out walking. Backpack choice is a personal preference type thing.

I don't know the Osprey Atmos 65. But I think a 65L is a pretty good choice for most trekking. I field a Berghaus Trailhead 65 and it's been adequate on two Caminos, so far. Also used it on Pennine Way and while walking various coastal paths. It's big enough for my needs and can carry enough for me to stay out on the road for a couple of weeks without resupplying.

Tent wise I would probably go with a bivvi bag. Something like the Snugpak Stratosphere would be ideal for that emergency shelter for the night. If not, the £30 Decathlon 2 man is a cheap fairly light tent, that I've seen other pilgrims using. it's an ideal size for 1 person and a pack.

 

[J Willhaus]

We use a smaller bag than 65L and both carry CPAP machines. My new pack is 10L larger than my 32L for that reason. It is still cavernous and temps me to add more stuff so be careful with larger size packs.

 

[dougfitz]

I have just finished the CP using an Osprey Levity 60, for slightly different reasons. With my CPAP and a month's supply of some important medication that I cannot get in the EC, the load was just too tight in my Dueter Guide 45+. I have another pack at 50 li that I could have used, but the Levity is both a little lighter and more comfortable.

I used the Osprey for a winter walk in the UK a couple of years ago, and having the discipline not to use the extra space is key. I sometimes let my food bag get a little large, but in the main kept things tight. And the volume of the extra consumables is now almost down to zero as I am a couple of days away from going home.

The concern about carrying more because you have the space gets aired quite regularly. It's a legitimate one, but it's really up to you to be disciplined about what you carry.

 

[Zordmot]

36 liter Deuter pack. If it doesn’t fit in that, you’re carrying too much

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

Why not a fibre reinforced tarp and some rope? It has to be lighter, and cheaper, and easily replaceable if needed, as a tent. Plus, many variations can be constructed from a good 12 x 9 tarp. Just my 2 centavos.

 

[Pathfinder075]

36 liter Deuter pack. If it doesn’t fit in that, you’re carrying too much

That only applies to those that have the option of travelling light. For the others that have to carry a lot of medication and/or mechanical devices, a bigger pack is required.

 

[joyvj]

My husband took a 30 litre Deuter and I took a 26 Litre.plenty of room if you pack carefully

 

[Pathfinder075]

As long as the pack meets the requirements of the journey and fits well. I stand by the idea that it is down to the person buying it. Ideally of course you would borrow one from a friend and then walk for a few days with it to get a feel for it, but it's not always possible.

I took my brothers Trailhead out for a spin prior to buying mine. It is a basic expedition level pack. I'll be using mine on GR20 next year as well as whichever Camino route I decide to walk.

 

[Walli Walker]

I have a walked the Primitivo and intend doing it again this year. I’m certainly no spring chicken either. (I’ll turn 70 on my Camino this year.) I found no need for a tent and won’t be taking one.

 

[dougfitz]

My husband took a 30 litre Deuter and I took a 26 Litre.plenty of room if you pack carefully

Personal anecdotes without context information really aren't all that helpful. The individual's size, season, and packing list are just a few items that can make a tremendous difference to the volume that needs to be carried. Its worth taking this sort of estimate, where you cannot compare it to your own circumstances, with a grain of salt or two, or perhaps enough to pay a Roman legion.

 

[dbier]

While I am pack shopping for the Primitivo next Sep (23, God willing), I remain amused by how people can get by with 35L packs.

I have a men's sized foot...about 11EE US, after swelling. I'm also 5'7", and *not* slim. (Yes, I'm female). I don't use makeup,, and am not fancy with toiletries. I do bring a first aid kit, because I'm a nurse, and it's my instinct to try and help.

If I'm not staying in compression shorts (XL) and sleeveless tanks and sandals...for the entire trip...I'm not fitting into 35L.

 

[henrythedog]

As long as the pack meets the requirements of the journey and fits well. I stand by the idea that it is down to the person buying it. Ideally of course you would borrow one from a friend and then walk for a few days with it to get a feel for it, but it's not always possible.

I took my brothers Trailhead out for a spin prior to buying mine. It is a basic expedition level pack. I'll be using mine on GR20 next year as well as whichever Camino route I decide to walk.

I did the GR20 in my 30’s. If I were to try it again now (dodgy knees notwithstanding) I’d want a very small pack; and someone to carry it for me.

The route is spectacular. Whenever it got very difficult I found I was overtaken by a section of Legion recruits being encouraged along by a very shouty NCO.

 

[trecile]

While I am pack shopping for the Primitivo next Sep (23, God willing), I remain amused by how people can get by with 35L packs.

I have a men's sized foot...about 11EE US, after swelling. I'm also 5'7", and *not* slim. (Yes, I'm female). I don't use makeup,, and am not fancy with toiletries. I do bring a first aid kit, because I'm a nurse, and it's my instinct to try and help.

If I'm not staying in compression shorts (XL) and sleeveless tanks and sandals...for the entire trip...I'm not fitting into 35L.

I have a male friend who is about 6' 2“ and somehow manages to tetris all of his gear in about a 25 liter backpack!

 

[Anamiri]

That only applies to those that have the option of travelling light. For the others that have to carry a lot of medication and/or mechanical devices, a bigger pack is required.

Yes with Cpap for my husband, having to take Coeliac friendly food for him, and both us of needing to take 6 weeks of medication, a smaller pack isn't possible. But on the bright side, I use my medications up as I go, so by the time I finish, a lot less stuff.

 

[domigee]

Hi, whilst I don't consider myself an experienced backpacker, I have had some Camino experience - I walked SJPDP to Santiago in 2016, Roncesvalles to Burgos in 2017 and have just returned from walking Porto to Santiago along the Central route.
I am planning to walk the Primitivo next year and am considering treating myself to a new backpack. I have heard that the stages are probably longer on the Primitivo due to the climbs/ descents and less frequent accommodation options.
I an considering the Osprey Atmos 65 to allow for more substantial wet-weather gear and carrying food and a lightweight tent to give myself options to free camp.i would be interested in any advice around this.
I am used to packing light but have always walked Caminos with a better infrastructure. I am no spring-chicken and want to walk the 'tougher' Caminos without being forced into long stages.
Thanks in advance

I don’t think you need a 65 L. I carried a light weight tent in a 48L, over 6 months ( so including all weathers). I’d say… go lighter

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I an considering the Osprey Atmos 65 to allow for more substantial wet-weather gear and carrying food and a lightweight tent to give myself options to free camp.i would be interested in any advice around this.

Also consider what I've called the old age tax where those of us backpackers who no longer can walk as fast have to carry more and thus walk even slower. Going lighter may mean you make it to town and thus don't have to bring a tent.

 

[Dieter G.]

36 liter Deuter pack. If it doesn’t fit in that, you’re carrying too much

With a 50 liter Osprey backpack you are of course more comfortable on the way, if you want to have a little more with you. Of course, you can also make a pilgrimage with a small backpack, but I would like to put my food and drink in/on the backpack and not carry it around with plastic bags!

 

[Pathfinder075]

I did the GR20 in my 30’s. If I were to try it again now (dodgy knees notwithstanding) I’d want a very small pack; and someone to carry it for me.

The route is spectacular. Whenever it got very difficult I found I was overtaken by a section of Legion recruits being encouraged along by a very shouty NCO.

I look forward to doing it, but carrying everything I need, I don't look forward to. It must be nice for people when they can walk and not expect pretty much everything to kill them.

I have to carry all my own food and all my own medication which runs to about 5kg or so. All in all when i walked in 2016 I had an 18kg pack. I suspect next year it will be over 20kg. But that's just the hand I got dealt.

 

[pepi]

36 liter Deuter pack. If it doesn’t fit in that, you’re carrying too much

Sizewise yes, except that all Deuter packs are too heavy themselves

 

[Dieter G.]

Sizewise yes, except that all Deuter packs are too heavy themselves

Good backpacks like Deuter are a bit heavy but very confortable to carry. I don't mind the 800 grams anymore.

Sizewise yes, except that all Deuter packs are too heavy themselves

Sizewise yes, except that all

 

[Dieter G.]

Sizewise yes, except that all Deuter packs are too heavy themselves

WELL produced backpacks like from Deuter or Osprey or other brands are a bit heavy, but very comfortable to carry. I don't mind the 800 grams any more.

 

[pepi]

WELL produced backpacks like from Deuter or Osprey or other brands are a bit heavy, but very comfortable to carry. I don't mind the 800 grams any more.

You are right, @Dieter G, but then, it's a bit like cameras and the saying: "The best is the one that you have with you". My Deuter 40+10 is a lovely rucksack that will last longer than I will, but after schlepping it's 1'600 kg on 2 CF's, I chose one that weighs half on the 4 Caminos that followed: What does good quality serve when it remains in the attic?

I will use it again on my next one though when I'll have it forwarded all along due to my increasing age.

 

[Dieter G.]

You are right, @Dieter G, but then, it's a bit like cameras and the saying: "The best is the one that you have with you". My Deuter 40+10 is a lovely rucksack that will last longer than I will, but after schlepping it's 1'600 kg on 2 CF's, I chose one that weighs half on the 4 Caminos that followed: What does good quality serve when it remains in the attic?

I will use it again on my next one though when I'll have it forwarded all along due to my increasing age.

I understand that! However, I don't mind carrying 1 kilo more comfortably. I just don't like the light backpacks. Weight is being saved everywhere. The biggest weight-saving potential is in the padding of the shoulder straps and the hip belt. And I attach great importance to that.

 

[Peter-H]

Hi, whilst I don't consider myself an experienced backpacker, I have had some Camino experience - I walked SJPDP to Santiago in 2016, Roncesvalles to Burgos in 2017 and have just returned from walking Porto to Santiago along the Central route.
I am planning to walk the Primitivo next year and am considering treating myself to a new backpack. I have heard that the stages are probably longer on the Primitivo due to the climbs/ descents and less frequent accommodation options.
I an considering the Osprey Atmos 65 to allow for more substantial wet-weather gear and carrying food and a lightweight tent to give myself options to free camp.i would be interested in any advice around this.
I am used to packing light but have always walked Caminos with a better infrastructure. I am no spring-chicken and want to walk the 'tougher' Caminos without being forced into long stages.
Thanks in advance

First point, your choice of an Osprey is spot-on.
By way of comparison I use an Osprey Volt 75 for 10 day off-track hiking and it caters for everything. The Atmos 65 should therefore be plenty big enough for the additional gear you refer to. Maybe a little on the large side and you may need to resist the temptation to carry that bit extra.
I am planning a camino next year (postponed from 2020!) and I have purchased an Osprey Kestrel 48 for the trip. I have done 'trial packs' and it is fine. I include rain gear but with minimal food and no tent, stove, etc. Good luck with it.

 

[Dieter G.]

First point, your choice of an Osprey is spot-on.
By way of comparison I use an Osprey Volt 75 for 10 day off-track hiking and it caters for everything. The Atmos 65 should therefore be plenty big enough for the additional gear you refer to. Maybe a little on the large side and you may need to resist the temptation to carry that bit extra.
I am planning a camino next year (postponed from 2020!) and I have purchased an Osprey Kestrel 48 for the trip. I have done 'trial packs' and it is fine. I include rain gear but with minimal food and no tent, stove, etc. Good luck with it.

I think you made a good choice with the 48 L backpack!

 

[Karl Oz]

36 liter Deuter pack. If it doesn’t fit in that, you’re carrying too much

38 litre Osprey for me, and more than sufficient, but I'm not carrying a tent so that is a factor.

 

[pepi]

38 litre Osprey for me, and more than sufficient, but I'm not carrying a tent so that is a factor.

The numerous posts on here about taking tents along the Camino may give newbies a wrong impression. It should be said that only a tiny minority of pilgrims carry tents and that of these again an even tinier minority actually spend nights in them.
There are only a few camping sites along the major routes and "wild Camping" is not permitted in Spain.
The absolute majority of pilgrims takes advantage of the unique infrastructure of affordable accommodations in albergues along the Caminos.

 

[Pathfinder075]

The numerous posts on here about taking tents along the Camino may give newbies a wrong impression. It should be said that only a tiny minority of pilgrims carry tents and that of these again an even tinier minority actually spend nights in them.
There are only a few camping sites along the major routes and "wild Camping" is not permitted in Spain.

That's brilliant if you are carrying a tent but don't really need to. But what if you have to because you medically can not stay in an albergue? Life threatening food allergies along with potential triggers on all vectors, ie, consumption, inhalation and touch, being the obvious example. That's what I suffer from. That is simply why I can't go near any restaurants/cafes and can never eat food unless I cooked it from ingredients i know are safe. For the same reason spending time in albergues is a bit like Russian roulette. Albeit my example is at the more extreme end.

Camping for me is a necessity if I want to be a pilgrim and walk. I suspect others must exist who have similar problems to me. Not everyone is of perfect or near perfect health.

For the others, yes, I agree you probably don't need a tent, in fact I wouldn't carry more than a bivvy bag. The lightweight 1kg or less type would suffice. It is there for those times when you can't find shelter or maybe you are walking across a mountain and the cloud drops and you have a complete loss of visibility that requires you to hunker down for a couple of hours or overnight. When I first walked their were stories about people sleeping in fields in the summer when the Frances was really busy, but wasn't sure if this was just tall tales told to newbies. Obviously if this does happen, having a lightweight waterproof covering you could use if you were unable to find affordable accommodation, could be seen as a boon, especially if it weighs very little.

 

[beatrizbunger]

Yes with Cpap for my husband, having to take Coeliac friendly food for him, and both us of needing to take 6 weeks of medication, a smaller pack isn't possible. But on the bright side, I use my medications up as I go, so by the time I finish, a lot less stuff.

Hi. I live in Spain and have to avoid gluten too. You ca find many gluten free foods in any midsize supermarket. I plan to buy there in my Camino. If you need something special don’t doubt to ask me.

 

[Former member 94614]

That's brilliant if you are carrying a tent but don't really need to. But what if you have to because you medically can not stay in an albergue? Life threatening food allergies along with potential triggers on all vectors, ie, consumption, inhalation and touch, being the obvious example. That's what I suffer from. That is simply why I can't go near any restaurants/cafes and can never eat food unless I cooked it from ingredients i know are safe. For the same reason spending time in albergues is a bit like Russian roulette. Albeit my example is at the more extreme end.

Camping for me is a necessity if I want to be a pilgrim and walk. I suspect others must exist who have similar problems to me. Not everyone is of perfect or near perfect health.

For the others, yes, I agree you probably don't need a tent, in fact I wouldn't carry more than a bivvy bag. The lightweight 1kg or less type would suffice. It is there for those times when you can't find shelter or maybe you are walking across a mountain and the cloud drops and you have a complete loss of visibility that requires you to hunker down for a couple of hours or overnight. When I first walked their were stories about people sleeping in fields in the summer when the Frances was really busy, but wasn't sure if this was just tall tales told to newbies. Obviously if this does happen, having a lightweight waterproof covering you could use if you were unable to find affordable accommodation, could be seen as a boon, especially if it weighs very little.

this is the boat i'm in and will take a bivy or tent next time. so have you camped on one of the caminos?

 

[dick bird]

Hi, whilst I don't consider myself an experienced backpacker, I have had some Camino experience - I walked SJPDP to Santiago in 2016, Roncesvalles to Burgos in 2017 and have just returned from walking Porto to Santiago along the Central route.
I am planning to walk the Primitivo next year and am considering treating myself to a new backpack. I have heard that the stages are probably longer on the Primitivo due to the climbs/ descents and less frequent accommodation options.
I an considering the Osprey Atmos 65 to allow for more substantial wet-weather gear and carrying food and a lightweight tent to give myself options to free camp.i would be interested in any advice around this.
I am used to packing light but have always walked Caminos with a better infrastructure. I am no spring-chicken and want to walk the 'tougher' Caminos without being forced into long stages.
Thanks in advance

Most pilgrims (including me) would consider 65 lt much larger than necessary. It's not the volume, it's the weight. If you are unsure about your physical resilience, maybe think twice before adding to the weight you plan to carry every day. In your case that would comprise a tent, warm sleeping bag, overnight food and water plus stove and cooking utensils. That would come to a few kilos however lightweight your gear, and this just to have the option to camp. How often do you calculate you will need that option?

I walked the Primitivo at 63 and reckon I could easily do it again at 70. The stages are longer but the Primitivo is no longer a remote route. There is infrastructure and the ascents and descents are not that severe. The longest stage was over the Hospitales. It isn't steep but it is not a place to camp, being windswept, open moorland (and there is an alternative route).

Do some research and figure out the stage lengths and inclines (Gronze would be the best website for that) and decide if the stages are manageable and decide whether you want to carry all that extra weight you will probably never use.

As for the backpack, Osprey are reputable, better to have too much space than too little, and you could always use it for overnight hikes later.

Buen camino

 

[VNwalking]

If it doesn’t fit in that, you’re carrying too much

My husband took a 30 litre Deuter and I took a 26 Litre.plenty of room if you pack carefully

Please don't assume your individual circumstances are the same as someone else's.
I could no more pack my camino stuff into a 26L pack than fly to the moon. And I'm not an over-packer.

I use a 45L pack and enjoy not having to cram everything in each day. There's a bit of space - and leaving that space empty is just a matter of discipline. No problemo!

 

[dougfitz]

Please don't assume your individual circumstances are the same as someone else's.

When I have hinted from time to time recently that in any discussion like this, context factors like an individuals height and weight, and the time of year they walked are needed, the only person I recall revealing theirs was @Anniesantiago. I now forget the details, other than what she revealed showed that she was within a smidgen of being the average height and weight for a woman from the US. More, she uses packs that, in my view, are entirely consistent with that.

Others can only make a useful assessment on this matter if either they are close in size, or can effectively extrapolate from the information that has been given. I am sure there will always be outliers here, but in the main there are pretty standard ways of finding out what pack size you might expect to need.

While volume requirements will change a little depending on season and what one packs, there is more potential for pack base weights to reduce as materials technology advances, and stronger, lighter fabrics become more common. Some of this technology is still quite expensive, and perhaps still beyond the budget of many pilgrims. I expect that will change as more mainstream manufacturers use these newer materials in their packs. As an example, I have been using a 60 li pack made by Osprey that weighs less than a kilogram. that's less than half of what the slightly larger Osprey pack I used on the S:t Olavsleden a couple of years ago weighs. It's less comfortable at higher weights than the Deuter Guide 45+ I have used on past caminos and the other Osprey pack I used Sweden and Norway, but was a reasonable choice this year on the CP, where one doesn't need to carry much more than snacks for the day.

We have a lot to thank the lightweight and ultra-lightweight long distance trekking community for here.