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70L pack overkill?

tabibito

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
Camino del Norte June 20 (2018) Irun to Santiago
Hi There! Starting my (first) Camino next month from Irun. I'm 194cm x 96kg and chose the Osprey Farpoint 70L pack as it was long enough to fit my Leki walking poles and all my other stuff too. That said, I've been reading a lot of posts and everyone seems to be carrying a 35-45L pack. I've weighed my pack with all my stuff and it's coming in under 10kg so weight isn't an issue per se. Any advice?
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
Hi! Have you done some trial walks with it fully loaded? Are you comfortable carrying that weight, bearing in mind you'll have to walk with it every day, day after day?
I think a lot of other pilgrims carry 10kgs....
It seems very heavy to me but then we are not the same size or weight ;-)
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
If it works for you that's all that really matters.

I'm maybe 12cm shorter than you and for me it would be too big. I carried a 45-55L and for me that was great, perfectly comfortable and I didn't have to pack too carefully to fit everything in each morning.

I guess the one thing to be wary of would be your pack being too empty and items shifting as you walk, I can imagine that getting annoying pretty quickly.

Buen Camino,

Rob.
 
I have a 50 L. But never stuff it. But have used it for other "regular vacation " where I did need the extra space. They are expensive so think about what you would use it for. Just the Camino(s) or other trips. I only carry 8 kilo's during my Camino's and love my pack. so like someone else said. If that pack feels good to you , why not. My son who is about your size had a 55 L pack.
 
I used one that size but I took it to do backpacking in the Pyrenees too. It was comfortable and had plenty of places to put things to keep handy.

Fill it with water bottles and you don't have to worry about a grab and run theft.
 
Very light, comfortable and compressible poncho. Specially designed for protection against water for any activity.

Our Atmospheric H30 poncho offers lightness and waterproofness. Easily compressible and made with our Waterproof fabric, its heat-sealed interior seams guarantee its waterproofness. Includes carrying bag.

€60,-
Hi There! Starting my (first) Camino next month from Irun. I'm 194cm x 96kg and chose the Osprey Farpoint 70L pack as it was long enough to fit my Leki walking poles and all my other stuff too. That said, I've been reading a lot of posts and everyone seems to be carrying a 35-45L pack. I've weighed my pack with all my stuff and it's coming in under 10kg so weight isn't an issue per se. Any advice?
Save money. Use it. Just don't fill it...
 
My opinion...the 10 kgs sounds ok as a starter. My guess is that you will immediately start eliminating stuff you thought “was really good to have along.” However, the size of the pack would worry me because IF it is not full (and at that size it shouldn’t be!) your load will lie low in the pack and that is not where you want it. It will be an invitation to back and hip problems. Best is to have the weight up high. That’s why a smaller pack actually works better. Just my experience.
 
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While it sounds huge at first glance, 70 liters is only 35 liters if you fill it half-way. I understand the desire to economize, as you will use the pack for other, non-Camino, activities, like traveling. However, you have to adopt a very rigid discipline to avoid accumulating things that individually weigh "almost nothing."

Hundreds of the forum members can tell you stories of items weighing 'almost nothing' that contributed to a overly heavy pack. We have all fallen prey to this gremlin, myself included...several times.

One of the reasons the 'sweet spot' for a Camino pack in the 30 - 40 liter range is the relationship between packing your gear very tightly and weight or mass. Fellow member 'Dougfitz' has established a mathematical model to equate weight to volume. He is actually very accurate. Search for his articles on rucksack or backpack weight. I consider him the resident expert at packing and pack size.

Personally, I started six years ago, with an Osprey Kestrel 48 liter rucksack. Now, after five learning attempt and as many Caminos, this year I used my new Osprey Kestrel 38 liter bag. The intentionally smaller volume bag, with no 'dangly bits' outside, forces me to economize on packing. It actually worked.

Another reason for this preference is the simple fact the 30 - 40 liter packs can usually be carried onto an airplane, especially if it is not over-stuffed. Sharp items like knives and metal tipped hiking poles must still be checked. But that can be facilitated by using an small, inexpensive folding duffle bag to check restricted items. Get a sturdy cardboard shipping tube from a stationery store to put your poles into. Or, the airline will provide some container or another.

Personally, I choose to check my rucksack in a large brightly colored nylon laundry bag. This way, the laundry bag takes all the handling bruises and the rucksack remains intact. I carry on personal electronics, expensive items, all valuables, and my medications. In six trips for a Camino it has worked well every time.

Finally, if you still intend to use this large(ish) rucksack, do have a viable Plan B to ship surplus to needs items ahead to Santiago. Ivar, who runs this forum, has this service. I virtually guarantee that at some point you will decide that you do not need this or that, or you will question bringing some item. Search here in the Forum. Alternatively, you can use the Correos (post office) in Spain to ship your excess items ahead to the main post office on Rua Franco in Santiago.

Here is a link to a good hread discussing Ivar's service:

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/luggage-storage-questions.45692/#post-483458

Here is a good link to the appropriate Correos page (in English):

http://www.elcaminoconcorreos.com/en/

I hope this helps.
 
I am right at 2 meters and 110 k and found the 48 liter Bergen’s of Norway pack to be long enough for me. Bought it off of EBay last year. Haven’t walked the Camino yet ( Sept/Oct coming up) but have packed and carried if for 10 mile hikes. Relatively inexpensive, so you might want to give it a look/ see.
 
Very light, comfortable and compressible poncho. Specially designed for protection against water for any activity.

Our Atmospheric H30 poncho offers lightness and waterproofness. Easily compressible and made with our Waterproof fabric, its heat-sealed interior seams guarantee its waterproofness. Includes carrying bag.

€60,-
I stay below 50L to use it as a carry on, if that is your intention.
Hi There! Starting my (first) Camino next month from Irun. I'm 194cm x 96kg and chose the Osprey Farpoint 70L pack as it was long enough to fit my Leki walking poles and all my other stuff too. That said, I've been reading a lot of posts and everyone seems to be carrying a 35-45L pack. I've weighed my pack with all my stuff and it's coming in under 10kg so weight isn't an issue per se. Any advice?
 
Hi There! Starting my (first) Camino next month from Irun. I'm 194cm x 96kg and chose the Osprey Farpoint 70L pack as it was long enough to fit my Leki walking poles and all my other stuff too. That said, I've been reading a lot of posts and everyone seems to be carrying a 35-45L pack. I've weighed my pack with all my stuff and it's coming in under 10kg so weight isn't an issue per se. Any advice?

I too purchased a 70l pack for my trip nd currently am in Pamplona. My pack is completely filled and definitely wish it was lighter. I think the size of the pack works well and also enjoyed having room for my poles when flying but definitely wish I left so of my "essentials behind. After 15K days it's more then I think is necessary
 
Hi There! Starting my (first) Camino next month from Irun. I'm 194cm x 96kg and chose the Osprey Farpoint 70L pack as it was long enough to fit my Leki walking poles and all my other stuff too.

Bear in mind that the 70L includes the day pack, which is 13L - so the pack is 'only' 57L. I have the Osprey Farpoint 55L (42L for the big pack) but I use it for regular travel and not for hiking as it's not designed for that. On Camino, I take a 35L North Face pack.
 
Very light, comfortable and compressible poncho. Specially designed for protection against water for any activity.

Our Atmospheric H30 poncho offers lightness and waterproofness. Easily compressible and made with our Waterproof fabric, its heat-sealed interior seams guarantee its waterproofness. Includes carrying bag.

€60,-
The Farpoint is classified as a "travel" backpack, so I'm not sure that it would be the best choice to carry for hours and hours each day. It's also huge, and a bit heavy at 1.78 kg.

Tend to agree sadly. It' s more of a travel pack than a hiking pack. Does it have a frame and hip belt?
 
Hi There! Starting my (first) Camino next month from Irun. I'm 194cm x 96kg and chose the Osprey Farpoint 70L pack as it was long enough to fit my Leki walking poles and all my other stuff too. That said, I've been reading a lot of posts and everyone seems to be carrying a 35-45L pack. I've weighed my pack with all my stuff and it's coming in under 10kg so weight isn't an issue per se. Any advice?

Tabibito, as others have commented here, the Farpoint is a travel pack, not a hiking pack - a very different beast. It's designed for people just needing to walk from transport to accommodation rather than walking all day. Apart from the size (and many people do hike with large packs), the pack is not structured for multi-day hiking. It might be big enough to pack away your poles when travelling, but it is missing a number of useful features a hiking pack would have - including side pockets to hold water bottles, and/or an internal space for a water reservoir, pole loops for stowing your poles if you're not using them all the time while walking, and in general the shape. Have you tried hiking with it? The best way to judge would be to pack it with what you plan to take, then wear it for some consecutive day training hikes, over varied terrain (including hills and rough ground), for several hours at a time. If it seems super-comfortable then take it - but your pack is one of the most important pieces of equipment for a long walk and anything less than super comfortable is quickly going to become a pain - in more ways than one!

If you do decide it isn't the right pack for you, you should be able to return and exchange it.

Good luck and Buen Camino!
 
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Up to you, but I can tell you i carried a 70L Osprey Either on my Camino Frances starting in Pamplona to Santiago (43) days. I selected the 70L because I needed to carry a CPAP and it filled up my pack and total pack weight was 38 pounds. Oh yes it was way to much as I learned on the trail. I would never tell someone what works for them but I learned that 70L was not for me walking that much each day. I now use an Osprey 48 L Exos lite weight pack @ 2 pounds. Best of luck to you. Oh I am 6 ft 2 inch 325 pounds so I am carrying way to much weight even before the pack.
 
While it sounds huge at first glance, 70 liters is only 35 liters if you fill it half-way. I understand the desire to economize, as you will use the pack for other, non-Camino, activities, like traveling. However, you have to adopt a very rigid discipline to avoid accumulating things that individually weigh "almost nothing."

Hundreds of the forum members can tell you stories of items weighing 'almost nothing' that contributed to a overly heavy pack. We have all fallen prey to this gremlin, myself included...several times.

One of the reasons the 'sweet spot' for a Camino pack in the 30 - 40 liter range is the relationship between packing your gear very tightly and weight or mass. Fellow member 'Dougfitz' has established a mathematical model to equate weight to volume. He is actually very accurate. Search for his articles on rucksack or backpack weight. I consider him the resident expert at packing and pack size.

Personally, I started six years ago, with an Osprey Kestrel 48 liter rucksack. Now, after five learning attempt and as many Caminos, this year I used my new Osprey Kestrel 38 liter bag. The intentionally smaller volume bag, with no 'dangly bits' outside, forces me to economize on packing. It actually worked.

Another reason for this preference is the simple fact the 30 - 40 liter packs can usually be carried onto an airplane, especially if it is not over-stuffed. Sharp items like knives and metal tipped hiking poles must still be checked. But that can be facilitated by using an small, inexpensive folding duffle bag to check restricted items. Get a sturdy cardboard shipping tube from a stationery store to put your poles into. Or, the airline will provide some container or another.

Personally, I choose to check my rucksack in a large brightly colored nylon laundry bag. This way, the laundry bag takes all the handling bruises and the rucksack remains intact. I carry on personal electronics, expensive items, all valuables, and my medications. In six trips for a Camino it has worked well every time.

Finally, if you still intend to use this large(ish) rucksack, do have a viable Plan B to ship surplus to needs items ahead to Santiago. Ivar, who runs this forum, has this service. I virtually guarantee that at some point you will decide that you do not need this or that, or you will question bringing some item. Search here in the Forum. Alternatively, you can use the Correos (post office) in Spain to ship your excess items ahead to the main post office on Rua Franco in Santiago.

Here is a link to a good hread discussing Ivar's service:

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/luggage-storage-questions.45692/#post-483458

Here is a good link to the appropriate Correos page (in English):

http://www.elcaminoconcorreos.com/en/

I hope this helps.
Your advice is spot on. There is a real risk of taking on more stuff as you go since you have all that extra room in the pack. But, if you’re disciplined about it you certainly can do it. The one thing about a pack that is sized for the load you’re carrying is that it may carry better than a way oversized pack. Things won’t be shifting around on you. In the whole scheme of things, a backpack is not a huge expense as a percentage of the total you’ll be spending on your Camino. My vote is for getting a pack sized for the load you’ll be carrying. For me that was a 36l Osprey Stratus. I’ll be taking the same pack next year when I walk my second Camino.
 
I have that pack - it’s a good one. I use it when traveling, and when fully packed I find it a tough slog (much as I like it for travel). However, half-full it might work out. I’d put your stuff in it and give it a try.

I used an Aarn Mountain Magic on the Camino, which was a good choice for me. Before I left, I had put all my stuff in another 34-liter pack (also more of a ‘travel’ hybrid) and practiced a bit, and decided that having weight in front and in back would be a big benefit.

However, I saw a ton of mid-sized traditional backpacks that looked like they were well-designed, and a ton of people in average shape bearing them just fine all the way to Santiago.
 
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Hi There! Starting my (first) Camino next month from Irun. I'm 194cm x 96kg and chose the Osprey Farpoint 70L pack as it was long enough to fit my Leki walking poles and all my other stuff too. That said, I've been reading a lot of posts and everyone seems to be carrying a 35-45L pack. I've weighed my pack with all my stuff and it's coming in under 10kg so weight isn't an issue per se. Any advice?
Hi, last year I walked the first 260kms of the Le Puy route with an Osprey Stratos 36l sack, with 10kgs of gear. This year I will walk the remaining 500kms and I aim to get my pack weight down to 5kgs or less. Be meticulous and disciplined about your bag contents, as others will recommend after the first 3 days your hips and shoulders will be thankful that you limited your pack weight. And there are plenty of shops en route where you can buy essentials.
Good luck and buen camino
 
I have a 70L as well but I never fill it. Max weight I've had in it is 17 kgs so lots of free space.

Also, it's deep enough for my poles so I can get them into the cargo hold and NOT have them refused to carry on as cabin luggage which would mean I'd have to leave them behind or pay extra - I don't do the pay for poles thing.

I don't buy a new rucksack to fit the hike/walk I just use the one I've had for a few years now.

It may one day come in handy to have a bit of free space to help someone else.
 
Hi There! Starting my (first) Camino next month from Irun. I'm 194cm x 96kg and chose the Osprey Farpoint 70L pack as it was long enough to fit my Leki walking poles and all my other stuff too. That said, I've been reading a lot of posts and everyone seems to be carrying a 35-45L pack. I've weighed my pack with all my stuff and it's coming in under 10kg so weight isn't an issue per se. Any advice?
Go light. You will be carrying this for weeks!
 
Down bag (90/10 duvet) of 700 fills with 180 g (6.34 ounces) of filling. Mummy-shaped structure, ideal when you are looking for lightness with great heating performance.

€149,-
Most people will give advice for lightweight packs and they are right for them but I’m offering you a different take in this topic.

I have an Osprey 55 and I bought it after watching the Osprey company videos designed to educate people who sell Osprey packs and then visiting REI and a few smaller shops to test out different packs at different weights. All outdoor shops have weights and you can try the various packs with them.

What I learned is that it is fact that the larger packs provide more support and give you many more options to control the placement of weight. I had had surgery on my hip area two months before my Camino so I needed the ability to adjust where I carried the weight as well as more support for that weight.

The actual weight you put in the pack is 100% about what feels comfortable to you - not anyone else...so put what you want in there, practice at home (climbing both up and down hill) and adjust as you need to or want to.

Non-Camino hikers routinely carry much more weight than Camino hikers. My husband did an Alaska trek in which he carried 50 pounds along mountain trails. We are now home from our Camino and happy we have larger packs as we want to do portions of the PCT so will need to carry tents, food, etc. The larger Ospreys are designed to do this comfortably so are not only a better investment for the future but generally out perform the smaller packs with smaller weights and lastly, provide many options for adjustment of the weight.

Buen Camino
 
My turn?

70L is overkill, X2. 10kg is overkill, for me, X2.

The perfect backpack is no backpack. That not being feasible, start with a list of items, only needs, not wants. If there is 3 of anything, drop it to 2. If some things have been doubled up but you can make due with one, drop the extras. It is not impossible to achieve and 5 kg pack but is usually involves a smaller pack.

Pack options can include something not as structured as an Osprey Farpoint. With less weignt come fewer demands on the body to carry much more than itself. With fewer vertical demands on the body, it can apply its energy toward horizonatl action more efficiently. It is all physics and math. Perhaps a pack that can be folded up to pocket size may have sufficient features and can drop pack only weight by as much as 1 kg, alone? I know there are some as large as 40L.

Hope this helps.
 
Bear in mind that the 70L includes the day pack, which is 13L - so the pack is 'only' 57L. I have the Osprey Farpoint 55L (42L for the big pack) but I use it for regular travel and not for hiking as it's not designed for that. On Camino, I take a 35L North Face pack.
Ditch the big one: take the day pack. I took a 16 litre Osprey. It was stuffed put adequate. I was carrying two pounds of meds [including special meal supplements] along with my clothes etc.
 
Very light, comfortable and compressible poncho. Specially designed for protection against water for any activity.

Our Atmospheric H30 poncho offers lightness and waterproofness. Easily compressible and made with our Waterproof fabric, its heat-sealed interior seams guarantee its waterproofness. Includes carrying bag.

€60,-
Hi There! Starting my (first) Camino next month from Irun. I'm 194cm x 96kg and chose the Osprey Farpoint 70L pack as it was long enough to fit my Leki walking poles and all my other stuff too. That said, I've been reading a lot of posts and everyone seems to be carrying a 35-45L pack. I've weighed my pack with all my stuff and it's coming in under 10kg so weight isn't an issue per se. Any advice?
I have the Farpoint as well. Good travel pack but the hip belt is not as good as the Osprey hiking packs. My wife and I have only walked in 3 week bursts and carried WAY to much (15kgs in my case) with an Osprey Aether. 10 kgs is a good start ...
 
I too purchased a 70l pack for my trip nd currently am in Pamplona. My pack is completely filled and definitely wish it was lighter. I think the size of the pack works well and also enjoyed having room for my poles when flying but definitely wish I left so of my "essentials behind. After 15K days it's more then I think is necessary

I carry a 28L pack and I clearly recall spending my evening in Pamplona cutting tags off underwear and packing my first shipment for home.
 
Sounds HUGE to me. I’m carrying a 28L pack this year and carried 30L on the Camino for over 10 years. Whatcha bringing? The kitchen sink? :p
Jajajajaja. After reading all these helpful posts I shaved off two more kilos. Now down to about 8.5kg total. Although I'm going to miss my kitchen sink me thinks. :p
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
Tabibito, as others have commented here, the Farpoint is a travel pack, not a hiking pack - a very different beast. It's designed for people just needing to walk from transport to accommodation rather than walking all day. Apart from the size (and many people do hike with large packs), the pack is not structured for multi-day hiking. It might be big enough to pack away your poles when travelling, but it is missing a number of useful features a hiking pack would have - including side pockets to hold water bottles, and/or an internal space for a water reservoir, pole loops for stowing your poles if you're not using them all the time while walking, and in general the shape. Have you tried hiking with it? The best way to judge would be to pack it with what you plan to take, then wear it for some consecutive day training hikes, over varied terrain (including hills and rough ground), for several hours at a time. If it seems super-comfortable then take it - but your pack is one of the most important pieces of equipment for a long walk and anything less than super comfortable is quickly going to become a pain - in more ways than one!

If you do decide it isn't the right pack for you, you should be able to return and exchange it.

Good luck and Buen Camino!
Thanks GT for your insightful post. I have done a few trial hikes/walks (25km) with an Osprey 80L and the size wasn't an issue. That said, a few 25km walks does not a Camino make. I've got a small Eagle Creek fanny pack which I wear in front with two 350ml water bottles as well (plus another 500ml inside my Osprey). I've been training for about two months now and on walks/hikes longer than 20km I feel about the same (tired and wondering why I decided to do this...hahaha) whether I have a pack or not.....but I'm getting better each time. I'm actually doing an around the world trip Tokyo-Kuala Lumpur-Bangkok-Zurich-London-Camino-Gran Canaria-Barcelona-New York-Los Angeles-Tokyo and thus the 70L Farpoint. I guess I'm just going to have to find out whether I made the right decision after my Camino. Cheers!
 
Tend to agree sadly. It' s more of a travel pack than a hiking pack. Does it have a frame and hip belt?
It does have a frame and hip belt. I'm going to do some more practice walks this week with it fully packed and see how it (and me) performs. :)
 

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Most people will give advice for lightweight packs and they are right for them but I’m offering you a different take in this topic.

I have an Osprey 55 and I bought it after watching the Osprey company videos designed to educate people who sell Osprey packs and then visiting REI and a few smaller shops to test out different packs at different weights. All outdoor shops have weights and you can try the various packs with them.

What I learned is that it is fact that the larger packs provide more support and give you many more options to control the placement of weight. I had had surgery on my hip area two months before my Camino so I needed the ability to adjust where I carried the weight as well as more support for that weight.

The actual weight you put in the pack is 100% about what feels comfortable to you - not anyone else...so put what you want in there, practice at home (climbing both up and down hill) and adjust as you need to or want to.

Non-Camino hikers routinely carry much more weight than Camino hikers. My husband did an Alaska trek in which he carried 50 pounds along mountain trails. We are now home from our Camino and happy we have larger packs as we want to do portions of the PCT so will need to carry tents, food, etc. The larger Ospreys are designed to do this comfortably so are not only a better investment for the future but generally out perform the smaller packs with smaller weights and lastly, provide many options for adjustment of the weight.

Buen Camino
Muchas Gracias for your message. :)
 
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Most people will give advice for lightweight packs and they are right for them but I’m offering you a different take in this topic.

I have an Osprey 55 and I bought it after watching the Osprey company videos designed to educate people who sell Osprey packs and then visiting REI and a few smaller shops to test out different packs at different weights. All outdoor shops have weights and you can try the various packs with them.

What I learned is that it is fact that the larger packs provide more support and give you many more options to control the placement of weight. I had had surgery on my hip area two months before my Camino so I needed the ability to adjust where I carried the weight as well as more support for that weight.

The actual weight you put in the pack is 100% about what feels comfortable to you - not anyone else...so put what you want in there, practice at home (climbing both up and down hill) and adjust as you need to or want to.

Non-Camino hikers routinely carry much more weight than Camino hikers. My husband did an Alaska trek in which he carried 50 pounds along mountain trails. We are now home from our Camino and happy we have larger packs as we want to do portions of the PCT so will need to carry tents, food, etc. The larger Ospreys are designed to do this comfortably so are not only a better investment for the future but generally out perform the smaller packs with smaller weights and lastly, provide many options for adjustment of the weight.

Buen Camino

Are you referring to the Ariel 55? It is a decent pack. I did a gear test for Osprey on the 'male' equivalent Aether AG. You are right, they are comfortable packs. :)

I will offer you a counterpoint to some of your thoughts. This comes from a perspective of a backpacking gear tester for manufacturers, as a backpacker with thousands of miles on the trails of the Sierras, Cascades, Olympics, and the Rockies. I've thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail and the Colorado Trail.

There is no meaningful equivalence between the weight of a pack and load carrying comfort or capacity. Yes, there are backpacks that are lightweight and designed to carry light loads, and there are heavy packs which will carry heavy loads comfortably.

What is also true is that these days, is that there are a lot of gear manufacturers who make comfortable, lightweight packs which can carry the same volume and weight of gear as heavier packs. For example if we go back to the Osprey Aether 60 backpack, its load carrying comfort spot tops out at around 45 pounds. It can carry more, but the harness and belt system of the pack begin to exert uncomfortable pressure to the shoulders and hips.

That Aether weighs in at around 5.25 pounds.

The Gossamer Gear Mariposa, for example, will carry the same size volume and weight as the Aether, is as comfortable and as adjustable, if not somewhat more so, but weighs in at less than 2 pounds. Why? Osprey, like Gregory, Deuter, Mystery Ranch (formerly Dana Designs), etc use materials and techniques that result in heavier, yet no more durable, backpacks.

And these manufacturers know this as they lose increasing numbers of sales to gear manufacturers producing much lighter equipment. In fact, if one looks at Osprey, for example, over the last three years, they have slowly evolved their lineup to include much lighter backpack options to try and stave off the competition.

The weight in a backpack is not a subjective measurement. In other words, 30 pounds of weight takes more effort to carry, regardless of ability to do so, than does 15 pounds. The ability to avoid injury, go further using less energy, avoid fatigue, and feel comfortable for long hours while walking or hiking is directly related to how heavy one's backpack is.

The less weight on one's body, the less stress on the back, knees, and feet; this can result in a dramatic difference in recovery time after a day of walking with a pack, and how well one feels to go out in the evening and enjoy walking through the town or village and see the sights in the area one is spending the night.

On the PCT, my pack's base weight (total gear weight without consumables like food and fuel) was 14 pounds. With an 8 day supply of food and fuel to get me to the next resupply point that total weight increased to 22 pounds; and as food and fuel was consumed daily, would drop every day.

I can tell anyone that I would much rather carry 22 pounds than 45 pounds any day.

Let me insert here that for the Camino my base pack weight is about 7.75 pounds. With water and snacks that goes up to about 9.8 pounds. (3.50 kg/4.8 kg).

I have no problem with people making decisions and choices for themselves about how much gear and weight to carry. I do think it is a mistake for us to give folks the impression that the amount of weight is of no consequence as long as there is short term comfort while carrying such, especially when there are many ways nowadays to lighten a load and still have the necessities for either backpacking or Camino.

Weight matters and the best load is the one that is the lightest.
 
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Hi There! Starting my (first) Camino next month from Irun. I'm 194cm x 96kg and chose the Osprey Farpoint 70L pack as it was long enough to fit my Leki walking poles and all my other stuff too. That said, I've been reading a lot of posts and everyone seems to be carrying a 35-45L pack. I've weighed my pack with all my stuff and it's coming in under 10kg so weight isn't an issue per se. Any advice?

My two bobs worth....

A70 l pack is only overkill if it tempts you to take 70 l of ‘stuff’....

If it is comfortable, take it rather than buy another smaller one. If you have walked with 10 kg in it and don’t feel comfortable, my suggestion would be to replace it.

Golden rule of the Camino - sort out your footwear and pack before you start!

I walked SJPP to Santiago with a 65 l pack carrying 12 - 13 kg, and had no problems at all.
 
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hell yes it's overkill. I did the camino with a 24 liter osprey pack that was not even full. You need a 70 liter if you are doing something like the pacific crest trail and have to carry all the food you will need for the next 50 - 100 miles. On the camino you don't need to carry any food, only some snacks if you want them. You are going to find somewhere to get what you need every 10 KM or so. You don't need a stove, you don't need pots and pans.
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
hell yes it's overkill. I did the camino with a 24 liter osprey pack that was not even full. You need a 70 liter if you are doing something like the pacific crest trail and have to carry all the food you will need for the next 50 - 100 miles. On the camino you don't need to carry any food, only some snacks if you want them. You are going to find somewhere to get what you need every 10 KM or so. You don't need a stove, you don't need pots and pans.

You are correct and I agree regarding equipment logistics. But, maybe or maybe not as to pack size. :) Let me explain where I am coming from.
If you are using a pack for both backpacking and Camino, then a 70 Liter pack is just fine. After all, it is not the size of the pack that determines the load, it is the knowledge and discipline of the pilgrim in what to bring or not bring.

For example, my Gossamer Gear Mariposa is expandable -- with collar extended -- to a 60 liter size. I have used it for thru-hiking the Colorado Trail (486 miles in the Rockies) and I use it on Camino. It weighs 862 grams compared to the 24 liter osprey Stratos, which weighs in at 1,020 grams. The only reason for me to purchase a smaller size backpack would be for either:
  1. Decreasing weight by a sufficient margin.
  2. Having a pack sized small enough to assure that I can use it as a carry-on for a flight.
As such, my Mariposa is lighter and it fits all the criteria for a carry-on for both domestic and international flights.

Another backpack that I have used and like is the ULA Ohm, which I used for part of my Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike. It has about 63 liters of volume and about the same weight as your Osprey, at 993 grams. I have also used it for carry-on.

However, if one is needing a backpack for just the Camino, then you are absolutely correct. The pack size can be customized to specific Camino needs, and that will generally be a smaller pack than one that is 40 liters in volume.

BTW, I use the Osprey Stratos 24 for my daily training hikes. I include a Platypus Big Zip, 2 liter sized water reservoir which fits nicely in the packs internal hydration sleeve. I really like the pack and think it is comfortable. I usually keep about a 12 pound load in it while training. I do hate the zippers on the pockets of the waist belt, though; they are harder to pull than they need to be. I use a combination of a zipper lubricant and silicone lubricant to help them out. Overall, it is a nice little pack. :)
 
While I may not be as tall as the OP (who is about 6 foot 4 inches) I am pretty wide. As a result my clothes are significantly bigger than many others. This seems to be a factor that no-one ever takes into account in these discussions. I simply couldn't fit my stuff into anything less than a 35l pack. I only take 2 pairs of shorts, 3 t-shirts, 3 pairs of socks etc. of which I'm wearing one set at any one time but then there's things like sleeping bag liners (XXL), towels (XXL), rain jackets (XXL) and flip flops (US size 14, EU 48), even socks that all take up a lot of room so even though I am toward the low end in terms of items packed the volume is considerable.

Compare this with one of my previous camino companions who was 6 inches shorter and less than half my weight and you have a situation where even though we have roughly the same items in our pack my kit was getting on fordouble the size of hers.

As such anyone saying pack light and you can manage with such and such a pack size is ignoring the fact that not everyone is the same.
 
My wife and I traveled the Camino last year, and, in addition, spent about six months wandering around Europe. I carried a 26 liter pack, about 15 pounds. She carried a 20 liter pack, about 11 pounds. We always had everything we needed and most importantly loved the freedom to wander at will. If no room at the inn we would just move on. No need to drop heavy burdens or find a place to dump our gear before exploring a town or going to dinner. Movement is life and light is best.
 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
At the risk of sounding like narrow-minded and dogmatic know-it-all, and notwithstanding that there are varied opinions about assorted topics regarding the Camino, there are some, truths including these two:

A 70L pack is way overkill--I think a previous comment called it x2. A 35-40L pack is far more sensible.

And 10 kg (20+ lbs) is significantly more than necessary, or, if you want to finish, desirable.

I walked the Frances in 2016 with a 40L Gregory and with 15 lbs. Starting again in about a week with a 38L pack and 13 lbs. And I could even shave another couple lbs off, and may between now and departure. Prior to the Camino, I have had a couple thousand miles of mountain backpacking over a number of years with a relatively heavy pack. But, the Camino is not wilderness backpacking. You could argue it's not even a trek or hike, but rather a leisurely walk.

Tabibito, the great thing about this forum is that you can get unvarnished advice from Camino veterans. My observation in my 2016 Camino was that the people I saw at the beginning of the Camino with heavy packs (or leather boots) was that I did not see them in Santiago, and in most cases didn't see them again after the first week (or less). Of course, one can carry 20 lbs in a big pack for 30-40 days, but the cumulative effect of that unnecessary weight is likely to impair your ability to complete as well your overall enjoyment.
 
At the risk of sounding like narrow-minded and dogmatic know-it-all, and notwithstanding that there are varied opinions about assorted topics regarding the Camino, there are some, truths including these two:

A 70L pack is way overkill--I think a previous comment called it x2. A 35-40L pack is far more sensible.

And 10 kg (20+ lbs) is significantly more than necessary, or, if you want to finish, desirable.

I walked the Frances in 2016 with a 40L Gregory and with 15 lbs. Starting again in about a week with a 38L pack and 13 lbs. And I could even shave another couple lbs off, and may between now and departure. Prior to the Camino, I have had a couple thousand miles of mountain backpacking over a number of years with a relatively heavy pack. But, the Camino is not wilderness backpacking. You could argue it's not even a trek or hike, but rather a leisurely walk.

Tabibito, the great thing about this forum is that you can get unvarnished advice from Camino veterans. My observation in my 2016 Camino was that the people I saw at the beginning of the Camino with heavy packs (or leather boots) was that I did not see them in Santiago, and in most cases didn't see them again after the first week (or less). Of course, one can carry 20 lbs in a big pack for 30-40 days, but the cumulative effect of that unnecessary weight is likely to impair your ability to complete as well your overall enjoyment.

I agree about the amount of weight being carried can affect one's performance and enjoyment of walking the Camino... or anywhere. In this specific case, as you have said, 10kg of weight (22 pounds) is a huge, honkin', hairy load for a Camino.

But I am just as concerned that the Osprey Farpoint is not the type of backpack I would want anyone to wear for carrying a load during long hours over multiple days and weeks. It is not designed for that purpose. That fact will be just as significant as the 10 kg weight load; and then when one combines the two factors --- a heavy weight, and a non backpacking pack --- then that becomes a compounded formula for discomfort and energy drain.

In general, and apart from this specific backpack in this thread --- Osprey Farpoint --- a 70 liter backpack for Camino use doesn't bother me. Given the right choice in gear, it can still be a base for an ultralight or lightweight total pack weight. Of course, a 70 liter backpack for the Camino might have a lot of leftover, empty space after being packed up. Though considered more pack than is needed for a Camino application, I can't say that, despite the 'overkill' that my advice would be for someone to spend more money to buy a new, smaller pack if they already owned a large backpack.
 
Just had a look at the Osprey Farpoint 70--it weighs 4 lbs. There are plenty of good 35-40L packs that weigh in at just over 2 lbs. So, a big pack is not just extra room, it's extra pounds as well. If I hadn't carried so much damn weight in my backpacking years--before the ultralight movement--I might think "what's the big deal about a couple pounds"? But, as many on this forum will attest, 2 lbs is a big deal when carried day after day for 500 miles. Regardless of perceived physical condition of a pilgrim, feet and knee issues can arise at any time. And I would surmise that each of us has a point in load bearing that could trigger a foot or knee problem. Actually, davebugg expressed it nicely in an earlier post in this thread:

"The weight in a backpack is not a subjective measurement. In other words, 30 pounds of weight takes more effort to carry, regardless of ability to do so, than does 15 pounds. The ability to avoid injury, go further using less energy, avoid fatigue, and feel comfortable for long hours while walking or hiking is directly related to how heavy one's backpack is.

The less weight on one's body, the less stress on the back, knees, and feet; this can result in a dramatic difference in recovery time after a day of walking with a pack, and how well one feels to go out in the evening and enjoy walking through the town or village and see the sights in the area one is spending the night."
 
St James' Way - Self-guided 4-7 day Walking Packages, Reading to Southampton, 110 kms
Just had a look at the Osprey Farpoint 70--it weighs 4 lbs. There are plenty of good 35-40L packs that weigh in at just over 2 lbs.

Quite right. :) In fact my Gossamer Gear Mariposa is a 60 Liter ( with collar extended, but when not extended the main bag is 40 Liters) weighs in under 2 pounds, and was exceedingly comfortable on my thru hike of the Colorado Trail at 22 pounds of total weight with 8 days of food and fuel between resupply points; it was an absolute joy at around 8.5 pounds base weight (10 pounds with water and snacks) on Camino. :cool:
 
Addendum: I should have added that the fifteen pounds I carried was the maximum I carried at any time and included food and water for the day, and later in the year a puffy jacket. My base weight on the Camino, which I carried in a NF Verto rucksack weighing 12 oz, was well under ten pounds.

If it would be of interest to anyone I would be glad to post my packing list. In my classes (which are about applied meditation) I've taught many people over the years to travel light. Too much weight can spoil a journey and lead to injury. In addition to physical weight the heaviest things to carry are prejudices and preconceptions. Traveling light, with little baggage and an open mind provides profound rewards.
 
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I agree about the amount of weight being carried can affect one's performance and enjoyment of walking the Camino... or anywhere. In this specific case, as you have said, 10kg of weight (22 pounds) is a huge, honkin', hairy load for a Camino.

But I am just as concerned that the Osprey Farpoint is not the type of backpack I would want anyone to wear for carrying a load during long hours over multiple days and weeks. It is not designed for that purpose. That fact will be just as significant as the 10 kg weight load; and then when one combines the two factors --- a heavy weight, and a non backpacking pack --- then that becomes a compounded formula for discomfort and energy drain.

In general, and apart from this specific backpack in this thread --- Osprey Farpoint --- a 70 liter backpack for Camino use doesn't bother me. Given the right choice in gear, it can still be a base for an ultralight or lightweight total pack weight. Of course, a 70 liter backpack for the Camino might have a lot of leftover, empty space after being packed up. Though considered more pack than is needed for a Camino application, I can't say that, despite the 'overkill' that my advice would be for someone to spend more money to buy a new, smaller pack if they already owned a large backpack.
Thanks for your reply. Quick question. Can you elaborate on why the Osprey Farpoint is not the type of backpack you would want to carry? Just for sake of discussion let's say I had an Osprey Exos 48L of 8kg total weight or the Osprey Farpoint 70L also at 8kg. Is the design of the straps, waist belt etc. between the two packs going to make a huge difference? and if so; what are those differences. My dilemma is that I really need the day pack which is offered on the Farpoint 70 but not on the other backpacking only type packs as I'm going to be traveling for 3 months. (7 weeks on the camino) and need the flexibility of checking in the Farpoint and detaching the day pack when flying or just a simple jaunt around town where I can leave the main pack in my room etc. This all being said, if the design aspects are going to be deal breakers (as in not being able to finish the camino) I'll buy a new pack.
I've done a few practice walks with a fully loaded Farpoint and it was heavy at 10kg so I shaved off 2kg and found it to be OK. I get the whole discussion on less is more weight-wise, but after all these great insights I'm still a bit confused as to why a certain pack design is better than others. Thanks!
 
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Hi, tabibito....
The frame, padding, shoulder harness and waist belt in the Farpoint are meant for light use. It is meant to be a backpack style equivalent of a soldier's duffle bag... only with a lot better organization capability.

With backpacking packs, there are also more fine adjustments to the shoulder harness in order to get the load of the pack more 'centered' to your back; the same for the waist belt adjustments. While the Farpoint has the ability to grossly adjust the fit, there are additional strap connections, like load lifters and belt tensioners, in regular backpacks that really fine-tune the fit.

As a travel pack goes, the Farpoint is a lot better than some. But it is designed to temporarily carry loads comfortably over shorter distances than is the case with the design of a regular hiking backpack which is designed for long days "in the saddle" for lots of days and weeks in a row. :).

There are any number of ultra light and strong daypacks which can be rolled up into the size of a softball and stored in a backpack. I use one from Sea To Summit which weighs in at around 1.5 ounces. I keep it in a corner of a side pocket on my backpack. At the end of the Camino day, it comes out of my backpack and is used to carry stuff around town.

8 kg of weight is a lot of weight. Perhaps, if you would like, forum members could help make suggestions to help pare that total weight down if you post a list of what you are bringing while walking Camino. I don't want to presume, but that is about the weight I would have with a 5 day food and fuel supply, clothing, sleeping gear, tent, etc while on a wilderness backpacking trip.

Things may be a bit confusing, but you are dealing with a learning curve while trying to keep track of a lot of details. I can dig that :).

Let us know how we can help; if needed, we are here for you, Pilgrim.
 
Thanks for your reply. Quick question. Can you elaborate on why the Osprey Farpoint is not the type of backpack you would want to carry? Just for sake of discussion let's say I had an Osprey Exos 48L of 8kg total weight or the Osprey Farpoint 70L also at 8kg. Is the design of the straps, waist belt etc. between the two packs going to make a huge difference? and if so; what are those differences. My dilemma is that I really need the day pack which is offered on the Farpoint 70 but not on the other backpacking only type packs as I'm going to be traveling for 3 months. (7 weeks on the camino) and need the flexibility of checking in the Farpoint and detaching the day pack when flying or just a simple jaunt around town where I can leave the main pack in my room etc. This all being said, if the design aspects are going to be deal breakers (as in not being able to finished the camino) I'll buy a new pack.
I've done a few practice walks with a fully loaded Farpoint and it was heavy at 10kg so I shaved off 2kg and found it to be OK. I get the whole discussion on less is more weight-wise, but after all these great insights I'm still a bit confused as to why a certain pack design is better than others. Thanks!
Since you will be doing other travel besides the Camino have you thought of a two bag solution? A proper backpacking backpack with your Camino things, and a small duffel or roller bag with you other travel clothing. You can mail the second bag to Santiago, where it will be waiting for you when you complete your Camino.
 
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I’m even more confused now , I’ve got an Osprey 50l Atmos AG and a 33l Talon, really don’t know which one to take on my Camino. Thankfully I’ve got a long time to try multi-walking with both
 
@tillyjones how do you do it with a 28l pack? I wonder what you take and don’t take??
 
I’m even more confused now , I’ve got an Osprey 50l Atmos AG and a 33l Talon, really don’t know which one to take on my Camino. Thankfully I’ve got a long time to try multi-walking with both

The Talon is about 1/2 the weight as your Atmos. The Talon is a comfortable pack, and with the large back mesh pocket it can carry a good volume of stuff, so I would guess that it would be a good Camino pack for you. Have you tried packing your Camino gear into the Talon?
 
Ideal sleeping bag liner whether we want to add a thermal plus to our bag, or if we want to use it alone to sleep in shelters or hostels. Thanks to its mummy shape, it adapts perfectly to our body.

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I’m even more confused now , I’ve got an Osprey 50l Atmos AG and a 33l Talon, really don’t know which one to take on my Camino. Thankfully I’ve got a long time to try multi-walking with both

In my humble opinion, simple....

Work out what you need to take and weight it.

Load up each backpack with either what you need to take, or an equivalent mass, and walk for 20 km with each backpack as part of your preparation.

Take the backpack that is the most comfortable and convenient (ability to contain your clothes, etc., and permit ready access).

Simple!
 
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The Talon is about 1/2 the weight as your Atmos. The Talon is a comfortable pack, and with the large back mesh pocket it can carry a good volume of stuff, so I would guess that it would be a good Camino pack for you. Have you tried packing your Camino gear into the Talon?

Not a complete packing exercise yet, I’m still researching ideas of what I need. My multiday walks to date have only ever been upto 7 days so often take a fair amount, including a tent but reading so many posts I’m working out what I’m going to slim down to
 
Not a complete packing exercise yet, I’m still researching ideas of what I need. My multiday walks to date have only ever been upto 7 days so often take a fair amount, including a tent but reading so many posts I’m working out what I’m going to slim down to

Are you planning on camping? If not, no tent needed, no mat or pad, and a very light sleeping quilt or bag liner.
Here's my packing list as an example. In grams, the pack weight is about 4 gm.

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€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.
Guys can I just say thank you. This is what the forum is about helping each other.

I can call upon all sorts of experience to help me with so many aspects of this Camino but over never walked for 35-40 days. And all my multiday experience is being self sufficient, so always in the past I’ve taken way more gear than your list.

Thanks guys really appreciate it
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
A plan has been hatched. I’m doing a 37 mile walk in 2 weeks, and a 60mile in 37 hour challenge next month, will test my Talon with a Camino load. I know both are more than a daily Camino walk but will give me a good idea.
 
Scrap that last question, is that the 60l Mariposa?

Yes, the Mariposa. My son uses the Gossamer Gear Gorilla which is a 40 liter. The Mariposa is a 60 Liter with the extension collar pulled up. With the collar down, it is a 40 liter. The load in the pack for Camino only took up about 2/3 of the main bag.

I also did some tiny modifications to the Mariposa which reduced its weight to 28 ounces.
 
Guys can I just say thank you. This is what the forum is about helping each other.

I can call upon all sorts of experience to help me with so many aspects of this Camino but over never walked for 35-40 days. And all my multiday experience is being self sufficient, so always in the past I’ve taken way more gear than your list.

Thanks guys really appreciate it

My gear list that I used for my Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike, about 5 months long, was about a 13.5 pound base weight, and around 22 pounds with an 8 day supply of food and fuel between resupply points.

I'm glad we can help out :)
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
Innovative to make your own adjustments. I’m more and more convinced my Talon 33l will be best suited.

Would you say just a sleeping bag liner would be enough for a sept start (finishing Oct 10ish) ??
 
@davebugg

I really like the idea of breaking up the packing list by "room", a great way of focussing the mind on the purpose of the items you're taking.
 
While I may not be as tall as the OP (who is about 6 foot 4 inches) I am pretty wide. As a result my clothes are significantly bigger than many others. This seems to be a factor that no-one ever takes into account in these discussions. I simply couldn't fit my stuff into anything less than a 35l pack. I only take 2 pairs of shorts, 3 t-shirts, 3 pairs of socks etc. of which I'm wearing one set at any one time but then there's things like sleeping bag liners (XXL), towels (XXL), rain jackets (XXL) and flip flops (US size 14, EU 48), even socks that all take up a lot of room so even though I am toward the low end in terms of items packed the volume is considerable.

Compare this with one of my previous camino companions who was 6 inches shorter and less than half my weight and you have a situation where even though we have roughly the same items in our pack my kit was getting on fordouble the size of hers.

As such anyone saying pack light and you can manage with such and such a pack size is ignoring the fact that not everyone is the same.

That is correct. Ian has two sets of clothing, I have three. I have a fleece, he doesn’t. His size 15 boots weigh 1.6kg. My total bag weight is 5.5kg, his is 8kg
 
A selection of Camino Jewellery
Innovative to make your own adjustments. I’m more and more convinced my Talon 33l will be best suited.

Would you say just a sleeping bag liner would be enough for a sept start (finishing Oct 10ish) ??

Someone who uses a liner may be able to better answer that question. I just purchased a sleeping quilt rated for 50 F which I will be taking this year. I start Camino from SJPdP on September 18, and am scheduled to fly back home on October 22.

Remember, that when indoors in an albergue, or other lodging, that you don't need a sleeping system that is rated to keep you as warm as if you were sleeping outside. Also, if you do find yourself a bit too cool during the night, you can add a layer of clothing to compensate. This all means that you can go much lighter with a sleeping cover than if you were backpacking in the wild.

And, if things were far colder than expected, there are outdoor stores where you can buy what is needed; no need to pack for a 'just in case'. :)
 
Thanks for your reply. Quick question. Can you elaborate on why the Osprey Farpoint is not the type of backpack you would want to carry? Just for sake of discussion let's say I had an Osprey Exos 48L of 8kg total weight or the Osprey Farpoint 70L also at 8kg. Is the design of the straps, waist belt etc. between the two packs going to make a huge difference? and if so; what are those differences. My dilemma is that I really need the day pack which is offered on the Farpoint 70 but not on the other backpacking only type packs as I'm going to be traveling for 3 months. (7 weeks on the camino) and need the flexibility of checking in the Farpoint and detaching the day pack when flying or just a simple jaunt around town where I can leave the main pack in my room etc. This all being said, if the design aspects are going to be deal breakers (as in not being able to finish the camino) I'll buy a new pack.
I've done a few practice walks with a fully loaded Farpoint and it was heavy at 10kg so I shaved off 2kg and found it to be OK. I get the whole discussion on less is more weight-wise, but after all these great insights I'm still a bit confused as to why a certain pack design is better than others. Thanks!

If you need a daypack, why not bring something like this along? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0792P4V49/?tag=casaivar02-20. It's cheap and light and folds up small. Then get the backpack that works best on the camino and throw this inside it.
 
I like the look of the Mariposa but have a few questions that maybe you can help me with. Since, like you, I would not be using all the volume, how does it do carrying a partial load? I don't see any straps for cinching down when the pack is not full. Second question, since I would be using the pack for other purposes besides the camino, it doesn't like there are many external attachment points for strapping on a tent or sleeping pad. Is that the case? Last question, I do much of my hiking in the desert which means I need to carry lots of water. An overnight hike requires 2 gallons, so that's 16 lbs. before I add any food or gear. How much weight can the pack comfortably carry?
 
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
I like the look of the Mariposa but have a few questions that maybe you can help me with. Since, like you, I would not be using all the volume, how does it do carrying a partial load? I don't see any straps for cinching down when the pack is not full. Second question, since I would be using the pack for other purposes besides the camino, it doesn't like there are many external attachment points for strapping on a tent or sleeping pad. Is that the case? Last question, I do much of my hiking in the desert which means I need to carry lots of water. An overnight hike requires 2 gallons, so that's 16 lbs. before I add any food or gear. How much weight can the pack comfortably carry?

I have used the Mariposa for wilderness backpacking as its primary use. It is a veteran of the PCT and Colorado Trail. Because it is so light and comfortable, I saw no reason to purchase a different backpack for the Camino when I took it last year, and again this year :)

1. It carries a partial load beautifully. Other than the lid closure straps, which cinch down quite a bit, there are no compression straps. The smaller loads don't shift under movement.

2. There are external attachment points at various locations. There are even small eyelet style loops on the back of the bag, down both sides, through which I laced a small gauge shock cord in a series of criss-crosses for holding items like crampons. The same configuration can be used for a tent or sleeping bag.

Additionally, the outside stretchy mesh pocket on the back of the bag is HUGGGGE. It can hold a lot of stuff.

However, even with 10 days worth of food and fuel between resupply points on my through hikes, I never had to carry my sleeping bag, mattress, or tent externally. And a bear vault food canister can go in horizontally, just in case you are traveling in bear country where regulations require the use of a food canister.

3. During the desert portion of the Pacific Crest Trail, and in the red rock country in Utah, I have carried 8 liters of water in the Mariposa. The internal hydration sleeve pocket can hold a 4 liter reservoir. During that time, I carried 4 days of food and fuel, and my base pack weight was around 12 pounds. With the food, fuel, and water, that total pack weight was right at 36.8 pounds... we'll just call it 37 pounds.

There is no way to make 37 pounds feel like 15 pounds; what I look for is how a pack centers the load on my body, how well the shoulder harness system and the waist belt system function when carrying the load, how friable the connections, fittings and the bag materials are for wear and tear, and how much does the pack either contribute to or take away from any discomfort at carrying the load.

When I write up my a report for the manufacturers that hire me to test one of their packs, that report gets into a lot of nit picky detail. But let me summarize how the Mariposa performs for me: :D:D:D:D:D:D:D

I would put the limiting weight factor for the Mariposa at around 40 pounds. As I said above, the pack won't be able to reduce the fact that gravity is not your friend, but the pack will not create any problems while backpacking. To me, the Mariposa's sweet spot is for big loads is 30 to 40 pounds. A pretty wide range.

For a Camino load of 10 pounds, I tend to forget I'm wearing the Mariposa. For a 7 to 10 day backpacking load of 23 pounds, the Mariposa is a friend, stays out of my way, and helps me make the miles. With a load of 38 pounds at the end of the day, my shoulders don't ache, my hips aren't sore or chafed, my back feels fine, and I can appreciate the Mariposa's design and ergonomics rather than cursing them. :)

And to top it off, with the extension collar tucked down into the main bag, the dimensions of the Mariposa allows it to be used as a carry-on for flying.
 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
I have used the Mariposa for wilderness backpacking as its primary use. It is a veteran of the PCT and Colorado Trail. Because it is so light and comfortable, I saw no reason to purchase a different backpack for the Camino when I took it last year, and again this year :)

1. It carries a partial load beautifully. Other than the lid closure straps, which cinch down quite a bit, there are no compression straps. The smaller loads don't shift under movement.

2. There are external attachment points at various locations. There are even small eyelet style loops on the back of the bag, down both sides, through which I laced a small gauge shock cord in a series of criss-crosses for holding items like crampons. The same configuration can be used for a tent or sleeping bag.

Additionally, the outside stretchy mesh pocket on the back of the bag is HUGGGGE. It can hold a lot of stuff.

However, even with 10 days worth of food and fuel between resupply points on my through hikes, I never had to carry my sleeping bag, mattress, or tent externally. And a bear vault food canister can go in horizontally, just in case you are traveling in bear country where regulations require the use of a food canister.

3. During the desert portion of the Pacific Crest Trail, and in the red rock country in Utah, I have carried 8 liters of water in the Mariposa. The internal hydration sleeve pocket can hold a 4 liter reservoir. During that time, I carried 4 days of food and fuel, and my base pack weight was around 12 pounds. With the food, fuel, and water, that total pack weight was right at 36.8 pounds... we'll just call it 37 pounds.

There is no way to make 37 pounds feel like 15 pounds; what I look for is how a pack centers the load on my body, how well the shoulder harness system and the waist belt system function when carrying the load, how friable the connections, fittings and the bag materials are for wear and tear, and how much does the pack either contribute to or take away from any discomfort at carrying the load.

When I write up my a report for the manufacturers that hire me to test one of their packs, that report gets into a lot of nit picky detail. But let me summarize how the Mariposa performs for me: :D:D:D:D:D:D:D

I would put the limiting weight factor for the Mariposa at around 40 pounds. As I said above, the pack won't be able to reduce the fact that gravity is not your friend, but the pack will not create any problems while backpacking. To me, the Mariposa's sweet spot is for big loads is 30 to 40 pounds. A pretty wide range.

For a Camino load of 10 pounds, I tend to forget I'm wearing the Mariposa. For a 7 to 10 day backpacking load of 23 pounds, the Mariposa is a friend, stays out of my way, and helps me make the miles. With a load of 38 pounds at the end of the day, my shoulders don't ache, my hips aren't sore or chafed, my back feels fine, and I can appreciate the Mariposa's design and ergonomics rather than cursing them. :)

And to top it off, with the extension collar tucked down into the main bag, the dimensions of the Mariposa allows it to be used as a carry-on for flying.

Thanks for a very thorough reply. I'll have to give it strong consideration.
 
Thanks for a very thorough reply. I'll have to give it strong consideration.

I'm glad I could help. While I like the Mariposa, there are good pack manufacturers like ULA, Mountain Laurel Designs and Zpacks that are also worth investigating. I would also take a look at Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor backpack, which is about 10 ounces heavier than the Mariposa, but has some unique features as well.
 
Here's my packing list as an example. In grams, the pack weight is about 4 gm.

I trust you meant kg and not gm for the pack weight.

Almost every item on your list I have - same quantity but at nearly twice the weight in almost every case. Maybe because I wear XL? I'm going to have to get much more serious about both my weight and the weight of my gear!! No surprise here - lightweight gear costs much more! For instance - what knife did you carry? My Swiss Army knife (one with scissors for cutting moleskin and an all-important cork screw!) comes in at 5 oz - double your weight.

About the only thing I carried you didn't mention was shower shoes and I'm actually going to go UP in weight and take sandals that I can hike in if necessary. I watched one gal walk the CF for two days in flip flops while she was nursing some awesome blisters; I've decided my sandals can double as shower shoes as needed and are worth the added pound to have them as backups to my shoes.

It also looks like your list doesn't include things you wear or carry in your pockets (e.g. t-shirt, phone, wallet, passport?). Correct? Leading to -- Did you hike the Camino in shorts or pants (didn't notice pants in the pack)? Do you hike in the bike shorts? Other than two pair of bike shorts, am I reading it right - no spare shorts/pants at all?

Finally - despite weighing every individual item, after putting it all in my pack the total weight comes out almost 15% higher than my spreadsheet total. Gremlins!!

Thanks - and yup, I've become a gram weenie!!
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
I trust you meant kg and not gm for the pack weight.

Almost every item on your list I have - same quantity but at nearly twice the weight in almost every case. Maybe because I wear XL? I'm going to have to get much more serious about both my weight and the weight of my gear!! No surprise here - lightweight gear costs much more! For instance - what knife did you carry? My Swiss Army knife (one with scissors for cutting moleskin and an all-important cork screw!) comes in at 5 oz - double your weight.

About the only thing I carried you didn't mention was shower shoes and I'm actually going to go UP in weight and take sandals that I can hike in if necessary. I watched one gal walk the CF for two days in flip flops while she was nursing some awesome blisters; I've decided my sandals can double as shower shoes as needed and are worth the added pound to have them as backups to my shoes.

It also looks like your list doesn't include things you wear or carry in your pockets (e.g. t-shirt, phone, wallet, passport?). Correct? Leading to -- Did you hike the Camino in shorts or pants (didn't notice pants in the pack)? Do you hike in the bike shorts? Other than two pair of bike shorts, am I reading it right - no spare shorts/pants at all?

Finally - despite weighing every individual item, after putting it all in my pack the total weight comes out almost 15% higher than my spreadsheet total. Gremlins!!

Thanks - and yup, I've become a gram weenie!!

Yup, kg, not gm... thanks for the correction. :)

So, are you using the same brands and models of all the items I listed? Because that makes a big difference in weight savings. I do a lot of backpacking every year... hundreds of miles on the trail each season. Many thousands of miles overall, including several thru-hikes like the PCT.

When my investment in ultralight gear (which does mean more cash spent at the outset) is broken down to its cost per mile of trail hiked, the cost is actually pretty small. I look at the investment in two ways:

1. The gear lasts a long time because I make sure that the quality of its construction is up to my standards. As someone who is hired by various manufacturers to test the quality of various types of backpacking equipment and clothing, I have a good comfort level on what to look for in this regard. But there are a lot of published gear reviews by those who actually are backpackers (it is surprising the number of reviews that are published by those who don't do a lot of actual backpacking), and there are a few good hiking and backpacking forums. Those who want to spend the time researching can make good and informed decisions when getting ready to spend money for gear or clothing.

2. If I am wanting to get as much enjoyment out of my backpacking experience as possible, it becomes essential for me to have as light a load as possible. When I think of taking each step as I'm hiking, I think of it as a 'rep' at lifting a weight.... the same way I would think in terms of working out with weights at a gym; each workout is based on how many repetitions one does at a specific weight on a machine or a free-weight device like a barbell.

Each step I take is under load; that load is my own weight plus the weight I have on my back. Add up the number of steps one takes during a day of backpacking, multiply that by the number of pounds one is carrying, and it quickly becomes apparent why I will spend the difference in the cost of a piece of gear that is lighter.

On average, 10,000 steps equal 5 miles. For 25 miles -- which is about my average miles per day + or - on Camino, that is 50,000 steps. Carrying an 8 pound (4 kg) pack, that means I've lifted 400,000 pounds (181,437 kg) of backpack weight at the end of each day. With a 15 pound pack (7 kg), that would be 750,000 pounds (340,194 kg). Now multiply that by the number of days out on Camino. Say 32 days.

An 8 pound (4 kg) pack, the cumulative total is
in pounds, 12,800,000
In kilograms, 5,805,982

A 15 pound (7 kg) pack, the cumulative total is
In pounds, 24,000,000.
In kilograms, 10,866,217

As far as weight goes for an individual piece of clothing, yes, the size of the clothing will affect its weight.

No, I don't take shower shoes. Yes, showers can be dirty, if they are that dirty I wear a pair of socks. As to exposure to fungus, like athletes foot, current medical research shows that since the spray and splash of water from the floor of the shower can throw the contaminants onto the feet, flip flops make little difference as to prevention of athletes foot. What does make a difference is wiping one's feet with a mild antiseptic after the shower; for this I have medicated wet wipes.

I don't do backups for shoes. Maybe because of my experience, I do not carry things on Camino 'just in case'. My shoes will perform as well on Camino as they do when I workout with them home. If I use a pair of shoes which create problems while at home, out they go. IF I were to run into any kind of problem on Camino, whether it be shoes or the need for more Leukotape, I would simply pick it up at a shop along the Way.

My knife is a small Opinel, which is a lot lighter than even the smallest Swiss Army style knife with scissors and corkscrew. I don't drink alcohol, so a corkscrew is useless to me :), and my knife and the scalpel blade in my first aid kit will, between them, cut sausages, cheese, and moleskin just fine :)

My total pack weight does not include the weight of anything that is not in my pack. Things like ID, cash, phone stay in an accessory pouch around my neck.

I don't take T-shirts. Only the long sleeved shirts on my list. They keep me cool in the hot sun by keeping the sun's radiant energy from touching skin, which makes one get and feel hotter (look at how desert dwellers dress for heat), keeps me from sunburn, and if it ever is chilly, provides plenty of warmth when use with my insulating and outer layers.

No, no long pants. I always hike in shorts. And I don't use biking shorts; I use lightweight synthetic (nylon) shorts with an inner liner for the boys. With two pairs of shorts, I have a spare since I can only wear one pair at a time :)

My spreadsheet total of each item which has been separately weighed, matches my separately weighed fully loaded pack. I have a professional baker's scale that I use which is calibrated using two commercially purchased calibration weights: a 100 gram weight, which is then double checked for accuracy using a 3 kilogram weight.

I have to have this kind of scale, and its accuracy, for the gear testing that I am hired to do. It helps me keep the honesty in the specifications the manufacturers list. :)

What I am doing for this Camino is dropping a few items and modifying some others. I have dropped the weight of my Mariposa backpack by 6 ounces; I am not taking a spoon; the Aqua Mira is dropped; I have switched collapsible water bottles for something that is just as light but could also double as an effective filtration against pathogens and parasites; my medications are different and half the weight now; the shemaugh is dropped and the new towel is half the weight; a new headlamp is two ounces lighter than the old one; a new Enlightened Equipment sleeping quilt is now 8 ounces instead of 14 ounces. And there are a couple of minor modifications here and there on pieces of gear.

HOWEVER.... my pack won't be any lighter, and will go up in weight by 16 more ounces, because I am adding a GoPro Black Hero 6 to the mix. Some of the GoPro stuff will get mailed home once I get past Roncesvalles, like extra batteries, which will drop the extra weight by 6 ounces. And I am doing a lot of pondering and head scratching to see where else I can offset the weight increase. And no, my iPhone can't replace the GoPro, because of the sheer amount of video storage needed and the fact I will be recording in 4K resolution.

Such is life. Maybe I'll just carry a bit less water :)
 
Flip-flops (thongs in Oz) I use from the moment I remove my boots until I put my boots back on the next morning. In the shower, sigh-seeing, cafes, around the alburgue, etc., etc.

I've been using these for over 8 years now. Straps made from nylon thread - lasts forever and the soles - made from car tyres with tread removed - are stitched onto the upper and the straps and those will also last forever.

They are incredibly comfortable because the original cheap plastic sole has morphed into the shape of my feet.

IMAG0934.jpgIMAG0935.jpg
 
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
Have you considered something like this iPhone flash drive?

Thank you for the thought. I will only be be shooting for 1 day out of SJPdP, doing a continuous 10 hour video capture which will be edited later. The iPhone cannot shoot 4k 60fps.

I will need 4 GB of data storage for that 1 day of shooting. I will be using 'high speed' 250 GB micro SD cards, which will weight about as much as a balloon's worth of air. :)

Most of the overall weight is from a portable, direct storage drive which can directly read the micro SD cards and copy the video data onto its drive. In Roncesvalles, I will use that drive to do a backup of all the video data from the micro SD cards directly, providing a redundant backup for safe keeping. Once in Pamplona, that drive will be mailed home, along with the external battery bank used for that 1 day of shooting.
 
Well since I last participated in this thread I have completed 2 long distance hikes with my “Camino” set up. Need to change and work on going ultra light. First did a 37km on the flat, carrying a 33l pack without Camino weight, was good walking good workout, second was a 100km (in 36 hours) over difficult with some tough terrain, with almost Camino weight, again in the 33l Talon, and while inapppreciate both are far longer than a typical Camino day in length, def need to go lighter, now thinking Raidlight Ultra 12lt light!!
 
Thanks for the note. I ended up buying an Osprey 45L (800g weight) pack and started my Camino del Norte on June 21st with a total pack weight of just under 9kg. As anyone who has done del Norte can attest; it's hard even if you had no pack. I was feeling it the first three stages and stage #4 (Deba to Markina) was a killer. I actually stayed in Iziar so this stage was a long 30km trudge with almost no services along the way and a 500m elevation profile. I ran out of water about 5km to Markina and only made it with a lot of cussing and grit. With all this said; from stage 5 onward my pack weight felt like a distant memory and after 25 stages I can say it doesn't bother me at all now. In my experience, on walks longer than 25km especially when it's sunny and warm; the last 2-3km stretches are a chore and your feet are protesting to stop. This is my first Camino and as I am not staying at alberques I booked most of my accommodation in advance. Now that I've done it, I would shorten the stages to 25km or less the next time as I find this is the tipping point for me to enjoy the evenings at each destination without having to crawl to a bar or restaurant due to exhaustion.
So long story short; after all my consternation about pack weight prior to my Camino, I found the weight wasn't the showstopper I feared. Slightly shorter stage lengths would be my advice and don't fret about taking a bus or taxi on those sections that go through industrial zones (Santander-Polanco, Bilbao-Portugalate, Gijon-Aviles etc) if factories and asphalt are your thing, then by all means go for it. :p
Del Norte will reward you with some stunningly beautiful scenery and a far less crowded experience. Buen Camino!
 
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€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.
Thanks for the note. I ended up buying an Osprey 45L (800g weight) pack and started my Camino del Norte on June 21st with a total pack weight of just under 9kg. As anyone who has done del Norte can attest; it's hard even if you had no pack. I was feeling it the first three stages and stage #4 (Deba to Markina) was a killer. I actually stayed in Iziar so this stage was a long 30km trudge with almost no services along the way and a 500m elevation profile. I ran out of water about 5km to Markina and only made it with a lot of cussing and grit. With all this said; from stage 5 onward my pack weight felt like a distant memory and after 25 stages I can say it doesn't bother me at all now. In my experience, on walks longer than 25km especially when it's sunny and warm; the last 2-3km stretches are a chore and your feet are protesting to stop. This is my first Camino and as I am not staying at alberques I booked most of my accommodation in advance. Now that I've done it, I would shorten the stages to 25km or less the next time as I find this is the tipping point for me to enjoy the evenings at each destination without having to crawl to a bar or restaurant due to exhaustion.
So long story short; after all my consternation about pack weight prior to my Camino, I found the weight wasn't the showstopper I feared. Slightly shorter stage lengths would be my advice and don't fret about taking a bus or taxi on those sections that go through industrial zones (Santander-Polanco, Bilbao-Portugalate, Gijon-Aviles etc) if factories and asphalt are your thing, then by all means go for it. :p
Del Norte will reward you with some stunningly beautiful scenery and a far less crowded experience. Buen Camino!

Well done fella. Dig in and keep going

Buen Camino
 
All other things being equal, yes, I agree that a smaller, lighter pack is best. But it is not the case that all other things are equal.

For years I've used a Featherlite Freedom Aarn pack. It is bigger than I need by at least a third (57 litres plus another 12 in the front packs, used for carrying water bottles, and any small dense heavy stuff, like toiletries and mobile phone chargers). I don't fill the back pack and it is easy to pack. No surgical precision required. Total weight is always below 7kgs. The frame, shoulder harness, front packs, and waistband are really well designed, all integrate, and work in harmony to ensure minimum strain. For me superbly comfortable, and effortless to carry.

The only downside is that the pack is too big to use as a carry-on. For that reason alone I recently bought Aarn's smallest pack, the Liquid Agility. I've just come back from using it on the Via de la Plata, and I'm still undecided about which pack I would take next time. I certainly loved being able to carry the Liquid Agility onboard (I was stopping overnight on the way, and it was great not having to wait for my luggage), and the pack is lighter, but only by about 200grams. The downside is that it does have to be packed carefully, because there is less volume, and that is a pain. I also don't think it sits quite as well or is quite as comfortable as the fully featured Featherlite. And when I got to SDC I had to buy a small suitcase to carry home my souvenirs and gifts - which rather defeated the purpose of having a carry-on pack!
 
Hi There! Starting my (first) Camino next month from Irun. I'm 194cm x 96kg and chose the Osprey Farpoint 70L pack as it was long enough to fit my Leki walking poles and all my other stuff too. That said, I've been reading a lot of posts and everyone seems to be carrying a 35-45L pack. I've weighed my pack with all my stuff and it's coming in under 10kg so weight isn't an issue per se. Any advice?
If that pack fits you comfortably and you're disciplined enough to keep the weight down, the size of the pack should be a non-issue. I purposefully bought a 38L for the next camino as for years I traveled with a 35L and it was like packing a puzzle every time I needed to get inside. I'm carrying the same stuff with more room and the backpack itself actually weighs an ounce less than the smaller one. I also feel it will serve me off of the camino when traveling...no need to keep buying different sizes. Buen Camino!
 
Down bag (90/10 duvet) of 700 fills with 180 g (6.34 ounces) of filling. Mummy-shaped structure, ideal when you are looking for lightness with great heating performance.

€149,-

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