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  1. david marquez

    Surprised at our test results poncho vs jacket

    I used a ultrasil nano poncho in 2018. Weighs about 8 oz and packs down to the size of a pair of socks. It worked quite well and lasted for about 5 years. The only drawback is they are quite pricey! https://www.backcountrygear.com/ultra-sil-nano-poncho/
  2. david marquez

    Walking with a messenger bag rather than a backpack

    I plan to do several long walks/hikes to field trial it. I won’t be down into ultralight territory, but I am pretty confident that if I carry my water in the lumbar pack I can keep the messenger bag at 15-18 lbs. with another 5-6 in the lumbar pack. Thats actually a bit less total than what my...
  3. david marquez

    Walking with a messenger bag rather than a backpack

    I have an extremely light dyneema frameless top loading pack built by Hyperlight which I used in 2018. Its by far the best backpack I have ever used…but I have tried several shorter hikes and walks and no matter how I adjust it, it still rubs over the pacemaker. It might be just fine, it...
  4. david marquez

    Walking with a messenger bag rather than a backpack

    I am not interested in a trailer or pull behind or push in front device. I saw both types in 2019 and I am not interested. I have done a LOT of cycling using small and medium courier bags with the waist strap to minimize sway and movement. They stay pretty well centered on my back. My plan is...
  5. david marquez

    Walking with a messenger bag rather than a backpack

    I saw a couple of those pull behind trailers on the portion of the Frances I did in 2018. I also am familiar with monowalkers, 1 wheel and attaches via a hip harness. However I am not interested in such a contraption and my total gear weight will be under 12 kg easily
  6. david marquez

    Walking with a messenger bag rather than a backpack

    I have a pacemaker on my left upper chest, right where a backpack strap goes. I am considering using a large messenger bag, approximately 20 litres, and a small hip pack, less than 5 litres rather than a backpack. Note, I will not be using a transport to move my luggage from place to place. I...
  7. david marquez

    OK guys, what underwear?

    Years ago I gave up on synthetic fabrics, particularly underwear. My perspiration reacts with synthetic fabric to create a less them pleasing miasma surrounding me. After experimentation I have found that for normal use, good old cotton briefs work stupendously well and they seem to outlast the...
  8. david marquez

    Minimal but comforting packing list

    One thing I will throw out here, if your feet are bigger than a size 45, which would be about 11 1/2 US, I suggest you seriously consider bringing a 2nd pair of shoes. I wear 47 (12 1/2) and when my shoes blew out on the camino del norte near Llanes, I had to waste the better part of 2 days...
  9. david marquez

    Help with shoes for someone with big feet....

    Just as an FYI, in 2018 walking the Camino del Norte, I ran into a serious footwear problem. One pair of shoes I brought with me was too tight in the toes for the long sometimes steep downhills on the del Norte, and my other pair pf shoes blew out near Po. I wear 12 1/2 or 13 US (47-48 euro)...
  10. david marquez

    What experience have people had with waterproof socks?

    I should mention that my primary footwear year-round are Bedrock sandals. I have hiked around Colombia and back in the PNW when I am in the states, and unless its quite cold, I prefer my bedrocks over all other footwear I have ever found. When it gets cool for the bedrocks its back to my Altra...
  11. david marquez

    What experience have people had with waterproof socks?

    For what its worth, years ago I tried every combination of waterproof socks and waterproof hiking boots I could find, and my experience was that they just didnt work for me. I sweat a lot, and so regardless, my feet are going to be damp. My waterproof socks were fairly fragile, and it didnt...
  12. david marquez

    Sleeping bag needed in private accommodation on C. Primitivo?

    I walked the Primitivo in 2017 and as I recall, all of the albergues had blankets. I did carry a lightweight mummy bag liner purchased from REI. I used that mummy bag liner every night in every albergue and I was always comfortable. Also, I was less concerned with the spectre of bedbugs. I...
  13. david marquez

    Down quilt

    I have a Kammok firebelly down quilt which I have been dragging around with me for the past 4 years. So far it has held up to travels around South and North America. the current model is here: https://kammok.com/products/firebelly-30-backpacking-quilt?variant=53209586119 mine is an older and...
  14. david marquez

    Sea to Summit poncho - reviews?

    I did the camino del norte/primitivo in April/May 2918. The S2S ultrasil poncho, the 9 oz version was my raingear for 5 very wet weeks. Also did a fair bit of walking and hiking in the UK and Wales afterwards. I am from the Seattle area and have dealt with rain all my life. I never expect to...
  15. david marquez

    If You have Walked the Camino - Do you prefer boots or trail runners?

    I have done a great deal of walking and over the years I have gradually narrowed my selection of footwear to Sandals (bedrock brand) as much as possible and trailrunners if its below 8-10C
  16. david marquez

    Sleeping bag liner

    I have tried numerous bag liners over the years: silk, coolmax, merino. By far my favorite is the merino wool sleeping bag liner sold by REI in the us.
  17. david marquez

    For Sale/Wanted Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Windrider Pack?

    I purchased a Hyperlite windrider 3400 last March to use specifically for the Camino del Norte/Primitivo/Fistere last year. I used it for the entire Camino and spent 4 months in Colombia tramping around the Cordillera Central this fall/winter. As of this moment, I consider it to be the best...
  18. david marquez

    Hiking Trailer, advice

    Regarding weight distribution on a 2 wheel vs 1 wheel trailer, the claims of the manufacturer of the monowheel fatmate are almost identical to what you are stating for your 2 wheeled trailer. I wonder how much difference there really is between the 1 and 2 wheel trailers in terms of weight...
  19. david marquez

    Sleeping bag or No sleeping bag? That is the question?

    Everything I have read about this 400gm sleeping bag has been positive and reviewers rave about it. https://nordisk.eu/oscar-10/mustard-yellow/p/284/ It is definitely not inexpensive, but I am looking for a retail outlet in North America
  20. david marquez

    Hiking Trailer, advice

    All of your logic is excellent, but consider that there are some people who actually WANT to carry all of their gear with them. I do quite a lot of walking and cycling and I prefer to carry my kit (or drag it) and I enjoy the self sufficiency and ability to change plans, routes, destinations...

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