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  1. Helen1

    Using a larger Backpack, just not filling it up. Thoughts?

    I get the logic of this but not sure it works for everyone. Thinking about all the people you see carrying a shopping bag with extra stuff in it (and not just food), the people with an extra front rucksack stuffed with essentials, the water bottle carriers because every inch of their rucksack is...
  2. Helen1

    Poncho quandary — Altus, Frogg Toggs, Vaude, or something else?

    Not cheap but I like this one: https://www.exped.com/usa/en/product-category/ponchos/pack-poncho-ul-m-mossgreen It's light and has kept me dry through a couple of thunderstorms. However, it has zero warmth, and it doesn't open at the front. Great for keeping you dry in the pouring rain, but it...
  3. Helen1

    Join the quest for the perfect panel loading camino pack?

    I've just got back from a short camino using a Beast 28 Ultralight Technical Backpack (there are significant discounts available if you search around). On the whole the Beast gets a plus from me, the half clamshell design was excellent and made packing much easier. It has all the features you...
  4. Helen1

    Hot weather camino questions

    I would take a look at the long term forecast before you go and adapt if you see two weeks of blazing sun or rain. You can always pick up something cheap in Leon or post stuff home. August sun can be really brutal. I took a very lightweight ladies scarf (like you get from a cheap accessories...
  5. Helen1

    Montane Trailblazer 44L

    I have the Montane Trailblazer 30, used it for the first time on the Corfu trail this summer replacing my 45l Exped lightning. I think the Trailblazer 30 has a different lid to the 44 but otherwise they are similar. Couple of comments: It’s nicely made but I am not sure how long the big mesh...
  6. Helen1

    Ideas for equipment video

    Good idea... some ideas for videos.... low tech equipment options/pros and cons (as in take clothes that you have at home and don't feel you have to buy lots of things before you can walk) Other ideas: Tips for a wet Camino - packing/drying shoes/clothes Tips on hand washing clothes in an...
  7. Helen1

    Help! The walking pole makes me feel like the walking dead!

    Ahhh... the joyous clatter of walking poles on the camino... feels a bit like nails on a blackboard to me :). I dislike the noise too. My poles increasingly reside in my rucksack and only get used on very steep uphill, very slippy downhills or if I'm really tired at the end of a long day because...
  8. Helen1

    Sea to Summit poncho - reviews?

    The design of the Sea to Summit poncho has changed too. My (non tarp) one is much longer, covers a pack and is much roomer than the photos of the newer models - mine also weights 100g more!
  9. Helen1

    Sea to Summit poncho - reviews?

    I really like my S2S Ultra-Sil poncho too! As jozero says mine has snaps down each side and the air seems to circulate ok (I don't have the tarp one but it is a good few years old now). It kept me dry whilst walking during various thunderstorms and condensation wasn't really an issue, I put my...
  10. Helen1

    UK Ladies Share Your Shoes Info!

    Footwear is an incredibly personal choice! As others have said I would avoid boots unless you wear regularly, especially if it's going to be hot. I would hit a proper running shop rather than an outdoor shop. Especially one that has a treadmill where you can really try the shoes (most will let...
  11. Helen1

    Sandals with or without socks or trail runners?

    For hot summer walking I go for Teva sandals and no socks but I also pad around in bare feet at home and wear sandals a lot so my feet are usually quite tough. If you always wear shoes and socks you'll need to ease yourself into wearing no socks/sandals! I usually take trail runners in...
  12. Helen1

    Can we talk TOWELS please?

    I would add to your list: 4. Folks who go with what they have 5. Most mainland Europeans who pick up all their gear in Decathlon! The few times I've stayed in an albergue almost everyone has been Spanish and almost everyone had some kind of Decathlon XL microfibre towel slung over their bunk...
  13. Helen1

    Lame question regarding ground mats and the rain

    Ah... happy memories. I still have the Trangia I bought for a school camping trip over 30 years ago and it's still going strong. Totally indestrubile. It makes an awesome bacon, eggs and beans in the morning but not really needed on the camino! As others have said I wouldn't bother with a roll...
  14. Helen1

    Pack Weight and Other Impediments

    Very true. I've experienced this myself and although people's comments are often well intentioned it's tiring to be constantly on the receiving end of comments like this. My rebellious streak makes me inclined to carry something outrageously huge and unnecessary to just upset these people even...
  15. Helen1

    Sleeping Bag or Liner in April

    c I think it was a YETI VIB 250 Down Sleeping Bag (couple of years ago so I'm not sure it's the same model). It doesn't unzip totally flat like a quilt but it gets most of the way there - enough to suit me. I've been very happy with it and taken it on all kinds of trips. I get cold so this...
  16. Helen1

    How big is your pack?

    I've got an old and beaten up/duck taped in places Exped Lightning Womens 45l that works for camping trips and caminos. Importantly I have the pocket that fits on the front that makes an excellent baguette and fruit/salad holder and the roll top means it's pretty easy to accommodate the bottle...
  17. Helen1

    Sock

    Are you planning to walk in them or use them for recovery? I used to use compression tights overnight for recovery when I was doing triathlon training years ago. Not sure if the effect was real or just psychological but I, like most people, felt better after using them. I don't think the effect...
  18. Helen1

    The Lush shampoo bar review thread

    I only used this on my hair but would agree with your hair and transportability ratings. I had a purple bar yonks ago that I really liked but I don't think it was the juniper bar.
  19. Helen1

    The Lush shampoo bar review thread

    Agree with you about the blue bar. I like the way my hair feels afterwards but I had a tin off goo after a week, plus the goo seeped out of the tin and then I had blue goo all over stuff :(
  20. Helen1

    Join the quest for the perfect panel loading camino pack?

    Here are a couple I've seen: Kelty Sira 45: Although I'm not sure how waterproof it would be and the waist pockets look huge and very bulky. MHM SALUTE 34 https://www.mhmgear.com/packs/salute-34/ or I think this one is quite heavy but I like the idea of all the internal compartments. I've...

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