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  1. J

    Another Backpack recommendation request

    Expensive but arguably the best one can buy is a custom pack designed to fit your body. This way there is no doubt that it will fit your torso. It is likely the last one you will ever buy. Peruse: http://www.mchalepacks.com/ Mine is now 10 years old or better. I have used it on the Appalachian...
  2. J

    Backpacks again

    How to measure one's body to determine which SIZE backpack to buy: http://www.whitemountain.com.au/windows ... Length.htm The above gives a good visual representation of this most important measurement http://www.whitemountain.com.au/fitting ... h_faq.html Overview. Click on blue areas to...
  3. J

    Cooking utensils?

    I see no advantage in hauling upon your back the excess weight of any items that will just be used occasionally, or, as you described it, "if /when an opportunity presents itself". The "opportunity" might never present itself and you will find that you will have lugged those items all the way to...
  4. J

    Sandals for Summer Backpacking

    Sandals for Summer Backpacking An article which appeared in Backpackinglight.com by a hiking and backpacking guru with the above title: Article Summary: Sandals for hiking? Even trail shoe wearers often find such an idea ridiculous or incomprehensible. I didn't take them seriously for...
  5. J

    Poncho and trousers?

    Altus sleeved poncho is somewhat heavy at .5 kg (17.6 ounces) but just 28 euros. A lighter, but more expensive, alternative is a packa: http://www.thepacka.com/ I have never used either. I prefer a good, lightweight rain parka when it is cold when i might depend on it for warmth. But, I still...
  6. J

    Light weight alternatives to soap, shampoo, laundry wash pow

    I first tried the liquid soap but found i used way too much each time so it did not last. Then I just started taking a simple bar of soap, used it for everything and stored it in a zip-loc baggie. I used it in the shower on my body, shampooing my hair, on my face/shaving, and even washing my...
  7. J

    Teva sandal sizes

    I used one pair of Teva Trail Wraptor sandals in Oct-Nov, 2005 on Camino Frances from France to Finisterre with absolutely no problem and VdlP in Nov-Dec 2007 in another pair. They are my hiking footwear of choice
  8. J

    Walking sticks

    I have to, at least from my vantage point, agree with the aforementioned post about the use of the paired "walking poles". I use one staff for hiking but it is not really for helping me walk better. Instead, it helps me balance upon narrow ledges in higher mountains or to cross swift-flowing...
  9. J

    WARNING: THE DESERT GETS COLD AT NIGHT

    The problem with thermals is that they require a modicum of privacy as well as a little time to shed in the morning when the sun (and temperature) rises. A good lightweight, thin, fleece pullover though, with a warm hood, requires neither and works, at least for me, quite well enough.
  10. J

    my packinglist - any thoughts?

    A load of just 10% of your body weight is quite admirable. I googled it and found that most backpacking sources do recommended a maximum not to exceed of 20% of one's body weight and even one at 25%, so your 10% is enviable. Of course that is everything on you, from your naked skin out...
  11. J

    my packinglist - any thoughts?

    I believe the guideline for the optimum upper boundary of one's weight threshold is not at a 10% limit but rather at a 20% one, and, it is only a guide as well. Were it only at 10% nobody would be able to do longer, unsupported hikes where one needed to carry multiple days of food, pot to cook...
  12. J

    Advice needed - concerning footwear...

    There is one important reason for NOT going with waterproof footwear, or, at least those using Gore-Tex or another proprietary lining and that is, once the water is in the footwear, it does not exit easily. So, if your feet do become wet they stay wet longer. It is a trade-off of sorts. For...
  13. J

    What type of Soap do you take?

    Jabon Magno by La Toja. It is a bar of solid soap manufactured in Spain with a slight delicate fragrance and it is black in color. I used it for shampooing my hair, washing my body as well as washing a few articles of clothes each night, like the socks and underwear I wore during the day and...
  14. J

    Advice needed - concerning footwear...

    I walked the Camino Frances October, November, 2005 wearing just a pair of sandals-Teva trail Wraptors -and wool socks. I am convinced that for one's footwear to provide "Ankle support" , it must be a very high, tightly laced pair of something like paratrooper jump boots and even they, on...
  15. J

    waterproofs in the shower

    "Outfitters" would perhaps be a better description than "sporting goods stores". Try that route or order via the 'net. Yours is the country (Britain) that developed the directional clothing for winter/wet wear for long distance hiking so I am convinced you can likely purchase a better than...
  16. J

    winter warmers

    Clothing designed for Directional layering from companies like Buffalo, Paramo or Marmot. It is the best winter gear ever and it's ratio of warmth to weight is exceptional.
  17. J

    waterproofs in the shower

    Integral Designs sil poncho works great for both applications but you would hardly need the tarp set-up on the Camino. The material is quite thin, lightweight and airy but extremely tough. Since it is so airy one does not have to walk in one's increasingly wet, sweaty underclothing which dries...
  18. J

    waterproofs in the shower

    Poncho: http://www.integraldesigns.com/product_ ... cttypeid=1 Above is one I have used very successfully for the last 3-4 years few years. It is Canadian from a very well-known company that you should be able to purchase in the UK at better sporting goods stores. There must be UK ponchos as...
  19. J

    thermarest???

    The weight you choose to carry is accumulative, and is added with each of your steps. In simplistic terms, let us suppose that you could choose to walk from SJPdp to Finisterre carrying, with food and water, a pack weight of either 7 kilos or 12 kilos. Now, under which burden do you suppose you...
  20. J

    thermarest???

    I'd say no to the mat. It would be a very seldom used item at best, most likely not needed at all, and the weight penalty you would pay for the 'possible' convenience of it's use is far too high a price for it to be worthwhile. Whatever your mat of choice would weigh, however small you consider...

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