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  1. MikeyC

    Folding up an Altus?

    I paid a little extra to get the self folding one.... Whoops, 11 days early!
  2. MikeyC

    Sick of Merino! Bamboo instead?

    Purely subjective but I always preferred my older Icebreaker tops. As a matter of interest Icebreaker was sold in 2017 to VF Corp which also owns Smart Wool, Timberland and North Face.
  3. MikeyC

    What does "good shoes" mean?

    I typically take Hokas as well as Teva open toe hiking sandals. I'm happy to wear sandals all day but depending on terrain and weather I might start with Hokas and switch after lunch. I tend to blister on the toes and sandals prevent this or, if I've got a hot spot from the Hokas, allow the skin...
  4. MikeyC

    Day pack

    It is difficult to recommend a pack without knowing what you want to carry and what it weighs with water added I'm with trecile on this about using your lightened regular pack. I've only walked Camino's with my other half. The few times we have sent a pack ahead we place all the heavier items...
  5. MikeyC

    BBC Sounds podcast on technical clothing

    I seem to recall one also on why we snore and anti-snoring products.
  6. MikeyC

    BBC Sounds podcast on technical clothing

    The BBC Radio 4 programme "Sliced Bread" recently had a look at technical clothing. I'll copy their blurb and put the link below. I thought I had a reasonable understanding of how textiles work in hiking gear but there was info here that was completely new for me. "If you’ve ever made the...
  7. MikeyC

    How can I buy an Altus poncho/jacket in the US?

    It may be useful to check levels of waterproofing. The Altus is rated at 2000mm. Decathlon has different models under their various brands and these range from 2000 to 5000. I have the latter, Quechua branded, and it's served me well for 5 years. Not light though.
  8. MikeyC

    I need extreme sun protection. Suggestions welcome.

    The link is for a G4 standard sized umbrella which has two shock cords for attachment to the shoulder strap of a backpack. The G4 has mixed reviews and even some of the 5 star reviews have caveats. The model sold by Ivar is telescopic so that the lower attachment point is on the waist belt and...
  9. MikeyC

    Down quilt

    Have a look at Naturehike which has a USA website. We have the rectangular down sleeping bags which open up flat. I saw now that they have a down shawl but check the size. We have various products from this company including a back packing tent, swimming and hiking gear and find it good...
  10. MikeyC

    can ponchos be re-waterproofed?

    It might be that it wasn't up to the volume of rain you experienced. My Decathlon poncho has a rating of 5,000 Schmerbers. The one you refer to is only 2000. Decathlon state: "But beware, a jacket designed with a waterproof fabric to the level of 2000mm Schmerber will protect you from the rain...
  11. MikeyC

    Osprey Tempest- what am I doing wrong?

    Osprey has a detailed fitting guide and also an app for sizing. https://www.ospreyeurope.com/gb_en/osprey-technologies-2/sizing-fit-for-women/
  12. MikeyC

    LIVE from the Camino Me and my umbrella - envy of the Camino

    Has the rice cooker been demoted to #4 now?
  13. MikeyC

    LIVE from the Camino Me and my umbrella - envy of the Camino

    A further benefit, at least on the Frances, is the parasol reduces the need to apply sun cream.
  14. MikeyC

    LIVE from the Camino Me and my umbrella - envy of the Camino

    Started using this after hiking in Japan where sun avoidance is taken seriously. Still a rarity on the Camino such that I was stopped when approaching Castrojeriz a few years back whilst using it. The pilgrim asked to take a photo which was a first for me.
  15. MikeyC

    Flightbag

    We bought a backpack travel bag in Piteira Sport. It's lasting well. It's also roomy enough that we could lash two backpacks together with a luggage strap and pay for just one checked luggage.
  16. MikeyC

    Water Discussion (I thought you might like a laugh)

    We buy standard supermarket water in plastic bottles on day 1. Thereafter discard the tops and screw on flip tops (100 yen shop I seem to recall).
  17. MikeyC

    New Equipment Providers?

    I can also vouch for Alpkit. To date I have bought bivvy bags, a storm shelter and a ripstop nylon tarp. All good quality and I waited for them to be on the Christmas sale so especially good value. We were hiking in the Lake District last week and visited their Ambleside store. They also have...
  18. MikeyC

    Altus Poncho Help

    Can't help with sizing but for our first Camino we struggled at the time to find Altus ponchos. Eventually bought from our local Decathlon which has a range of poncho types and sizes. Still going strong after 3 Caminos and other walks.
  19. MikeyC

    Will I need a Head Torch?

    We take the small silicone cased led lights. They slip onto a finger for nocturnal perambulations in the albergue. A red one is fine at night. As an alternative to head torches, I find the Panasonic hands free neck light works better than a head torch. It hangs down to chest height and is more...
  20. MikeyC

    Tips for Choosing Comfortable Ear Plugs

    I have tried foam ear plugs but they typically fall out during the night. After I started wild swimming during the pandemic I found the malleable plastic type swimmers ear plugs in my local Decathlon store. They work a treat both for swimming and for a quiet night. I am putting a link so as to...

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