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  1. P

    Lightweight Costco Down Quilts on Sale

    If you do any sewing, it’s fairly easy to turn a Costco quilt into a quilt that is longer & has a foot box. One of these combined with a sleep sack would be a nice combination. A pattern that I’ve used is https://www.exploreserac.com/make-underquilt-topquilt-6-steps/
  2. P

    Winter Gear Shakedown

    There are differences in Crocs traction, and the Bistro model work better than the regular ones. I wear mine frequently during a Maine winter in snow & ice. I also attach a traction device (Stabilicers or Microspikes).
  3. P

    Winter Gear Shakedown

    Some kind of trail shoes. I know they’re heavy & bulky, but I replaced my sandals for Crocs about 5 days into my walk. They were used daily while my trail shoes dried, doing multiple duties as shower shoes, doing laundry shoes, evening shoes, etc.
  4. P

    Altus poncho repair help needed

    Advice on seam sealing is spot on, but there are 2 different sealants, depending whether the fabric is silnylon or polyurethane sealed nylon. I suspect that the Altus poncho is the latter, so you might check with the manufacturer. I’d be reluctant to use any iron-on tapes for risk of melting the...
  5. P

    Gaiters for winter walking

    My use for gaiters is to keep mud / snow / dirt from entering the tops of my shoes. My choice would be to take a low pair. As for traction devices, I’d take Stabilicers (US) which have small metal cleats that hold up to pavement & rock, but they do a decent job on ice. The model with the...
  6. P

    Blister under callous on heel - do I ditch my shoes??

    More inclined to blame the callus build-up rather than your shoes. The thick skin increased the shearing force leading to skin separation, i.e. blistering. Once your foot has recovered, and you’ve sanded down the excess skin thickness, you might place paper bandage tape on the site and rub in a...
  7. P

    Questions about “foot bag” for this year

    Both Betadine and an antibiotic ointment will reduce the bioburden of a wound (the overall amount of bacteria). You can’t eliminate bacteria, but reducing it is a generally favored for better healing. Open full thickness wounds need to be kept moist and clean for closure, but blisters are...
  8. P

    Dry Feet ... Is it possible?

    The Vapor Barrier technique with double plastic bags is generally only useful in subzero weather when you’re walking continuously in snow. Even then, it creates bulky layers that requires sizing up your shoes. I’d follow the advice of wearing wool socks and non waterproof shoes in most...
  9. P

    Ready to look at new footwear for Camino

    Yes on Altra Lone Peaks for a wide foot. I think the current model is 4.0. Besides REI in the US, I found them in a store in Pamplona. Good luck
  10. P

    Turning a sleeping bag into a quilt. Possible? Anyone tried?

    A single $20 Costco quilt makes a nice top quilt with a bit of sewing & seam ripping. Look for online videos that explain the process clearly. Not sure that I’d bring one along (I relied on blankets), but the Costco quilt would be about your lightest option. I took an old sleeping bag and...
  11. P

    Where to get my SIM...on Camino Francés???

    Phone plans in the EU have free roaming, so your calling minutes and data go with you to any other EU country. Some countries have more competitive pricing than others. Currently, France seems to be the cheapest cell phone plans, and when I checked in Pamplona, Spanish plans seemed at least...
  12. P

    Down Outdoor Blankets / Throws

    I’d say that you don’t need sleeping bags at all, so that you can save both money & weight by not bringing them. Use sheet sacks and Albergue blankets instead. If you regret your decision, Pamplona has outdoor stores, including Decathalon, where you can purchase an inexpensive sleeping bag.
  13. P

    Lone Peak 3.5 vs Merrell vs New Balance

    I'm all ears if you're successful in finding a wide, preferably non-Goretex shoe, in France / Spain. Currently in Spain walking the CF in a pair of wide Merrills, but I'm not sure they'll go the distance, and I haven't seen any good replacement candidates.

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