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I met a peregrino carrying a straw kind of wicker backpack. He was strolling along just fine, and even had a bottle of wine in it. Later I saw him in Santiago, wicker pack and all. Healthy and smiling.Did I mention I saw a guy walking with two shopping bags (Trader Joes!) as his “backpack”??? Lightweight, cheap, and totally disposable! Every person gets to choose what works best for themselves
Not for the first time I’ll reference one of my occasional companions on my first Camino (but only down wind) ‘el hombre que huele de cabra’ whose walking bag was an Aldi carrier bag. We suspected he must have been using luggage transfer as well - but if so it certainly didn’t include soap.Did I mention I saw a guy walking with two shopping bags (Trader Joes!) as his “backpack”??? Lightweight, cheap, and totally disposable! Every person gets to choose what works best for themselves
Probably worth every cent of its $31; but with a light enough load; a bag’s a bag.Never heard of Samit. No internal frame but... for $31 let's see what can go wrong.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/SAMIT-Hi...htweight-Travel-Outdoor-Women-Black/801109359
I have no shame with Amazon returns at allProbably worth every cent of its $31; but with a light enough load; a bag’s a bag.
Yup, that will work just fine and even comes with a rain cover. I'd carry it in a heartbeat to walk the Camino. Backpacks on his forum get waaay overthought, IMO.
You don't need an expensive, technical super lightweight backpack to walk the Camino. You will see pilgrims walking with all manner of backpacks, daypacks etc, cheap ones expensive ones, frame and no frame, some threadbare and well worn and they reach Santiago.....alive! lol
Once I walked the entire Frances, 800 kilometres, with a frameless $35 military style rucksack. I would guess it is about 35 litres in size. It had no hipbelt, no water bladder holder and no side pockets etc. I used a trash bag as a liner for it in case it rained, but it never did (July-August). What I did do, and this is by far the most important thing, far more important than pack choice, is I packed only what I needed, not what I thought I might need. I packed as light as possible. There is no substitute for that. That is important to me as I am no spring chicken and I know my limitations as I have gotten older, and my limitations are increased with each unnecessary pound I am carrying on my back.
Seriously, not to be unsupportive, but that review….WAS AWFUL!!!!
Why? Well, economics for one. Not everyone can afford $150 backpacks and $200 sleeping bags. I met a lot of pilgrims walking on very strict budgets. Long distance walking isn't a part of their life, but walking the Camino once in their life is.with all the respect to the pack above, I wonder why one would be interested in it? even if it survives one full Camino, most likely it will fail on the next. There are Osprey and other quality backpacks, and a decent pack would cost roughly 5x more, but it will serve 10x longer and will be 10x more convenient to carry.
If long distance walking is a part of your life, then well thought over investments in quality gear are more reasonable. I bought a Stratos 36 in 2014 to walk CF, and since then have walked CA, VdlP and CP with it, plus many other shorter trails, and will take it for the next Camino for sure
Totally my colour!!!
For the times I decide to spend less and choose something really cheap instead, I tell myself it's like buying gear "on the installment plan".Why? Well, economics for one. Not everyone can afford $150 backpacks
Hilarious and I totally agree, those were my thoughts exactly! Before purchasing an Osprey, I watched quality videos of a few models before deciding on one. This video left much to be desired, but probably not a bad decision in a pinch or for a "one and done" Camino.Seriously, not to be unsupportive, but that review….WAS AWFUL!!!!. A majority was non-pack dialog and the analysis was mostly that the zipper pulls and the built-in rain fly were great!
For some of us, long distance walking is a small part of our life and that quality gear is wrapped in plastic hanging in the garage. Likely to never be used again. Not a good investment.with all the respect to the pack above, I wonder why one would be interested in it? even if it survives one full Camino, most likely it will fail on the next. There are Osprey and other quality backpacks, and a decent pack would cost roughly 5x more, but it will serve 10x longer and will be 10x more convenient to carry.
If long distance walking is a part of your life, then well thought over investments in quality gear are more reasonable. I bought a Stratos 36 in 2014 to walk CF, and since then have walked CA, VdlP and CP with it, plus many other shorter trails, and will take it for the next Camino for sure
with all the respect to the pack above, I wonder why one would be interested in it? even if it survives one full Camino, most likely it will fail on the next. There are Osprey and other quality backpacks, and a decent pack would cost roughly 5x more, but it will serve 10x longer and will be 10x more convenient to carry.
It has been mentioned in this thread, 'a bag is a bag', go with what you can afford. There are alternatives of course, I spotted this one on the Frances in 2019....Did I mention I saw a guy walking with two shopping bags (Trader Joes!) as his “backpack”??? Lightweight, cheap, and totally disposable! Every person gets to choose what works best for themselves
Yes, exactly.For some of us, long distance walking is a small part of our life and that quality gear is wrapped in plastic hanging in the garage. Likely to never be used again. Not a good investment.
Both may fail and both may survive. You can't tell until it happens.with all the respect to the pack above, I wonder why one would be interested in it? even if it survives one full Camino, most likely it will fail on the next. There are Osprey and other quality backpacks, and a decent pack would cost roughly 5x more, but it will serve 10x longer and will be 10x more convenient to carry.
If long distance walking is a part of your life, then well thought over investments in quality gear are more reasonable. I bought a Stratos 36 in 2014 to walk CF, and since then have walked CA, VdlP and CP with it, plus many other shorter trails, and will take it for the next Camino for sure
Whatever floats your boat....!I spotted this guy just leaving the Parador in Leon. We had stepped inside for a look at the lobby when he was checking out at the reception desk, so we walked behind him for awhile. Apparently he can afford anything he wants.
View attachment 119009
I agree totally Roland. Plus, I'd rather have a $30 rucksack stolen / lost by an airline, than a $150 one...!Both may fail and both may survive. You can't tell until it happens.
I used the cheapo-b/p from my CF on my alpine crossing last year and it survived this trip, too.
Used it on many hikes through some parts of the Harz and the Thuringian Forest. After the last trip to the Harz a small hole on the bottom of that b/p occured by mishap of me. It was fixed in 5mins needle-work.
I'm very satisfied with the quality and ergonomics of this backpack.
And yes, I own a LoweAlpine backpack that was 149€ and I use it while hiking with my photo-gear in a padded extra-pouch. It is just slightly better in ergonomics but has many more possibilities of getting access to the contents.
Why? Well, economics for one. Not everyone can afford $150 backpacks and $200 sleeping bags. I met a lot of pilgrims walking on very strict budgets. Long distance walking isn't a part of their life, but walking the Camino once in their life is.
I would guess that the majority, probably 99% of the people who walk the Camino only walk it once, and are not backpackers prior or afterwards. Someone like that doesn't need a heavy duty, technical pack, and walking the Camino does little wear and tear on any pack. All three packs I have used on various Caminos pretty much look exactly like they did when I bought them. No worse for wear and I never had anything rip or tear on any of them.
For someone who's walking the Camino only once in life and never trekking with a pack again buying a $100-$150 pack is like going to the hardware store and buying the most expensive hammer to nail in just a dozen or so picture hooks at home and never using the hammer again. There's a $5 no name hammer on the rack next to a $30 contractor grade hammer. Why spend $30 to do a $5 job? That goes for trekking poles etc as well. Just about everything except for footwear, and even then I saw a pilgrim walk all the way to Santiago in a pair of canvas boat shoes, lol.
I was hoping for a luggage quote from Terry Pratchett.Terry Pratchett solved that, and much more besides:
A quote from Men at Arms
The reason that the rich were so rich, Vimes reasoned, was because they managed to spend less money.Take boots, for example. He earned thirty-eight dol...www.goodreads.com
Not really.Terry Pratchett solved that, and much more besides:
A quote from Men at Arms
The reason that the rich were so rich, Vimes reasoned, was because they managed to spend less money.Take boots, for example. He earned thirty-eight dol...www.goodreads.com
I have purchased something like this from Walmart a few years ago. It looks like it could do the job.Never heard of Samit. No internal frame but... for $31 let's see what can go wrong.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/SAMIT-Hi...htweight-Travel-Outdoor-Women-Black/801109359
Osprey All Mighty (guarantee) says : Should you find any defect in the way your pack has been built, we will repair or replace it without any charge, within its reasonable lifetime.Both may fail and both may survive. You can't tell until it happens.
Great. Mine won't arrive or a week. Some of those Amazon criticisms were unnerving. Hope we got the same one (or not!)Mine is due at the house today, so I will report in. I will say that it's looking like it's going right back. Suspiciously, the interior pictures were missing from the Amazon listing I looked at- and the reviews point it more toward a school bookbag than a 40L pack. But, free returns so why not take a look?
the above? That's me. I don't know if I will ever do it again. If I do, I'll upgrade one piece at a time. I've made it 55 years without a backpack, hiking shoes, walking poles, sleeping quilts, merino anything. It's a large chunk of cash if you only use it once.Why? Well, economics for one. Not everyone can afford $150 backpacks and $200 sleeping bags. I met a lot of pilgrims walking on very strict budgets. Long distance walking isn't a part of their life, but walking the Camino once in their life is.
I would guess that the majority, probably 99% of the people who walk the Camino only walk it once, and are not backpackers prior or afterwards. Someone like that doesn't need a heavy duty, technical pack, and walking the Camino does little wear and tear on any pack. All three packs I have used on various Caminos pretty much look exactly like they did when I bought them. No worse for wear and I never had anything rip or tear on any of them.
For someone who's walking the Camino only once in life and never trekking with a pack again buying a $100-$150 pack is like going to the hardware store and buying the most expensive hammer to nail in just a dozen or so picture hooks at home and never using the hammer again. There's a $5 no name hammer on the rack next to a $30 contractor grade hammer. Why spend $30 to do a $5 job? That goes for trekking poles etc as well. Just about everything except for footwear, and even then I saw a pilgrim walk all the way to Santiago in a pair of canvas boat shoes, lol.
LOL, down the rabbit hole! Thanks bookgirl, for the research,when @puttster sent me down the Amazon rabbit hole, I also found (and ordered) one of these just to see:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09KNYVZ4R/?tag=casaivar02-20
it appears to be a direct knockoff version of my Osprey and 1.4 pounds lighter and $130 less expensive. It gets here tomorrow.
I had looked at the Loogoo ones as well. Thank you for the side by side size comparison. I ended up going with a used rei trail 40 off ebay, but I'm worried I will over pack it. In my ideal world I'd have just used my dakine 33l, but it doesn't have waist/hip straps.Oh boy...
I ordered a "Smartpark". I recieved a "Logooo". The pack appeared to have pretty decent construction, but- 40L? Don't think so. Here's a picture of my Osprey Kyte 36L (3 pounds) next to the (ahem) 40L one. I filled it up with a fleece and stuff to be fair.
Yeah.
However- when @puttster sent me down the Amazon rabbit hole, I also found (and ordered) one of these just to see:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09KNYVZ4R/?tag=casaivar02-20
it appears to be a direct knockoff version of my Osprey and 1.4 pounds lighter and $130 less expensive. I checked and I'm well within my REI return window, so I got one of those to check out as well. It gets here tomorrow.
the above? That's me. I don't know if I will ever do it again. If I do, I'll upgrade one piece at a time. I've made it 55 years without a backpack, hiking shoes, walking poles, sleeping quilts, merino anything. It's a large chunk of cash if you only use it once.
View attachment 119029
If you are a first timer, do those extra quality things matter?
The Osprey has a frame of some sort in the inside of the pack keeping it upright. The Shanyk folds on itself.
This could be very true, Trecile. I appreciate the trampline frame on my Osprey as it can stand up on its own, making packing it in the morning very convenient. Although the cheaper pack is probably a good value and would "do the job", as in most things in life, you usually "get what you pay for".The lack of a frame that you mention could make a big difference in how comfortable it is to carry.
I think that the frame can be very important in how well a backpack transfers the load from the shoulders/back to the hips.This could be very true, Trecile. I appreciate the trampline frame on my Osprey as it can stand up on its own, making packing it in the morning very convenient. Although the cheaper pack is probably a good value and would "do the job", as in most things in life, you usually "get what you pay for".
I have backpacks of various sizes that use different arrangements for stiffening the back panel. A couple have very flexible stiffening panels, including one with almost not stiffening at all. In use, to get good weight transfer to my hips, those with more flexible panels need to be packed fairly tightly so that they form a fairly solid tube.This could be very true, Trecile. I appreciate the trampline frame on my Osprey as it can stand up on its own, making packing it in the morning very convenient. Although the cheaper pack is probably a good value and would "do the job", as in most things in life, you usually "get what you pay for".
If I ever run into @trecile I'll ask her to sew me a working one.
Get in the back of the line, buddy; there is a long line in front of you.If I ever run into @trecile I'll ask her to sew me a working one.
i ordered one and should arrive in a few days and will pack and carry it on one of hikes and see how it works.Yup, that will work just fine and even comes with a rain cover. I'd carry it in a heartbeat to walk the Camino. Backpacks on his forum get waaay overthought, IMO.
You don't need an expensive, technical super lightweight backpack to walk the Camino. You will see pilgrims walking with all manner of backpacks, daypacks etc, cheap ones expensive ones, frame and no frame, some threadbare and well worn and they reach Santiago.....alive! lol
Once I walked the entire Frances, 800 kilometres, with a frameless $35 military style rucksack. I would guess it is about 35 litres in size. It had no hipbelt, no water bladder holder and no side pockets etc. I used a trash bag as a liner for it in case it rained, but it never did (July-August). What I did do, and this is by far the most important thing, far more important than pack choice, is I packed only what I needed, not what I thought I might need. I packed as light as possible. There is no substitute for that. That is important to me as I am no spring chicken and I know my limitations as I have gotten older, and my limitations are increased with each unnecessary pound I am carrying on my back.
that is where I bought mine from. it arrives in a few days and will take on a hike fully packed and will see how it is.Dang, Looks like the same one on Amazon for a dollar cheaper.
Absolutely. I have taken my new Decathlon €34 (30l) pack on holiday this week. I think it's great. It's big enough for everything I need (beginning to think I should have bought smaller for the Camino), it's much more comfortable than what I had before at half the weight.My backpack I bought from Aldi for $30. It has served me well for two caminos and will be used again on my next.
Someone a long time ago posted that Osprey was the best so everyone followed. The best is what works for you. It does not need to be a designer label.
Ok, everyone my Samit arrived which I ordered from Amazon. It's nice and light but definitely not a real 40 l like my Gregory L. I tried butting the stuff I need but it will not suffice and for me it will not do. Will try to return it.Never heard of Samit. No internal frame but... for $31 let's see what can go wrong.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/SAMIT-Hi...htweight-Travel-Outdoor-Women-Black/801109359
I'm happy to also say this cheap pack worked well for me, after 4 weeks traveling Italy and Andorra, then 35 days on the Camino Frances. One of the waist staos is getting a little torn at the seem but otherwise holding up well. If you don't plan on using for another trip, this works. However, it's not the same as a more expensive frame pack, so the back did get a bit sweaty.I hadn't seen this post until today, but happened to get the green Samit bag a month ago. It is not huge! but maybe that's a good thing. The compact sleeping bag I ordered takes up nearly 1/3 of the space in the main compartment. Haven't test packed everything else yet. My rain poncho is def. going in one of the exterior water bottle holders. Thinking about getting rid of the rain fly... leaves a little more space for other stuff... if really raining will use the poncho over bag. My hike doesn't start until mid-Sept but will do some hiking around home with this bag and report back.
Hope you watch the video. Very entertaining fashion show.Dang, Looks like the same one on Amazon for a dollar cheaper.
Hi there so you recommend it? So can you buy this in sports shops such as Dicks which usually carries a great selection of sports and hiking gear.Yup, that will work just fine and even comes with a rain cover. I'd carry it in a heartbeat to walk the Camino. Backpacks on his forum get waaay overthought, IMO.
You don't need an expensive, technical super lightweight backpack to walk the Camino. You will see pilgrims walking with all manner of backpacks, daypacks etc, cheap ones expensive ones, frame and no frame, some threadbare and well worn and they reach Santiago.....alive! lol
Once I walked the entire Frances, 800 kilometres, with a frameless $35 military style rucksack. I would guess it is about 35 litres in size. It had no hipbelt, no water bladder holder and no side pockets etc. I used a trash bag as a liner for it in case it rained, but it never did (July-August). What I did do, and this is by far the most important thing, far more important than pack choice, is I packed only what I needed, not what I thought I might need. I packed as light as possible. There is no substitute for that. That is important to me as I am no spring chicken and I know my limitations as I have gotten older, and my limitations are increased with each unnecessary pound I am carrying on my back.
I have no idea. I was given the pack. I don't even know what brand it is.Hi there so you recommend it? So can you buy this in sports shops such as Dicks which usually carries a great selection of sports and hiking gear.
Probably not. Stores like Dick's and REI generally carry merchandise from the big name brands.Hi there so you recommend it? So can you buy this in sports shops such as Dicks which usually carries a great selection of sports and hiking gear.
I checked amazon but didn't see a Samit but many other brands. Also, the link that lists Samit informed me they are out of stock otherwise I would have ordered one for my twelfth Camino in 2023.Hope you watch the video. Very entertaining fashion show.
Thanks for the info on this product can you recommend something comparable? I got rid of my backpack after finishing the Norte this year metal frame on it was too heavy and looking now.Ok, everyone my Samit arrived which I ordered from Amazon. It's nice and light but definitely not a real 40 l like my Gregory L. I tried butting the stuff I need but it will not suffice and for me it will not do. Will try to return it.
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