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Save money. Use it. Just don't fill it...Hi There! Starting my (first) Camino next month from Irun. I'm 194cm x 96kg and chose the Osprey Farpoint 70L pack as it was long enough to fit my Leki walking poles and all my other stuff too. That said, I've been reading a lot of posts and everyone seems to be carrying a 35-45L pack. I've weighed my pack with all my stuff and it's coming in under 10kg so weight isn't an issue per se. Any advice?
Hi There! Starting my (first) Camino next month from Irun. I'm 194cm x 96kg and chose the Osprey Farpoint 70L pack as it was long enough to fit my Leki walking poles and all my other stuff too. That said, I've been reading a lot of posts and everyone seems to be carrying a 35-45L pack. I've weighed my pack with all my stuff and it's coming in under 10kg so weight isn't an issue per se. Any advice?
Hi There! Starting my (first) Camino next month from Irun. I'm 194cm x 96kg and chose the Osprey Farpoint 70L pack as it was long enough to fit my Leki walking poles and all my other stuff too. That said, I've been reading a lot of posts and everyone seems to be carrying a 35-45L pack. I've weighed my pack with all my stuff and it's coming in under 10kg so weight isn't an issue per se. Any advice?
Hi There! Starting my (first) Camino next month from Irun. I'm 194cm x 96kg and chose the Osprey Farpoint 70L pack as it was long enough to fit my Leki walking poles and all my other stuff too.
The Farpoint is classified as a "travel" backpack, so I'm not sure that it would be the best choice to carry for hours and hours each day. It's also huge, and a bit heavy at 1.78 kg.
Hi There! Starting my (first) Camino next month from Irun. I'm 194cm x 96kg and chose the Osprey Farpoint 70L pack as it was long enough to fit my Leki walking poles and all my other stuff too. That said, I've been reading a lot of posts and everyone seems to be carrying a 35-45L pack. I've weighed my pack with all my stuff and it's coming in under 10kg so weight isn't an issue per se. Any advice?
Your advice is spot on. There is a real risk of taking on more stuff as you go since you have all that extra room in the pack. But, if you’re disciplined about it you certainly can do it. The one thing about a pack that is sized for the load you’re carrying is that it may carry better than a way oversized pack. Things won’t be shifting around on you. In the whole scheme of things, a backpack is not a huge expense as a percentage of the total you’ll be spending on your Camino. My vote is for getting a pack sized for the load you’ll be carrying. For me that was a 36l Osprey Stratus. I’ll be taking the same pack next year when I walk my second Camino.While it sounds huge at first glance, 70 liters is only 35 liters if you fill it half-way. I understand the desire to economize, as you will use the pack for other, non-Camino, activities, like traveling. However, you have to adopt a very rigid discipline to avoid accumulating things that individually weigh "almost nothing."
Hundreds of the forum members can tell you stories of items weighing 'almost nothing' that contributed to a overly heavy pack. We have all fallen prey to this gremlin, myself included...several times.
One of the reasons the 'sweet spot' for a Camino pack in the 30 - 40 liter range is the relationship between packing your gear very tightly and weight or mass. Fellow member 'Dougfitz' has established a mathematical model to equate weight to volume. He is actually very accurate. Search for his articles on rucksack or backpack weight. I consider him the resident expert at packing and pack size.
Personally, I started six years ago, with an Osprey Kestrel 48 liter rucksack. Now, after five learning attempt and as many Caminos, this year I used my new Osprey Kestrel 38 liter bag. The intentionally smaller volume bag, with no 'dangly bits' outside, forces me to economize on packing. It actually worked.
Another reason for this preference is the simple fact the 30 - 40 liter packs can usually be carried onto an airplane, especially if it is not over-stuffed. Sharp items like knives and metal tipped hiking poles must still be checked. But that can be facilitated by using an small, inexpensive folding duffle bag to check restricted items. Get a sturdy cardboard shipping tube from a stationery store to put your poles into. Or, the airline will provide some container or another.
Personally, I choose to check my rucksack in a large brightly colored nylon laundry bag. This way, the laundry bag takes all the handling bruises and the rucksack remains intact. I carry on personal electronics, expensive items, all valuables, and my medications. In six trips for a Camino it has worked well every time.
Finally, if you still intend to use this large(ish) rucksack, do have a viable Plan B to ship surplus to needs items ahead to Santiago. Ivar, who runs this forum, has this service. I virtually guarantee that at some point you will decide that you do not need this or that, or you will question bringing some item. Search here in the Forum. Alternatively, you can use the Correos (post office) in Spain to ship your excess items ahead to the main post office on Rua Franco in Santiago.
Here is a link to a good hread discussing Ivar's service:
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/luggage-storage-questions.45692/#post-483458
Here is a good link to the appropriate Correos page (in English):
http://www.elcaminoconcorreos.com/en/
I hope this helps.
Hi, last year I walked the first 260kms of the Le Puy route with an Osprey Stratos 36l sack, with 10kgs of gear. This year I will walk the remaining 500kms and I aim to get my pack weight down to 5kgs or less. Be meticulous and disciplined about your bag contents, as others will recommend after the first 3 days your hips and shoulders will be thankful that you limited your pack weight. And there are plenty of shops en route where you can buy essentials.Hi There! Starting my (first) Camino next month from Irun. I'm 194cm x 96kg and chose the Osprey Farpoint 70L pack as it was long enough to fit my Leki walking poles and all my other stuff too. That said, I've been reading a lot of posts and everyone seems to be carrying a 35-45L pack. I've weighed my pack with all my stuff and it's coming in under 10kg so weight isn't an issue per se. Any advice?
Go light. You will be carrying this for weeks!Hi There! Starting my (first) Camino next month from Irun. I'm 194cm x 96kg and chose the Osprey Farpoint 70L pack as it was long enough to fit my Leki walking poles and all my other stuff too. That said, I've been reading a lot of posts and everyone seems to be carrying a 35-45L pack. I've weighed my pack with all my stuff and it's coming in under 10kg so weight isn't an issue per se. Any advice?
Ditch the big one: take the day pack. I took a 16 litre Osprey. It was stuffed put adequate. I was carrying two pounds of meds [including special meal supplements] along with my clothes etc.Bear in mind that the 70L includes the day pack, which is 13L - so the pack is 'only' 57L. I have the Osprey Farpoint 55L (42L for the big pack) but I use it for regular travel and not for hiking as it's not designed for that. On Camino, I take a 35L North Face pack.
I have the Farpoint as well. Good travel pack but the hip belt is not as good as the Osprey hiking packs. My wife and I have only walked in 3 week bursts and carried WAY to much (15kgs in my case) with an Osprey Aether. 10 kgs is a good start ...Hi There! Starting my (first) Camino next month from Irun. I'm 194cm x 96kg and chose the Osprey Farpoint 70L pack as it was long enough to fit my Leki walking poles and all my other stuff too. That said, I've been reading a lot of posts and everyone seems to be carrying a 35-45L pack. I've weighed my pack with all my stuff and it's coming in under 10kg so weight isn't an issue per se. Any advice?
I too purchased a 70l pack for my trip nd currently am in Pamplona. My pack is completely filled and definitely wish it was lighter. I think the size of the pack works well and also enjoyed having room for my poles when flying but definitely wish I left so of my "essentials behind. After 15K days it's more then I think is necessary
Jajajajaja. After reading all these helpful posts I shaved off two more kilos. Now down to about 8.5kg total. Although I'm going to miss my kitchen sink me thinks.Sounds HUGE to me. I’m carrying a 28L pack this year and carried 30L on the Camino for over 10 years. Whatcha bringing? The kitchen sink?
Thanks GT for your insightful post. I have done a few trial hikes/walks (25km) with an Osprey 80L and the size wasn't an issue. That said, a few 25km walks does not a Camino make. I've got a small Eagle Creek fanny pack which I wear in front with two 350ml water bottles as well (plus another 500ml inside my Osprey). I've been training for about two months now and on walks/hikes longer than 20km I feel about the same (tired and wondering why I decided to do this...hahaha) whether I have a pack or not.....but I'm getting better each time. I'm actually doing an around the world trip Tokyo-Kuala Lumpur-Bangkok-Zurich-London-Camino-Gran Canaria-Barcelona-New York-Los Angeles-Tokyo and thus the 70L Farpoint. I guess I'm just going to have to find out whether I made the right decision after my Camino. Cheers!Tabibito, as others have commented here, the Farpoint is a travel pack, not a hiking pack - a very different beast. It's designed for people just needing to walk from transport to accommodation rather than walking all day. Apart from the size (and many people do hike with large packs), the pack is not structured for multi-day hiking. It might be big enough to pack away your poles when travelling, but it is missing a number of useful features a hiking pack would have - including side pockets to hold water bottles, and/or an internal space for a water reservoir, pole loops for stowing your poles if you're not using them all the time while walking, and in general the shape. Have you tried hiking with it? The best way to judge would be to pack it with what you plan to take, then wear it for some consecutive day training hikes, over varied terrain (including hills and rough ground), for several hours at a time. If it seems super-comfortable then take it - but your pack is one of the most important pieces of equipment for a long walk and anything less than super comfortable is quickly going to become a pain - in more ways than one!
If you do decide it isn't the right pack for you, you should be able to return and exchange it.
Good luck and Buen Camino!
It does have a frame and hip belt. I'm going to do some more practice walks this week with it fully packed and see how it (and me) performs.Tend to agree sadly. It' s more of a travel pack than a hiking pack. Does it have a frame and hip belt?
Muchas Gracias for your message.Most people will give advice for lightweight packs and they are right for them but I’m offering you a different take in this topic.
I have an Osprey 55 and I bought it after watching the Osprey company videos designed to educate people who sell Osprey packs and then visiting REI and a few smaller shops to test out different packs at different weights. All outdoor shops have weights and you can try the various packs with them.
What I learned is that it is fact that the larger packs provide more support and give you many more options to control the placement of weight. I had had surgery on my hip area two months before my Camino so I needed the ability to adjust where I carried the weight as well as more support for that weight.
The actual weight you put in the pack is 100% about what feels comfortable to you - not anyone else...so put what you want in there, practice at home (climbing both up and down hill) and adjust as you need to or want to.
Non-Camino hikers routinely carry much more weight than Camino hikers. My husband did an Alaska trek in which he carried 50 pounds along mountain trails. We are now home from our Camino and happy we have larger packs as we want to do portions of the PCT so will need to carry tents, food, etc. The larger Ospreys are designed to do this comfortably so are not only a better investment for the future but generally out perform the smaller packs with smaller weights and lastly, provide many options for adjustment of the weight.
Buen Camino
Most people will give advice for lightweight packs and they are right for them but I’m offering you a different take in this topic.
I have an Osprey 55 and I bought it after watching the Osprey company videos designed to educate people who sell Osprey packs and then visiting REI and a few smaller shops to test out different packs at different weights. All outdoor shops have weights and you can try the various packs with them.
What I learned is that it is fact that the larger packs provide more support and give you many more options to control the placement of weight. I had had surgery on my hip area two months before my Camino so I needed the ability to adjust where I carried the weight as well as more support for that weight.
The actual weight you put in the pack is 100% about what feels comfortable to you - not anyone else...so put what you want in there, practice at home (climbing both up and down hill) and adjust as you need to or want to.
Non-Camino hikers routinely carry much more weight than Camino hikers. My husband did an Alaska trek in which he carried 50 pounds along mountain trails. We are now home from our Camino and happy we have larger packs as we want to do portions of the PCT so will need to carry tents, food, etc. The larger Ospreys are designed to do this comfortably so are not only a better investment for the future but generally out perform the smaller packs with smaller weights and lastly, provide many options for adjustment of the weight.
Buen Camino
Hi There! Starting my (first) Camino next month from Irun. I'm 194cm x 96kg and chose the Osprey Farpoint 70L pack as it was long enough to fit my Leki walking poles and all my other stuff too. That said, I've been reading a lot of posts and everyone seems to be carrying a 35-45L pack. I've weighed my pack with all my stuff and it's coming in under 10kg so weight isn't an issue per se. Any advice?
hell yes it's overkill. I did the camino with a 24 liter osprey pack that was not even full. You need a 70 liter if you are doing something like the pacific crest trail and have to carry all the food you will need for the next 50 - 100 miles. On the camino you don't need to carry any food, only some snacks if you want them. You are going to find somewhere to get what you need every 10 KM or so. You don't need a stove, you don't need pots and pans.
At the risk of sounding like narrow-minded and dogmatic know-it-all, and notwithstanding that there are varied opinions about assorted topics regarding the Camino, there are some, truths including these two:
A 70L pack is way overkill--I think a previous comment called it x2. A 35-40L pack is far more sensible.
And 10 kg (20+ lbs) is significantly more than necessary, or, if you want to finish, desirable.
I walked the Frances in 2016 with a 40L Gregory and with 15 lbs. Starting again in about a week with a 38L pack and 13 lbs. And I could even shave another couple lbs off, and may between now and departure. Prior to the Camino, I have had a couple thousand miles of mountain backpacking over a number of years with a relatively heavy pack. But, the Camino is not wilderness backpacking. You could argue it's not even a trek or hike, but rather a leisurely walk.
Tabibito, the great thing about this forum is that you can get unvarnished advice from Camino veterans. My observation in my 2016 Camino was that the people I saw at the beginning of the Camino with heavy packs (or leather boots) was that I did not see them in Santiago, and in most cases didn't see them again after the first week (or less). Of course, one can carry 20 lbs in a big pack for 30-40 days, but the cumulative effect of that unnecessary weight is likely to impair your ability to complete as well your overall enjoyment.
Just had a look at the Osprey Farpoint 70--it weighs 4 lbs. There are plenty of good 35-40L packs that weigh in at just over 2 lbs.
And expectations too. They should all be left behind.In addition to physical weight the heaviest things to carry are prejudices and preconceptions.
Thanks for your reply. Quick question. Can you elaborate on why the Osprey Farpoint is not the type of backpack you would want to carry? Just for sake of discussion let's say I had an Osprey Exos 48L of 8kg total weight or the Osprey Farpoint 70L also at 8kg. Is the design of the straps, waist belt etc. between the two packs going to make a huge difference? and if so; what are those differences. My dilemma is that I really need the day pack which is offered on the Farpoint 70 but not on the other backpacking only type packs as I'm going to be traveling for 3 months. (7 weeks on the camino) and need the flexibility of checking in the Farpoint and detaching the day pack when flying or just a simple jaunt around town where I can leave the main pack in my room etc. This all being said, if the design aspects are going to be deal breakers (as in not being able to finish the camino) I'll buy a new pack.I agree about the amount of weight being carried can affect one's performance and enjoyment of walking the Camino... or anywhere. In this specific case, as you have said, 10kg of weight (22 pounds) is a huge, honkin', hairy load for a Camino.
But I am just as concerned that the Osprey Farpoint is not the type of backpack I would want anyone to wear for carrying a load during long hours over multiple days and weeks. It is not designed for that purpose. That fact will be just as significant as the 10 kg weight load; and then when one combines the two factors --- a heavy weight, and a non backpacking pack --- then that becomes a compounded formula for discomfort and energy drain.
In general, and apart from this specific backpack in this thread --- Osprey Farpoint --- a 70 liter backpack for Camino use doesn't bother me. Given the right choice in gear, it can still be a base for an ultralight or lightweight total pack weight. Of course, a 70 liter backpack for the Camino might have a lot of leftover, empty space after being packed up. Though considered more pack than is needed for a Camino application, I can't say that, despite the 'overkill' that my advice would be for someone to spend more money to buy a new, smaller pack if they already owned a large backpack.
Since you will be doing other travel besides the Camino have you thought of a two bag solution? A proper backpacking backpack with your Camino things, and a small duffel or roller bag with you other travel clothing. You can mail the second bag to Santiago, where it will be waiting for you when you complete your Camino.Thanks for your reply. Quick question. Can you elaborate on why the Osprey Farpoint is not the type of backpack you would want to carry? Just for sake of discussion let's say I had an Osprey Exos 48L of 8kg total weight or the Osprey Farpoint 70L also at 8kg. Is the design of the straps, waist belt etc. between the two packs going to make a huge difference? and if so; what are those differences. My dilemma is that I really need the day pack which is offered on the Farpoint 70 but not on the other backpacking only type packs as I'm going to be traveling for 3 months. (7 weeks on the camino) and need the flexibility of checking in the Farpoint and detaching the day pack when flying or just a simple jaunt around town where I can leave the main pack in my room etc. This all being said, if the design aspects are going to be deal breakers (as in not being able to finished the camino) I'll buy a new pack.
I've done a few practice walks with a fully loaded Farpoint and it was heavy at 10kg so I shaved off 2kg and found it to be OK. I get the whole discussion on less is more weight-wise, but after all these great insights I'm still a bit confused as to why a certain pack design is better than others. Thanks!
I’m even more confused now , I’ve got an Osprey 50l Atmos AG and a 33l Talon, really don’t know which one to take on my Camino. Thankfully I’ve got a long time to try multi-walking with both
I’m even more confused now , I’ve got an Osprey 50l Atmos AG and a 33l Talon, really don’t know which one to take on my Camino. Thankfully I’ve got a long time to try multi-walking with both
The Talon is about 1/2 the weight as your Atmos. The Talon is a comfortable pack, and with the large back mesh pocket it can carry a good volume of stuff, so I would guess that it would be a good Camino pack for you. Have you tried packing your Camino gear into the Talon?
Not a complete packing exercise yet, I’m still researching ideas of what I need. My multiday walks to date have only ever been upto 7 days so often take a fair amount, including a tent but reading so many posts I’m working out what I’m going to slim down to
Are you planning on camping? If not, no tent needed, no mat or pad, and a very light sleeping quilt or bag liner.
Here's my packing list as an example. In grams, the pack weight is about 4 gm.
View attachment 42838View attachment 42838
Are you planning on camping? If not, no tent needed, no mat or pad, and a very light sleeping quilt or bag liner.
Here's my packing list as an example. In grams, the pack weight is about 4 gm.
View attachment 42838View attachment 42838
Scrap that last question, is that the 60l Mariposa?
Guys can I just say thank you. This is what the forum is about helping each other.
I can call upon all sorts of experience to help me with so many aspects of this Camino but over never walked for 35-40 days. And all my multiday experience is being self sufficient, so always in the past I’ve taken way more gear than your list.
Thanks guys really appreciate it
While I may not be as tall as the OP (who is about 6 foot 4 inches) I am pretty wide. As a result my clothes are significantly bigger than many others. This seems to be a factor that no-one ever takes into account in these discussions. I simply couldn't fit my stuff into anything less than a 35l pack. I only take 2 pairs of shorts, 3 t-shirts, 3 pairs of socks etc. of which I'm wearing one set at any one time but then there's things like sleeping bag liners (XXL), towels (XXL), rain jackets (XXL) and flip flops (US size 14, EU 48), even socks that all take up a lot of room so even though I am toward the low end in terms of items packed the volume is considerable.
Compare this with one of my previous camino companions who was 6 inches shorter and less than half my weight and you have a situation where even though we have roughly the same items in our pack my kit was getting on fordouble the size of hers.
As such anyone saying pack light and you can manage with such and such a pack size is ignoring the fact that not everyone is the same.
Innovative to make your own adjustments. I’m more and more convinced my Talon 33l will be best suited.
Would you say just a sleeping bag liner would be enough for a sept start (finishing Oct 10ish) ??
Thanks for your reply. Quick question. Can you elaborate on why the Osprey Farpoint is not the type of backpack you would want to carry? Just for sake of discussion let's say I had an Osprey Exos 48L of 8kg total weight or the Osprey Farpoint 70L also at 8kg. Is the design of the straps, waist belt etc. between the two packs going to make a huge difference? and if so; what are those differences. My dilemma is that I really need the day pack which is offered on the Farpoint 70 but not on the other backpacking only type packs as I'm going to be traveling for 3 months. (7 weeks on the camino) and need the flexibility of checking in the Farpoint and detaching the day pack when flying or just a simple jaunt around town where I can leave the main pack in my room etc. This all being said, if the design aspects are going to be deal breakers (as in not being able to finish the camino) I'll buy a new pack.
I've done a few practice walks with a fully loaded Farpoint and it was heavy at 10kg so I shaved off 2kg and found it to be OK. I get the whole discussion on less is more weight-wise, but after all these great insights I'm still a bit confused as to why a certain pack design is better than others. Thanks!
Why the Aqua Mira?Are you planning on camping? If not, no tent needed, no mat or pad, and a very light sleeping quilt or bag liner.
Here's my packing list as an example. In grams, the pack weight is about 4 gm.
View attachment 42838View attachment 42838
I like the look of the Mariposa but have a few questions that maybe you can help me with. Since, like you, I would not be using all the volume, how does it do carrying a partial load? I don't see any straps for cinching down when the pack is not full. Second question, since I would be using the pack for other purposes besides the camino, it doesn't like there are many external attachment points for strapping on a tent or sleeping pad. Is that the case? Last question, I do much of my hiking in the desert which means I need to carry lots of water. An overnight hike requires 2 gallons, so that's 16 lbs. before I add any food or gear. How much weight can the pack comfortably carry?
Why the Aqua Mira?
I have used the Mariposa for wilderness backpacking as its primary use. It is a veteran of the PCT and Colorado Trail. Because it is so light and comfortable, I saw no reason to purchase a different backpack for the Camino when I took it last year, and again this year
1. It carries a partial load beautifully. Other than the lid closure straps, which cinch down quite a bit, there are no compression straps. The smaller loads don't shift under movement.
2. There are external attachment points at various locations. There are even small eyelet style loops on the back of the bag, down both sides, through which I laced a small gauge shock cord in a series of criss-crosses for holding items like crampons. The same configuration can be used for a tent or sleeping bag.
Additionally, the outside stretchy mesh pocket on the back of the bag is HUGGGGE. It can hold a lot of stuff.
However, even with 10 days worth of food and fuel between resupply points on my through hikes, I never had to carry my sleeping bag, mattress, or tent externally. And a bear vault food canister can go in horizontally, just in case you are traveling in bear country where regulations require the use of a food canister.
3. During the desert portion of the Pacific Crest Trail, and in the red rock country in Utah, I have carried 8 liters of water in the Mariposa. The internal hydration sleeve pocket can hold a 4 liter reservoir. During that time, I carried 4 days of food and fuel, and my base pack weight was around 12 pounds. With the food, fuel, and water, that total pack weight was right at 36.8 pounds... we'll just call it 37 pounds.
There is no way to make 37 pounds feel like 15 pounds; what I look for is how a pack centers the load on my body, how well the shoulder harness system and the waist belt system function when carrying the load, how friable the connections, fittings and the bag materials are for wear and tear, and how much does the pack either contribute to or take away from any discomfort at carrying the load.
When I write up my a report for the manufacturers that hire me to test one of their packs, that report gets into a lot of nit picky detail. But let me summarize how the Mariposa performs for me:
I would put the limiting weight factor for the Mariposa at around 40 pounds. As I said above, the pack won't be able to reduce the fact that gravity is not your friend, but the pack will not create any problems while backpacking. To me, the Mariposa's sweet spot is for big loads is 30 to 40 pounds. A pretty wide range.
For a Camino load of 10 pounds, I tend to forget I'm wearing the Mariposa. For a 7 to 10 day backpacking load of 23 pounds, the Mariposa is a friend, stays out of my way, and helps me make the miles. With a load of 38 pounds at the end of the day, my shoulders don't ache, my hips aren't sore or chafed, my back feels fine, and I can appreciate the Mariposa's design and ergonomics rather than cursing them.
And to top it off, with the extension collar tucked down into the main bag, the dimensions of the Mariposa allows it to be used as a carry-on for flying.
Thanks for a very thorough reply. I'll have to give it strong consideration.
Here's my packing list as an example. In grams, the pack weight is about 4 gm.
I trust you meant kg and not gm for the pack weight.
Almost every item on your list I have - same quantity but at nearly twice the weight in almost every case. Maybe because I wear XL? I'm going to have to get much more serious about both my weight and the weight of my gear!! No surprise here - lightweight gear costs much more! For instance - what knife did you carry? My Swiss Army knife (one with scissors for cutting moleskin and an all-important cork screw!) comes in at 5 oz - double your weight.
About the only thing I carried you didn't mention was shower shoes and I'm actually going to go UP in weight and take sandals that I can hike in if necessary. I watched one gal walk the CF for two days in flip flops while she was nursing some awesome blisters; I've decided my sandals can double as shower shoes as needed and are worth the added pound to have them as backups to my shoes.
It also looks like your list doesn't include things you wear or carry in your pockets (e.g. t-shirt, phone, wallet, passport?). Correct? Leading to -- Did you hike the Camino in shorts or pants (didn't notice pants in the pack)? Do you hike in the bike shorts? Other than two pair of bike shorts, am I reading it right - no spare shorts/pants at all?
Finally - despite weighing every individual item, after putting it all in my pack the total weight comes out almost 15% higher than my spreadsheet total. Gremlins!!
Thanks - and yup, I've become a gram weenie!!
Yup, kg, not gm... thanks for the correction.
And no, my iPhone can't replace the GoPro, because of the sheer amount of video storage needed and the fact I will be recording in 4K resolution.
Have you considered something like this iPhone flash drive?
Thanks for the note. I ended up buying an Osprey 45L (800g weight) pack and started my Camino del Norte on June 21st with a total pack weight of just under 9kg. As anyone who has done del Norte can attest; it's hard even if you had no pack. I was feeling it the first three stages and stage #4 (Deba to Markina) was a killer. I actually stayed in Iziar so this stage was a long 30km trudge with almost no services along the way and a 500m elevation profile. I ran out of water about 5km to Markina and only made it with a lot of cussing and grit. With all this said; from stage 5 onward my pack weight felt like a distant memory and after 25 stages I can say it doesn't bother me at all now. In my experience, on walks longer than 25km especially when it's sunny and warm; the last 2-3km stretches are a chore and your feet are protesting to stop. This is my first Camino and as I am not staying at alberques I booked most of my accommodation in advance. Now that I've done it, I would shorten the stages to 25km or less the next time as I find this is the tipping point for me to enjoy the evenings at each destination without having to crawl to a bar or restaurant due to exhaustion.
So long story short; after all my consternation about pack weight prior to my Camino, I found the weight wasn't the showstopper I feared. Slightly shorter stage lengths would be my advice and don't fret about taking a bus or taxi on those sections that go through industrial zones (Santander-Polanco, Bilbao-Portugalate, Gijon-Aviles etc) if factories and asphalt are your thing, then by all means go for it.
Del Norte will reward you with some stunningly beautiful scenery and a far less crowded experience. Buen Camino!
If that pack fits you comfortably and you're disciplined enough to keep the weight down, the size of the pack should be a non-issue. I purposefully bought a 38L for the next camino as for years I traveled with a 35L and it was like packing a puzzle every time I needed to get inside. I'm carrying the same stuff with more room and the backpack itself actually weighs an ounce less than the smaller one. I also feel it will serve me off of the camino when traveling...no need to keep buying different sizes. Buen Camino!Hi There! Starting my (first) Camino next month from Irun. I'm 194cm x 96kg and chose the Osprey Farpoint 70L pack as it was long enough to fit my Leki walking poles and all my other stuff too. That said, I've been reading a lot of posts and everyone seems to be carrying a 35-45L pack. I've weighed my pack with all my stuff and it's coming in under 10kg so weight isn't an issue per se. Any advice?
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