- Time of past OR future Camino
- June: Camino Frances from Pamplona
For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation) |
---|
I'm looking for a backpack recommendation for ultralight Camino travel. That would be carrying only a Bivvy sack, sleeping bag liner, goose down jacket in a stuff bag, poncho and extra clothes and shoes (one extra pair, perhaps, of very light shoes. One pair shorts, two tops). Water I will pick up at the stops and carry in my cargo shorts pockets. Any suggestions? I am thinking of hiking the northern route in May of next year. I walked the Camino Frances last May.
Thanks for any suggestions!
Warmly,
Barry
You want the best guidance to help you make the best choice? Answer Davebuggs' questions. That would be my advice. He is the guru of all things equipment and body related questions that trouble the Camino universe!I'm looking for a backpack recommendation for ultralight Camino travel. That would be carrying only a Bivvy sack, sleeping bag liner, goose down jacket in a stuff bag, poncho and extra clothes and shoes (one extra pair, perhaps, of very light shoes. One pair shorts, two tops). Water I will pick up at the stops and carry in my cargo shorts pockets. Any suggestions? I am thinking of hiking the northern route in May of next year. I walked the Camino Frances last May.
Thanks for any suggestions!
Warmly,
Barry
I don't have a backpack recommendation, but you may want to consider a few more things to throw in there. I expect that you know these from your Camino last year but I am putting this out there for readers who haven't walked yet and may be looking at your list and thinking it is enough. Top of the list is a towel and toiletries. They may not be needed if you are staying in hotels, but the bivvy sack and sleeping bag liner suggest that you won't. Perhaps one can walk without these but your fellow pilgrims won't thank you. In your extra clothes, in addition to the shorts and tops, make sure to include underwear and socks.I'm looking for a backpack recommendation for ultralight Camino travel. That would be carrying only a Bivvy sack, sleeping bag liner, goose down jacket in a stuff bag, poncho and extra clothes and shoes (one extra pair, perhaps, of very light shoes. One pair shorts, two tops). Water I will pick up at the stops and carry in my cargo shorts pockets. Any suggestions? I am thinking of hiking the northern route in May of next year. I walked the Camino Frances last May.
Thanks for any suggestions!
Warmly,
Barry
I'm looking for a backpack recommendation for ultralight Camino travel. That would be carrying only a Bivvy sack, sleeping bag liner, goose down jacket in a stuff bag, poncho and extra clothes and shoes (one extra pair, perhaps, of very light shoes. One pair shorts, two tops). Water I will pick up at the stops and carry in my cargo shorts pockets. Any suggestions? I am thinking of hiking the northern route in May of next year. I walked the Camino Frances last May.
Thanks for any suggestions!
Warmly,
Barry
Depends what your definition of ultra-light is - mine is under 3kg ex water - and my pack is 12L - and that includes 2-4L of water
But volume can also be a constraint on pack size - for May, I'm not sure about the goose down jacket - it's more likely to be warm that cold and you'll need more liquid than you can carry in your pockets
Have a look at the Osprey Levity 45. I bought the ladies’ version, Lumina. Doesn’t have all the mods and cons I was used to with the Exos but it is roomy and very light... I’ll be using it again this Summer on the VF. (I am not an ultra-light backpacker! but I keep the weight under 5kgs).I'm looking for a backpack recommendation for ultralight Camino travel. That would be carrying only a Bivvy sack, sleeping bag liner, goose down jacket in a stuff bag, poncho and extra clothes and shoes (one extra pair, perhaps, of very light shoes. One pair shorts, two tops). Water I will pick up at the stops and carry in my cargo shorts pockets. Any suggestions? I am thinking of hiking the northern route in May of next year. I walked the Camino Frances last May.
Thanks for any suggestions!
Warmly,
Barry
Hi, Barry. . .
A few questions to help narrow down some of the many candidates available,
1. What backpacking experience do you have to this point?
2. Do you have a specific carrying capacity (amount of load space) in mind?
3. What country are you from?
4. Are you planning to use the backpack for hiking or trekking other than the Camino?
Depends what your definition of ultra-light is - mine is under 3kg ex water - and my pack is 12L - and that includes 2-4L of water
But volume can also be a constraint on pack size - for May, I'm not sure about the goose down jacket - it's more likely to be warm that cold and you'll need more liquid than you can carry in your pockets
I'm another Z Pack lover. Mine has been through 2 caminos and many hiking journeys. It's still in great condition.
I actually use a Osprey Exos 38 before water and snacks, I weigh out at 8 lbs. approximately. Water and snacks bring it up to between 10-12 lbs.
3 kg is definitely within the standard definition for "ultralight", which is a base weight (weight of the backpack and non-consumable contents) 10 pounds or less / 4.5 kg.
In fact, you are close to what would be defined as "hyperlight" or "superultralight" which is 6 pounds / 2.7 kg or less.
Total pack weight would be the backpack plus all of the contents of the backpack including consumables (food, water, fuel, etc)
Although thee discussions of base weights in these categories are typically applied to wilderness backpacking where the demands and needs are trickier and more profound than on Camino, I am happy that the Camino allows me the fun of a super light load.
You’ll still need a towel, some first aid kit, minimal toiletries, a hat....Just using it for the Camino. Did the Camino last year with my wife's inner frame pack. Besides the balance being all of (and hurting my hips), I carried far too much. I need just enough space for one change of clothes, one extra pair of sandals, a ponch, a bivvy sack, sleeping bag liner, flash light, that's about it.
Someone above, says that "Zpack is no more." Is that true?
Can you suggest a brand name?
No.Someone above, says that "Zpack is no more." Is that true?
Earl Shaffer – 1948You’ll still need a towel, some first aid kit, minimal toiletries, a hat....
You say "Mine is under 3kg," but you don't mention the name of the pack. Care to share?
Someone above, says that "Zpack is no more." Is that true?
might get one for myself once my Zpacks is no more.
Opinions are divided about Zpacks. I used one when I walked Canterbury-Rome, and it was never comfortable on one shoulder, no matter how I configured it. Other users have said the same. While it was still under warranty the webbing "cup" that holds one of the carbon fibre stays broke. The second time I used it when walking across Sicily, one of the carbon fibre stays itself broke. That said, they are ultra light. And their customer service is truly excellent/Zpacks Arc Blast.
Note that Zpacks size litters including its outside pockets. So a 55L is really only 42L of main storage.
20.2 oz.
You wont regret it.
Of course that is absurd. Weight you carry is weight you carry, whether it is in your backpack or elsewhere. It is all weight that your feet have to move from point A to point B. Presumably, we put it in the backpack because it is easier to carry/less of a strain there than the alternatives (in the hands, on the head, in a front carrier, etc.). If that is the case, moving weight to another location is just going to make things harder on you rather than easier.Just to be clear, I want to be very light. I even considered stuffing all my stuff in my cargo shorts, but that is absurd, of course. Thanks for all your wonderfully informative answers.
Hi BarryI'm looking for a backpack recommendation for ultralight Camino travel. That would be carrying only a Bivvy sack, sleeping bag liner, goose down jacket in a stuff bag, poncho and extra clothes and shoes (one extra pair, perhaps, of very light shoes. One pair shorts, two tops). Water I will pick up at the stops and carry in my cargo shorts pockets. Any suggestions? I am thinking of hiking the northern route in May of next year. I walked the Camino Frances last May.
Thanks for any suggestions!
Warmly,
Barry
I'm looking for a backpack recommendation for ultralight Camino travel.
Hi Barry,
All of the suggestions so far are good ones, which is no surprise given the breadth of experience and how many km have been logged by those sharing their ideas. I've read and heard great things about ULA and about Zpacks, but have never owned one.
I have tried a number of packs since 2015, including a couple of Osprey packs (which I think of as the standard bearer), an REI Trail 40, and a Gregory Z40. I liked all of them for various reasons but I didn't love the weight of any of them, and with the Trail 40 and Z40, I didn't like how they carried (this is, of course, a very subjective critique). I bought a Lowe Alpine, took it out for a few mile hike on one of our local trails, came home and put it back in the box to return, mostly because it was too heavy. It just didn't fit all that great either. And, yes, I was properly sized/fitted before making the purchase.
I carried the Gossamer Gear Gorilla 40 (32 oz) on the Chemin du Puy in April and May and absolutely loved it. It rained 10 of the days I was out and it stayed dry. I did have a pack cover which helps a great deal. The Gorilla is an ultralight pack and carries as comfortably as any pack I have owned. I have not tried Gossamer's Kumo 36 (21 oz) or Lonestar 30 (29.5 oz) so I can't give an honest evaluation of those. There is also 36L superlight pack that comes in at about a pound. I did just purchase a day pack from Gossamer (Vagabond) and have liked it for short hikes and biking. I wouldn't use it on a multi-day trip.
There are so many variables that it's tough to know what is going to fit and feel best for someone else. As for me, the Gorilla 40 is doing the trick... at least for now.
Good luck and Buen Camino!
Check out ULA backpacks.I'm looking for a backpack recommendation for ultralight Camino travel. That would be carrying only a Bivvy sack, sleeping bag liner, goose down jacket in a stuff bag, poncho and extra clothes and shoes (one extra pair, perhaps, of very light shoes. One pair shorts, two tops). Water I will pick up at the stops and carry in my cargo shorts pockets. Any suggestions? I am thinking of hiking the northern route in May of next year. I walked the Camino Frances last May.
Thanks for any suggestions!
Warmly,
Barry
Its been discussen on the UL-reddit:Hello my Camino friends...
I am also searching for an ultra-light backpack. Has anyone heard or used the Matador Freerain32?
It is 10.6 oz (~300g). The lightest (~)32L Osprey I can find is about 1kg.
Freerain32 Waterproof Packable Backpack
The Freerain32 is an ultralight waterproof packable backpack engineered to perform in the harshest alpine conditions, no matter where your objectives take you. Technical Specifications, View Bag Comparison Chart, CA Prop 65 FREERAIN32 This 32 liter ultralight waterproof alpine pack...matadorup.com
The Beast28 also looks pretty good to me. It is still very light at about 600g.
Lots of people hike with backpacks without a ventilated back. Me aswell. Ventilation might be nice, but as of date, there is only a single ventilated ultralight backpack on the market and that one is kinda pricey. Osprey and the likes might be nice for lots of people, but they are not light or even ultra light packs.So light! A key feature for me for hot Camino walking is a ventilated back panel. I use an Osprey light pack with the ventilated panel. Otherwise the sweat build-up is too great.
You can now purchase a hip belt with the pack. If I recall at the time I bought mine that option didn’t exist. W/O the hip belt it wouldn’t be a great multi day option as you having your shoulders bear that weight would cause problems.just curious- why wouldn’t you use the vagabond for multi-days? i am considering using it for my camino and packing ultra light. do you suppose it would fall apart or something?
thx! i do have a hip belt from a gossamer gear murmer which may take but i actually like the vagabond better! buen camino to you tooYou can now purchase a hip belt with the pack. If I recall at the time I bought mine that option didn’t exist. W/O the hip belt it wouldn’t be a great multi day option as you having your shoulders bear that weight would cause problems.
Gossamer Gear products are well made, I would have no concern about durability.
Hope you get the right pack for you… Buen Camino!
Thank you. I’m out on the Norte now, in Comillas. It’s great to be out. Lots of pilgrims, but not overwhelming.thx! i do have a hip belt from a gossamer gear murmer which may take but i actually like the vagabond better! buen camino to you too
Hi BarryI'm looking for a backpack recommendation for ultralight Camino travel. That would be carrying only a Bivvy sack, sleeping bag liner, goose down jacket in a stuff bag, poncho and extra clothes and shoes
Thanks for any suggestions!
Warmly,
Barry
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?