Maryindigo
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Past Camino Sarria to Santiago 12 April 2016
Planning the next one !
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MariaHi Maryindigo,
Although I'm a little taller than you, I seem to have a proportionally short back. Before I went to get a backpack, I had spent a great deal of time and effort researching the best and lightest packs. In fact, I went along to the shop to buy a specific Osprey bag.
Luckily, I tried it on, only to find that it was completely wrong for me. The guy in Snow + Rock was incredibly helpful in assisting me find the bag that worked best for me. The odd thing was that some of the women's bags really didn't work for me at all! Apart from ensuring that all of the numerous straps were adjusted to suit my particular frame, he loaded all of the bags that I was interested in with kit to let me feel how they would work in real life. In the end, I chose a Deuter Futura and I can honestly say that it did not cause me any trouble or discomfort on the entire 800kms that I walked.
I would very strongly suggest that you go to one of the good outdoor shops and get their expert advice. Most of the assistants are hikers, runners or other outdoor enthusiasts so it's not just sales talk. In my experience, they really do want their customers to be happy (so they keep coming back). Just tell them that you're doing the Camino, and there'll be someone who can help you.
(For what it's worth, you can always identify the boots, poles, pack you want and then check online to see if you come up with a better price elsewhere. However, I think that in the case of the pack in particular, getting professional help with adjusting it is invaluable.)
If I recall correctly, they suggested that I take the pack home and try it out with my own Camino gear to make sure it fitted and felt comfortable. Certainly all three of these retailers encourage you to take boots home to wear around the house for a week-10-days to make sure they feel OK. If there's any problem, they'll take them back.
If you can make it up to Dublin for a day, I can honestly recommend these, having purchased various bits of kit from them all over the years:
Great Outdoors, Chatham Street (off top of Grafton Street), D2
http://www.greatoutdoors.ie/
Snow + Rock, Dundrum Town Centre, D16
http://www.snowandrock.com/
http://www.snowandrock.com/store-dublin/content/fcp-content
53DegreesNorth - Carrickmines and Blanchardstown Shopping Centres, Dublin
- The Cornmarket Centre, Cork
http://www.53degreesnorth.ie/
http://www.53degreesnorth.ie/stores
The good news is that they all have sales running at the moment!
One final thought is that Great Outdoors sometimes run Camino information evenings, often in conjunction with a charity that is going to do a sponsored walk. I've never been to one but it might be useful for you. Keep an eye on their events page, or sign up for info to get emailed.
I hope that this helps and you find exactly what you need.
Buen Camino!
Maria
I couldn't find a Deuter pack that fit short enough and felt good. I am in the final decision making on the two packs I own that do fit the best for my 15" torso. Pack 1 is the Lowe Alpine Centro ND 33+10, pack 2 is a Mammut Crea Light 40L. I've been hiking locally with both loaded with about 95% of my kit and I think the Mammut is just a smidge more comfortable (and weighs a pound less empty!!)I'm 5'4 but when looking for backpacks was told I have an exceptionally short torso from hip to armpit. I tried on every Osprey on the planet, but they all dragged on my shoulders, so I too have ended up with a Deuter. The Deuter has an adjustable back, which I can recommend.
Hi Maryindigo,
Peregrina 13 has given you very good advice. I would recommend 'The Great Outdoors' in Dublin, but on the other hand I am sure Limerick must have some good shops with equally well trained staff. It is a good idea to wear a little rucksack and just dump it into the bag you are thinking of buying to give it weight as you are trying on various bags.
I too have walked on my own and I think the Camino is the safest place on the planet. However if you are on your own it is not worth while trying to cook for yourself. You end up either leaving bags of rice behind you or carrying them next day. so there is no saving.
Lots of people use a 35 litre rucksack, which I have used, but I now use a 30 litre. It is a little tight on space but is lighter and stops me from being tempted to add in things that 'might be useful'.
Buen Camino,
Thanks November_moon ,I swear by my Gregory Sage pack:
http://gregorypacks.com/en/GM301_cfg.html?dwvar_GM301__cfg_gmp_color=rosewood_red#start=11
I don't know if Gregory packs are available in Ireland, but I love this pack, so I thought I would mention it just in case.
I am a couple inches shorter than you and weigh about 1 lb more than you do, so we are similar size.
I have had my pack for about 3 years and before taking it on the Camino, I hiked a bunch with it - not including the Camino, I have hiked more than 100 miles with this pack.
Thanks Kiwi-dI'm 5'4 but when looking for backpacks was told I have an exceptionally short torso from hip to armpit. I tried on every Osprey on the planet, but they all dragged on my shoulders, so I too have ended up with a Deuter. The Deuter has an adjustable back, which I can recommend.
Thanks Great Dane ill keep an eye out for these twotypes also am hoping to try on several to get the best fitI couldn't find a Deuter pack that fit short enough and felt good. I am in the final decision making on the two packs I own that do fit the best for my 15" torso. Pack 1 is the Lowe Alpine Centro ND 33+10, pack 2 is a Mammut Crea Light 40L. I've been hiking locally with both loaded with about 95% of my kit and I think the Mammut is just a smidge more comfortable (and weighs a pound less empty!!)
If you cannot decide between them comfort wise then that 500gms (1 pound) less weight is going to be really important. My new pack is 300gms heavier than my old one. I am now keeping the old one for the Camino and using the new one for training instead of vice versa, that 300gms makes a huge difference.I couldn't find a Deuter pack that fit short enough and felt good. I am in the final decision making on the two packs I own that do fit the best for my 15" torso. Pack 1 is the Lowe Alpine Centro ND 33+10, pack 2 is a Mammut Crea Light 40L. I've been hiking locally with both loaded with about 95% of my kit and I think the Mammut is just a smidge more comfortable (and weighs a pound less empty!!)
The lighter pack - the Mammut fits so nice I can barely tell it's there even when loaded. And I like the full ventilation trampoline. The Lowe Alpine pokes me a little in two spots and even though the X design of the ventilation does its job, I'm pretty sure it's the Mammut I'm taking in 3 weeks - 3 WEEKS!!!!. (I've taken both loaded to 95% on numerous rolling hill 14-15km hikes plus as silly as it sounds, wear them around the house for a couple hours every couple of days. Our dog thinks it's quite normal, the husband thinks I am nuts.)If you cannot decide between them comfort wise then that 500gms (1 pound) less weight is going to be really important. My new pack is 300gms heavier than my old one. I am now keeping the old one for the Camino and using the new one for training instead of vice versa, that 300gms makes a huge difference.
The lighter pack - the Mammut fits so nice I can barely tell it's there even when loaded. And I like the full ventilation trampoline. The Lowe Alpine pokes me a little in two spots and even though the X design of the ventilation does its job, I'm pretty sure it's the Mammut I'm taking in 3 weeks - 3 WEEKS!!!!. (I've taken both loaded to 95% on numerous rolling hill 14-15km hikes plus as silly as it sounds, wear them around the house for a couple hours every couple of days. Our dog thinks it's quite normal, the husband thinks I am nuts.)If you cannot decide between them comfort wise then that 500gms (1 pound) less weight is going to be really important. My new pack is 300gms heavier than my old one. I am now keeping the old one for the Camino and using the new one for training instead of vice versa, that 300gms makes a huge difference.
Three weeks ! You lucky woman I'd love to be going now lolThe lighter pack - the Mammut fits so nice I can barely tell it's there even when loaded. And I like the full ventilation trampoline. The Lowe Alpine pokes me a little in two spots and even though the X design of the ventilation does its job, I'm pretty sure it's the Mammut I'm taking in 3 weeks - 3 WEEKS!!!!. (I've taken both loaded to 95% on numerous rolling hill 14-15km hikes plus as silly as it sounds, wear them around the house for a couple hours every couple of days. Our dog thinks it's quite normal, the husband thinks I am nuts.)
Thank you Camino-DavidHi Maryindigo,
Considering your size and weight, you need to be real careful about weight. I know a lady who walks a Camino every year and she is about your size and her pack weighs just 5.5 kgs. I also have a Deuter pack which is excellent and they have packs specifically for men and women. The Futura is 28 litre or 32 litre which is ample size.
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