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Hi all! Long time reader, first time poster.
I'm going to embark on my first Camino starting mid May, 2020. I'll be doing the french way. I'm travelling from Australia. I have most of my gear now but I have a question regarding backpacks.
I've read a lot of posts regarding backpack sizes but not much on backpack types. Most people seem to be recommending the common hikers pack like an Osprey Talon. But, what if I have an old backpack that isn't exactly the latest in hiking technology, but has ample room? The attached image is what I have. It's an old (7 year old) North Face Surge, with slightly padded waist straps. It also has a chest strap. It was actually adverstised as a laptop backpack. I guess it's biggest issue is the lack of ventilation/air cooling on the section that rests on your back. It's like a soft foam-like padding, rather than a raised mesh system that the fancy Osprey Talon has. I'd really like to save myself 200 dollars by not buying a new backpack. Can someone please confirm that they did their pilgrimage in an old run-of-the-mill backpack and survived to tell the tail, with relatively acceptable comfort? Thanks for your time!
Can someone please confirm that they did their pilgrimage in an old run-of-the-mill backpack and survived to tell the tail, with relatively acceptable comfort? Thanks for your time!
I think you should follow Ms. Yates advice. Put the gear you will be taking in the pack and walk at least 15K for a few days with your pack to see how it feels and more importantly how you feel. Remember to take only what you know you will use not what you think you will use. You can always buy anything you forget. One recommendation I would give you is to bring some safety pins so on the days clothes don't completely dry overnight you have the pins to hang your unmentionables on your pack.Thanks for so many great responses team. I am totally convinced that my compromise is worth saving 200 bucks. I believe my pack does have load lifter straps. I have done some walking with this backpack but nothing over 3km. I shall put it through a longer test walk. I do believe the weight will sit on my shoulders though which is a bummer. For reference here is an image of the backside of the backpack. It weighs roughly 1.2kg/2.6lb.
I'm sorry, but it doesn't.I believe my pack does have load lifter straps.
Probably the two most important things on your Camino will be your boots and your backpack. I tried a few before I did the Camino 4 years ago and there was a huge difference in comfort! When you are carrying it everyday, having one that fits and is a good construction will add to your enjoyment.Hi all! Long time reader, first time poster.
I'm going to embark on my first Camino starting mid May, 2020. I'll be doing the french way. I'm travelling from Australia. I have most of my gear now but I have a question regarding backpacks.
I've read a lot of posts regarding backpack sizes but not much on backpack types. Most people seem to be recommending the common hikers pack like an Osprey Talon. But, what if I have an old backpack that isn't exactly the latest in hiking technology, but has ample room? The attached image is what I have. It's an old (7 year old) North Face Surge, with slightly padded waist straps. It also has a chest strap. It was actually adverstised as a laptop backpack. I guess it's biggest issue is the lack of ventilation/air cooling on the section that rests on your back. It's like a soft foam-like padding, rather than a raised mesh system that the fancy Osprey Talon has. I'd really like to save myself 200 dollars by not buying a new backpack. Can someone please confirm that they did their pilgrimage in an old run-of-the-mill backpack and survived to tell the tail, with relatively acceptable comfort? Thanks for your time!
Thank you, it Aarn not Arrn!Yep, I'm a big fan of the Aarn packs.
Take care in these matters of personal taste and individual fitting. We are not all the same when it comes to what is comfortable. I have two Osprey packs that I have tested on multi-day ways over longer distances, and while they are reasonable packs, my go-to pack for my next Camino is likely to be my Deuter Guide 45+. My wife's Aarn would probably be my next choice, despite the complexity of the harness. I guess that might be a matter of getting more familiar with how it works.Having said that, you can't beat an Osprey for comfort.
Looks ok to me but I know nothing! If you carry it at home, up your weight and use to evaluate. Then if it gets too heavy uncomfortable on Camino use a transfer company now and then. I did and felt no guilt at all! Having hobbled into Molinaseca with back pain due to long term problems I did not hesitate!Hi all! Long time reader, first time poster.
I'm going to embark on my first Camino starting mid May, 2020. I'll be doing the french way. I'm travelling from Australia. I have most of my gear now but I have a question regarding backpacks.
I've read a lot of posts regarding backpack sizes but not much on backpack types. Most people seem to be recommending the common hikers pack like an Osprey Talon. But, what if I have an old backpack that isn't exactly the latest in hiking technology, but has ample room? The attached image is what I have. It's an old (7 year old) North Face Surge, with slightly padded waist straps. It also has a chest strap. It was actually adverstised as a laptop backpack. I guess it's biggest issue is the lack of ventilation/air cooling on the section that rests on your back. It's like a soft foam-like padding, rather than a raised mesh system that the fancy Osprey Talon has. I'd really like to save myself 200 dollars by not buying a new backpack. Can someone please confirm that they did their pilgrimage in an old run-of-the-mill backpack and survived to tell the tail, with relatively acceptable comfort? Thanks for your time!
I disagree. They type of backpack is very important to how comfortable it will be to carry for many hours each day, day in and day out. You need a proper suspension that transfers most of the load to your hips.What goes in your backpack and its loaded weight is far more important than the brand, type etc
22 liters might be a little small.Thanks again for everyones input. What a lovely community. After some research I learned exactly what load lifter straps are and true my pack certainly does not have them. So I went to the local adventure store and tried on some backpacks with weights inside. And wow... Load lifter straps are awesome. But the price tags were still too hideous to consider.
I then went to decathlon which felt kind of like an IKEA version of a hiking store. I tried on a few backpacks and my favourite one by far is the Simond Alpinism 22L. I tried it with weights as well.
Alpinism Mountaineering Backpack 22L
With its 22-litre volume, its durable design and full selection of accessories, this is the perfect versatile pack for all types of one-day climbing trips.decathlon.com.au
It is on the smaller side and it lacks waist strap pads but it was super comfortable. I was thinking I could sew some pads onto the waist straps and turn it into a winner. Does anyone think this a good idea or am I crazy? It's 45 Australian dollars. That's a steal.
I think my back and shoulders are strong enough to endure a crappy backpack but I'd like to avoid it if I can, particularly because I just developed tendonitis in the right patellar. Although, my belongings minus the backpack and water is at 4.2 kilos so I'm not carrying much. I'm kind of obsessed with going as ultralight as I can possibly handle.
You need a proper suspension that transfers most of the load to your hips.
I can recommend this as it is similar to the Lowe Alpine I have at a fraction of the cost and if your budget can be stretched I would say footwear and backpack are the place to spend it. Good luckThanks again for everyones input. What a lovely community. After some research I learned exactly what load lifter straps are and true my pack certainly does not have them. So I went to the local adventure store and tried on some backpacks with weights inside. And wow... Load lifter straps are awesome. But the price tags were still too hideous to consider.
I then went to decathlon which felt kind of like an IKEA version of a hiking store. I tried on a few backpacks and my favourite one by far is the Simond Alpinism 22L. I tried it with weights as well.
Alpinism Mountaineering Backpack 22L
With its 22-litre volume, its durable design and full selection of accessories, this is the perfect versatile pack for all types of one-day climbing trips.decathlon.com.au
It is on the smaller side and it lacks waist strap pads but it was super comfortable. I was thinking I could sew some pads onto the waist straps and turn it into a winner. Does anyone think this a good idea or am I crazy? It's 45 Australian dollars. That's a steal.
I think my back and shoulders are strong enough to endure a crappy backpack but I'd like to avoid it if I can, particularly because I just developed tendonitis in the right patellar. Although, my belongings minus the backpack and water is at 4.2 kilos so I'm not carrying much. I'm kind of obsessed with going as ultralight as I can possibly handle.
I agree that Decathlon backpack is a great value. It's the one that I linked to in post #20 above. I've seen a lot of them being carried by pilgrims on the Camino.I can recommend this as it is similar to the Lowe Alpine I have at a fraction of the cost and if your budget can be stretched I would say footwear and backpack are the place to spend it. Good luck
That is true, a pack with a hip belt etc is better, no doubt but the OP does not have one. I walked one entire Frances all the way to Finisterre with a pack very similar to the OP's (it was all had available to me). Different brand and color of fabric, but it had no hip belt, no ventilation for the back (just foam padding) etc. The load rode solely on my shoulders. I kept the bag at about 5 kilos in weight including water. I had no problems at all without the hip belt. I think a good deal of whether or not a hip belt is needed depends upon how heavy the pack is and the physical condition/fitness of the walker. Strong shoulders and back and that light pack is manageable without a hip belt.I disagree. They type of backpack is very important to how comfortable it will be to carry for many hours each day, day in and day out. You need a proper suspension that transfers most of the load to your hips.
These are both 30 liter backpacks. Which one would you rather carry for 800 km?
View attachment 68995
That pack will work fine, as would the other one had you had to use it.Thanks again for everyones input. What a lovely community. After some research I learned exactly what load lifter straps are and true my pack certainly does not have them. So I went to the local adventure store and tried on some backpacks with weights inside. And wow... Load lifter straps are awesome. But the price tags were still too hideous to consider.
I then went to decathlon which felt kind of like an IKEA version of a hiking store. I tried on a few backpacks and my favourite one by far is the Simond Alpinism 22L. I tried it with weights as well.
Alpinism Mountaineering Backpack 22L
With its 22-litre volume, its durable design and full selection of accessories, this is the perfect versatile pack for all types of one-day climbing trips.decathlon.com.au
It is on the smaller side and it lacks waist strap pads but it was super comfortable. I was thinking I could sew some pads onto the waist straps and turn it into a winner. Does anyone think this a good idea or am I crazy? It's 45 Australian dollars. That's a steal.
I think my back and shoulders are strong enough to endure a crappy backpack but I'd like to avoid it if I can, particularly because I just developed tendonitis in the right patellar. Although, my belongings minus the backpack and water is at 4.2 kilos so I'm not carrying much. I'm kind of obsessed with going as ultralight as I can possibly handle.
Yes, there are plenty of Decathlon stores in Spain.plus you can always buy something else along the way if it really does end up causing you problems.
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