Bag size as an extreme sport

[Paul Wilson]

On my first camino I used my a Lowe Alpine Airzone 25…7kg great bag
When I started my CF late Sept I used a Quechua 40l bag added a sleeping bag and extra clothing…mistake 11kg Good bag though
I’m going back to my Lowe Alpine when I return to the CF in 4wks
But here’s my question I’m going back early Sept for 10 days and I’m thinking of trying a 5l waist bag (picture below) I’ve already tried it with a basic pack list
Boxers
Socks
T-shirt
Shorts
Towel
Soap
First aid kit (small)
Charger for phone
Micro torch
Bag liner
Rain jacket
Survival Bag
Travel document…
So come on has anyone tried this or am I mad

 

[bayou_jenny]

It totally is a sport. I say go for it. Sounds like a really fun challenge and the Camino is serviced and "safe" enough to experiment like this. I wouldn't try it on the AT or PCT, but Camino ... do it! I can't wait to hear about it.

 

[henrythedog]

What could possibly go wrong? I’d strongly recommend using the braces (or yolk) to shift some of the weight onto your shoulders. Also possibly consider adding in one of those micro-compressible day sacks. They squeeze down to half the size of an apple ( I couldn’t think of anything that size). That gives you emergency capacity if it all goes wrong.

Would you, or your next of kin, keep us informed of the outcome?

 

[Flog]

Dunno about that 5l bag, I don't think I'd be happy with such a small pack, but the Lowe Alpine 25 you mentioned is a great compact pack. I'm on my second, the first was still usable but had gotten too scruffy after 8 caminos/6,000km.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I'm in agreement with @henrythedog. Shoulder harness and microbag.

 

[J Willhaus]

On my first camino I used my a Lowe Alpine Airzone 25…7kg great bag
When I started my CF late Sept I used a Quechua 40l bag added a sleeping bag and extra clothing…mistake 11kg Good bag though
I’m going back to my Lowe Alpine when I return to the CF in 4wks
But here’s my question I’m going back early Sept for 10 days and I’m thinking of trying a 5l waist bag (picture below) I’ve already tried it with a basic pack list
Boxers
Socks
T-shirt
Shorts
Towel
Soap
First aid kit (small)
Charger for phone
Micro torch
Bag liner
Rain jacket
Survival Bag
Travel document…
So come on has anyone tried this or am I mad View attachment 121873

Well no danger of overpacking.

 

[trecile]

You might be interested in this thread. And the blog from the same member.

Edited to fix typo

 

[henrythedog]

You might be interested in this thread. And the blog from the sane member.

Freudian slip?

 

[Paul Wilson]

Ok looks like the general consensus so far is “that should be a laugh” and as said above the CF is well serviced so at worst I could pick up a small day bag en-route for anything I deemed essential but based on my 1st test packing it looks doable but will try with my compression sack to see if I can save more space buen camino mi amigos

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I would personally find it too bulky and awkward even though I love using a waist bag on Caminos. I have a rather narrow, smallish frame and so I envision my elbows rubbing on the sides and also a sense of a loss of freedom of movement.

 

[Anhalter]

Trecile was kind enough to link the blog where this exactly has been done (for some reason, i always fail to google it).

I think it is possible as long as you stay in private rooms. Once you have to add a sleeping bag, this falls apart.
Personally i would rather get a really light backpack that offers more room to have more options clothing wise. The lightest backpack i own clocks in at 172g and offers around 15L capacity. I'd guess the hip bag is significantly heavier at a third of the volume.

 

[Paul Wilson]

Trecile was kind enough to link the blog where this exactly has been done (for some reason, i always fail to google it).

I think it is possible as long as you stay in private rooms. Once you have to add a sleeping bag, this falls apart.
Personally i would rather get a really light backpack that offers more room to have more options clothing wise. The lightest backpack i own clocks in at 172g and offers around 15L capacity. I'd guess the hip bag is significantly heavier at a third of the volume.

I actually bought it for my days out walking with the dog but when it arrived the Camino thing activated in my brain and I did the fairly normal I wonder so I thought I might as well wonder out loud on here, I usually just use a bag liner on my Camino so should still be good for albergues although I’m really grateful for everyone’s advice and thoughts I will give it a test run soon and feed back the results

 

[RussB]

On my first camino I used my a Lowe Alpine Airzone 25…7kg great bag
When I started my CF late Sept I used a Quechua 40l bag added a sleeping bag and extra clothing…mistake 11kg Good bag though
I’m going back to my Lowe Alpine when I return to the CF in 4wks
But here’s my question I’m going back early Sept for 10 days and I’m thinking of trying a 5l waist bag (picture below) I’ve already tried it with a basic pack list
Boxers
Socks
T-shirt
Shorts
Towel
Soap
First aid kit (small)
Charger for phone
Micro torch
Bag liner
Rain jacket
Survival Bag
Travel document…
So come on has anyone tried this or am I mad View attachment 121873

Brave call, but what’s the worst that can happen? You need to go to Decathlon ?

 

[C clearly]

I usually just use a bag liner

Oh, I understand now! You mean a "sleeping bag liner"! I was thinking you were talking about a "pack liner" and wondered why you were taking one without the pack.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

When I came back from my 2018 Ingles I did a three day hike with a friend who hadn't been able to come along with me. Here's my "packload" and it fitted easily inside the swim bag.


although I decided that I'd use my Mountainsmith lumbar pack with strapettes instead:



The Altus and the red rain jacket were a mistake (also a miss take) but it sat out of the way under the pack in the two loops provided (and it didn't rain). Missing is a basic wash kit - we didn't take towels as we were staying B&Bs. A water bottle fitted into one side pocket, lunch into the other.
I wore (IIRC) trail runners, zip off shorts, a tech-teeshirt, sun hat and a lightweight fleece.
We managed quite adequately though would I do it on a Camino? Even the Ingles? Not sure.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

You might be interested in this thread. And the blog from the same member.

Edited to fix typo

Lordy, you do have a good memory!

 

[trecile]

Lordy, you do have a good memory!

That thread made an impression on me, and I bookmarked it.

 

[SeñorJacques]

On my first camino I used my a Lowe Alpine Airzone 25…7kg great bag
When I started my CF late Sept I used a Quechua 40l bag added a sleeping bag and extra clothing…mistake 11kg Good bag though
I’m going back to my Lowe Alpine when I return to the CF in 4wks
But here’s my question I’m going back early Sept for 10 days and I’m thinking of trying a 5l waist bag (picture below)

You, sir, are an inspiration! I feel like this would be totally workable for a 10 day walk in decent late summer weather. Looking forward to seeing how it works out for you!

 

[J Willhaus]

My husband says he lived out of a similar military buttpack for at least a week in the army. No changes of clothes, maybe an extra pair of socks he said. It can be done.

 

[Marlene Maillard]

On my first camino I used my a Lowe Alpine Airzone 25…7kg great bag
When I started my CF late Sept I used a Quechua 40l bag added a sleeping bag and extra clothing…mistake 11kg Good bag though
I’m going back to my Lowe Alpine when I return to the CF in 4wks
But here’s my question I’m going back early Sept for 10 days and I’m thinking of trying a 5l waist bag (picture below) I’ve already tried it with a basic pack list
Boxers
Socks
T-shirt
Shorts
Towel
Soap
First aid kit (small)
Charger for phone
Micro torch
Bag liner
Rain jacket
Survival Bag
Travel document…
So come on has anyone tried this or am I mad View attachment 121873

I seriously considered this idea and got a similar bag to yours but I felt it was too bulky. I got an Osprey 18 litre stuff bag. (My gear weighs only 2kgs). I also got an Osprey waist pack for phone, cards, passport etc. Both packs are super light and are working really well in my training for the Portuguese Coastal in September.

 

[cbacino]

On my first camino I used my a Lowe Alpine Airzone 25…7kg great bag
When I started my CF late Sept I used a Quechua 40l bag added a sleeping bag and extra clothing…mistake 11kg Good bag though
I’m going back to my Lowe Alpine when I return to the CF in 4wks
But here’s my question I’m going back early Sept for 10 days and I’m thinking of trying a 5l waist bag (picture below) I’ve already tried it with a basic pack list
Boxers
Socks
T-shirt
Shorts
Towel
Soap
First aid kit (small)
Charger for phone
Micro torch
Bag liner
Rain jacket
Survival Bag
Travel document…
So come on has anyone tried this or am I mad View attachment 121873

Hey, if it carries what you need and is comfortable, go for it.

 

[El Cascayal]

Love this experiment. Do keep us informed of your developments.
“So come on has anyone tried this or am I mad ?” my answer is, that these are not mutually exclusive . Buen Camino

 

[Wanderingfriend]

I'm in agreement with @henrythedog. Shoulder harness and microbag.

Shoulders would be sore I think.

 

[Former member 92300]

I like the premise of the challenge - however I would worry that they waist area would be too bulky and feel unbalanced. I would personally rather do a 20L backpack with a hipbelt and shoulder straps for better distribution of the weight and better balancing of the weight compared to the hip bag. Also - will you ever carry extra food? I would want the extra space - if only to throw in a bocadilla or fruit or other mid-walk snack for when the towns are spread further apart. Or what if you find you DO need more gear than the bare bones basics? Will you have room to add anything to your pack? If not - what would you give up in exchange? Or would you simply have to ditch the small bag and buy another?

Anyhow - if you own this bag - I suggest you try it out at home for a couple really long walks. And then compare it to your other (smaller) bag and see what is more comfortable. Either way - you can take the same gear if you really want to go that light.

But yes - packing light is certainly a sport and a fun challenge!

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Shoulders would be sore I think.

But trousers would stay up.

 

[Paul Wilson]

But trousers would stay up.

Or kilt maybe but that’s a decision for another day

 

[isawtman]

Here is the Real Bag Size as an Extreme Sport

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Here is the Real Bag Size as an Extreme Sport

Does it come in other colours? I mean if we all have the same colour how would we know which was ours?

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Or use a small pack like this:

 

[Paul Wilson]

Trial run on the packing…
Before and after, I’ll be working on the basis of wear one wash one.
I will also be wearing a light jumper and a paramo velez smock which can be carried on the top of the pack…it’s starting to look possible