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HolaHi!
I doubt you'd save very much if anything, just because you'll know the shops at home better, know when the sales are on, be able to order online etc. Essentials like a sleeping bag and poncho/rain jacket you could need from Day 1, so you'll want to have these with you. For items that you're not sure you'll need (e.g. gloves at the end of April) it may be better to wait. If you're lucky you'll get them from an albergue's lost property box!
Buen Camino!
Wherever I'm travelling, the two things I check I have are my passport and my credit card. Anything else is a plus!!... it is amazing how little you actually need ..... then again .... you could start with the clothes you were wearing at home and a toothbrush and take it from there .. could be fun!
So, so true.Which pieces of kit Siom? - depends on where you start. Were you to start in Logrono you could turn up naked, go to the Decathlon shop and walk out an hour later completely kitted out - but there are outdoor shops only in the cities so if you needed something whilst on Camino, even just a bootlace, you may have to walk for days until you find a suitable shop. Though ... the Camino experience tends to put what you need right in front of you when you need it!
The "I may need this" problem is a fear thing, not a practical thing .. it is internal, not external ... the pilgrim is going into the unknown and the mind wants to be ready for EVERY possible situation ... you have to fight that battle at home before you go ... it is amazing how little you actually need out there, once you have the basic kit (pack, footwear, toothbrush, etc) - all the "I may need this" you can leave behind.
The other thing about kitting out at home is that you get to try out your kit before you go .. also, pack all the items you think you may need and then go for a very long walk; once you have experienced a heavy pack when you get back home you will most likely discard as much as you can!!
So my answer is to do it before you leave ..... then again .... you could start with the clothes you were wearing at home and a toothbrush and take it from there .. could be fun!
Buen Camino
Hi David, I'm intending to do the CF in mid Sep 15 to Oct. I will bring the essential stuff, e.g. clothes and poles. But I'm undecided about things like sleep bag and poncho. I intend to bring along bag liner and hopefully that will suffice. If sleep bag is required then I am thinking of getting it along the way. As for poncho, I hope to get it in SJPP.Which pieces of kit Siom? - depends on where you start. Were you to start in Logrono you could turn up naked, go to the Decathlon shop and walk out an hour later completely kitted out - but there are outdoor shops only in the cities so if you needed something whilst on Camino, even just a bootlace, you may have to walk for days until you find a suitable shop. Though ... the Camino experience tends to put what you need right in front of you when you need it!
The "I may need this" problem is a fear thing, not a practical thing .. it is internal, not external ... the pilgrim is going into the unknown and the mind wants to be ready for EVERY possible situation ... you have to fight that battle at home before you go ... it is amazing how little you actually need out there, once you have the basic kit (pack, footwear, toothbrush, etc) - all the "I may need this" you can leave behind.
The other thing about kitting out at home is that you get to try out your kit before you go .. also, pack all the items you think you may need and then go for a very long walk; once you have experienced a heavy pack when you get back home you will most likely discard as much as you can!!
So my answer is to do it before you leave ..... then again .... you could start with the clothes you were wearing at home and a toothbrush and take it from there .. could be fun!
Buen Camino
Hi Doug, thanks. The things which I'm unsure are sleeping bag and poncho. I mean I can find poncho available, but it seem to cost a bit more for the better quality ones. Also, it seems there's only 1 size and unfortunately, I'm not on the right size for a good fit. I'm hoping that the Altus poncho has size that suits me else I will appear like the 'bedsheet ghost' when wearing itMy observation is that there are many things that are quite a lot cheaper in the major outlets in Europe than purchasing them here in Australia. I am not so sure that the same price advantages would be as great buying in smaller towns along the way. So for things where it is not important to have checked and tested before you leave, it might be worthwhile. But otherwise, you will forego the opportunity to make sure that they fit and are functional before you leave.
Hi David, it is very nice and comforting to know that 'camino provides'. Looking forward to experiencing the providence part of the Camino. CheersAll the above is sage advice, my only addition is a few short stories. These align with the "camino provides". We lost our guidebook on the train going to St Jean. Of course, not knowing the realities of the Camino we were desperate. Within a few hours of arriving, a Pilgrim provided an "extra copy". The next day were were able to purchase the same one in St Jean (for twice the internet price). Our Rain gear was totally inadequate an we found excellent gear in the larger cities. Finally, a fellow pilgrim walked into a Camino store in St Jean and the proprietor asked "are you going to walk the Camino in those shoes?" He bought much better shoes that day, walked the Camino, no blisters, and didn't pay much more than he would have at home. In the end, bring the essentials, which isn't much. Stay warm, stay dry, some minor hygienic items, and then find yourself and family along the WAY.
http://www.directioncompostelle.com/can you recommend a suitable shop in SJPP?
Hi Marylynn, thanks for the advice. I understand the need to train with the actual weight and have time to test out all the gears. Cheers.I recommend that you start out fully kitted for all the good reasons mentioned above so that you arrive in St. Jean prepared to experience and enjoy The Camino, rather than with a shopping list in hand and worry about whether you can get the things you need "along the way." Go fully prepared from Day 1!
thanks, carol. Appreciate it.I would definitely buy at home just so you have the chance to walk in and try things out at your leisure before you hit the trail. Some things are just more comfortable than others and it is good to have that sorted before you leave home. It is the same as wearing your boots in.
I can understand your hesitance to purchase everything in Brissy. Even when Kathmandu is having a sale the prices are exorbitant. Globe Trekker in West End is not too badly priced. I bought my boots there. Better still, try the Quartermaster's Store at Enoggera. They don't have a big range, but the quality and prices are not bad.Hi, I am wondering if it is cheaper to get the gears, e.g. sleeping bag, poncho etc, as and when needed along Camino (CF) vs buying it locally at home. Fyi, home is Brisbane, Australia. The advantage of getting it when needed in Camino is so that only the necessary stuff is bought rather than over buying based on 'I think I may need this', or 'this may not be good/strong/comfy' enough. Perhaps better quality too?
Cheers.
Hi, I am wondering if it is cheaper to get the gears, e.g. sleeping bag, poncho etc, as and when needed along Camino (CF) vs buying it locally at home. Fyi, home is Brisbane, Australia. The advantage of getting it when needed in Camino is so that only the necessary stuff is bought rather than over buying based on 'I think I may need this', or 'this may not be good/strong/comfy' enough. Perhaps better quality too?
Cheers.
Hi Brissy, yup! Comparing prices, even 'on sale' prices are still expensive than the brands (e.g. Altus) mentioned in here. Sigh!!!I can understand your hesitance to purchase everything in Brissy. Even when Kathmandu is having a sale the prices are exorbitant. Globe Trekker in West End is not too badly priced. I bought my boots there. Better still, try the Quartermaster's Store at Enoggera. They don't have a big range, but the quality and prices are not bad.
Even though gear may be more expensive, I would go along with the advice of many others on this forum, and buy the important things before you go. Test them out.
On-line shopping is also a good option.
Whatever you decide, it is your decision, and your Camino. Do whatever you feel is right for you! Buen Camino!
Hi John, they are right. The 'on sale' price are still expensive when comparing with the prices overseas after taking the currency conversion into account. I guess the need to train and get accustomed to the gear prior to the actual walk is more important. Cheers!Hello Siom,
For what it's worth I met some Aussies last year who said they couldn't believe how much cheaper 'some' gear was compared with at home. I don't recall them mentioning specifics although I do remember a brief discussion about how some things were cheaper than the sales back in Oz. On the other hand they also said they were pleased they had trained with the gear they would be carrying.
Rock and a hard place comes to mind mate.
Buen Camino
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