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Decathlon backpack

Paul Wilson

Active Member
Time of past OR future Camino
2019
I’m having a look at the Decathlon FH500 ultra light backpack 20L does anyone have any experience of this bag I am looking at it as a small (airline friendly) alternative for my shorter trips ie two weeks or so
 

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If it fits, and has features which suit you, I'd go for it. Over the years I've had loads of decathlon gear, and I have never felt let down once. At 20l, it's unlikely to carry a lot of weight, which is in my mind a good idea for many reasons. I've got two decathlon rucksacks, two karrimor and one Berghaus, and the decathlon gets used most.
On another tack, a friend met at sjdp two years ago had an osprey daypack, which she walked with. My better half had a cheapy daysack costing less than a tenner.
Before we got to Sahagun, guess which was wearing through in places. Perhaps far too much emphasis is spent on getting the 'right brand', most gear will do the job , as long as it has features which you regard as important, such as useful external pockets etc, and of course, that it fits comfortably. Everything is a compromise!
Buen Camino
 
I own this pack (men's version) and use it for day-hiking. The main compartment is rather small, so for a multi day trip you should be VERY smart about your packing or else it wont fit.
Build quality is decent. Comes with a bladder and a rain cover. Hipbelt pockets are rather small (my 6" phone fits, but just so). The zipper on the mesh pockt is kind of a questionable design choice, but unzipped i can fit a second pair of shoes or a volleyball in there. Unfortunately no means on the shoulder straps to attach stuff.
So again, i like it for day hikes or other sports, but i guess theres better packs for the camino. The one I'm currently using weighs less than 100g more, is waterproof, has around double the space, has a daisy chain and bigger belt pockets as well as a way larger mesh pocket.
 
Get a Spanish mobil number + data while on the Camino
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
Certainly doable, especially if you are a petite person. Extra pair of shoes takes up a lot of space, but that can fit in that back pocket. If you are walking in the summer and don’t need a sleeping back, rain gear, etc, it could work. Definitely would be a challenge, but not impossible.
 
Altus 24 Liters daypack (DENON 24 H30)
Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

€83,-
For what you are carrying that pack should work fine and you can clip the sandals to the outside of the pack.
Most pilgrims (myself included) carry more than they need on the Camino.
 
RJM said:
For what you are carrying that pack should work fine and you can clip the sandals to the outside of the pack.
Most pilgrims (myself included) carry more than they need on the Camino.
Click to expand...
Likewise thanks to previous caminos I’ve realised that
1. The Camino is not a fashion show and I don’t need evening wear to get tapas and a bottle wine
2. I don’t need to carry a full trauma kit because it would seem Spain has medical supplies everywhere so this is me looking at a happy medium between minimalist 2kilo pack plus water and extravagant 8kilo pack plus water plus this bag is soft so fits Into the category of small bag for airlines thus saving me around £120 on my return flights (bloody miserable Scots ) so this may be my option and I’ve tried it on in store and it feels good on…btw the reason for the “women’s” option is I prefer the colour instead of the black “male” version
 
Camino Preparation Guide
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
Paul Wilson said:
thus saving me around £120 on my return flights (bloody miserable Scots )
Click to expand...
I say ‘good for you ‘. This will mean you’ll be better placed to be generous on the camino… to yourself and to donativos. Much more worthy recipients than airlines.
Buen camino.

Ps. Hat off to you getting your weight low. It’s always difficult not to take ‘just in case’… .
 
I bought the 30 litre Decathlon, because I thought the 20 a bit small. The 30 fits all my Camino gear with room to spare, which is good for winter caminos.

Then I flew Ryanair ... They waved me through. So far so good
 
I spent 30 years in the fire service breaking the habit of “just in case” hasn’t been easy…on my first camino I pretty much carried a trauma pack just in case
 
Altus 24 Liters daypack (DENON 24 H30)
Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

€83,-
Gerard Griffin said:
I bought the 30 litre Decathlon, because I thought the 20 a bit small. The 30 fits all my Camino gear with room to spare, which is good for winter caminos.

Then I flew Ryanair ... They waved me through. So far so good
Click to expand...
My “big bag” is actually a Lowe alpine airzone trail 25 but I’m just thinking eventually the airlines will tighten the rules
 
I like your aproach, but let me recomend a different pack:

Rucksack Travel faltbar wasserdicht 25 Liter

Rucksack Travel faltbar wasserdicht 25 Liter null Dieser kompakte, ultraleichte und wasserdichte Rucksack ist der perfekte Begleiter für Alltag und Reisen. 24.99
www.decathlon.de

- lighter
- slightly bigger
- waterproof(er)
- imho more practical
- cheaper
 
Camino Way markers in Bronze
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
Yes, but no waistbelt = all the weight on your shoulders.
 
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