Richard Smith
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Frances 2016
Kumano Kodo 2014
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I have a student coming along on our Camino trip in a few weeks who told her Mom, "can you believe that I only have an extra set of clothes and some crocs in my backpack?"By chance, almost all of my gear on a 45 day camino was dark blue / dark green / dark grey / black, my wife even commented that one set made me look like a school boy in uniform (and at 60+ I will take that as a compliment).
And afterwards I really enjoyed putting on some new colours while usually at home I don't care, first clean thing to hand works fine.
So here is an article from OZ, how to colour plan your outfits!
It even has some useful advice - which I don't think peregrinos would dispute...
>>
For adventure holidays such as hiking trips, she explained that the bulk of your bag should be hiking outfits and gear.
When in doubt, narrow down the number of "just in case" outfits, travellers suggested.
Cutting down on the number of shoes you're taking with you can also make a big difference.
>>
Renting clothes on holiday and ditching wheeled luggage: The future of travel could be carry-on only
Airlines and popular travel destinations are offering unique solutions to ditching cumbersome luggage in an effort to either reduce their travel footprint or the impact of tourism on local communities. Here are some of them.www.abc.net.au
This. Even when I walked for about 15 weeks I didn't care about those same outfits all the time. I also quite enjoyed it that I never had to think about what to wear.Limited clothes for weeks on end doesn't bother me at all...in fact it's very liberating not having to make that daily decision.
Best rugby team in the world...All black at home and all black on the Camino ; might bore others maybe, but not me.
You are a Neath RFC fan? Small world...Best rugby team in the world...
Even I would probably struggle mentally wearing only two sets of clothes for 15 weeks!This. Even when I walked for about 15 weeks I didn't care about those same outfits all the time. I also quite enjoyed it that I never had to think about what to wear.
Yes, I never bring white or cream colors.Only choice i made with my two sets of clothes (apart from their ability to do the job); was whether they looked dirty quickly!
Clever idea for those who bring three pair. I bring three, but have not needed them...yet.The only reason I have three different coloured pairs of socks is because it makes it a hell of a lot easier to know which are the dirtiest without a sniff test!
I like to change my socks part way through the day. Today’s afternoon socks become tomorrow’s morning socks, which are then washed at the end of the day. With different colours, it’s easy to keep trackClever idea for those who bring three pair. I bring three, but have needed them...yet.
The only person who sees this outfit for your entire Camino is YOU. The people you meet in each town or village are seeing your outfit for the first time.By chance, almost all of my gear on a 45 day camino was dark blue / dark green / dark grey / black, my wife even commented that one set made me look like a school boy in uniform (and at 60+ I will take that as a compliment).
And afterwards I really enjoyed putting on some new colours while usually at home I don't care, first clean thing to hand works fine.
So here is an article from OZ, how to colour plan your outfits!
It even has some useful advice - which I don't think peregrinos would dispute...
>>
For adventure holidays such as hiking trips, she explained that the bulk of your bag should be hiking outfits and gear.
When in doubt, narrow down the number of "just in case" outfits, travellers suggested.
Cutting down on the number of shoes you're taking with you can also make a big difference.
>>
Renting clothes on holiday and ditching wheeled luggage: The future of travel could be carry-on only
Airlines and popular travel destinations are offering unique solutions to ditching cumbersome luggage in an effort to either reduce their travel footprint or the impact of tourism on local communities. Here are some of them.www.abc.net.au
I had been wearing the same two brightly coloured checkered shirts for almost 5 months since walking from home. So obviously they were looking quite faded. Somewhere on the Norte (Cartavio?) I noticed how bright the colours looked in the morning sun as my shirt was hanging inside out to dry. I cut off the buttons and sewed them on on the other side and thus became a turn-shirt! Cheered me up no end!This. Even when I walked for about 15 weeks I didn't care about those same outfits all the time. I also quite enjoyed it that I never had to think about what to wear.
I guess for someone traveling for work or fun there is some information that can help but it is basically common sense. Like cutting down on the number of shoes you are taking. The idea of "renting" clothes is just another way to get people who have too much money to spend even more of their money wastefully. When you are on the camino, at least for me, a large part of my experience is walking with nothing and learning you don't need anything in life besides the love of your family and friends, and a purpose that money or color coordinated clothes can't buy and knowing that 7 or 8 kilos on your back is really all you need.So here is an article from OZ, how to colour plan your outfits!
It even has some useful advice - which I don't think peregrinos would dispute...
>>
For adventure holidays such as hiking trips, she explained that the bulk of your bag should be hiking outfits and gear.
When in doubt, narrow down the number of "just in case" outfits, travellers suggested.
Cutting down on the number of shoes you're taking with you can also make a big difference
One of the best tips I read on a camino forum was to bring clothes you love because you'll be wearing them all the time. I bought 2 good quality merino shirts in dark blue and dark pink that I alternated wearing. I also tried to stick with darker colors so that (1) they don't show the dirt and (2) everything can be washed together in the same load of laundry.By chance, almost all of my gear on a 45 day camino was dark blue / dark green / dark grey / black, my wife even commented that one set made me look like a school boy in uniform (and at 60+ I will take that as a compliment).
And afterwards I really enjoyed putting on some new colours while usually at home I don't care, first clean thing to hand works fine.
So here is an article from OZ, how to colour plan your outfits!
It even has some useful advice - which I don't think peregrinos would dispute...
>>
For adventure holidays such as hiking trips, she explained that the bulk of your bag should be hiking outfits and gear.
When in doubt, narrow down the number of "just in case" outfits, travellers suggested.
Cutting down on the number of shoes you're taking with you can also make a big difference.
>>
Renting clothes on holiday and ditching wheeled luggage: The future of travel could be carry-on only
Airlines and popular travel destinations are offering unique solutions to ditching cumbersome luggage in an effort to either reduce their travel footprint or the impact of tourism on local communities. Here are some of them.www.abc.net.au
Doesn't black get dirty really quick?All black at home and all black on the Camino ; might bore others maybe, but not me.
I've changed my ways. I am now a blaze of glory with bright colors so I can be seen. Everything clashes so combinations are loud and proud and cars can see me in rain, sleet , snow, fog or sunrise. I don't tire of it because when I'm a pilgrim I'm in my costumes.By chance, almost all of my gear on a 45 day camino was dark blue / dark green / dark grey / black, my wife even commented that one set made me look like a school boy in uniform (and at 60+ I will take that as a compliment).
And afterwards I really enjoyed putting on some new colours while usually at home I don't care, first clean thing to hand works fine.
So here is an article from OZ, how to colour plan your outfits!
It even has some useful advice - which I don't think peregrinos would dispute...
>>
For adventure holidays such as hiking trips, she explained that the bulk of your bag should be hiking outfits and gear.
When in doubt, narrow down the number of "just in case" outfits, travellers suggested.
Cutting down on the number of shoes you're taking with you can also make a big difference.
>>
Renting clothes on holiday and ditching wheeled luggage: The future of travel could be carry-on only
Airlines and popular travel destinations are offering unique solutions to ditching cumbersome luggage in an effort to either reduce their travel footprint or the impact of tourism on local communities. Here are some of them.www.abc.net.au
No...By chance, almost all of my gear on a 45 day camino was dark blue / dark green / dark grey / black, my wife even commented that one set made me look like a school boy in uniform (and at 60+ I will take that as a compliment).
And afterwards I really enjoyed putting on some new colours while usually at home I don't care, first clean thing to hand works fine.
So here is an article from OZ, how to colour plan your outfits!
It even has some useful advice - which I don't think peregrinos would dispute...
>>
For adventure holidays such as hiking trips, she explained that the bulk of your bag should be hiking outfits and gear.
When in doubt, narrow down the number of "just in case" outfits, travellers suggested.
Cutting down on the number of shoes you're taking with you can also make a big difference.
>>
Renting clothes on holiday and ditching wheeled luggage: The future of travel could be carry-on only
Airlines and popular travel destinations are offering unique solutions to ditching cumbersome luggage in an effort to either reduce their travel footprint or the impact of tourism on local communities. Here are some of them.www.abc.net.au
Now there's a mind pic I can't unsee!I have a pair of underpants that are blue with white horizontal stripes. Quite Edwardian in style and cut. I also have a pair that are white with blue horizontal stripes. I find it comforting to be able to vary my presentation without applying too much effort or thought.
I purchased a very lightweight and coloful scarf for 5 euros on my 1st trip to Portugal. It now goes on every trip with me...
Add the scarf at night for going out and I have a whole new outfit.
Another scarf fan here. I have a travel scarf I seem physically incapable of leaving at home no matter the trip style or destination....I always bring a favorite scarf on my Caminos, too. I have many so bring a different one each time...
The scarf goes a long wayI purchased a very lightweight and coloful scarf for 5 euros on my 1st trip to Portugal. It now goes on every trip with me. I pack black shorts and pants and a couple solid colored shirts (usually blue & reddish colors; long and short sleeve). Add the scarf at night for going out and I have a whole new outfit. Its amazing how warming a scarf around your shoulder and neck came be. I was even asked by a fellow walker on the Camino how I had so many outfits in my small pack! The scaft made all the difference. My partner and I love traveling light. Plus, after wearing just two outfits on the Camino for multiple months (or any trip), when I return home it feels as if I have a whole closet full of 'new' outfits.
Me, too. I have several and have been rotation them on Caminos. Make a warm blanket on the plane and a substitute pillow cover as well.Another scarf fan here. I have a travel scarf I seem physically incapable of leaving at home no matter the trip style or destination.
Mainly it gets sun-bleached after more than a month on a warm weather Camino.Doesn't black get dirty really quick?
Black also shows dirt from trails. The best color to hide trail dirt is khaki or tan, which are the color of dried dirt. Good colors for cars too if you don't like to wash them a lot.Mainly it gets sun-bleached after more than a month on a warm weather Camino.
If you walk a 1,000K + , some dust at the bottom of your trousers and on your boots is the least of your worries.Black also shows dirt from trails.
My point is that if someone chooses to wear black specifically to "hide the dirt" they won't be very successful.If you walk a 1,000K + , some dust at the bottom of your trousers and on your boots is the least of your worries.
Then when it rains, or you wash your stuff, it comes off. No big deal.
Steve Jobs apparently had the same philosophy.I put forth a small scene from the 1986 remake of "The Fly". When Jeff Goldblum brings Geena Davis to his apartment for the 1st time she discovers a closet full of same gray suits and white shirts. He tells her that this way he doesn't waste time on figuring out what to wear- rather just stick his hand into it and pull something out.
Makes perfect sense to me...
I am actually doing the same thing, same trousers and same shirt which are my main set for long walks ... and I replace them every now and then with identical piecesLOL! I’ve been wearing the same purple shirt since 2017 on Caminos and long-distance trails.
It really makes me recognizable- as the Canadian with the purple shirt. Especially when I hop on/off on the Camino Frances.
I’ve replaced it a few times when the holes became impossible to repair.
Never ever came across that and it sounds disgusting and reckless towards fellow pilgrims who want to use the same dryer.2 blue long sleeved shirts. 1 grey and 1 black long hiking pants. Grey shorts maroon T-shirt. Red fleece hat and yellow fluorescent rain jacket. No planning. Just what i had. But I had to have a colourful necklace for a bit of colour and gold earrings.
I was more concerned about clothes being clean. I was in an albergue 3 days out of Santiago in October.. It was raining heavily. It was a trendy new albergue but as the albergue filled I noticed the smell of dirty, wet clothes. I went to the laundry to find a pilgrim removing his clothes from the dryer saying he doesn't wash them first and I put my clean clothes in the dryer after him. Many albergues charged 5 euro a wash and 5 euro for a dry which is expensive for me as an Australian.. Has anyone come across this before just drying clothes not washing?
Too much water in handwashed clothes may damage the dryer, and wettish handwashed clothes may take too long to dry, preventing others from using the machine...I hand washed when the sun was shining however it rained for two weeks in October and the albergues only allowed clothes in the dryer that had been washed in the washing machine not hand washed. Perhaps they deemed the clothes too wet when hand washed.
One of the reasons why many hospitaleros don't allow pilgrims to operate the machines themselves.Too much water in hadnwashed clothes may damage the dryer, and wetish handwashed lothes may take to long to dry, prevnting others from using the machine...
I've seen pretty much zero success among pilgrims to hide the trail dirt ...My point is that if someone chooses to wear black specifically to "hide the dirt" they won't be very successful.
I went to the laundry to find a pilgrim removing his clothes from the dryer saying he doesn't wash them first
The one issue I have with extended hand washing at albergues is that quite often there is other pilgrims waiting to use the clothing wash basins and I have to admit, quite a few pilgrims take a long time to wash their clothing whilst others wait. I equate it to spending a long time in an albergue shower. Quite rude and inconsiderate.the albergues only allowed clothes in the dryer that had been washed in the washing machine not hand washed. Perhaps they deemed the clothes too wet when hand washed.
Some people don't know how to hand wash clothes so they get clean, not just wet. I have shared a few tips with young boys who were walking for the first time. (Always boys, never girls, in my experience.)
In all the albergues where I have worked and most where I have stayed, there usually plastic basins near the lavaduro (wash basin). The intent is that you put your clothes, soap, and water in the basin and then wash and or soak you clothes in the basin away from the wash sink. After a good soak and some agitation, you go back to the sink and replace the soapy water with clean water for a rinse. This is a very effective way to wash clothes by hand, conserves water, and helps with any bottleneck at the wash sink. @trecile does something similar with a stuff sack. Puts in soap, water, clothes and lets it soak while she showers. Later rinses and then the laundry is ready to wring out and dry.The one issue I have with extended hand washing at albergues is that quite often there is other pilgrims waiting to use the clothing wash basins and I have to admit, quite a few pilgrims take a long time to wash their clothing whilst others wait. I equate it to spending a long time in an albergue shower. Quite rude and inconsiderate.
I take the approach we took when washing clothes in the field in the military. Rinse out the sweat and dirt first and a quick wash in soapy water and a rinse and get out of the way for the next guy. Hey, it's only for a month and about once a week I wash and dry all my stuff in machines if available.
I get where you're coming from. But your background is somewhat different from many. You know how important short showers and making space for the next guy is - many people have absolutely no idea. They've quite simply never been in this situation before. Some - in fact many - have never washed their clothes by hand before. Or stayed somewhere with communal facilities.The one issue I have with extended hand washing at albergues is that quite often there is other pilgrims waiting to use the clothing wash basins and I have to admit, quite a few pilgrims take a long time to wash their clothing whilst others wait. I equate it to spending a long time in an albergue shower. Quite rude and inconsiderate.
I take the approach we took when washing clothes in the field in the military. Rinse out the sweat and dirt first and a quick wash in soapy water and a rinse and get out of the way for the next guy. Hey, it's only for a month and about once a week I wash and dry all my stuff in machines if available.
We rely on rainwater, 2 x 30,000 litre tanks normally last a summer, using the water frugally.The one issue I have with extended hand washing at albergues is that quite often there is other pilgrims waiting to use the clothing wash basins and I have to admit, quite a few pilgrims take a long time to wash their clothing whilst others wait. I equate it to spending a long time in an albergue shower. Quite rude and inconsiderate.
I take the approach we took when washing clothes in the field in the military. Rinse out the sweat and dirt first and a quick wash in soapy water and a rinse and get out of the way for the next guy. Hey, it's only for a month and about once a week I wash and dry all my stuff in machines if available.
I've been told that doing laundry in the shower is also bad etiquette. For hot water conservation reasons. Seriously, make the laundromat your friend. I mean, you don't have to do it everyday. Every sorta medium to large place has one available. I usually go about every 3 days... (3 days of underwear and socks carried). It's also sort of fun. (and your clothes are so much cleaner).“@trecile does something similar with a stuff sack. Puts in soap, water, clothes and lets it soak while she showers. Later rinses and then the laundry is ready to wring out and dry.“ - thus not keeping a washbasin occupied. I works beautifully.
I've been told that doing laundry in the shower is also bad etiquette. For hot water conservation reasons. Seriously, make the laundromat your friend. I mean, you don't have to do it everyday. Every sorta medium to large place has one available. I usually go about every 3 days... (3 days of underwear and socks carried). It's also sort of fun. (and your clothes are so much cleaner).
Thank you for pointing this out. It had never occurred to me to take the plastic basin - with my half-washed clothes in it - out of the washtub thereby giving access to the washtub to someone else who might be waiting. Not that I recall there ever being a queue behind me while I washed my clothes; still it’s good to know, in case there’s a next time.In all the albergues where I have worked and most where I have stayed, there usually plastic basins near the lavaduro (wash basin). The intent is that you put your clothes, soap, and water in the basin and then wash and or soak you clothes in the basin away from the wash sink. After a good soak and some agitation, you go back to the sink and replace the soapy water with clean water for a rinse. This is a very effective way to wash clothes by hand, conserves water, and helps with any bottleneck at the wash sink.
It is bad etiquette, and can actually damage your clothes if you do the "shower stomp" method of washing. The way that I do it doesn't really take any extra time in the shower. As the water is heating up I fill my dry bag, add a laundry detergent strip and my clothes. Then I seal up the bag and set it aside to soak. After my shower I shake the bag around to agitate it, then carry the whole thing to the laundry sink to dump the water out and rinse my clothing.I've been told that doing laundry in the shower is also bad etiquette.
Ok. That sounds ok... I LOVE those laundry strips... but usually just use them in a sink or basin.It is bad etiquette, and can actually damage your clothes if you do the "shower stomp" method of washing. The way that I do it doesn't really take any extra time in the shower. As the water is heating up I fill my dry bag, add a laundry detergent strip and my clothes. Then I seal up the bag and set it aside to soak. After my shower I shake the bag around to agitate it, then carry the whole thing to the laundry sink to dump the water out and rinse my clothing.
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