Kyle Hocking
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Completed: Camino Frances - Spring'16
Preparing: Camino Frances - Fall ‘23
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Your "parcho" looks great! How much does it weigh?I walked about 1/2 the Camino Frances from April 18 to May 11. Rain several days in the early part of the trip, every day in Galicia. I wore trail running shoes which got wet, but with medium weight merino socks, my feet stayed warm and never felt "squooshy". Best of all, the shoes dried overnight. As to raingear, I could not get an Altus in the USA, and the Packa was WAY too big, even the small. I did not want "gortex" type fabric as I wets from the inside out, in my experience, is very expensive, and is heavy as it requires several pieces, including pack cover. I ended up making my own "Parcho" from a kit provided by Quest Outfitters through their online website. The cost was about $50 for everything needed to make the garment. It is a sort of combination poncho/parka. It is somewhat adjustable as to size of the person and size of the pack. I would say it requires moderate sewing skills - it's not a beginner project. On the Camino it worked out very well, though I must say since the fabric is silnylon (waterproof) there is condensation within as there would be with "gortex" type products. However, the parcho vented much better than a pants/rain jacket type arrangement. My pack always stayed dry. I managed the condensation with a very lightweight merino long sleeve, and venting by opening up the zipper when the rain lightened up a bit. I may modify it by removing the underarm seams and replacing these with velcro so that I could vent even more by opening the velcro partway as needed/appropriate to the weather. This Parcho design looks a bit wonky but it worked well for me. The sleeves are odd. They are not sleeve shaped, but more like big triangles, making it look a bit like a basejumping suit when the arms are spread out. Luckily I had no need to do that! The advantage to the sleeve design is that you can pull your arms out of them and into the body of the poncho super easily. There you can adjust your pack straps, or reach the side pockets and waist pockets of your pack. I could even pull my head into the thing, turtle like, and get my camera out and ready for a quick photo. I thought it was brilliant. If anyone is interested and has questions, feel free to PM me.
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I found it on the website and answered my own question - 7.5 ounces.Your "parcho" looks great! How much does it weigh?
Thanks for that warning - I have just invested (yes - invested) in a pair of lightweight Berghaus Paclite rain trousers so I am definitely not cheaping out ...
I think it was about 8 oz. I'll weigh it when I have the chance and report back.Your "parcho" looks great! How much does it weigh?
Another little tip with the Altus or other ponchos - wearing a cap or sports visor will stop the hood from falling down over your eyes and the rain driving into your face/eyes
Hi Camino Friends! I just returned from my first (and hopefully not last) Camino from St. Jean to Santiago which my brother and I completed in 31 days without resting. Along the way, we ran into some of the worst rain I can recall ever being in. The wind was fierce, the mud was awful and the trails were completely flooded in areas with some nearly impassable at times. What made things worse for me is that I didn't adequately prepare for the rain...
I also went with a plastic poncho that cost me about 4 euro. Don't make this mistake either. It ripped in the wind and clasps wouldn't stay closed. It hardly was big enough to cover me and my bag. After a few days, I had to get rid of it. My brother actually cut it up to make some covers for his shoes (which didn't work too well). Buy one made of canvas that is specifically designed to fit over a pack and if that means buying one for 60 or 70 euro, trust me it's worth it. I wish I had spent the money.
I also went with a plastic poncho that cost me about 4 euro.
Another option is... enjoying the suffering of using cheap garments. It's a pilgrimage.
That was a lovely spring! 2013 was much like this year.Good equipment may do more than keep you comfortable if you're in the mountains and it's cold as well as rainy. No, you probably won't die of hypothermia on the camino, but you could suffer some consequences. However, my main point is that, for those planning future caminos, the weather might not be that bad! When I walked starting April 10 2014, I experienced only a couple days of light rain for the whole camino. Only goes to show how unpredictable weather can be.
Okay, 40 Euros boots, 4 Euro poncho and no pack cover. What could go wrong?
No offence meant but... How on earth can one think that a 4€ coat may be a good buy?
I almost didn't buy one because I had a good rain jacket and pants. I bought it as an emergency throw-in a day or two before leaving. But now I know that you really need a good poncho
I'm not into ponchos and I swear I will never use waterproof trousers, but this year I had to buy one cape. Heavy rain all day long with sturdy wind made me change my mind. So I bought one in León.
Take a look at my post in the "we have all been there...." thread. Like you I was newbie once too. That first try I was carrying an all weather coat that probably took up 20% of the space in my backpack. Today I am a fan of the Duckback pack cover and my poncho, if it rains part of me get wet but it's much better than walking around in a portable sauna.To be honest, I hadn't made a trek like this before and didn't really know what I was getting myself in to. I spent a lot of time researching but often times, experience counts for a whole lot more. At least I know for my next Camino!
Take a look at my post in the "we have all been there...." thread. Like you I was newbie once too. That first try I was carrying an all weather coat that probably took up 20% of the space in my backpack. Today I am a fan of the Duckback pack cover and my poncho, if it rains part of me get wet but it's much better than walking around in a portable sauna.
I wasn't sure about gaiters either but took them. I didn't wear them until the first day it rained and then wore them almost every day after - rain or no rain. The reason - clean trouser legs! I just returned home last week and throughout my Camino I encountered a LOT of mud which ended up all over my pants from muddy boots brushing past them (until I used the gaiters). Also, being caught out by a sudden and VERY heavy bout of rain, I realised that it doesn't matter how good/waterproof your boots are, the rain runs into them from the top - problem solved with gaiters. I loved my Altus alsoYeah, I couldn't handle rain pants (or gaiters either, I think, unless the time of year strongly warranted gaiters). People often say the Altus makes you sweat and keeps condensation inside but I don't find that aspect too bad. And I love being in my Altus with either my quick-dry nylon hiking trousers on rainy days, or (especially) my merino wool leggings. Yes, they get soaked. But they also dry really fast when the rain stops! Same with my sneakers.
This year I walked the Camino Frances March 15-April 15 and the weather varied but wasn't bad - of course there are always crappy weather days anytime of year. If you don't mind it being on the cooler side, you'll be fine! I also really loved the smaller amount of pilgrims.Thanks for the info!
I've planned to walk mid April 17 and I'm keeping an eye on the weather...not so good...
Good equipment is expensive, but as it seems no luxury
Will save some more money for the (good) raingear and add the gaiters to the list
Thanks for the infoThis year I walked the Camino Frances March 15-April 15 and the weather varied but wasn't bad - of course there are always crappy weather days anytime of year. If you don't mind it being on the cooler side, you'll be fine! I also really loved the smaller amount of pilgrims.
And yes, the quality equipment is totally worth it
Tony, I'm in Perth and returned from completing the Camino Frances a couple of weeks ago. Happy to share info if you have any questions. Personally, I think the Altus and gaiters are the way to go but that's just my opinion. I took a good quality rain jacket also and really didn't need it and many times regretted having it as I packed up my gear each morning.great thread ....
The concensus here seems to be poncho's which makes perfect sense to me ... ventillation..... pack covering .... and total surface covered ...... but feel conflicted when it comes to practicalities of a good quality Gortex jacket .... ie warmth when not walking ..... churches cafes where a wet poncho is less than welcome. ... I am at my weight limit atm so likely to stick with poncho and light fleece (and maybe some lightweight thermals)
...... but will add the weight of some gaiters on your advise
Hi SY ..... i have tracked down a stockist in Aus .... 4500km away? Cairns to Perth ..... might be waiting until until I hit St. JeansJust to update what I wrote earlier in this thread, I got this poncho http://www.ferrino.it/en/catalog/rainwear/65911-hiker-raincoat to replace my old one and I am pretty happy with it, it keeps me dry without that I sweat too much.
Buen Camino, SY
I'm doing the CF for the first time in September and October. Haven't decided yet when my first day will be (haven't purchased airline tix), as I want to make sure that I go at a time when it's not too hot. Is it rainy in September/October? Is it, more often than not, cooler at that time on the way? I don't want to be worried about these things ... I'm starting the "trust-that-everything's-going-to-work-out" mindset now ... but, want to make educated and wise choices! Thanks in advance for your advice and thoughts!
According to the Sea to Summit site, their poncho is 8.15 ounces/230 gramsI expect that you meant 0.30 kilograms, as their website says that the poncho weighs 400 g. According to @trecile, the Parcho weigh 7.2 oz, which is lighter at only 200 g. Nevertheless,the Sea to Summit tarp poncho looks like a good choice (especially for September) and you don't have to make it yourself!
I must have looked at the wrong one, or just read it wrong. Thanks for the correction - 230 g looks very good!According to the Sea to Summit site, their poncho is 8.15 ounces/230 grams
@C clearly :I must have looked at the wrong one, or just read it wrong. Thanks for the correction - 230 g looks very good!
Trecile, your Parcho looks really good! Hope you don't have to used it muchThanks so much to @Pong for the "Parcho" mention! I made mine last week (with some help from Pong. Mine comes in at 7.2 ounces.
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@pilgrim gurlHello Rachel,
Thank you. This account is the most helpful I’ve read in the past year. Reading of your struggles (and suffering!) strengthens me somehow. My prayer is that I’ll readily accept suffering, but please, God, no debilitating injuries! I will remember that your day of moments challenge was your “best” on the Camino.
Regards,
Jo
Thanks for that warning - I have just invested (yes - invested) in a pair of lightweight Berghaus Paclite rain trousers so I am definitely not cheaping out ...
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