Kyle Hocking
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Completed: Camino Frances - Spring'16
Preparing: Camino Frances - Fall ‘23
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.
Sure, I knew it was going to rain. The north of Spain generally is pretty wet in the spring and I was keeping an eye on the weather there before I left. But I really wasn't prepared for what we got. I'm not sure if you can prepare; you may just have to experience it. But with that said, I want to pass along advice to those who are questioning if they need rain gear and how much they should bring.
The answer is: yes you do and bring as much as you can to stay dry even if it adds weight. I bought cheap boots that I intended to ditch at the end of the Camino (which I did). They cost be about 40 euro and said they were waterproof. They weren't even close. Even after spraying them twice before leaving with a waterproof spray, a few minutes in heavy rain and they were soaked. I bought new ones when I got home; HanWags with a Goretex membrane and during the course of my 'working in' process, stood in a stream for about 10 minutes without getting my feet wet. These ones, which were about 180 euro, really worked! I wish I had those on the Camino. My boots were waterlogged and my feet were drenched more than once!
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 didn't have a rain cover for my bag either. I had to buy one in Zubiri on day 2. I cannot stress enough how important this is. Even with a poncho, you really need one. You'll need a good rain jacket as well and one that is definitely waterproof. You should also consider buying gaiters for your legs (which I also didn't have) to channel water down your legs and off your feet without entering your boots. Otherwise, even waterproof boots become useless.
I know that we are getting into drier, summer weather now. But if you're planning a spring Camino for 2017 or beyond, you'll want good, effective rain gear.
Sure, I knew it was going to rain. The north of Spain generally is pretty wet in the spring and I was keeping an eye on the weather there before I left. But I really wasn't prepared for what we got. I'm not sure if you can prepare; you may just have to experience it. But with that said, I want to pass along advice to those who are questioning if they need rain gear and how much they should bring.
The answer is: yes you do and bring as much as you can to stay dry even if it adds weight. I bought cheap boots that I intended to ditch at the end of the Camino (which I did). They cost be about 40 euro and said they were waterproof. They weren't even close. Even after spraying them twice before leaving with a waterproof spray, a few minutes in heavy rain and they were soaked. I bought new ones when I got home; HanWags with a Goretex membrane and during the course of my 'working in' process, stood in a stream for about 10 minutes without getting my feet wet. These ones, which were about 180 euro, really worked! I wish I had those on the Camino. My boots were waterlogged and my feet were drenched more than once!
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 didn't have a rain cover for my bag either. I had to buy one in Zubiri on day 2. I cannot stress enough how important this is. Even with a poncho, you really need one. You'll need a good rain jacket as well and one that is definitely waterproof. You should also consider buying gaiters for your legs (which I also didn't have) to channel water down your legs and off your feet without entering your boots. Otherwise, even waterproof boots become useless.
I know that we are getting into drier, summer weather now. But if you're planning a spring Camino for 2017 or beyond, you'll want good, effective rain gear.