Finding a backpack for 2 purposes

[amystewart]

Hello, so I am planning on walking the Camino del Norte in late August and in search for a backpack. However, I am also going to be doing a month before travelling through the rest of Europe. I will need more clothes and toiletries when I backpack in the beginning through Europe and do not want as small as a backpack as I will need for the camino.
Has anyone ever done this before and if so how did you get a backpack for it? I am guessing I can put my extra luggage in a locker at a bus station or something when I do the camino, but did people buy 2 backpacks for this? One larger for my first month through Europe and then a smaller one for the camino? Or do I use the larger one and then keep it more empty when I am doing the pilgrimage? This question might keep kind of silly, but I am kind of stuck in what to do in this situation.

I will take any suggestions, thanks 8)

 

[lindseh]

I'm in a similar situation. I'm taking a 50L Gregory Jade pack which is big enough that I can pack things for the rest of my trip. I'm then going to send it to Ivar in Santiago for storage. Check out the topic RE: luggage storage in Santiago in 2013 that's pinned at the top of the discussion boards for more info on that.

I wouldn't bother bringing two packs, sounds like a lot of hassle to me! I just have to pack smart because 50L still doesn't leave me a lot of space. Bring dresses! Light and small. That's what I'm doing, anyway.

Good luck!
Lindsey

 

[Kiwi-family]

I have not felt the need for "more" stuff for travelling than I needed for the Camino. Sure, if you want to take an evening dress and heels or something like that, then you could always post it home before you start walking - but even that will still fit in a 35l pack with your two changes of camino clothes!

 

[amystewart]

thanks! I will definitely be bringing some light dresses and skirts to save space, but 50L seems a little bit too big for me. I am thinking of packing a 30L backpack into a suitcase with the rest of my camino and europe stuff and then send my suitcase and extra luggage to santiago to meet me when I finish. Thanks for your advice. I am definitely going to use the luggage storage. Good luck on your trip!

 

[NicoZ]

A good pack even if bigger will be easier to carry then a smaller full pack.

Gregory makes good packs intended to be used. Including models for women. Get a pack that fits you.

All this means go to a good shop with helpful staff and have them show you the options.

 

[backpack45]

When we travel in and out of a place (like Madrid or Paris), we carry a very lightweight duffle bag with some extras and leave it at the hotel to be retrieved later. And since our hiking poles needed to be checked anyway, this worked fine. However, sometimes we don't fly in and out of the same place and so we carry the duffle bag (which weighs only ounces) in the backpack.
As far as clothing for "dress up," ever thing I need is also part of my Camino packlist. I have a pair of black suede Mephisto sandals (1 pound) that look dressy and are comfortable for walking around town. I have a light-weight skirt, an extra blouse/top, and the full-slip (that I sleep in. I have a Smartwool top (base layer) that is black and so I can wear it just as you would a sweater. A scarf and earrings complete my outfit.