For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation) |
---|
A pity they are no longer made, because I swear by my easily detachable and compact Salomon Front Pocket that clips to the shoulder strap of my backpack. This Spanish site says they have one.I looked at Salomon
Weight distribution doesn't get much press but its something I have always been very finicky about! Buen camino!On Camino I used a Lowe Alpine waistpack, mostly for convenience. It held my money, phone, passport, guide and credential. It was easy to take with me to the shower or out in the evening - so my valuables stayed with me. It was lightweight (100g) and slim enough to be zipped inside my jacket when it rained (I don't use a poncho). It was a snug fit for what I wanted to carry so I have been looking out for something slightly larger.
I now have an Atom Packs Roo, made in the UK by a small company that makes UL backpacks. It is perfect for my needs with a lot more room for no more weight (100g empty). Plus it will still fit inside my zipped up jacket. The mesh pocket on the front holds my phone, very convenient for grabbing quick photos. Inside is a discrete rear pocket for cash, cards, passport etc. The loops at each side can be used for carabiners. Mine is 2.5l but they also do a smaller 1.5l version. I chose the Zero Waste version so it's made from offcuts; the colour was just luck but I love it.
I try hard to pack light, my Osprey Eja 38l backpack had a base weight of 5.25kg and I didn't find it onerous to carry. It fit well and most of the weight was on my hips which worked for me. In fact the combination of pack and poles held my spine in a good alignment, I do have a tendency to lean forwards otherwise.
I hope you can find the right combination for your body. I suggest practice with carrying and also practice packing as how you distribute weight can make a huge difference too. I was new to backpacking and it was a big learning curve!
Buen Camino
View attachment 100880
One thing to consider is that it's also worth anchoring the back of the pack to your hip belt to prevent it from swinging back and forth.I may just have to put something together myself using carabiners to attach to my front backpack straps.
Here are their front pocket options on their US website.Aarn has front pockets that are universal and can be purchased and used with any backpack. I use an Aarn backpack that includes the front pockets. The front pockets are not only convenient they help to distribute the weight for better balance.
Thank you for the tips!One thing to consider is that it's also worth anchoring the back of the pack to your hip belt to prevent it from swinging back and forth.
The Salomon front pack that I have has bighish loops in the back that you put your hip belt through, one on either side.
For someone with sewing skills, something like this little wonder would not be too hard to jury-rig. Front, back, and inside views (with an unintentional 1 Euro coin for scale):
View attachment 100929View attachment 100930View attachment 100931
BINGO! for some reason when I searched for Aarn pocket bags I ended up on a different Aarn website, which was out of stock on the ones that would work for me. This website had the right product in stock and it's ordered! This Camino forum rocks! Thanks so much.Here are their front pocket options on their US website.
Balance Bags | Best Daypack For Hiking | Best Day Backpack - Aarn USA
Get balance bag for Aarn's collection of the best daypacks & backpacks. Balance bags are great for removing strain & increasing pack capacity. Order now!www.aarn-usa.com
I had never heard of Arn before. Went on their website and I am sure they are excellent packs and well made but wow they sure are expensive! I would assume that for someone who is doing a great deal of hiking and it is an integral part of their lives the investment is worthwhile. I have done 5 caminos and have walked about 5000k with the same REI pack I bought about 9 years ago for about $90 US. I am jealous of all the caminos you have listed. I also see how the company stresses balance and weight distribution. By this time I have pretty well mastered packing my bag to keep it comfortable and distribute the weight properly. Has the system that Arn uses proven to be a real benefit for you in this department? I keep my pack with food to about 8.5K. It could be lighter but I tend to walk in very late fall so I need a little heavier gear. I am 67 now and will walk from Sevilla to Muxia in late October. So far I have had no back or joint issues. When I have joint pain it is usually after a long and steep downhill and that is because I didn't zig zag enough but I want to keep walking a long time.I use the Arn bodypack.... It’s a backpack and front pack all in one... https://www.aarnpacks.com/
I had never heard of Arn before. Went on their website and I am sure they are excellent packs and well made but wow they sure are expensive! I would assume that for someone who is doing a great deal of hiking and it is an integral part of their lives the investment is worthwhile. I have done 5 caminos and have walked about 5000k with the same REI pack I bought about 9 years ago for about $90 US. I am jealous of all the caminos you have listed. I also see how the company stresses balance and weight distribution. By this time I have pretty well mastered packing my bag to keep it comfortable and distribute the weight properly. Has the system that Arn uses proven to be a real benefit for you in this department? I keep my pack with food to about 8.5K. It could be lighter but I tend to walk in very late fall so I need a little heavier gear. I am 67 now and will walk from Sevilla to Muxia in late October. So far I have had no back or joint issues. When I have joint pain it is usually after a long and steep downhill and that is because I didn't zig zag enough but I want to keep walking a long time.
Did you walk the "full" length of each one of your caminos or just portions to fit into your life and work schedule? Just wondering
Mine does not because it has ventilation in the back, so there is airspace between me and the pack (see pic in my post above)Questions...For those who walk in the heat of summer, doesn't a front pack limit the air flow of a nice breeze and cause the torso to sweat, both back...and front?
With an Altus this is no problem at all, because it goes over the works. (With any other system, the frontpack would be on the outside of your rainjacket, easy to deal with but likely to get wet.)What about the opposite for those walking in cold weather and need to zip up a jacket on a cold day?
This was the thing that took some getting used to for me - a small extra step getting into and out of harness. But once you do it a bunch of times, it becomes automatic and easy.Lastly, what about having to remove both packs when eating? It sounds a nuscience.
I have an air flow "trampoline" on my Osprey, but I was mostly wondering about those who do not and also add in the front pack.Mine does not because it has ventilation in the back, so there is airspace between me and the pack
I qas not talking about the backpack, but the frontpack, which has ventilation in the back. (Confusing, I know...). Have a look at the photo in post #8.I have an air flow "trampoline" on my Osprey, but I was mostly wondering about those who do not and also add in the front pack.
I have a 9 year old REI pack that was properly fitted by the great REI staff. When it is properly adjusted and I adjust whenever I put it on there is no sway or swing at all. I don't know about you but when I hear complaints from new pilgrims about their pack the cause is either too much weight and when it comes to adjustments or the proper wearing of the pack it is usually they have not tightened the shoulder straps to bring the pack closer to their body and is causing stress to their shoulders. I was wondering if it helps you to stand with better posture and improves balance especially on really wet or icy days.I also use an Aarn backpack with front packs attached. Have used their system for nearly 20 years on Camino, and I don’t plan to change. They have so many advantages.
I have no experience with the universal front packs, and how well they work with other packs. Looking at them I wonder if they might swing around too much (mine don’t, but they have a different attachment system to the universal packs). It would be interesting to get feedback.
If you do get the Aarn packs, don’t be tempted to remove the stays. If you do they won’t work properly.
I walked at the end of August through September and don't remember having any particular problem with air flow. Nor was zipping up a jacket difficult - just reach under the front pack and zip away. Like everyone else I removed my back pack when eating, but I don't think I removed the front pack. It was rather like I imagine having a bit of a pot tummy would be - quite handy to rest my arms on whilst waiting or chatting.Questions...For those who walk in the heat of summer, doesn't a front pack limit the air flow of a nice breeze and cause the torso to sweat, both back...and front?
What about the opposite for those walking in cold weather and need to zip up a jacket on a cold day?
Lastly, what about having to remove both packs when eating? It sounds a nuscience.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?