Gear List September Camino Frances

[jppreston]

Here is my current gear list for the Camino Frances which I am planning to begin the second week of September. My goal is to keep my pack weight under 5 kg and my FSO (From Skin Out) weight to under 6.5 kg.

I have done a fair amount of long-distance hiking and backpacking so this list incorporates the knowledge I've gained over the years. The Camino Frances isn't a wilderness hike so although there will be some relatively remote sections, most of the time the hike will be close to towns or public roads. That, along with the fact that I will be sleeping indoors, means I can keep my pack (26L) fairly light. It's just much more pleasant to walk with a light pack. It is also significantly easier on the body and makes longer days possible if required. It is simple and peaceful to carry only what is really necessary.

I've included my gear list below with individual weights in Oz and totals in both Lbs and Kgs.

Buen Camino!

Notes
1. Merino Wool is by far the best fabric for "next to skin" hiking clothing. It is super comfortable, drys quickly, and never smells. Wool clothing reduces the amount of redundant clothing I need to carry.
2. I sleep warm so I don't need to overdo my sleep set up. If it gets really cold, I will combine my sleep sack and emergency bivy sack as well as sleep with more clothes. I can also simply ask for a blanket.
3. A light pack means light shoes. Boots are rarely necessary with a pack weight under 10 kg and lighter shoes reduce fatigue (and blisters).
4. iPhone 6+ serves for a phone, guidebook, maps, GPS, camera, books, and music. This saves a ton of weight. Paper is heavy.
5. No need to carry lots of toiletries or first aid items with towns at every stop.

 

[C clearly]

Looks good for a September start. For me, I would probably keep the hip belt, even for that weight.

 

[Kurt5280]

Everyone has there personal limit on what to carry...but for the feet at a minimum I recommend shoe sole liners, vasoline, toe nail clippers, and two pairs of socks...for water it is best just to purchase and use the plastic water bottles that you buy with bottled water in the grocery store and an extra squeeze style water bottle that can be easily cleaned and filled at any public fountains...I also recommend a small camp knife for fruit, hard bread, repairs, etc...but lastly bring some food because I was too many places looking for something simple to eat.

 

[Lmsundaze]

What have you done in the Luna Mono sandals? What do you say about them?

 

[spursfan]

Still about twice as heavy and bulky as I carry for the Norte at a similar time of year - though I typically carry 1.5L-3L of water since there are many fewer drinking fountains than on the Frances and distances between supermercados can be longer

 

[GreatDane]

I see you pack a sit pad too!!! I do because the seats are soooooo bad on Delta so it flies with me everywhere. And the fact that I happen to have it along for the camino is then just icing on the cake.

 

[jppreston]

Nice work spursfan. Love to see your gear list. At least that lets me know I'm not under packing.

 

[jppreston]

What have you done in the Luna Mono sandals? What do you say about them?

I love my Luna Monos. They are the best sandal I have ever owned. They are nice and light as well. I live in Colorado and spend all summer hiking in them. The design is based on the running sandals used by the Tarahumara Indians in Mexico.

 

[Kanga]

I like the kilt. OK to rely on shoulder straps for short periods, but day after day, for 30+ days? Then again, I'm an Aarn pack fan, which is a whole different thing.

I prefer my coffee or hot drink in a cafe - they are my one of my favourite things about the Camino and what makes it quite different to other hiking experiences (for me it's very much a walk from cafe to cafe, with lots of companions, art, history, meditation and beautiful nature, in between). My luxury items are bedsocks, and something to sit on out on the trail.