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Never actually weighed my pack on either Camino, but all I can recommend is keep it under 10 kilos, preferably around 7-8 kilos.I know we are all trying to keep our pack weight down to a reasonable level.
And lots of people are shooting for that magic 10% number.
The big weight vs. comfort question.
I'm curious to know for those who have walked, what was your final pack weight?
How much did you actually carry on your Camino? How did you feel about it?
Too much? About right?
Thanks!
Walked the Frances from SJPP in April 2o13 with an 17 lb pack not counting water and snacks. It was cold when we started with late snows so I had some warmer gear (long underwear, long sleeve fleece, fleece hat warm gloves....) and I carried a sleeping bag. I'm walking the primitivo this June and wanted to have a lighter pack! I've got it down to 12.25 lbs not including water and snacks! I am 58 and I'm 5' 3" and weigh 155. Lighter is better. I didn't have any real trouble with the heavier pack, but I just felt that I would be lass tired if I had a lighter pack. LizI know we are all trying to keep our pack weight down to a reasonable level.
And lots of people are shooting for that magic 10% number.
The big weight vs. comfort question.
I'm curious to know for those who have walked, what was your final pack weight?
How much did you actually carry on your Camino? How did you feel about it?
Too much? About right?
Thanks!
I weigh 56kg. Pack was 4.6kg in July/Aug last year. Really light, and didn't want for anything.
After shedding stuff along the way. My pack weighed 22 lbs (including water). I still had an extra pair of boots and sleeping bag I could have got rid of along the way but by then I was used to the weight. My sister shed extra socks, bedroll, sleeping bag, vitamins, and cosmetics. Her pack weighed 17 lbs at the end.I know we are all trying to keep our pack weight down to a reasonable level.
And lots of people are shooting for that magic 10% number.
The big weight vs. comfort question.
I'm curious to know for those who have walked, what was your final pack weight?
How much did you actually carry on your Camino? How did you feel about it?
Too much? About right?
Thanks!
18-20 Lbs depending on Lunch & water (I packed a full bottle of Wine once) I also found items on the road others had left because they felt weighed too much. None of it I used except a lighter for sterilizing a needle (blisters). But had a need here in the mountains of Montana (nice GPS)I know we are all trying to keep our pack weight down to a reasonable level.
And lots of people are shooting for that magic 10% number.
The big weight vs. comfort question.
I'm curious to know for those who have walked, what was your final pack weight?
How much did you actually carry on your Camino? How did you feel about it?
Too much? About right?
Thanks!
Indeed. Your assessment is correct. So far I can tell, it is magic and nothing more. Unfortunately it has gained credibility by being mindlessly repeated here and elsewhere.The magic number 10%.
Hardly. 10% might work as a summer weight target (NOT a rule!) but for other seasons more will need to be carried. My personal working multipliers are 1.25x for spring/autumn, and 1.5x for winter.And in winter too?
only a silk liner. Real silk, got it from a company in Vietnam... http://www.silkliners.com/ 150g and so comfortable... and really pretty! Hey, who says you can't have pretty things on the Camino?Wow. Impressive. That seems really light.
Would you mind posting your pack list?
No sleeping gear needed for summer?
I like your list. Very interested in the Weiss Pilgrim app too.only a silk liner. Real silk, got it from a company in Vietnam... http://www.silkliners.com/ 150g and so comfortable... and really pretty! Hey, who says you can't have pretty things on the Camino?
I just bought well. Tech fibre is light. My fleece was 120g. Wind jacket even less than that. No guide book as I had my Samsung Galaxy Note, and downloaded a brilliant app, Wise Pilgrim, better than the books in my opinion. Heaviest thing was the external battery pack, but I never had to queue to charge my phone, and unfortunately I needed it as I HAD to answer work emails (or I wouldn't have been able to go)
Here's my list. Didn't weigh individual items, but weighed the pack as a whole. Poles are not in that weight, as I didn't feel they should be, as I used them all the time for walking so weren't really carry weight.
30L backpack, good fit
Waist pack to hold 2 water bottles and items used during walk/valuables
Clothing (both wearing and carrying)
Trail shoes – NOT BOOTS
3 x hiking socks
2 x thin sock liners (like nylon stockings)
2 x Quick-dry sports/T-back bras
2 x quick-dry underwear
2 x tech-fibre leggings
2 x tech-fibre quick dry sports vests
1 x light-weight rain/wind jacket
1 x light-weight fleece top
Keens sandals
1 x shorts
Light weight pants for evening
Vest top for evening
1 x sarong
1 x rain poncho (disposable)
1 x buff (many uses)
1 x cap
General:
1 x silk liner for sleeping
1 x quick-dry small travel towel
Water bottles
Passport with visa
Pilgrim’s passport
Euros
Debit card
Air-tickets
1 x Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and charger (photos, skype, email), guide book and apps
External battery pack
Safety pins (better than pegs for hanging washing)
Zip lock bags, various sizes (separated clothes for the day, put food for carrying etc)
Small plastic ‘spork’
Ear plugs
Toiletries (put all together in a zip lock bag)
Small bar soap
Travel size shampoo/conditioner
Sunscreen
toothbrush
Travel size toothpaste (replace on the way)
Stick-type deodorant, small size
Wet wipes
Insect repellent stick (only thing I brought that I didn't actually use!)
Medical: (put all in a zip lock bag)
ibuprofen (definitely used and replaced this A LOT!)
Tiger balm muscle rub (Hey, I live in Thailand... works for everything!)
imodium (didn't need, but weighs nothing)
Antiseptic cream
Rehydrate granules
Pinospore tape for hot spots. Best thing ever!
I grew up wilderness backpacking in the 1960's and never heard of the 10% idea until I walked the Camino Frances in 2013. I think any reasonably fit adult can easily carry 20 lbs without any problem, assuming you have a good backpack that keeps the weight mostly on your hips. On my Camino I carried about 22 pounds (about 17% of my weight) with no problems. I suggest you just go by what feels right for you and forget about 10%.I know we are all trying to keep our pack weight down to a reasonable level.
And lots of people are shooting for that magic 10% number.
The big weight vs. comfort question.
I'm curious to know for those who have walked, what was your final pack weight?
How much did you actually carry on your Camino? How did you feel about it?
Too much? About right?
Thanks!
Spellcheck.I like your list. Very interested in the Weiss Pilgrim app too.
only a silk liner. Real silk, got it from a company in Vietnam... http://www.silkliners.com/ 150g and so comfortable... and really pretty! Hey, who says you can't have pretty things on the Camino?
I just bought well. Tech fibre is light. My fleece was 120g. Wind jacket even less than that. No guide book as I had my Samsung Galaxy Note, and downloaded a brilliant app, Wise Pilgrim, better than the books in my opinion. Heaviest thing was the external battery pack, but I never had to queue to charge my phone, and unfortunately I needed it as I HAD to answer work emails (or I wouldn't have been able to go)
Here's my list. Didn't weigh individual items, but weighed the pack as a whole. Poles are not in that weight, as I didn't feel they should be, as I used them all the time for walking so weren't really carry weight.
30L backpack, good fit
Waist pack to hold 2 water bottles and items used during walk/valuables
Clothing (both wearing and carrying)
Trail shoes – NOT BOOTS
3 x hiking socks
2 x thin sock liners (like nylon stockings)
2 x Quick-dry sports/T-back bras
2 x quick-dry underwear
2 x tech-fibre leggings
2 x tech-fibre quick dry sports vests
1 x light-weight rain/wind jacket
1 x light-weight fleece top
Keens sandals
1 x shorts
Light weight pants for evening
Vest top for evening
1 x sarong
1 x rain poncho (disposable)
1 x buff (many uses)
1 x cap
General:
1 x silk liner for sleeping
1 x quick-dry small travel towel
Water bottles
Passport with visa
Pilgrim’s passport
Euros
Debit card
Air-tickets
1 x Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and charger (photos, skype, email), guide book and apps
External battery pack
Safety pins (better than pegs for hanging washing)
Zip lock bags, various sizes (separated clothes for the day, put food for carrying etc)
Small plastic ‘spork’
Ear plugs
Toiletries (put all together in a zip lock bag)
Small bar soap
Travel size shampoo/conditioner
Sunscreen
toothbrush
Travel size toothpaste (replace on the way)
Stick-type deodorant, small size
Wet wipes
Insect repellent stick (only thing I brought that I didn't actually use!)
Medical: (put all in a zip lock bag)
ibuprofen (definitely used and replaced this A LOT!)
Tiger balm muscle rub (Hey, I live in Thailand... works for everything!)
imodium (didn't need, but weighs nothing)
Antiseptic cream
Rehydrate granules
Pinospore tape for hot spots. Best thing ever!
I often refer to the advice given in the US walking classic, The Complete Plain Walker (I have the fourth edition). It uses a from the skin out measure, and suggests that loads up to 20% will have minimal effect on walking speed and endurance. It also recommends not to exceed a total load of more than 30% FSO.I grew up wilderness backpacking in the 1960's and never heard of the 10% idea until I walked the Camino Frances in 2013. I think any reasonably fit adult can easily carry 20 lbs without any problem, assuming you have a good backpack that keeps the weight mostly on your hips. On my Camino I carried about 22 pounds (about 17% of my weight) with no problems. I suggest you just go by what feels right for you and forget about 10%.
I often refer to the advice given in the US walking classic, The Complete Plain Walker (I have the fourth edition). It uses a from the skin out measure, and suggests that loads up to 20% will have minimal effect on walking speed and endurance. It also recommends not to exceed a total load of more than 30% FSO.
It is always good advice to reduce the weight of one's pack, and I do think that for a summer camino, using a 10% target is about right, but it is not some absolute rule. I wouldn't recommend it for other seasons.
I found I didn't need to carry food, I'm not quite sure why everyone else seems to, although I did cart a can of tuna around for some days before depositing it in an albergue kitchen to get rid of it. I also only carried a 500ml bottle of water. I found there were enough bars along the way to stock up on coffee etc during the day.
With a good smart phone, you won't need the camera and the Garmin, as it has both. And won't need a guide book. I didn't need gloves, but then I walked in summer.My list is basically this except my pack is 50L and I have a Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3 Tent (4 lbs), Vortex binoculars (3 lbs), + Compact Camera, Garmin GPS and a Solar Panel Charger kit... oh and a couple of pairs of wind gloves.
@thetravellingpen
Hi! As much as I try I can't find the crucial "...but weighed the pack as a whole" in your post???
Yes, and the advice to pack as light as possible and keep below 20% FSO if possible and definitely below 30% FSO still applies.Depends on how you want to Camino though. Some of us want to tent out sometimes
I understand that you weighed everything packed, but what was the result? How many kilos? I can't find it in your post...I didn't weigh individual items, but packed everything and then weighed it. So it included one set of clothes, as the other was being worn, if that makes sense?
I weigh 56kg. Pack was 4.6kg in July/Aug last year. Really light, and didn't want for anything.
I think the question is What did your pack weigh
I weigh 56kg. Pack was 4.6kg in July/Aug last year. Really light, and didn't want for anything.
You got it right, Michael. The weight was in travellingpen's first post and my question was after her second post with all the details on packing list. But without the weight....and I think the answer is....
There was confusion because thetravellingpen's answer came before the question was asked.
To answer the topic question completely, I perhaps should have added that start each day with about 2li of water, and my worn clothing, boots and trekking poles weigh about 2.9kg. On the CI this year I didn't carry much food, mainly some dried fruit, muesli bars and some sweets. This would make my FSO weight about 16kg at the start of the day.At the end of the CF in May 2010, I was carrying about 8.5kg bare weight plus pack. Repacked into a smaller pack, this was just over 10kg. I had started with much more!
On the CI last year (Apr 2014) my pack weighed 11kg, including walking poles, so about 10.4kg, but I carried about 1 kg of 'toys' which I didn't weigh, so perhaps about 11.4 kg bare weight.
My ideal walking weight is about 80kg. I would love to be even close to that again!
I disagree. It is just as important to know about how you approach this as it is to hear from anyone of us who carry more.I don't think I should be part of this thread.
On my 3 Camino's so far,...7/8 days each one....my pack weighed between 5-6 kg....I weigh Approx 90 kg...very comfortable weight for me ...for my next 3 Camino's this year I will have exactly the same in my pack.I know we are all trying to keep our pack weight down to a reasonable level.
And lots of people are shooting for that magic 10% number.
The big weight vs. comfort question.
I'm curious to know for those who have walked, what was your final pack weight?
How much did you actually carry on your Camino? How did you feel about it?
Too much? About right?
Thanks!
http://news.sciencemag.org/physics/2014/10/when-backpacking-it-pays-be-small
Not sure where that leaves us
My interpretation of it is that the 10% rule actually doesn't mean much.http://news.sciencemag.org/physics/2014/10/when-backpacking-it-pays-be-small
Not sure where that leaves us
I am about 5 ft 6 in tall and was 63 years old on my walk. I didn't realize that the weight of my backpack alone would make a difference, but it was two pounds (0.9 kg) heavier than I should have had, and the extra weight made a big difference over all. The weight of the whole pack with water was about 22 pounds (9.97 kg), and that made it quite heavy to carry. I didn't pack anything that I didn't use, but one thing that makes a difference is the size of your clothes. If you are larger, your clothes will just naturally be heavier than a smaller person's, and your pack will unavoidably be heavier, in my opinion.I know we are all trying to keep our pack weight down to a reasonable level.
And lots of people are shooting for that magic 10% number.
The big weight vs. comfort question.
I'm curious to know for those who have walked, what was your final pack weight?
How much did you actually carry on your Camino? How did you feel about it?
Too much? About right?
Thanks!
If you delve into the article being quoted, the author uses pack weights of 20%, 30% and 40% of body weight for his examples of maximum backpack weight. I suspect the 10% guideline, in its place, is still pretty safe, irrespective of one's size.My interpretation of it is that the 10% rule actually doesn't mean much.
Get a pack that properly fits your body. Carry the lightest you can carry, while still carrying what you need to be comfortable. If that is 7kg or 15kg, so be it. Seems to me that people are too hung on the concept of the "10% rule" when it is nothing more than a guideline and probably should only be applied to the "average" size person.
People who are bigger/heavier than average should probably adhear to a 7%, 8% or 9% rule.
People who are smaller/slighter can probably easily manage an 11%, 12% or even a 13% rule.
Comfort on any hike is critical. Start with a well fitting lightweight pack that can properly carry/support your intended load and correctly transfer the weight to your hips. Oh, and then if you are walking with a partner who weighs less than you, give her the bottle of wine to carry in her pack
I actually read the entire article.If you delve into the article being quoted, the author uses pack weights of 20%, 30% and 40% of body weight for his examples of maximum backpack weight. I suspect the 10% guideline, in its place, is still pretty safe, irrespective of one's size.
I think we are in violent agreement here.I actually read the entire article.
I noticed the wide range of pack weights to body size, the ability of an ant to lift a potato chip, etc.
I still think that the pack weight issue is very subjective and I've always questioned the concept of the 10% guideline as valid. Hiking remote places tend to invalidate it pretty quickly since its difficult NOT to carry 20% of your body weight when food is factored in, and that assumes carrying water purification tablets and/or filters for drinking out of streams so carrying large amounts of (HEAVY) water is eliminated. Perhaps its my background in winter packing or a bit of time on the AT that leads me to look at the 10% rule with a huge grain of salt.
Not that I am suggesting carrying a pound, nor even an ounce, more than necessary, but I still suggest a proper fitting pack is going to increase long distance comfort more than shaving off that last few ounces.
I think this illustrates proper pack fit as much as anything else.In Zubiri last year a pilgrim had a set of scales and weighed anyone's bags who wanted them weighed and the weights ranged wildly from over 14 kilos to 7 kilos. One guy was carrying 30 kilos and made it look effortless. My pack weighed 8 kilos with provisions.
Hello Al,Over the years it has reduced. The first time was 9K plus water/food though I carry little food except where the stretch requires it. Now down to 4Kplus food/water in hot and dry weather (ie carrying soft shell and raincoat). Actually don't have a backpack any more.
I suppose water and food aren't included3.5 kg on my first Camino. Really light and honestly didn't want for anything
Update I sent on 2.5kgs of gear...including some clothes and sleeping bag....mainly due to very hot weather....although was not really struggling with my original pack weight.....it was noticeably easier with less.....I did buy some really cheap light thin vest tops to replace tech t-shirts and found this worked very well.Have really struggled with weight of my pack...which is prob too big but fits really well....no shoulder pain which was awful with smaller pack....1/2hr and I was ready to give up......it is now less than 10kilos including poles excluding food/water...Am walking April/May so have packed for all weather , which as others have said will ultimately weigh more than packing for summer. Only time will tell if it is too much but has been ok on training walks.
Indeed. Your assessment is correct. So far I can tell, it is magic and nothing more. Unfortunately it has gained credibility by being mindlessly repeated here and elsewhere.
Hardly. 10% might work as a summer weight target (NOT a rule!) but for other seasons more will need to be carried. My personal working multipliers are 1.25x for spring/autumn, and 1.5x for winter.
And during the Way I have walked with or met a lot of Pilgrims with less, more or much more weight (often effortlessly) carried in their backpacks.
Thank You for all great discussions, suggestions, lists and tips.
In the circumstances you describe, doubling pack weight/volume is not a particular surprise. The volume formula from The Complete Walker IV, an American walking classic, suggest increases of 25-100% for spring and winter walking, and 20% for having average gear rather than being completely equipped with expensive, ultra-light equipment. This formula is used in the online calculator at backpacking-guide.com.The pack weighed 11 kg at the airport, obviously without water or food. I'm 167cm (5'6") and 65kg (145lb)
For me the 10% guideline is a quixotic dream; 20% seems more reasonable. Walking in March, I can't skimp on warmth (and use a sleeping bag that weighs about 8oogm...). My clothes are extremely simple but certainly not ultra-light tech fabric. Cotton and a bit bulky, but there are no other options in my case. I was pretty pared down in terms of stuff and I used most of what I brought.
What I will jettison next time is most of my first-aid kit. It was definitely overkill. And my boots, which I only used twice. In March that's a bit of a gamble, but they are heavy.
And maybe the camera?Now that would be renunciation!
Thank you for this, dougfitz--I had been scratching my head, wondering just how in the world people were walking around carrying so little weight. It's not like I'm taking lots of extras....In the circumstances you describe, doubling pack weight/volume is not a particular surprise.
Hi, A del CIs anyone tallying these numbers to see if the 10% rule applies?
I for one think its nonsense because it doesn't take into account what one's weight is composed of (read fitness level) and then what is really needed in the bag.
Very curious to see answers.
I'm curious to know for those who have walked, what was your final pack weight?
How much did you actually carry on your Camino? How did you feel about it?
Too much? About right?
Carrying just the essential basics is so much part of the Camino experience for me.
Keep it simple.
I'm doing my Camino in early April and at 4.5kg includes the backpack because of the possibility of cold weather in April I can't drop anymore weight first for safety reasons and second for confort or at least what is your perception any way.
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