Minimalist Packing

Al the optimist

Veteran Member

• Oct 23, 2014

• #1

Well I started my first Camino with 10K in an Osprey Talon 44L. Over subsequent Caminos it got down to 6K in an Osprey Remote 25L. Yesterday I walked a trial 20K with my latest idea, an Osprey Talon 6L lumbar pack which has 2x600ml shaped bottles on the hips. I have my toiletries, towel, silk liner, emergency kit, phone charger, gloves, buff and shopping bag in the pockets. With my sandals in a dry bag and one set of clothes in another (both attached with carabiners), and my waterproof attached in it's own bag the whole thing is comfortable (I was wearing my shell, but in good weather this would be looped across being held in place by the spiders web. It worked very well and I hardly felt the weight (3K includes a shell jacket and waterproof one). Note that the shopping bag is a SeatoSummit daybag weighing only 38g that packs into an incredibly small space. My Lumbar pack can go into this bag as cabin baggage. So my project has worked! It's a great feeling having my shoulders and back unencumbered. I found that it improved my posture with all the weight on my hips I seemed to have a more heads up walk than normal. So that's that then, just need to decide where and when next! I'm a very happy little bunny!

 

nidarosa

Veteran Member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Enjoying the camino since 2009

• Oct 23, 2014

• #2

Excellent news, Al! I am very impressed and was hoping for news of your experiment. Since I managed to get my entire packing list into a 20 litre (Osprey here too, a Tempest) pack I have been very tempted to take it out for an all day spin. What is it that feels so scary about carrying little? Next time I hit the Wirral Way I shall put my Camino gear in the 20 L and see if there will still be room for lunch and water ...

 

Al the optimist

Veteran Member

• Oct 23, 2014

• #3

I'm a great believer in supporting the local economy along the Camino so I tend to not carry more than spearmint and raisins in the waist pouch. But the day bag can hold whatever I need when I want to have a picnic.

 

nidarosa

Veteran Member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Enjoying the camino since 2009

• Oct 23, 2014

• #4

I agree wholeheartedly, when I am in Spain I enjoy eating and drinking when the opportunity arises, but I need my lunch on the Wirral Way ...

 

rickster

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Camino Frances (2012), LePuy (2013), Coastal Portuguese( 2013), Norte (Fall 2014)

• Oct 23, 2014

• #5

Al, could you take a picture of your setup? I'm having a little trouble visualizing how it fits together.

 

isabelle304

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Camino Frances (SJPP-Santiago) (Oct-Nov 08)
Santiago to Finisterre (Nov 08)
Via de la Plata/Camino Sanabres (Sevilla-Santiago via Ourense) (Oct-Nov 09)
Camino Primitivo (Oviedo-Santiago) (Sep-Oct 14)

• Oct 23, 2014

• #6

I'd love to see a photo too. I've just googled the Talon you refer to and it's basically a large bum-bag, right? If I understood correctly, you will clip several items and bags to this bum-bag. Won't the constant swinging back and forth of those items drive you crazy? (I know it would me).

 

Mike Savage

So many friends to meet . . . so little time

Time of past OR future Camino

Camino Francés,Inglés
Muxia/Finisterre
Português Coastal
Português Central
Sanabrés

• Oct 23, 2014

• #7

isabelle304 said:

I'd love to see a photo too. I've just googled the Talon you refer to and it's basically a large bum-bag, right? If I understood correctly, you will clip several items and bags to this bum-bag. Won't the constant swinging back and forth of those items drive you crazy? (I know it would me).

Click to expand...

I was wondering the same thing.

 

Walli Walker

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Many. First 2009 and still going.

• Oct 24, 2014

• #8

Photo please, Al. I'm having trouble picturing this but it sounds impressive.

 

Al the optimist

Veteran Member

• Oct 24, 2014

• #9

Pictures as requested. Nothing moves while walking as careful selection of dry bags and clipping of them makes them secure. It was an epiphany moment when I trialled it!

 

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Last edited: Oct 24, 2014

Mike Savage

So many friends to meet . . . so little time

Time of past OR future Camino

Camino Francés,Inglés
Muxia/Finisterre
Português Coastal
Português Central
Sanabrés

• Oct 24, 2014

• #10

That is great Al and it looks like everything is secure. I don't think I could go with quite that small of a kit myself as I really feel the need for a sleeping bag. (September/October time frame.)

 

rickster

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Camino Frances (2012), LePuy (2013), Coastal Portuguese( 2013), Norte (Fall 2014)

• Oct 24, 2014

• #11

Al the optimist said:

Pictures as requested. Nothing moves while walking as careful selection of dry bags and clipping of them makes them secure. It was an epiphany moment when I trialled it!

Click to expand...

Congratulations, that looks like a work of art!

 

domigee

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

2024 Paris to SdC... maybe

• Oct 25, 2014

• #12

VERY impressed, well done !

 

Kanga

Veteran Member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Francés x 5, Le Puy x 2, Arles, Tours, Norte, Madrid, Via de la Plata, Portuguese, Primitivo

• Oct 25, 2014

• #13

Very neatly put together @Al the optimist. Meanwhile Ian and I think we might take a tent for El Norte.....

 

David

Veteran Member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

First one in 2005 from Moissac, France.

• Oct 25, 2014

• #14

Tiny tiny!! Hey Al - noticed your pics were about 2.5 Mbs each! If you download the free pixresizer at http://pixresizer.en.softonic.com/ you can quickly and simply reduce them to internet usable size.
Also - when you upload a photo file on here .. when it has uploaded you will see the button "full image" click on that and your photos will appear full size in your posting rather than as thumbnails

Buen Camino!!

 

M

Mark Lee

Guest

• Oct 25, 2014

• #15

Wow, that's travelling light. Good job.
For my next Camino I'm going to get a smaller pack (30-35 L) and get the weight to around 5 kilos.

 

L

lettinggo

Active Member

• Oct 25, 2014

• #16

...Your backpack.. and you, could probably fit easily into my Lowe Alpine 75+20L...
Well done All

 

GreatDane

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

CF to Burgos Sept/Oct 2014, Burgos to Astorga April 2016, Astorga to SdC 2017

• Oct 26, 2014

• #17

Al the optimist said:

. Yesterday I walked a trial 20K with my latest idea, an Osprey Talon 6L lumbar pack which has 2x600ml shaped bottles on the hips.

Click to expand...

I think I'll take this challenge and pack with my ancient Marmot Highlander lumbar bag for our next weekend trip to Seattle. It will not be weather tested or walked much with but will be packed with essentials. One change of clothes, bathroom kit, iPhone and charger, rainwear. Now if I could only get my dog's packweight down a bit... (what she brings for a weekend trip, not what she weighs - 135lb)

 

shefollowsshells

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Several alone and with children

• Oct 26, 2014

• #18

GreatDane said:

I think I'll take this challenge and pack with my ancient Marmot Highlander lumbar bag for our next weekend trip to Seattle. It will not be weather tested or walked much with but will be packed with essentials. One change of clothes, bathroom kit, iPhone and charger, rainwear. Now if I could only get my dog's packweight down a bit... (what she brings for a weekend trip, not what she weighs - 135lb)

Click to expand...

I see your 135 and raise you 152lbs...A Turkish Anatolian Shephard

 

Al the optimist

Veteran Member

• Oct 26, 2014

• #19

lettinggo said:

...Your backpack.. and you, could probably fit easily into my Lowe Alpine 75+20L...
Well done All

Click to expand...

I wish! I am 98K!
David, I posted my pics from my phone but thanks for the info mate.

 

Donna Sch

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

VdLP-Sanabres-Fisterra '15; Levante-Invierno '19

• Apr 17, 2017

• #20

I'm waiting for someone to use one of these.

 

K

kardisa

Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Camino Frances - Leon to Santiago (2015)
Camino Madrid/Salvador/Primitivo (2017)

• Apr 30, 2017

• #21

Donna Sch said:

I'm waiting for someone to use one of these.

Click to expand...

Funny you should mention that. I have the same bag and was strongly considering taking it on the CdF this summer. It's worked for me for 10 day ultras before, and the Frances has many, many more stops that rural Tennessee. However, now I'm looking at the Norte or the Madrid, I've decided to upgrade to a 20L Osprey.

 

trecile

Moderator

Staff member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Francés, Norte, Salvador, Primitivo, Portuguese

• Apr 30, 2017

• #22

Al the optimist said:

Well I started my first Camino with 10K in an Osprey Talon 44L. Over subsequent Caminos it got down to 6K in an Osprey Remote 25L. Yesterday I walked a trial 20K with my latest idea, an Osprey Talon 6L lumbar pack which has 2x600ml shaped bottles on the hips. I have my toiletries, towel, silk liner, emergency kit, phone charger, gloves, buff and shopping bag in the pockets. With my sandals in a dry bag and one set of clothes in another (both attached with carabiners), and my waterproof attached in it's own bag the whole thing is comfortable (I was wearing my shell, but in good weather this would be looped across being held in place by the spiders web. It worked very well and I hardly felt the weight (3K includes a shell jacket and waterproof one). Note that the shopping bag is a SeatoSummit daybag weighing only 38g that packs into an incredibly small space. My Lumbar pack can go into this bag as cabin baggage. So my project has worked! It's a great feeling having my shoulders and back unencumbered. I found that it improved my posture with all the weight on my hips I seemed to have a more heads up walk than normal. So that's that then, just need to decide where and when next! I'm a very happy little bunny!

Click to expand...

Al, I'm wondering if you were inspired at all by this thread from last year?