- Time of past OR future Camino
- May 2023: Via Francigena, Lucca to Rome
I usually walk or bike to work (5 km each way), and it's been raining a lot this month, so I've had a chance to test out my kit for my spring camino. I scoured a lot of those "ten best xxx of 2023" lists to find what I was looking for.
I'm curious to hear what others are finding.
Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Jacket - I like rain jackets more than ponchos. This was a splurge, but I've already been wearing it most days. It's super comfortable, very light, and stylish enough that I can wear it out on the streets. The zippers for the pockets are next to the zippers for the side vents, so I have to be careful not to put my keys into the open vent. The only negative is that the hood has a strange cut, and there's a visor built in to it. When I put the hood on the visor flops down over my eyes, making it worthless. Overall, worth the investment.
Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Pants - I was so impressed with Mountain Hardwear's jacket that I got their pants. They are much more comfortable than the cheap budget pair of rain pants I brought last camino, and I like that they have good pockets. These were often listed as the best budget option on hiking websites, but they're still expensive and I'm not sure they were worth the extra cost.
Fjallraven Abisko Summer Hat - I got this for the beach, not the camino, but I like it enough that it's coming with me! It has a wide brim, it's light weight, I can toss it in my pack without ruining it, and ... surprisingly ... it keeps my head dry in the rain.
Merrell Moab 3 waterproof hiking shoes - I liked my Hoku hiking boots, but I'll give hiking shoes a try this round. So far I like them a lot. I've only done one hike in them, and they had a decent grip on a rough trail. I still prefer boots for muddy and rugged trails, but these are nicer for tarmac and improved trails.
I've stayed very dry walking with the above combo! I liked having my trekking umbrella last time, but it was one more thing to fiddle with. I don't know if I'll bring one this time.
I'm curious to hear what others are finding.
Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Jacket - I like rain jackets more than ponchos. This was a splurge, but I've already been wearing it most days. It's super comfortable, very light, and stylish enough that I can wear it out on the streets. The zippers for the pockets are next to the zippers for the side vents, so I have to be careful not to put my keys into the open vent. The only negative is that the hood has a strange cut, and there's a visor built in to it. When I put the hood on the visor flops down over my eyes, making it worthless. Overall, worth the investment.
Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Pants - I was so impressed with Mountain Hardwear's jacket that I got their pants. They are much more comfortable than the cheap budget pair of rain pants I brought last camino, and I like that they have good pockets. These were often listed as the best budget option on hiking websites, but they're still expensive and I'm not sure they were worth the extra cost.
Fjallraven Abisko Summer Hat - I got this for the beach, not the camino, but I like it enough that it's coming with me! It has a wide brim, it's light weight, I can toss it in my pack without ruining it, and ... surprisingly ... it keeps my head dry in the rain.
Merrell Moab 3 waterproof hiking shoes - I liked my Hoku hiking boots, but I'll give hiking shoes a try this round. So far I like them a lot. I've only done one hike in them, and they had a decent grip on a rough trail. I still prefer boots for muddy and rugged trails, but these are nicer for tarmac and improved trails.
I've stayed very dry walking with the above combo! I liked having my trekking umbrella last time, but it was one more thing to fiddle with. I don't know if I'll bring one this time.
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. I think all my gear is good and have lasted a long time and have cost me in total about $55US for my last 7 caminos over 7,000k. To each his own and clothes like boots and backpacks are a personal choice both comfort wise and pocketbook wise. I write this to those like me on a budget that you do not have to spend alot of money to get more than adequate, comfortable and practical gear at a fraction of what many pay for the same type of gear. If you take care of your gear and walk many caminos or hike alot the low priced gear is not always cheap gear.
