Secondary day pack or.....

[LakeMcD]

What do people use to stuff what you don't want to leave unattended, carry tablet, cameras, etc... while you sight see after checking in the albergues?

 

[GreatDane]

I used a 2L Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Sack. In it I kept my camera, iPad mini, that day's route guide, a pen and kleenex. I kept it clipped to the belt of my Macabi skirt and draped it down into my left skirt pocket. Passport and cards were always hung from my neck under my shirt 24/7 unless I was in the shower and then it and the 2L bag were right there with me just out of the spray.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

I used a 2L Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Sack. In it I kept my camera, iPad mini, that day's route guide, a pen and kleenex. I kept it clipped to the belt of my Macabi skirt and draped it down into my left skirt pocket. Passport and cards were always hung from my neck under my shirt 24/7 unless I was in the shower and then it and the 2L bag were right there with me just out of the spray.

Wait, wait, mini I-pad fitting in Macabi? Not in mine! Otherwise, get Macabi and stuff it all in. Just wait and watch the pickpocket's expression after trying to get in there! They go on for ever - clearly their best feature.

My answer is ... it depends. To shower: I pad, never in the shower, the rest (money , passports, credencial, in a waterproof ziplockbag, inside the ziplockbag Pace Poles instruction came with. In town: those little nylon shopping bags. If it were not for the I pad I would not have needed one, but with the mini I had to look like a foreigner. Not that my lovely hairdo, smell and cut of clothing did not give me a way, Never mind the shoes ;0)

 

[nidarosa]

I take a small crossbody bag with money, cards, passport, credencial, mobile and camera. I always keep it with me, when I go to the shower it is at the bottom of my Sea to Summit sil-nylon messenger bag which I use to take my washbag, towel, sarong and change of underwear in and same minus sarong and clean underwear but added laundry out again. Then I put the valuables bag back on, take washbag out by bed, get dressed, carry bag with laundry out to the sinks, wash and hang to dry, then put fleece in bag and go out sightseeing/eaating/drinking. Works for me.

 

[Tia Valeria]

We both use the Sea to Summit ultrasil daypacks. Weight 68gms, fold down into internal tiny pocket and are a useful size proper pack when opened out (adjustable shoulder straps). Showerproof too. We can carry our fleeces,waterproofs and other items safely and comfortably.

Major documents are kept in a secure, under the clothes holder at all times when walking or sightseeing.

 

[Helen1]

This is turning into a Sea to Summit promotional peice but I used a Sea to Summit sil-nylon messenger bag too. I kept all my documents in there (in a waterproof bag). The bag is big enough to put your towel, etc in when you go for a shower.

 

[LakeMcD]

Thanks for all of the replies. Are the Sea to Summit messenger and day packs waterproof enough for the shower? I just bought one of their ultrasil dry bags for the shower, but if the messenger or daypack can serve double duty then even better!

 

[t2andreo]

I probably own at least one of everything Sea-to-Summit makes that could support a Camino. Also, I have written often on the forum extensively about the benefits of these products. I continue to strongly support these products. I happen to have the 20-liter day pack mentioned above. Everything the posters, above state about the advantages and uses of the 20-liter day pack are true. But, I did find something better, in Spain.

Altus, the major Spanish outdoor products manufacturer, makes an excellent, 20-liter siliconized - nylon day pack called the "Giza." You can buy them along the Camino. I think I saw them in St. Jean Pied de Porte in 2014 too.

The Altus version has better shoulder straps and an easier strap adjustment setup than the S2S version. It also has a second, small zip pocket, where the S2S only has the single main compartment. Here is the direct link to the Altus product page: http://www.altus.com.es/Giza_20_1350300_var.aspx

Moreover, the Altus bag comes in a separate, round, zippered sack, about the size of a hockey puck. The bag has belt loops to mount on a pack strap or a trouser belt. I have one that is attached to the lower part of one of my shoulder straps.

I reach for it there as I enter a town or village so I can shop on the way to my night's lodging. Once I am settled, I use the day bag as my "city bag" for sightseeing or shopping. I also it as my shower bag, to hold everything I need to take into a shower stall at an albergue. If I am using a sleeping bag or liner, it holds my valuables in the foot of the bag. Alternately, stuffed with clothing, it makes a suitable pillow. Finally, it makes an excellent carry-on bag for the flight to and from Europe and the States.

I hope this helps.

 

[MTtoCamino]

That Altus product sure fits the need. Thanks for the info!

 

[Scott Sweeney]

We use light weight nylon hobo bags that fold into themselves and clip to your pack when not in use. They also make a great market bag when you buy foods for the evening. Here we found them in health food stores and vitiman shops.

 

[MTtoCamino]

We use light weight nylon hobo bags that fold into themselves and clip to your pack when not in use. They also make a great market bag when you buy foods for the evening. Here we found them in health food stores and vitiman shops.

But do you dual purpose them for the shower as well?

 

[naplesdon]

I don't walk the Camino for style points. I carry a small Ziploc bag in my pant's pocket with my passport, credential and wallet inside. It works very well for walking around town as well. Keep it simple!

 

[Sheesh]

My personal preference is a very light cross pody pouch/bag, which is always with me. The one I use is the Civita Travel Pouch from Rick Steeves. It is very small, but suits me because I only carry one techno device.

I did see that Montbell carries a few interesting options for pocketable crossbody bags and backpacks, including a 15L Versalite Pack. It weighs 99 grams and has a sternum strap. Very pricey though.

http://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?cat_id=1103&p_id=1123820

 

[Scott Sweeney]

But do you dual purpose them for the shower as well?

For the shower? If you mean to keep valuables no I have a bag with toiletries big enough to store items while showering

 

[VSB]

Decathlon have a cheap one similar to the Altus one mentioned above. It costs about 3 euro. It folds easily into an integrated pocket. I keep it in the small zippered pocket inside the 'lid' of my backpack, and in the evenings I transfer everything into it: waist pack (with valuables inside), notebook and pen, lightweight waterproof, phone etc. It's not waterproof but I'd assume all your valuables will be packed into ziplocks or drysacks anyway, so you could pile them all in and hang the bag in the shower (bring an S-hook or carabiner in case there are no hooks in the shower cubicle

 

[smj6]

Decathlon have a cheap one similar to the Altus one mentioned above. It costs about 3 euro. It folds easily into an integrated pocket....

Wow, @VSB, I didn't think one could be anything for 2.95 euro, but this bag is really quite something, especially if it packs down as small as you say. Thanks for the info.
Suzanne