Switt_Ers
New Member
Hi,
I have scoured this Forum for useful information, as well as a few other websites with both positive and negative feedback. I fly into Biarritz on 3 July and will start the Camino Frances from SJPP on 4 July. I have not prepared physically for this 30+ day walk but as I play 11aside and 5aside football regularly, I should be fine (sore joints and potential injuries notwithstanding).
I have purchased appropriate base layers - wicking, quick-dry, light weight etc. So socks, underwear and t-shirts are taken care of. However, I still have a few outstanding issues. I am hoping a few experienced Pilgrims will be able to offer me some prompt advice before my impending departure, please?!
1. Footwear.
I would love to buy a nice pair of sturdy, durable and long lasting leather hiking boots like the Meindl Borneo Pro MFS. But from everything I've read thus far, these boots would seem unsuitable for the Camino Frances, especially in July/August. Plus, I have little time to break them in before commencing my journey. So... what should I wear then?
- Trail runners? People have recommended them. I saw a pair of Salomon X-Over and these seemed pretty good, suitable for both hard terrain and off road. They seemed breathable (no gortex) and durable. But they cost £100.
- Approach shoes? Some people recommend them. I saw a pair of Merrell Moab Ventilator shoes. They looked like they had good grip (Vibram), and were lighter than a pair of boots and without goretex, seemed breathable. Still, I wore a pair of so-called rugged approach shoes (Merrell) whilst hiking in Patagonia a few years ago and within a month, the soles of one shoe had come off. So ever since, I've been loathe to buy a pair of approach shoes and would rather have a long-lasting pair of leather hiking boots (3-4 seasons).
- Sandals? Well, I'll pass on sandals just because I don't have much experience in them and don't want to risk relying on them.
So after all this, I'm wondering whether my current pair of running shoes would be fine for the Camino Frances. This way I can save money and wait until I get back before purchasing a pair of leather hiking boots. My running shoes are: Nike Zoom Red Rocks IIhttp://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgu...LaT7ilB4fI8gPE0fn3AQ&ved=0CKcBEPUBMAI&dur=614. Can anyone please view the image or google them and let me know if they think these will be fine for me, please? I have strong ankles as I've hiked in Patagonia, the Tatras, etc without ever wearing mid/high ankled footwear.
2. Camping
I would really like to mix sleeping in Albergues with sleeping under the stars on particularly clear nights. This would help me maintain a tight budget and mean I won't have to rush all the time to try and secure a bed in the peak summer season. The main issue is that I am using a Lowe Alpine Airzone 35 litre backpack which doesn't have that much capacity - certainly not relative to Ospreys of a comparable litre capacity - and doesn't have attachments on its back to carry a sleeping mat, for instance. I'm sure I could improvise with a piece of rope or some other kind of tying device but added to that is the question of whether it's worth forking out for a compact, lightweight sleeping bag that could fit into my backpack. For example, the Lifeventure Sleeplight 1100 sleeping bag. If I'm not likely to sleep out much then I'd rather just carry a sleeping bag liner as it's much more compact and less heavy. But if I can sleep out even a third of the time I'm on the Camino, then I'd like to take a sleeping bag with me. Any advice, please? Is it really unlikely I'll be sleeping under the stars? Am I being overly romantic?
3. Outer layers
I need to buy a pair of hiking shorts and/or trousers. Is it definitely necessary to have a pair of long sleeve trousers? For the sake of saving money, I was going to just bring a pair of cotton shorts for the evening and just wear a pair of Barcelona football shorts whilst hiking - they're very lightweight, dry-fit and pretty perfect for hiking (minus pockets).
So question is: do I definitely need a long pair of trousers for the evenings? Are there lots of mosquitos in the summer along the Camino Frances?
I don't have a jacket. If I need one, I've been thinking of getting a lightweight softshell jacket which is fairly windproof and water resistant (rather than a full waterproof jacket for better breathability). Again, the issue is expense. Is it a necessity to bring some kind of jacket in July/August? Or can I just get by with a warm sweater/jumper? I don't mind getting wet so much whilst hiking as long as when I stop, I have shelter and can dry off. I have a cycling waterproof jacket but it's not breathable and it may not pack down so tight. Any advice from all you experience pilgrims, please?? I'm also deliberating on whether to bring a Golite Chrome Dome umbrella to block the sun and rain.
4. Other bits and pieces.
I've got the Brierly guidebook. I still need to get a couple of water bottles. I would like insulated water bottles but there would be no point if the water along the Camino is lukewarm anyway. Any advice? Also, these Sig bottles - are they safe now? I looked at a Camelback but not sure how well this would work in my backpack. Any ideas? I don't think I'm going to bring a torch or compass as everything is so well sign posted apparently... am I wrong?
5. Glasses/Sunglasses
I wear prescription glasses and also wear daily contact lenses for sports, etc. I do not own a pair of sunglasses, having broken my pair of Mormaii hiking in the Tatras as it happens a few years ago. I would like to just wear glasses this time, and just bring some contacts just in case or maybe in the evening for some flexibility. But in terms of sunglasses, firstly, are they essential or more of an optional item - bearing in mind I will be starting from SJPP on 4 July. If they are essential, is it worth buying a pair of prescription sunglasses or would a normal (and cheaper) pair of sunglasses suffice? The only issue then being that I'd have to wear contacts whilst hiking. Any advice from prescription glasses wearers would be fantastic.
6. Pyrenees
Because of some negative reports I've read, and because I do enjoy the solitude and sense of wonder when walking in the mountains, surrounded by natural beauty and clean fresh air, I do wonder whether the Camino de Santiago is really the walk I'm looking for. I am still determined to start the Camino and judge for myself. But at the same time, if I'm really not enjoying the Camino, then I'm considering a Plan B which would be to hike the Pyrenees. This brings me back full circle to the issue of footwear. My Nike Zoom Red Rocks II may not get me very far in the Pyrenees for an extended period. So......... do I need to get hiking boots for example just in case I do change from the Camino Frances to hiking the Pyrenees?
I've asked a lot of questions. I appreciate that not all of them are novel. However, I felt impelled to ask myself on the forum because I was getting dizzy and confused by all the conflicting reports on what to wear, what to bring, etc. Footwear in particular seems to be a personal matter. So please do reply to my questions if you see them. I would very much appreciate it and if we meet along the Way, then I would do my utmost to show my gratitude. Thank you kindly!!!
Switters.
I have scoured this Forum for useful information, as well as a few other websites with both positive and negative feedback. I fly into Biarritz on 3 July and will start the Camino Frances from SJPP on 4 July. I have not prepared physically for this 30+ day walk but as I play 11aside and 5aside football regularly, I should be fine (sore joints and potential injuries notwithstanding).
I have purchased appropriate base layers - wicking, quick-dry, light weight etc. So socks, underwear and t-shirts are taken care of. However, I still have a few outstanding issues. I am hoping a few experienced Pilgrims will be able to offer me some prompt advice before my impending departure, please?!
1. Footwear.
I would love to buy a nice pair of sturdy, durable and long lasting leather hiking boots like the Meindl Borneo Pro MFS. But from everything I've read thus far, these boots would seem unsuitable for the Camino Frances, especially in July/August. Plus, I have little time to break them in before commencing my journey. So... what should I wear then?
- Trail runners? People have recommended them. I saw a pair of Salomon X-Over and these seemed pretty good, suitable for both hard terrain and off road. They seemed breathable (no gortex) and durable. But they cost £100.
- Approach shoes? Some people recommend them. I saw a pair of Merrell Moab Ventilator shoes. They looked like they had good grip (Vibram), and were lighter than a pair of boots and without goretex, seemed breathable. Still, I wore a pair of so-called rugged approach shoes (Merrell) whilst hiking in Patagonia a few years ago and within a month, the soles of one shoe had come off. So ever since, I've been loathe to buy a pair of approach shoes and would rather have a long-lasting pair of leather hiking boots (3-4 seasons).
- Sandals? Well, I'll pass on sandals just because I don't have much experience in them and don't want to risk relying on them.
So after all this, I'm wondering whether my current pair of running shoes would be fine for the Camino Frances. This way I can save money and wait until I get back before purchasing a pair of leather hiking boots. My running shoes are: Nike Zoom Red Rocks IIhttp://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgu...LaT7ilB4fI8gPE0fn3AQ&ved=0CKcBEPUBMAI&dur=614. Can anyone please view the image or google them and let me know if they think these will be fine for me, please? I have strong ankles as I've hiked in Patagonia, the Tatras, etc without ever wearing mid/high ankled footwear.
2. Camping
I would really like to mix sleeping in Albergues with sleeping under the stars on particularly clear nights. This would help me maintain a tight budget and mean I won't have to rush all the time to try and secure a bed in the peak summer season. The main issue is that I am using a Lowe Alpine Airzone 35 litre backpack which doesn't have that much capacity - certainly not relative to Ospreys of a comparable litre capacity - and doesn't have attachments on its back to carry a sleeping mat, for instance. I'm sure I could improvise with a piece of rope or some other kind of tying device but added to that is the question of whether it's worth forking out for a compact, lightweight sleeping bag that could fit into my backpack. For example, the Lifeventure Sleeplight 1100 sleeping bag. If I'm not likely to sleep out much then I'd rather just carry a sleeping bag liner as it's much more compact and less heavy. But if I can sleep out even a third of the time I'm on the Camino, then I'd like to take a sleeping bag with me. Any advice, please? Is it really unlikely I'll be sleeping under the stars? Am I being overly romantic?
3. Outer layers
I need to buy a pair of hiking shorts and/or trousers. Is it definitely necessary to have a pair of long sleeve trousers? For the sake of saving money, I was going to just bring a pair of cotton shorts for the evening and just wear a pair of Barcelona football shorts whilst hiking - they're very lightweight, dry-fit and pretty perfect for hiking (minus pockets).
So question is: do I definitely need a long pair of trousers for the evenings? Are there lots of mosquitos in the summer along the Camino Frances?
I don't have a jacket. If I need one, I've been thinking of getting a lightweight softshell jacket which is fairly windproof and water resistant (rather than a full waterproof jacket for better breathability). Again, the issue is expense. Is it a necessity to bring some kind of jacket in July/August? Or can I just get by with a warm sweater/jumper? I don't mind getting wet so much whilst hiking as long as when I stop, I have shelter and can dry off. I have a cycling waterproof jacket but it's not breathable and it may not pack down so tight. Any advice from all you experience pilgrims, please?? I'm also deliberating on whether to bring a Golite Chrome Dome umbrella to block the sun and rain.
4. Other bits and pieces.
I've got the Brierly guidebook. I still need to get a couple of water bottles. I would like insulated water bottles but there would be no point if the water along the Camino is lukewarm anyway. Any advice? Also, these Sig bottles - are they safe now? I looked at a Camelback but not sure how well this would work in my backpack. Any ideas? I don't think I'm going to bring a torch or compass as everything is so well sign posted apparently... am I wrong?
5. Glasses/Sunglasses
I wear prescription glasses and also wear daily contact lenses for sports, etc. I do not own a pair of sunglasses, having broken my pair of Mormaii hiking in the Tatras as it happens a few years ago. I would like to just wear glasses this time, and just bring some contacts just in case or maybe in the evening for some flexibility. But in terms of sunglasses, firstly, are they essential or more of an optional item - bearing in mind I will be starting from SJPP on 4 July. If they are essential, is it worth buying a pair of prescription sunglasses or would a normal (and cheaper) pair of sunglasses suffice? The only issue then being that I'd have to wear contacts whilst hiking. Any advice from prescription glasses wearers would be fantastic.
6. Pyrenees
Because of some negative reports I've read, and because I do enjoy the solitude and sense of wonder when walking in the mountains, surrounded by natural beauty and clean fresh air, I do wonder whether the Camino de Santiago is really the walk I'm looking for. I am still determined to start the Camino and judge for myself. But at the same time, if I'm really not enjoying the Camino, then I'm considering a Plan B which would be to hike the Pyrenees. This brings me back full circle to the issue of footwear. My Nike Zoom Red Rocks II may not get me very far in the Pyrenees for an extended period. So......... do I need to get hiking boots for example just in case I do change from the Camino Frances to hiking the Pyrenees?
I've asked a lot of questions. I appreciate that not all of them are novel. However, I felt impelled to ask myself on the forum because I was getting dizzy and confused by all the conflicting reports on what to wear, what to bring, etc. Footwear in particular seems to be a personal matter. So please do reply to my questions if you see them. I would very much appreciate it and if we meet along the Way, then I would do my utmost to show my gratitude. Thank you kindly!!!
Switters.