- Time of past OR future Camino
- Frances 15,16,18
VdlP 23, Invierno 23, Fisterra 23
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As a thought:- the Zpack is lightest and if it is a groundsheet type then you should be able to try it on over your packs, cut off any excess and re-hem it. Anything to keep dry and the weight down
To achieve that objective, don't take both a rain suit and a poncho. Make a decision one one!!We are trying to travel as light as possible
I have yet to walk the camino, so my advice can be taken with a grain of salt. I have, however, read the great blog, "A good walk unspoiled. John and Robin's road to Santiago." It was written this past summer (just Google it). They walked from Le Puy to Santiago and they seemed to have very expensive, well-researched equipment and clothes. John repeatedly writes about how pleased they were with their hiking umbrellas over their other rain gear. The umbrellas were inexpensive. (Somehow they seem to attach to the backpack, which leaves the hands free; they used walking poles). Now I am going to step into faux pas territory by making the assumption that Robin is small because in the photos Robin appears to be Asian. In any event, they loved these umbrellas.As our Camino nears, the assembly of our gear is getting more serious.
We made the decision so long ago (18 months), we have been training with the gear we originally bought, but soon knowing that some would need relacing or upgrading.
The packs were the main thing. We got a great 'deal' from Kathmandu, but soon realised that they don't sell 'serious' gear, at least in terms of packs. More family walk type stuff really. So we'll be getting a couple of Ospreys for Christmas and use those for our final 3 months of training.
But on to rain gear.
The initial purchase of goretex type rain jackets from Kathmandu was a good one. Very light and very effective. Not wet inside at all, being breathable. We got them heavily discounted, which is just as good, because I now find most other stores are cheaper, on almost everything...
The jackets got a good testing in Tasmania recently walking in the pouring rain. They were great. Perfect in fact.
What we were missing still, were rain pants to go with them. Those at Kathmandu were just too heavy. but by chance in Hobart we found a Black Mountain store that had just what we needed. Lightweight rain pants (200g) in Goretex, breathable and with full leg zips. And they worked really well! No inner dampness at all, and very comfortable.
As many have pointed out though, the issue with rain jackets and using a pack cover, is that the pack straps get wet and moisture wicks onto the pack. Ours did.... Not that bad, but enough to think about another layer...
So I think we'll go the 'belt and braces' approach and in heavy rain, throw a very light poncho on top of everything. We are trying to travel as light as possible and are currently at 8 kg for me and 3.2 kg for my wife. (she is very small...and so not a pack horse)
In researching ponchos we came up with a short list of three.
The Altus
The Packa
and the groundsheet version from Z Pack
We were really set on the Packa, but have been told by the suppliers that a) they won't work on someone as short as 155 cm (5'2") because it will just be too long. And also won't work well with small packs. Pat = 20L and me 33L. What a bummer!
I'm still seeing if we can get a couple custom made, but maybe others have tried them with small packs and can provide feedback?
So we are down to a choice of two. And taking account that we will be wearing rain jackets and pants, we really just need something very light to stop the pack straps and hence pack getting wet.
I'm tending towards the one from z packs. It's light at 144g. Though it's designed as a groundsheet really and so I'm concerned there may be rather a lot of fabric that might 'drown' Pat at 155 cm tall and 50 kg....
I know the Altus is a trusted favourite at 300g but if we can go lighter we will. And I'm also concerned more, about being able to get the right version of the Altus online.... Don't want to chance getting one on arrival.... I know they are stocked in SJPdP, but with all the debate on the different versions we'll likely end up with one that doesn't do the job properly.
Without wishing to be a total control freak, I would just prefer to arrive with all the gear we need, tried and tested. So we can relax, switch off and just walk..........
So any feedback on the Packa for shorter people and small packs would be great, or indeed alternatives...
Dang, that's pretty freaking cool. I like the looks of it.I have no commercial interest in this product but the point that "breathable rain gear" requires good air circulation underneath to be effective, caught my attention.
This short video is worth a look.
We used Packas walking the Camino Frances in 2013 with great success. Kept the rain out. The very long "pit vents" keep condensation to a minimum. Easy to take off the jacket and leave the Packa hanging from the pack, ready to put back on when the next shower starts. We found them to be perfect for Galacia. Used them on the 200 mile Camino di Assisi; only had a couple of days of rain but they worked great when needed.Dang, that's pretty freaking cool. I like the looks of it.
So any feedback on the Packa for shorter people and small packs would be great, or indeed alternatives...
Have a look at the blog of another forum contributor, Magwood. On the link below, scroll down to #12 to see her clever customized backpack rain cover for use over a rain jacket.
http://magwood.me/2014/06/28/assessment-of-clothes-and-walking-gear-2014/
The cape looks brilliant......my shoulder cape ....
The cape looks brilliant.
With no poncho/raincoat did your Berghaus Jacket keep you dry in heavy rain?
Colin
Do't think there's much you can do to keep your shoes dry in the rain. They're gonna get wet. Best thing to do is have shoes that are lightweight and dry quickly. Stay away from anything all leather I suppose.I have a question for those of you who carry an umbrella in the rain. Does it do anything to keep your shoes dry? I love my Altus because my pack and everything in it stays dry. I too wear it just over my pack until I feel like I want to put my arms into the sleeves. I really don't care if I get wet or if my clothes get wet, but I do care about my shoes getting wet because they just don't seem to dry overnight. Last year the water ran right down my legs and into my shoes. I had gaiters, but they did nothing for me. Wet shoes was my only complaint. I escaped blisters, but man did I baby those tootsies.
I have a question for those of you who carry an umbrella in the rain. Does it do anything to keep your shoes dry? I love my Altus because my pack and everything in it stays dry. I too wear it just over my pack until I feel like I want to put my arms into the sleeves. I really don't care if I get wet or if my clothes get wet, but I do care about my shoes getting wet because they just don't seem to dry overnight. Last year the water ran right down my legs and into my shoes. I had gaiters, but they did nothing for me. Wet shoes was my only complaint. I escaped blisters, but man did I baby those tootsies.
I wouldn't rehem with a needle and thread - that's poking holes in your poncho. You can get hemming tape that works well in sewing stores that you iron on but you have to follow the directions carefully so you don't burn the poncho with the iron. The Altus can't be hemmed up - the zipper goes all the way down to the end of the coat.Great idea Tia. Hadn't really thought of 'tailoring' them. Doh!
Worst mistake I ever made hiking or back packing was thinking a cheap plastic poncho was of any use at all.a cheap plastic Pancho is more then adaquate, espically if you are walking in the summer months.
I have no commercial interest in this product but the point that "breathable rain gear" requires good air circulation underneath to be effective, caught my attention.
This short video is worth a look.
Take a Packa (my choice), another rain jacket/pack cover combination, or a separate rain jacket and pack cover, but take serious rain gear. Walking the complete Frances in 2013 we saw little rain outside of Galicia, but in Galicia it can, and certain did, rain a lot, and the rain was very cold.
Worked great for me at 5'7" and my wife at 5'3'; I think they would have worked pretty well if we had been a little taller. The issue may be how concerned you are about getting your lower legs wet; we weren't too concerned about that as we had rain pants if we needed them.I agree, they look great, but sadly as I posted above, will not work on small people or small packs. According to the supplier...
Can't comment on a 20L pack; ours were 45LUnless anyone of 5' 2" carrying a 20 L pack can attest otherwise...
Can't comment on a 20L pack; ours were 45L
The manufacturer has his telephone number available at the site; he was helpful when I called for help deciding what size I needed.
Hi @Magwood,
I do not want to change the focus of this thread, but would you have a picture of your SDMSC laid out flat? Especially the shoulder pieces. Would you stay with the fastener system of velcro as well?
I am an outdoor rainsuit type guy for many years and was thinking of modifying a poncho to compliment it, but this looks much better.
Thanks
I like the look of the zippered front of the Zpack (easy for on/off), also the ability to "gather it" with what appears to be a belt of sorts (good for when it's blowing a gale).
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