Waterproofing Shoulder Straps with Wax

ricitosdeplata

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

09/2015: Via de la Plata

• Aug 5, 2015

• #1

My Osprey Kestral 38 has a rain cover to keep it dry, but my shoulder straps might get wet since I'm going to be wearing a rain jacket and my umbrella may not be enough to protect them. Then there's the matter of sweat being absorbed daily. Any advice about waterproofing the shoulder straps of a backpack with wax. I'm thinking that the foam in the straps would be stiffened by a waterproofing liquid.

 

Anniesantiago

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2006 to date: Over 21 Caminos. See signature line

• Aug 5, 2015

• #2

My goodness, I've never had a problem with wet shoulder straps.
I feel like you're overthinking this a bit?

 

jpflavin1

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Camino 2024 unknown starting 4/1 from somewhere.

• Aug 5, 2015

• #3

ricitosdeplata said:

My Osprey Kestral 38 has a rain cover to keep it dry, but my shoulder straps might get wet since I'm going to be wearing a rain jacket and my umbrella may not be enough to protect them. Then there's the matter of sweat being absorbed daily. Any advice about waterproofing the shoulder straps of a backpack with wax. I'm thinking that the foam in the straps would be stiffened by a waterproofing liquid.

Click to expand...

Scotch-guard them.

 

ricitosdeplata

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

09/2015: Via de la Plata

• Aug 5, 2015

• #4

Anniesantiago said:

My goodness, I've never had a problem with wet shoulder straps.
I feel like you're overthinking this a bit?

Click to expand...

I never considered this until I read a post on this forum about the experience of another pilgrim. She said she went through a lot of rain and wound up with shoulder straps that stunk terribly. I figured october might be wet so better to take precautions while I can.

 

Anniesantiago

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• Aug 5, 2015

• #5

What month are you going?

 

ricitosdeplata

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

09/2015: Via de la Plata

• Aug 5, 2015

• #6

Anniesantiago said:

What month are you going?

Click to expand...

Sept. 17 through November 4 I'll be on Vdlp, Cf, and then Finesterre.

 

Bajaracer

Camino Frances 2013 Jun-Jul SJPDP to Finisterre

Time of past OR future Camino

Camino Frances (2013) Jun-Jul SJPDP to Finisterre

• Aug 5, 2015

• #7

Wax will seal in the "funk," scotch guard maybe, or you can let Mother Nature air dry it.

 

CaptBuddy

Active Member

Donating Member

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Fall 2012, again Fall 2014.

• Aug 5, 2015

• #8

Camino Fever has set in.
Don't worry about the straps.
Have a great trip. Buen Viaje.

 

Anniesantiago

Veteran Member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

2006 to date: Over 21 Caminos. See signature line

• Aug 5, 2015

• #9

Yeah, I'd just not worry about it.
I haven't yet...

 

W

whariwharangi

Guest

• Aug 5, 2015

• #10

I've hiked in all weather for over 30 years ... wet shoulder straps are not an issue. Putting wax on them would likely cause more problems than it would solve.

If the shoulder straps stink try using a deodorant. On your pits that is. You can wash your pack in a tub of warm water and woolite when it does get too smelly.

 

ricitosdeplata

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

09/2015: Via de la Plata

• Aug 5, 2015

• #11

Consensus: fuhgeddaboudit.

 

Last edited: Aug 5, 2015

L

LauraK

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Leon-Santiago (2004) Roncesvalles-Leon (2006) Camino Frances (2012) Kumano Kodo-Japan (2014) Camino Sanabres/Salamanca-Santiago (March 2015) Camino Del Salvador and Camino Primativo (Oct 2015)

• Aug 5, 2015

• #12

Ricitosdeplata: a fellow Texan here. I have been reading your posts and enjoying them. You sound very prepared for your camino so agree with others...don't sweat the small stuff (there will be smellier stuff than your pack straps). One good thing about my past caminos is that I didn't know I was going until shortly before (calendar opens up) so rarely have had more than a few weeks to prepare. Used this forum to put together a packing list spreadsheet (10 years old now) that gets slightly altered each time based on season and my last experience. It all just works out. I am excited to hear how your camino goes!

 

C clearly

Moderator

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Most years since 2012

• Aug 5, 2015

• #13

My shoulder straps are not so thick that I am worried about them getting wet. I think they would dry quite quickly.

However, since I have the impression that you are (like me ) handy with a sewing machine as well as being an equipment nerd, you might be interested in the famous "super-duper Maggie shoulder cape" created by @Magwood. (Scroll down that linked page quite far.) She has lots of other good tips on her blog.

 

ricitosdeplata

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

09/2015: Via de la Plata

• Aug 6, 2015

• #14

@C clearly, I remember seeing this before. Thanks for reminding me about Maggie's website. I agree there are a lot of good ideas on it.

 

newfydog

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Pamplona-Santiago, Le Puy- Santiago, Prague- LePuy, Menton- Toulouse, Menton- Rome, Canterbury- Lausanne, Chemin Stevenson, Voie de Vezelay

• Aug 6, 2015

• #15

I have a pack with waterproof shoulder straps. They are sweaty and awful. I would much prefer that they breathe.

 

ricitosdeplata

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

09/2015: Via de la Plata

• Aug 6, 2015

• #16

@newfydog, thanks for your response. This makes it a definite no to any kind of waterproofing of my shoulder straps.