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HI DavidHey all!
I'm waling the Frances in a few weeks, and currently I have an 8kg pack and trying to trim that down.
I'm only 163cm tall (but currently weight 80kg because I need to lose about 15kg - hence the Camino)
Love some feedback on my thoughts below:
Thinking to remove:
Insect repellant - assuming they aren't really in issue in October?
Headlamp - do you think this is essential? I'll be walking during the shoulder season, so it wont be that hot nor a rush for beds, so thinking I don't have to leave the Albergue at 5am every day - maybe leave 7-8am.
Medical kit - I wont remove it per say, but what would you suggest are the essentials? Need any bandages or literally just a few band aids and some disinfectant and some blister patches? And I have vaseline, sunscreen and a few anti-inflammatories, anti-histamine and anti-diarohea (just incase)
Sleeping Bag Liner - worth it? Use this instead of a sleeping bag? Or too cold since ill be walking in October/November?
Sleeping Bag 500 grams - I didn't take one on the Camino Notre 4.5 years ago and only had one night without a blanket. Are there more places on the Frances that need it? Given that I am walking at a quieter time so should be less competition if there are limited blankets.
Pillow slip - necessary? Or worth bringing one just in case?
Rain pants - I'll be picking up an Altus Poncho in SJPdP. I was considering bringing rain pants to protect the legs also (or add warmth). But will I really need them? I do have two pairs on long leg hiking pants (one of which can zip off and become shorts), I could wear the two pairs of those at the same time for warmth if it was particularly cold...
Pocket Knife - Any good reason to have one of these?
I think that's it... I'm pretty happy with my clothes' and have minimal tech, just phone and battery pack.
Thanks in advance - feel free to be blunt (or kind and caring) - either is good for me
Thank you! And you prompted me to re-itemize and weight everything.Definitely lose the insect repellent. I used only a sleep sack during Oct and was fine, but I sleep warm. Blankets exist, but it’s hit and miss. Your medical kit should be VERY basic as pharmacies exist all throughout the CF.
But I think the REAL excess weight is coming from elsewhere as these are minor items. What else are you packing?
Total Weight | 10671 | |
ITEM | Quantity | Weight |
Clothes | ||
Walking shirts | 2 | 450 |
Walking pants | 2 | 714 |
Light jacket | 1 | 343 |
Long Sleve Merino | 1 | 198 |
Hat | 1 | 84 |
Walking Socks | 4 | 230 |
Underwear | 4 | 225 |
Sleep shirt | 1 | 160 |
Sleep shorts | 1 | 190 |
Sleep socks | 1 | 21 |
Gloves | 1 | 45 |
Pillow case | 1 | 111 |
Rain jacket (Altus) | 1 | 340 |
Rain Pants | 1 | 180 |
Flip flop sandals | 1 | 338 |
Spare shoe laces | 1 | 20 |
Boxers | 1 | 75 |
Beanie + Buff | 1 | 127 |
Knee brace | 1 | 114 |
Gear | ||
Trekking Poles | 1 | 480 |
Backpack | 1 | 1100 |
Light weight daypack | 1 | 20 |
Sleeping Bag | 1 | 500 |
Sleeping Bag Liner | 1 | 260 |
Water Bladder | 1 | 174 |
Knife/fork/spoon | 1 | 24 |
Sun glasses | 1 | 22 |
Headlamp | 1 | 229 |
Cup | 1 | 20 |
Technology | ||
Power Bank | 1 | 365 |
30W Charger | 1 | 75 |
USBC to Lighting | 1 | 30 |
USBC to USBC | 1 | 60 |
iPhone XS | 1 | 216 |
iPhone 14 | 1 | 206 |
Euro Aussie/Euro Adapter | 1 | 68 |
Selfie Stick | 1 | 104 |
Watch | 1 | 26 |
Medical/Toiletries | ||
Rubbish bags | 30 | |
Towel | 130 | |
Toilet Paper | 56 | |
Hikers Wool | 30 | |
Safety Pins | 23 | |
Vaseline | 50 | |
Hydrolyte | 59 | |
Ibuprophen | 20 | |
Antihistamine | 3 | |
Magnesium | 200 | |
Tumeric | 63 | |
Lip balm | 11 | |
First aid kit | 365 | |
Sunscreen | 45 | |
Wet ones (wipes) | 89 | |
Talc Powder (anti-perspirant) | 83 | |
Soap | 260 | |
Hand Sanitiser | 98 | |
Dental Floss | 15 | |
Moisturiser | 212 | |
Nail clippers | 48 | |
Pocket knife | 126 | |
Zip Lock Bags | 20 | |
Toothbrush | 39 | |
Toothpaste | 60 | |
Shower scrub cloth | 20 | |
Wash cloth | 28 | |
Denture tabs for cleaning water bladder | 20 | |
Ear plugs | 12 | |
Massage ball | 145 | |
S hook | 48 | |
Other | ||
RFID Bag | 28 | |
Passport | 41 | |
Wallet, Money, Docs | 250 |
Thank you, and yes I think a sleeping bag may be the way to go given the time of year (I prefer to sleep warm)Wet is more of a concern than cold at that time of year - usually.
I’m not a poncho-phile; but if I were I’d shed the waterproof trousers and walk in shorts. A pair of low gaiters would help keep your feet dry. Or less wet.
Blankets are reported to be less universal than they once were. The liner or sleeping bag decision is a matter for how warm you sleep. I’d take the bag.
The head torch is not really necessary if you’re not contemplating a pre-dawn start.
That does help, thank youHI David
I am almost identical in height and weight to you, and I carry 8 kg comfortably. I have walked in April, May. June, July, September and October.
I have never carried insect repellent and have never needed it.
A headlamp is useful if you need to move around and alberque at night but point it down so as not to disturb others.
A basic medical kit is vital.
I have only ever used a sleeping bag liner. A sleeping bag is bulky and awkward to carry and pack. I was on the Camino in May/June this year and all the alberques I used provided blankets if required.
A pillow slip is just not required.
I never used rain pants. If it rained, I walked in shorts, and they dried as quickly as my legs.
Pocket knife was in my first aid kit but never used.
I worked on one to wear, one to wash and one spare clothing wise.
Hope this helps.
Buen Camino.
Vince
Thanks for the feedback! I have posted a big list above in reply to the other person - please feel free to go through and give critical feedbackHave never needed a headlamp, vaseline or a pocket knife.
I would take the sleeping bag, but not the liner. I do like having my own pillow case.
Basic 1st aid is fine. You don't really need more.
A good poncho (like an Altus) is enough, you don't need rain pants too.
Agree with the question about what else is in your pack making it be 8kg? i am 168cm, 78kg. and my pack is 6kg without water.
Or just wear your walking socks.Some would say lose the sleep clothes - I disagree; there are standards to be maintained. You might shed the socks though if you’re in a sleeping bag
Insect repellant - didn't need in the summer on the Norte/Primitivo or the Frances.Hey all!
I'm waling the Frances in a few weeks, and currently I have an 8kg pack and trying to trim that down.
I'm only 163cm tall (but currently weight 80kg because I need to lose about 15kg - hence the Camino)
Love some feedback on my thoughts below:
Thinking to remove:
Insect repellant - assuming they aren't really in issue in October?
Headlamp - do you think this is essential? I'll be walking during the shoulder season, so it wont be that hot nor a rush for beds, so thinking I don't have to leave the albergue at 5am every day - maybe leave 7-8am.
Medical kit - I wont remove it per say, but what would you suggest are the essentials? Need any bandages or literally just a few band aids and some disinfectant and some blister patches? And I have vaseline, sunscreen and a few anti-inflammatories, anti-histamine and anti-diarohea (just incase)
Sleeping Bag Liner - worth it? Use this instead of a sleeping bag? Or too cold since ill be walking in October/November?
Sleeping Bag 500 grams - I didn't take one on the Camino Notre 4.5 years ago and only had one night without a blanket. Are there more places on the Frances that need it? Given that I am walking at a quieter time so should be less competition if there are limited blankets.
Pillow slip - necessary? Or worth bringing one just in case?
Rain pants - I'll be picking up an Altus Poncho in SJPdP. I was considering bringing rain pants to protect the legs also (or add warmth). But will I really need them? I do have two pairs on long leg hiking pants (one of which can zip off and become shorts), I could wear the two pairs of those at the same time for warmth if it was particularly cold...
Pocket Knife - Any good reason to have one of these?
I think that's it... I'm pretty happy with my clothes' and have minimal tech, just phone and battery pack.
Thanks in advance - feel free to be blunt (or kind and caring) - either is good for me
Hijacking the thread to remark about how crazy that sunrise time is, even though we know already that Spain is on the wrong time zone. Further west in Santiago, sunrise tomorrow is 8:08am. I'll be in Rome tomorrow, which is on the same time zone as Spain. Sunrise is at 6:44am.I'd keep the headlamp. Because Spain's time zone doesn't match its longitude sunrise comes an hour later than it should. For example today in León sunrise is at 7:56.
Knee brace - will you wear that every day? Or are you bringing for "just in case". If "just in case" I would leave it at home and only buy one in Spain if you need it. But - if you know there is a good chance that you will need it - then bring it.Thank you! And you prompted me to re-itemize and weight everything.
So have just redone my list and its actually 10.6kgEverything is listed below
Or you can cover the pillow with a T-shirtIn addition to my previous comments - pillow case is not needed but a few people bring as a luxury item. I find the disposable pillow cases to be sufficient.
You drink wine that comes in bottles with a cork? La-di-dah indeedHijacking the thread to remark about how crazy that sunrise time is, even though we know already that Spain is on the wrong time zone. Further west in Santiago, sunrise tomorrow is 8:08am. I'll be in Rome tomorrow, which is on the same time zone as Spain. Sunrise is at 6:44am.
Carry on.
P.S. Not seeing much love for pocket knives so far but I use mine almost every day on camino. But that's mostly because I eat picnics for lunch most days. Handy for opening bottles of wine too!
WC Fields "someone stole the cork from out my lunch!" doesn't quite work with a screw-capYou drink wine that comes in bottles with a cork? La-di-dah indeed
Loving your very detailed list. Are you taking laundry sheets to wash clothes in ?Thank you! And you prompted me to re-itemize and weight everything.
So have just redone my list and its actually 10.6kgEverything is listed below
But ill be wearing around 600 grams of clothes on any given day. And if I removed everything listed above (and reduced the medical kit) I would save 1.5kg
However this doesn't include water - I'll carry a litre most days - so best I have so far is 9.5kg total walking weight
Again, feel free to be blunt about what you would cut
Total Weight 10671 ITEM Quantity Weight Clothes Walking shirts 2 450 Walking pants 2 714 Light jacket 1 343 Long Sleve Merino 1 198 Hat 1 84 Walking Socks 4 230 Underwear 4 225 Sleep shirt 1 160 Sleep shorts 1 190 Sleep socks 1 21 Gloves 1 45 Pillow case 1 111 Rain jacket (Altus) 1 340 Rain Pants 1 180 Flip flop sandals 1 338 Spare shoe laces 1 20 Boxers 1 75 Beanie + Buff 1 127 Knee brace 1 114 Gear Trekking Poles 1 480 Backpack 1 1100 Light weight daypack 1 20 Sleeping Bag 1 500 Sleeping Bag Liner 1 260 Water Bladder 1 174 Knife/fork/spoon 1 24 Sun glasses 1 22 Headlamp 1 229 Cup 1 20 Technology Power Bank 1 365 30W Charger 1 75 USBC to Lighting 1 30 USBC to USBC 1 60 iPhone XS 1 216 iPhone 14 1 206 Euro Aussie/Euro Adapter 1 68 Selfie Stick 1 104 Watch 1 26 Medical/Toiletries Rubbish bags 30 Towel 130 Toilet Paper 56 Hikers Wool 30 Safety Pins 23 Vaseline 50 Hydrolyte 59 Ibuprophen 20 Antihistamine 3 Magnesium 200 Tumeric 63 Lip balm 11 First aid kit 365 Sunscreen 45 Wet ones (wipes) 89 Talc Powder (anti-perspirant) 83 Soap 260 Hand Sanitiser 98 Dental Floss 15 Moisturiser 212 Nail clippers 48 Pocket knife 126 Zip Lock Bags 20 Toothbrush 39 Toothpaste 60 Shower scrub cloth 20 Wash cloth 28 Denture tabs for cleaning water bladder 20 Ear plugs 12 Massage ball 145 S hook 48 Other RFID Bag 28 Passport 41 Wallet, Money, Docs 250
I've struck out quite a bit of your list above. Click Expand to see it. I've also assumed you'll be wearing some of this stuff, unless you are planning on doing Camino naked while carrying to much. So deduct the weight of your day clothes from your pack-weight or get rid of the third pair of trousers / shirt etcThank you! And you prompted me to re-itemize and weight everything.
So have just redone my list and its actually 10.6kgEverything is listed below
But ill be wearing around 600 grams of clothes on any given day. And if I removed everything listed above (and reduced the medical kit) I would save 1.5kg
However this doesn't include water - I'll carry a litre most days - so best I have so far is 9.5kg total walking weight
Again, feel free to be blunt about what you would cut
Total Weight 10671 ITEM Quantity Weight Clothes Walking shirts 2 450 Walking pants 2 714 Light jacket 1 343 Long Sleve Merino 1 198 Hat 1 84 Walking Socks 4 230 Underwear 4 225 Sleep shirt 1 160 Sleep shorts 1 190 Sleep socks 1 21 Gloves 1 45 Pillow case 1 111 Rain jacket (Altus) 1 340 Rain Pants 1 180 Flip flop sandals 1 338 Spare shoe laces 1 20 Boxers 1 75 Beanie + Buff 1 127 Knee brace 1 114 Gear Trekking Poles 1 480 Backpack 1 1100 Light weight daypack 1 20 Sleeping Bag 1 500 Sleeping Bag Liner 1 260 Water Bladder1 174 Knife/fork/spoon 1 24 Sun glasses 1 22 Headlamp 1 229 Cup 1 20 Technology Power Bank1 365 30W Charger1 75 USBC to Lighting 1 30 USBC to USBC 1 60 iPhone XS 1 216 iPhone 141 206 Euro Aussie/Euro Adapter 1 68 Selfie Stick1 104 Watch 1 26 Medical/Toiletries Rubbish bags 30 Towel 130 Toilet Paper 56 Hikers Wool 30 Safety Pins 23 Vaseline 50 Hydrolyte 59 Ibuprophen 20 Antihistamine 3 Magnesium 200 Tumeric 63 Lip balm 11 First aid kit 365 Sunscreen 45 Wet ones (wipes) 89 Talc Powder (anti-perspirant)83 Soap260 Hand Sanitiser 98 Dental Floss 15 Moisturiser212 Nail clippers 48 Pocket knife 126 Zip Lock Bags 20 Toothbrush 39 Toothpaste 60 Shower scrub cloth20 Wash cloth 28 Denture tabs for cleaning water bladder20 Ear plugs 12 Massage ball145 S hook 48 Other RFID Bag 28 Passport 41 Wallet, Money, Docs 250
Cheers! Laundry sheets....the albergues dont have washing powder?Loving your very detailed list. Are you taking laundry sheets to wash clothes in ?
Often, not.Cheers! Laundry sheets....the albergues dont have washing powder?
Liquid soap, but yeah I'm seriously reconsidering thatWhat kind of soap is weighing 260 g? My total soap (hair, body, clothes) is a small bar weighing 50g.
Your 212 g of moisturizer seems excessive - a good size tube weighs 100 g.
If you need more of either, you can buy it.
Could a 50g tennis ball replace your 145g massage ball?
Knee brace is based on my experience last time (I bought it in the first week as I was having issues). But in saying that, I only needed it for a week. And while training for this one I have had no issues, so yeah I can scrap thatKnee brace - will you wear that every day? Or are you bringing for "just in case". If "just in case" I would leave it at home and only buy one in Spain if you need it. But - if you know there is a good chance that you will need it - then bring it.
In addition to my previous comments - pillow case is not needed but a few people bring as a luxury item. I find the disposable pillow cases to be sufficient.
Do you need the shower scrub cloth and a wash cloth? Can you skip bringing one or both? Do you really need the wet wipes? Why 2 phones? Do you really want to carry a selfie stick? Your "as needed" medication weights tell me you are probably bringing more than you need - take them out of bottles and put them in tiny ziplock baggies and label them - and only bring maybe 2-4 of each kind of pill you think you need. Of course - for prescription medications bring all that you need.
When I read this at 1am, I interpreted it as "why sleep in clothes? just wear your socks!"Or just wear your walking socks.
And can neither confirm nor deny that I work for the Aussie CIA.....Oh goody; a list. We haven’t had one for a while.
RFID bag. A personal hobby horse. The only function this serves is that it’s a bag, the RFID element is utterly pointless. I’ve offered on many occasions to send €50 to the first person who can cite an authenticated police report of a crime committed remotely which accessed a chip on a card. It’s a scam.
Too many socks.
Rain jacket or poncho, not both. I prefer jacket, but it’s debatable.
Two iPhones?? Do you work for the Aussie version of the CIA?
You’re a bloke and an Aussie? Too many toiletries mate. If the moisturisers necessary, take less than 200g.
Scrub cloth and wash cloth? Pick your favourite.
Selfie stick. Bin. Please.
Some would say lose the sleep clothes - I disagree; there are standards to be maintained. You might shed the socks though if you’re in a sleeping bag.
They have laundry detergent for washing machines, but for hand laundering you are usually on your own, unless someone left some behind.Cheers! Laundry sheets....the albergues dont have washing powder?
Ditch them both.Thinking to remove:
Insect repellant - assuming they aren't really in issue in October?
Headlamp - do you think this is essential? I'll be walking during the shoulder season, so it wont be that hot nor a rush for beds, so thinking I don't have to leave the Albergue at 5am every day - maybe leave 7-8am.
What you have plus a roll of Coban wrap for a sprain, and a roll of omnifix for blister prevention and treatment.Medical kit - I wont remove it per say, but what would you suggest are the essentials? Need any bandages or literally just a few band aids and some disinfectant and some blister patches? And I have vaseline, sunscreen and a few anti-inflammatories, anti-histamine and anti-diarohea (just incase)
One or the other, Personally, I'd take the bag but a lighter one.Sleeping Bag Liner - worth it? Use this instead of a sleeping bag? Or too cold since ill be walking in October/November?
Sleeping Bag 500 grams - I didn't take one on the Camino Notre 4.5 years ago and only had one night without a blanket. Are there more places on the Frances that need it? Given that I am walking at a quieter time so should be less competition if there are limited blankets.
Ditch it.Pillow slip - necessary? Or worth bringing one just in case?
Ditch them. I take leggings for warmth and if they get wet, so what.Rain pants - I'll be picking up an Altus Poncho in SJPdP. I was considering bringing rain pants to protect the legs also (or add warmth). But will I really need them? I do have two pairs on long leg hiking pants (one of which can zip off and become shorts), I could wear the two pairs of those at the same time for warmth if it was particularly cold...
I like one, but a very small one - a Victorinox card that has a tiny knife and a bunch of other stuff in a very light small package.Pocket Knife - Any good reason to have one of these?
Keep the sleeping bag.Hey all!
I'm waling the Frances in a few weeks, and currently I have an 8kg pack and trying to trim that down.
I'm only 163cm tall (but currently weight 80kg because I need to lose about 15kg - hence the Camino)
Love some feedback on my thoughts below:
Thinking to remove:
Insect repellant - assuming they aren't really in issue in October?
Headlamp - do you think this is essential? I'll be walking during the shoulder season, so it wont be that hot nor a rush for beds, so thinking I don't have to leave the Albergue at 5am every day - maybe leave 7-8am.
Medical kit - I wont remove it per say, but what would you suggest are the essentials? Need any bandages or literally just a few band aids and some disinfectant and some blister patches? And I have vaseline, sunscreen and a few anti-inflammatories, anti-histamine and anti-diarohea (just incase)
Sleeping Bag Liner - worth it? Use this instead of a sleeping bag? Or too cold since ill be walking in October/November?
Sleeping Bag 500 grams - I didn't take one on the Camino Notre 4.5 years ago and only had one night without a blanket. Are there more places on the Frances that need it? Given that I am walking at a quieter time so should be less competition if there are limited blankets.
Pillow slip - necessary? Or worth bringing one just in case?
Rain pants - I'll be picking up an Altus Poncho in SJPdP. I was considering bringing rain pants to protect the legs also (or add warmth). But will I really need them? I do have two pairs on long leg hiking pants (one of which can zip off and become shorts), I could wear the two pairs of those at the same time for warmth if it was particularly cold...
Pocket Knife - Any good reason to have one of these?
I think that's it... I'm pretty happy with my clothes' and have minimal tech, just phone and battery pack.
Thanks in advance - feel free to be blunt (or kind and caring) - either is good for me
Thankfully the TSA confine their rather belligerent presence to the United States. The OP is unlikely to encounter them.Keep the sleeping bag.
The knife is not necessary and will be confiscated by TSA. If you really think you will be walking in the dark, Keep the headlamp. One with a red light option is good if you need it at night in the hostel. It won't disturb others. Most places offer disposable or cloth pillow slips.
The poncho is a very good item. I would hesitate to wear both zip off pants at the same time if it's raining. You'll want a dry pair when you arrive at your sleeping place. You can layer dry clothes if your hostel is quite chilly. (And there will be chilly places those months)
My last recommendation is to not carry the battery pack. There are plenty of places to charge your phone. Just keep an eye on it while doing so.
Buen Camino!
No one was talking about belligerent TSA agents, but since you brought it up, I've encountered grouchy agents in other countries.Thankfully the TSA confine their rather belligerent presence to the United States. The OP is unlikely to encounter them.
Most pocket knives are prohibited in carry-on luggage; but not all luggage is carry-on.
And, I've met many friendly agents in the USA.No one was talking about belligerent TSA agents, but since you brought it up, I've encountered grouchy agents in other countries.
Of course they do. Knives with blades longer than a certain size are not allowed in airplane cabins.Spain confiscated my Swiss Army Knife. I think all airports do this.
Make that feathers plural and you are close.My husband and I ditched our rain pants for rain kilts/skirts. Lighter than a feather (well, 75 grams), effective, and easy to put on and take off.
I never found any use for my pocket knife on the CF. I did carry an ultralightweight first aid kit. Only thing I used was the antibiotic ointment which I gave to another pilgrim who got a huge cut on his hand.
Thank you david this is helpful. I'm booked to walk CF on May/June 2023 from SJPDP. I'm aside from the basic i'm considering bringing Headlamp, bag liner, and preferred Poncho. If i'm buying Poncho at SJPDP how much it is and what type? If you happens to know. I want pretty basic to cover my backpack and ditch it after my Camino. Also do you recommend bringing extra trail/runners if I need want to rest my feet with my hiking shoes? Thank you againHI David
I am almost identical in height and weight to you, and I carry 8 kg comfortably. I have walked in April, May. June, July, September and October.
I have never carried insect repellent and have never needed it.
A headlamp is useful if you need to move around and alberque at night but point it down so as not to disturb others.
A basic medical kit is vital.
I have only ever used a sleeping bag liner. A sleeping bag is bulky and awkward to carry and pack. I was on the Camino in May/June this year and all the alberques I used provided blankets if required.
A pillow slip is just not required.
I never used rain pants. If it rained, I walked in shorts, and they dried as quickly as my legs.
Pocket knife was in my first aid kit but never used.
I worked on one to wear, one to wash and one spare clothing wise.
Hope this helps.
Buen Camino.
Vince
In St Jean Pied de Port you can reserve an Altus "poncho" at Boutique du Pelerine. I put poncho in quotes, because it's really not a poncho, but an oversized rain coat with room for your backpack.i'm buying Poncho at SJPDP how much it is and what type?
When you reserve your poncho at Boutique du Pelerine, be sure to tell them your size and gender. I am a medium-sized woman and I told them my height, but when I arrived in late September, I found that they had reserved a L/XL size for me because they thought I was a man, based on my name. They had run out of the other sizes by then, so I am the owner of a very huge and heavy Altus poncho!In St Jean Pied de Port you can reserve an Altus "poncho" at Boutique du Pelerine. I put poncho in quotes, because it's really not a poncho, but an oversized rain coat with room for your backpack.
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