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What to carry around town once you reach an albergue?

audge

Member
Time of past OR future Camino
june 2013
Hi,
I am wondering what people do with their backpack once they reach their destination for the day?
Do most people leave their backpacks in the albergues,or carry them around with them in the towns and villages?
If not, do you carry another small pack or belt pack with your valuables?
I'm sure there are several ways to do this. Just wondering what is most common and works best.
And how safe is your backpack if you leave it in the albergue?

Thanks for all the great info here on the forum.
 
3rd Edition. More content, training & pack guides avoid common mistakes, bed bugs etc
Should someone steal my pack ... more power to the new owner of my smelly towel.

Wallet goes in pants pocket. Passport (in ziploc) goes in buttoned shirt pocket.
 
A selection of Camino Jewellery
The first edition came out in 2003 and has become the go-to-guide for many pilgrims over the years. It is shipping with a Pilgrim Passport (Credential) from the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.
I carry my valuables (money, cards, passport ect.) in a money / safety belt and take it everywhere, even to the bathroom. Other things I don't want to lose, mainly the camera, pilgrims passport, phone and "daily money", are in a bigger waist pouch "kangaroo style" so that they are more easily accessible and also go with me everywhere. Smelly socks and similar stay in my backpack ;-) SY
 
I'd carry my clothes, my boots, my stick, my hat, my scallop shell, whatever cash, and whatever other small things of value can fit in my pockets, plus whichever book.
 
I bought one of the tourist shop drawstring bags with the scallop shell on it and packed my clean change of clothes and my toiletried in it every day, ready to pull out of the pack and take to the shower room. After the shower I'd use it to carry my dirty clothes to the laundry, and when they were on the line, I then put my bumbag - which was always with me! - scarf, book etc in it and took it with me when I went out. That drawstring bag/backpack was a brilliant piece of kit. I still use it when I travel, as a packing bag.
 
€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.
Thanks for all the great ideas. I just got a sea to summit lightweight day pack from REI ,
It squishes down to the size of my palm in it's own little stuff sack. Total weight 2.4 oz. When opened it is the size of a day pack. Maybe I don't need something so big, but it sure is light. I will also have a money belt for my front. And, being from REI, I can always return it if it is not needed.
Anyone else have one of these?

http://www.rei.com/product/799600/sea-t ... le-daypack
 

Hey Audge,
I took the Flash 18 with me: http://www.rei.com/product/827110/rei-flash-18-pack and it worked out great! During the Camino and also during pre and post travel in Ireland and Italy. I think the Sea to Summit is a good way to go and should be big enough for valuables (and guidebooks, food, sunglasses, hat, etc for those rest days around the bigger cities :wink: )
Buen Camino
 
I got a similar lightweight backpack at Decathlon (a chain outdoor gear store in Spain) but for only €4. It is 14 liters, 55 grams, comes in many color options, and was sturdy and reliable for me (says it can carry up to 5 kilos). I got a bright purple one, which was always easy to find in my backpack.

If you have a chance to go to a Decathlon before you walk, I highly recommend it!

http://www.decathlon.es/mochila-plegable-pocket-bag-id_8205177.html
 
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
I took a day bag which, at 240g, was heavy but I love it and it has lots of pockets and compartments for all my bits and bobs that I'd want when I left my backpack behind. I'd keep all my valuables in it with the exception of one passport (I have dual nationality so I'd leave one in my backpack and carry one), and some "backup" cash which I'd leave in my walking trousers' pocket. So my daypack (over the shoulder satchel type) could just be taken out of my larger bag and taken into the showers, tuck into my bed when I slept, and went everywhere with me.
 

Yes, mine is making my fourth Camino with me right now, as a matter of fact. Works as a purse, a grocery bag, for carrying washed laundry over to the clothesline, not to mention a pillowcase, and an onboard-flight carryall. Indispensable!
 
We have the sea to summit silsacs too. They are great for walking around town and have the advantage too of being reasonably waterproof. Usually we carry a fleece and our ponchos, our credenciales and a bottle of water around town. Room for a camera too, when it is not in use :lol: . Our valuables (money, passports etc are in their usual security pouch). We then used our silsacs to carry home a few small souvenirs and our food for the homeward journey. Ours have just been on their 3rd Camino and we would not be without them.
 
Ideal pocket guides for during & after your Camino. Each weighs only 1.4 oz (40g)!
Last time I had no extra bag and found it a little bit tricky when I wanted a stroll around town. This time I think I will bring a small shopping back made of cotton or such - it has next to nothing weight and take no space. Can be used as shopping basked, carrying clothes, purse etc.
 

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