Trekking the Way of St. James
Hiking Gear and Advice for Camino Pilgrims
For hikers, backpackers, and pilgrims alike nothing
seems to excite their passion more than debates about pack size, pack weights,
and equipment choices. Discussions about
what you can take, should take, and should avoid taking on long-distance hikes
fill up forum after forum online and instill deep passion in many people. Any survey of Camino blogs will make you
quickly realize that the same is true on the Way of St. James. Ask two people what to take and you will get
five answers.
The now–standard – rule seems to be that one’s
backpack and supplies weight do not exceed 10% of the hiker’s body weight. The passion for online requests for advice
which I have seen seems to stick to this suggestion to almost a fault. From my perspective you don't want to be burdened taking "everything for every eventuality" (there are shops regularly along the way after all) but you also want to ensure that you are prepared for cool nights, trekking in the rain, and to be able to change your clothes from time to time.
Camino Advice
Our advice is this:
(1)
Backpack weights – including the weight of the
pack, and the weight of all of your items, can be an obsession – don’t let it be.
(2)
You don’t need to carry everything, and you
likely require less than you realize. Germany,
France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal – are all countries which have Camino routes
in them – and are all countries that have all the supplies you can ever imagine
needing, which means you don’t have to carry as much as you might think. Grocery shops, pharmacies, and just about everything else you can imagine are regular features along the Camino Frances and throughout Europe.
(3)
Don’t bring the smallest pack in the world and
stuff everything into it. No, you don’t
need a heavy pack or the most expensive, but one with good support, good
shoulder straps, and which can be tightened is – in my mind – better than an
ultralight pack that you have purchased so you can have something weightless.
(4)
Give yourself some room – my pack is my
backpacking pack – this means it is truly larger than necessary on a
Camino. So much so that we frequently
become the subject of well-meaning barbs and comments along the way. However, we also have room to be able to
carry a sandwich, our bathing suits, extra water, or a few postcards as we go. Always remember backpacks are wonderful
because you can make them smaller than their largest size. So why take the smallest pack and then
discover you could use a bit more room?
Besides, logistically carrying things outside your pack or in your hands
is a headache and feels heavier than things put in your pack.
(5)
When you get your pack, load it up, then have
it fitted. Go to REI, go to MEC or go to
your sports store and get someone to make sure it fits right and comfortably on
you. It is worth the time to have your
back sit on you correctly.
(6)
Take something for yourself. We all have a comfort item that helps us when
things get tough. So to heck with weight (within reason) and take that one thing that will make a difference. If you like reading a good mystery or
romance novel at night – take it. If
you want to have a few chocolate bars along the way – make sure you have
room for them. If you are a
photographer, then take your camera. If
a little thing is going to make your trek better, then find the room and add it
to the pack.
(7)
Be willing to donate or simply dump what you
don’t need when you realize that something was unnecessary to bring along with
you. There are lots of places to donate
items, and whether another pilgrim or local resident gets it, it will not go to
waste!
(8)
Know what works for YOU! Equipment advice is like rumours on the
Camino or any trail. Everyone has an
opinion, so the best thing you can do is know what works for YOU and stick with
it.
(9)
Now with that said – my only clothing advice
is to give Merino Wool a try! This stuff
is unusually lightweight, resists odour, can be quickly hand-washed and quickly
dries out! Unlike cotton. No need to
invest in the expensive Icebreaker shirts and socks (though they are great),
the ones in Costco are just as useful and just as good. Remember over 800-1000 km most of the clothes
you take will not be pristine once you are done. There is no need to invest a fortune into
them.
The never-ending weight and equipment debates online aren’t
absolute rules for the trail or orders inscribed in the sky, they are meant to
be helpful guidelines – so don’t let them become an obsession or limit your
enjoyment of the trail.
Enjoy your Camino...
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