What DO men put in their backpacks?

[annakappa]

It's puzzled me for sometime now.....why, oh why do men have so much more weight in their backpacks than us ladies?
You read time and time again that they, the men, mention that, first of all, they have at least a 45 lt. pack. Then they mention that they managed to get the weight down to a mere 10/12, even 15 kgs.
WHAT do they need to carry that we, ladies don't!
Enlightenment please!
Anne

 

[koilife]

Stones. Testosterone. Machismo.

Besides, everyone knows women are quite simple by comparison to the complex creatures that we men tend to be . . .

 

[whariwharangi]

We're not allowed to wear clothes made of diaphanous materials.

 

[koilife]

As to the more serious answer, I think several areas of different weights come in. We tend to be larger, which means more fabric and more weight for the same clothing articles, including the evening shoes. Women's attire is different, and we men don't usually wear tights and light skirts, which means heavier pants, and so on. Finally, I think we tend to be more "gadget oriented" for things like electronics, pocket knives, etc.

In my case, I carry an extra pound of gadgets oriented towards cooking, and an extra half pound for my pipe and tobacco (combined, these are actually more than 10% of my total pack weight).

Oh, and I did actually carry about six pounds of stones all the way to Santiago to raise funds for charity, so my comment above isn't quite as tongue and cheek as it might sound . . .

 

[Tincatinker]

Two pairs of my supportive trunks, 80g, two pairs of the Beloved's scanties, 28g...

Though I keep my pack under 7k if I can, mainly by avoiding electronics and un necessaries, I'm a bigger build than her, there is more fabric to everything I wear, and I get to carry the corkscrew and the first aid kit

 

[dougfitz]

Boys know that the one who dies with the most gadgets wins - even though carrying all of those gadgets might have been the cause of one's demise!

 

[wayfarer]

And of course ......................... The Electric Coil.

 

[Mark Lee]

socks, t-shirts, shorts, pants, briefs, sandals, razor, soap, deodorant, travel towel, toothpaste, toothbrush, sunscreen, electric razor for shaving my head (very compact), guidebook, aspirin, vaseline, sleeping bag, 8" tablet for internet, digital camera, extra batteries, rain jacket, waterproof backpack cover.......
2-3 bottles of water (1/2 liter each)
I think that's all.

 

[annakappa]

That not so much! And how much did all that weigh, Mark?

 

[Mark Lee]

That not so much! And how much did all that weigh, Mark?

I don't know? I never weighed my pack, ha ha.

 

[BlackDog]

And even my size 12 sandals weigh significantly more than a ladies delicate shoes! Much of the difference is in the sizing and resultant fabric weights.

 

[Say Simba]

It's puzzled me for sometime now.....why, oh why do men have so much more weight in their backpacks than us ladies?
You read time and time again that they, the men, mention that, first of all, they have at least a 45 lt. pack. Then they mention that they managed to get the weight down to a mere 10/12, even 15 kgs.
WHAT do they need to carry that we, ladies don't!
Enlightenment please!
Anne

I end with only 9.4 kgs in a 45 ltr backpack. My love and partner maintained 14.5 or more the entire way, but then, she is a true trekker, and didn't mind carrying a curling iron and such. In my pack I had:

2 pairs of black wick away undershorts (At night I washed the one I wore that day as I showered, then put on the new one and let the other dry over night.)
2 short sleeve wick away polos.
1 long sleeve wick away long sleeve t-shirt
1 rain repellant long pants I wore daily with zippered legs to make into shorts.
1 bathing suit
1 short pants
1 fleece vest
1 rain parka with hood
1 pair of gloves
1 knit hat for cold weather
1 regular baseball type cap
3 pairs of wool socks
1 long sleeve running jacket
1 pocket knife to cut bread and open wine bottles
1 pair of flip flops
1 rain cover for pack
1 small Coolpix camera, which was normally on me fastened across my chest strap of my pack.
1 Headlamp
1 wallet in a plastic bag
1 roll of toilet paper
1 3ltr water bladder ( which I normally only filled to half on the trail)
1 small toiletry kit (small tube toothpaste, a toothbrush from a hotel that was half of the size of my regular one, tube of shaving cream, razor, hair and body washing gel, Tylenol PM, mouthpiece for snoring, deodorant, small palm brush)
1 REI Flash lightweight sleeping bag.
1 REI silk sleeping bag liner.
2 books, John Brierly's guide to the Camino and Paolo Coehlo's, "The Pilgrimage."

I think that pretty much covers it.

 

[jeffnd]

I was told a few times by a different women that I must be carrying too much. I reminded these women that 1 of my shirts has the same material as 2 of theirs. ( or 3 as was the case with the girl who was 5 foot nothing and 80 lbs soaking wet.)

And why is there this HUGE obsession with what someone's pack weighs? Why are people killing themselves to save a few ounces? Go for comfort, not weight.

 

[JohnMcM]

I guess I'm like many other men and have in my pack:
1 suit of shining armour
1 white stallion
1 sword for fighting dragons
1 step ladder for rescuing damsels in distress from tall towers
1 large bag of giant cuddly toys for crying children
and 1 large box of assorted animal food stuffs to feed puppies and kittens along the Way.

 

[Thomas1962]

Is it really true that men seem to have more weight? Never noticed it, but will check it next time.
One reason might be that for men weight is much less of an issue than for women, just because of a physical aspect. Although I like lightweight, to walk with 12 kg (15% of my weight) is possible without problem. When I walk together with my wife, I also tend to take more of the stuff we share then my wife.

 

[CaminoKris2013]

And even my size 12 sandals weigh significantly more than a ladies delicate shoes! Much of the difference is in the sizing and resultant fabric weights.

What woman is going to wear "delicate" shoes on the Camino?


Sent from my iPhone using Camino de Santiago Forum

 

[CaminoKris2013]

I guess I'm like many other men and have in my pack:
1 suit of shining armour
1 white stallion
1 sword for fighting dragons
1 step ladder for rescuing damsels in distress from tall towers
1 large bag of giant cuddly toys for crying children
and 1 large box of assorted animal food stuffs to feed puppies and kittens along the Way.

I'll be looking out for you, john!


Sent from my iPhone using Camino de Santiago Forum

 

[tyrrek]

I've always been inspired by a former boss who went on a business trip to London with a spare pair of pants and a toothbrush in a brown paper bag. I suspect the only item that was used was the brown paper bag.

 

[wayfarer]

I probably take a bit too much, but I would rather be looking at it than for it.

 

[David]

I guess I'm like many other men and have in my pack:
1 suit of shining armour
1 white stallion
1 sword for fighting dragons
1 step ladder for rescuing damsels in distress from tall towers
1 large bag of giant cuddly toys for crying children
and 1 large box of assorted animal food stuffs to feed puppies and kittens along the Way.

Exactly!
Though, I hope you haven't named your sword 'kindness' - I have heard that you can kill people with kindness

 

[koilife]

I guess I'm like many other men and have in my pack:
1 suit of shining armour
1 white stallion
1 sword for fighting dragons
1 step ladder for rescuing damsels in distress from tall towers
1 large bag of giant cuddly toys for crying children
and 1 large box of assorted animal food stuffs to feed puppies and kittens along the Way.

Sounds like you have a full load of something else in there too!

 

[koilife]

And why is there this HUGE obsession with what someone's pack weighs? Why are people killing themselves to save a few ounces? Go for comfort, not weight.

Everybody tends to pack some level of comforts, but walking with less weight on your back IS more comfortable than walking with more. The great debates here are usually about the decision factors to bring one comfort but not another. Cutting weight in one area means we can carry some other comfort. You'll find that weight receives similar obsession on forums for every major long-distance hike anywhere in the world.

Then, of course, we have people who regularly begin, "I've never been backpacking . . ." and it is a corporal act of mercy to help them reduce their chance and severity of blisters, tendinitis, aching back and shoulders, and the like.

One of the basic lessons of the Camino is that less can be more. When one is young and buff, weight is not an issue, when one is middle aged the priorities start to change along with the tendons and joints, and by the time one is in his senior years, weight is a pretty big deal. If I can learn secrets from my elders and make my middle-aged walk more comfortable, then by all means let's obsess a little more.

Besides, weight, footwear, rain protection, and so on are really just symptoms of the great obsession with the journey itself, just as obsession and competition (for lowest pack weight) and cravings for comfort are all symptoms of the human condition.

 

[Icacos]

It's puzzled me for sometime now.....why, oh why do men have so much more weight in their backpacks than us ladies?
You read time and time again that they, the men, mention that, first of all, they have at least a 45 lt. pack. Then they mention that they managed to get the weight down to a mere 10/12, even 15 kgs.
WHAT do they need to carry that we, ladies don't!
Enlightenment please!
Anne

Oh, annakappa, were you expecting all this?!

 

[koilife]

Oh, annakappa, were you expecting all this?!

Frankly, I think her post violated the "no trolling" rules of the forum and for her penance she should be made to carry a "manly" pack for 100 KM.

 

[Olivia Luna]

I guess I'm like many other men and have in my pack:
1 suit of shining armour
1 white stallion
1 sword for fighting dragons
1 step ladder for rescuing damsels in distress from tall towers
1 large bag of giant cuddly toys for crying children
and 1 large box of assorted animal food stuffs to feed puppies and kittens along the Way.

Ok, wiping tears off my face after laughing so hard, great answer and if you are walking during the next three weeks, we will definitely recognize a knight any day

 

[jpflavin1]

It's puzzled me for sometime now.....why, oh why do men have so much more weight in their backpacks than us ladies?
You read time and time again that they, the men, mention that, first of all, they have at least a 45 lt. pack. Then they mention that they managed to get the weight down to a mere 10/12, even 15 kgs.
WHAT do they need to carry that we, ladies don't!
Enlightenment please!
Anne

Anne:

I do not think men, in general, carry more than women. That said, every individual packs to their own comfort level. There probably is some rational towards the fact men are larger. I have an Osprey Kestrel 48L pack and fully loaded, less food and water weighs in at 9kg's. I am 6' 1 and weigh approx 90kg's. No armor, sword or white horse but always willing to help a lady in distress ^^.

Joe

 

[Mark Lee]

I probably take a bit too much, but I would rather be looking at it than for it.

Ditto....
Better to have and not need, than to need and not have.

 

[wayfarer]

Anne:
No armor, sword or white horse but always willing to help a lady in distress ^^.

Joe

 

[wayfarer]

Old Silvered tongue devil.

 

[Icacos]

I've always been inspired by a former boss who went on a business trip to London with a spare pair of pants and a toothbrush in a brown paper bag. I suspect the only item that was used was the brown paper bag.

This reminds me of a story about my husband's cousin who never travels with anything more than a toothbrush. He was pulled over on the freeway by the cops at 2:30 one morning, clad only in his underwear, with his pants flapping in the breeze outside the passenger window of his 1960's Pontiac.

It turned out he had traveled to a nearby town to attend a car show the following day. As was his custom he had parked in a gas station and had bedded down for the night in the backseat of his car. He woke up in the early hours of the morning and had reason to recall his prostate issues. You can guess the rest of the story .....

 

[Debinq]

It's puzzled me for sometime now.....why, oh why do men have so much more weight in their backpacks than us ladies?
You read time and time again that they, the men, mention that, first of all, they have at least a 45 lt. pack. Then they mention that they managed to get the weight down to a mere 10/12, even 15 kgs.
WHAT do they need to carry that we, ladies don't!
Enlightenment please!
Anne

Anna
They carry for their beloved the things she can't carry - or would prefer not to carry - as otherwise her pack will be too heavy!

happy trails

Peter

 

[David L. Lewis]

I guess I'm like many other men and have in my pack:
1 suit of shining armour
1 white stallion
1 sword for fighting dragons
1 step ladder for rescuing damsels in distress from tall towers
1 large bag of giant cuddly toys for crying children
and 1 large box of assorted animal food stuffs to feed puppies and kittens along the Way.

And I thought I was the only Knight Templar with plans to escort the beloved Princess (my wife) on the Camino.

 

[Winchester09]

My first camino in 09 starting in Winchester I had a 60ltr pack weighing 24kg!

However my previous camping forays had been with the Army where lightweight doesn't really figure. I took loads of things I'd now consider a luxury and did send some bits home by the time I got to Bordeaux. Also doing it just after uni money was sparse so most kit was gifted so didn't have much room to manoeuvre with weight.

Going again this year and taking either a 30 or 40 with a much smaller lighter kit list. The final weight will probably be down to how much of my wife's kit I'll end up lugging lol.

The bear was my mascot for Help for Heroes whom I was being sponsored for.

 

[tploomis]

My first Camino my pack weighed 15 pounds (6.8 kilograms), and I agree that was way too heavy. I will never do that again. The pack itself weighed 3.5 pounds -- ridiculous. I've since purchased a pack weighing 1.5 pounds that is completely waterproof and I can dispense with the pack cover, too, whatever that weighs. I was lugging around a 2 pound down bag -- completely too much. Next time I'm taking a half pound quilt. I had two changes of clothes. I can only ask myself why. One change is all that's needed. I often was carrying with me more than a liter of water, and that was really only necessary on a couple sections of the Camino. Not being versed in the metric system, I had not realized until recently that one liter of water so conveniently weighs one kilogram! Yikes! My next pack is going to weigh 10 pounds (4.5 kgs.) or less. I've concluded my first pack weighed so much because it was full of worry -- and we all know how much worry weighs!

 

[CaminoKris2013]

Ditto....
Better to have and not need, than to need and not have.

But the question is how much do really need, and of that what can you definitely not be able to get in Spain?


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[ManyMiles2Go]

From my personal experience, some of the weight in my pack belonged to my wife. I did make her keep her curling iron and hairdryer at home, though

 

[NicoZ]

From my personal experience, some of the weight in my pack belonged to my wife. I did make her keep her curling iron and hairdryer at home, though

And you really think you aren't going back to get them? Really?

 

[NicoZ]

Don't forget silk smoking jacket and matching PJs.

 

[Mark Lee]

But the question is how much do really need, and of that what can you definitely not be able to get in Spain?


Sent from my iPhone using Camino de Santiago Forum

In actuality you really don't need that much to walk (let me stress that, it's predominately a walk) the Camino (Frances). You are never that far away from food, water, shelter, supplies, etc. You don't really need to haul your own sewing kit, tools, water purifiers, compass, GPS, etc. If you separate things into two categories: wants and needs, the needs category is the much smaller list of the two. It seems to me that some pilgrims and prospective pilgrims enjoy the gathering of gear, testing it, carrying it, etc. Kind of making the whole thing seem more austere than it is. They enjoy that aspect and more power to them if they do. To each his own.
After I walked the Camino I was telling my cousin about it. He told me of a co-worker who had just walked the Camino (Frances) with his wife about one month or so before I did. My cousin said that co-worker told everyone at work how primitive it was living in the albergues and that they were "roughing it" and that the food in Spain wasn't good, etc etc. I laughed and told my cousin that his co-worker must have been walking a different Camino Frances than the one I did as I ate like a horse, drank a boatload of beer and wine and slept like a log every night. So I guess it's a matter of perspective. He may have actually believed the Camino was all that he said it was, or maybe it just made for a cooler story saying it was rough. Who knows? As long as they enjoyed themselves, it doesn't matter.

 

[whariwharangi]

There was a fellow on the Chilkoot trail (the famous Klondike gold rush trail now a popular international hike) who was suffering from hypothermia. He asked if there was something he could offer his rescuers. The rescuers of course would have none of that and suggested maybe a beer would be nice if they ever met up somewhere ... so he reached into his pack and pulled out a 6 pack. He'd heard the Chilkoot was famous for dehydration and that beer was an effective solution.

 

[ManyMiles2Go]

And you really think you aren't going back to get them? Really?

Oh no, she did fine without them! (And her hat weighed a lot less )

 

[supersullivan]

I carry nothing but essentials in my 600 litre backpack.

 

[wayfarer]

View attachment 10171

I carry nothing but essentials in my 600 litre backpack.

Now thats what I call a decent pack, or as they say in Cork "pure dacent"

 

[David]

I guess I'm like many other men and have in my pack:
1 suit of shining armour
1 white stallion
1 sword for fighting dragons
1 step ladder for rescuing damsels in distress from tall towers
1 large bag of giant cuddly toys for crying children
and 1 large box of assorted animal food stuffs to feed puppies and kittens along the Way.

This really has to be just about one of the best posts of all time!! I so wish that I had written it!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Saint Mike II]

razor, electric razor for shaving my head (very compact), guidebook, 8" tablet for internet, ....

Hi Mark - why doesn't the "head shaver" also double for shaving the face? (or go native on Camino and follow the pilgrims of old and grow a beard)? Second - again why carry a 250gm guidebook when the electronic version can be loaded onto your tablet. Yes I will agree that the maps aren't always clearly displayed on the tablets - so yes you can print the required city maps.|

Anna - a great post and talking point - I must admit that when I started from Merida last May (2013) my pack (with water and more than a few "extras") was heavier than I had intended - around 14.5 kg. This time I am going to be a bit more ruthless and aim for a sub-11 kg including water.

Supersullivan - surely that's a promotional joke? Apart from the practicalities of walking with it - how in the name of whoever how the "****" do you get it onto the airline??

Buen Camino

 

[wayfarer]

This really has to be just about one of the best posts of all time!! I so wish that I had written it!!!!!!!!!!!

I have to agree David, that one gets the cigar, classic.

 

[whariwharangi]

View attachment 10171

I carry nothing but essentials in my 600 litre backpack.

I didn't know bringing your own Albergue was considered essential.

 

[Cari T]

And because I'm a relative 'newbie' ... Anna... what do women carry in their packs ?

 

[Mark Lee]

Hi Mark - why doesn't the "head shaver" also double for shaving the face? (or go native on Camino and follow the pilgrims of old and grow a beard)? Second - again why carry a 250gm guidebook when the electronic version can be loaded onto your tablet. Yes I will agree that the maps aren't always clearly displayed on the tablets - so yes you can print the required city maps.|

Anna - a great post and talking point - I must admit that when I started from Merida last May (2013) my pack (with water and more than a few "extras") was heavier than I had intended - around 14.5 kg. This time I am going to be a bit more ruthless and aim for a sub-11 kg including water.

Supersullivan - surely that's a promotional joke? Apart from the practicalities of walking with it - how in the name of whoever how the "****" do you get it onto the airline??

Buen Camino

It's a small set of hair clippers and not really designed for facial shaving. I have never embraced my inner hairy self. I like being clean shaven (feels more hygienic not having a soup sponge and crumb catcher hanging off my chin), and besides my beard grows out mostly gray. Makes me look ten years older. Vanity, dude.
As far as the guidebook, I just like the feel of a book. Just an old school thing. People weigh the guidebooks?

 

[koilife]

And because I'm a relative 'newbie' ... Anna... what do women carry in their packs ?

Sugar and spice and everything nice. Diaphanous dainties and elegant evening attire. Silken sarongs and and flowery thongs (the footwear kind, mind you). Bobbles for the hair and a teddy bear.

Oh, and a maiden's kerchief for @JohnMcM to carry into battle.

 

[Cari T]

Sugar and spice and everything nice. Diaphanous delicacies and elegant evening attire. Silken sarongs and and flowery thongs (the footwear kind, mind you). Things for the hair and a teddy bear.

Oh, and a maiden's kerchief for @JohnMcM to carry into battle.

I'm glad you cleared that up for me ... I can't wait to go shopping for some sugar & spice. I hope I find some before May 2015

 

[whariwharangi]

And because I'm a relative 'newbie' ... Anna... what do women carry in their packs ?

My bet is women have secretly developed a gravity polarizer. No way that pack could be that light.

 

[susanawee]

Stones. Testosterone. Machismo.

Besides, everyone knows women are quite simple by comparison to the complex creatures that we men tend to be . . .

laughing here koilife....

 

[susanawee]

I guess I'm like many other men and have in my pack:
1 suit of shining armour
1 white stallion
1 sword for fighting dragons
1 step ladder for rescuing damsels in distress from tall towers
1 large bag of giant cuddly toys for crying children
and 1 large box of assorted animal food stuffs to feed puppies and kittens along the Way.

Lovely reply........

 

[normandog]

I guess I'm like many other men and have in my pack:
1 suit of shining armour
1 white stallion
1 sword for fighting dragons
1 step ladder for rescuing damsels in distress from tall towers
1 large bag of giant cuddly toys for crying children
and 1 large box of assorted animal food stuffs to feed puppies and kittens along the Way.

That is just the funniest thing I have ever read! good on you!! I will keep this in mind as I venture out this July for the first time as a lone female.. thinking someone might also have packed such items should I require rescue or a cuddly toy... Or should I be packing such things too to do the rescuing??

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I put in the exactly right amount of exactly the right stuff.

Not counting the parcels I have sent home on several caminos...

 

[Jabaldo]

It's puzzled me for sometime now.....why, oh why do men have so much more weight in their backpacks than us ladies?
You read time and time again that they, the men, mention that, first of all, they have at least a 45 lt. pack. Then they mention that they managed to get the weight down to a mere 10/12, even 15 kgs.
WHAT do they need to carry that we, ladies don't!
Enlightenment please!
Anne

Oh Anne
I am surprised you don't know what is in our backpacks. Mine will have everything I need as well as my wife's stuff. Yes I will be carrying her stuff as well as mine isn't that how it works?

 

[kogga]

It's puzzled me for sometime now.....why, oh why do men have so much more weight in their backpacks than us ladies?
You read time and time again that they, the men, mention that, first of all, they have at least a 45 lt. pack. Then they mention that they managed to get the weight down to a mere 10/12, even 15 kgs.
WHAT do they need to carry that we, ladies don't!
Enlightenment please!
Anne

Anne,us men carry a number of the stuff that should have been in our partners rucksack - thats why ours are always heavier - and you always have that little extra,just for in case needed. - Happy walking,Buen Camino - Johann Pretorius from South Africa

 

[newfydog]

I guess I'm like many other men and have in my pack:
1 suit of shining armour
1 white stallion
1 sword for fighting dragons
1 step ladder for rescuing damsels in distress from tall towers
1 large bag of giant cuddly toys for crying children
and 1 large box of assorted animal food stuffs to feed puppies and kittens along the Way.

all that plus, a few six packs of beer, car racing and football magazines, boxing gloves, a tool box full of socket wrenches, some cigars and frozen microwave dinners.

 

[Saint Mike II]

As far as the guidebook, I just like the feel of a book. Just an old school thing. People weigh the guidebooks?

YES they do - in fact even in the Brierly there are suggestions / comments about ripping out the pages you do not need or for the towns you have already passed. There was a recent quote about cutting off the binding and replacing it with a spiral. I have even read about trekkers cutting the excess white space around the text to save 10 or 15 gms. Some people are really serious about all those extra grams/ounces. Buen Camino

 

[Rambler]

Ditto....
Better to have and not need, than to need and not have.

I used to believe this, but now, at least on the Camino, think it is better to buy it if you need it than to have it and not use it.
Best multi-use item in your pack: a debit card...endless possibilities.

On and Anna:
Bro code states that we can't share with women what is really in our packs. Sorry. But John's is the best answer of all. I wish more men thought that way. Camino would be a better place.

Rambler

 

[Mark Lee]

YES they do - in fact even in the Brierly there are suggestions / comments about ripping out the pages you do not need or for the towns you have already passed. There was a recent quote about cutting off the binding and replacing it with a spiral. I have even read about trekkers cutting the excess white space around the text to save 10 or 15 gms. Some people are really serious about all those extra grams/ounces. Buen Camino

Wow, that's very extreme. No way would I have ever torn up my Camino guidebook. I grew kind of attached to it and now it has sentimental value to me I suppose. I did not have one when I started in St Jean and could not find an English language version one of any kind in any of the book shops, etc. I was ready to do the Camino without a guide when I found one in a small stack of guidebooks on the "freebie" or "donated stuff" table at the albergue I was staying in. It was the only English language one in the stack. Yeah, it would probably be considered too heavy by Camino extremists, but it rode in my back pocket everyday I walked and was a help to me. It was brand new when I started, but by the time I hit Santiago it was showing some wear and tear and now proudly sits on a bookshelf, retired from duty.

 

[OTH86]

I believe I saw a lot of men with what looked like large, heavy packs - possibly because of their size and / or helping their female companions. But I also saw a LOT of men with smaller packs than any woman carried. The latter was what I found most interesting!

 

[David]

Thing is, for the last thirty years or so women have been telling us that size doesn't matter so we just go for any rucksack, not thinking about size as it doesn't matter ...............so they tell us .....................................

 

[annakappa]

And because I'm a relative 'newbie' ... Anna... what do women carry in their packs ?

The fact is that I just don't know what Adriaan has more of in his pack than in mine! But it's simply heavier! And filled up. and mine is a 35 ltr. pack and his is a 45 + 10. Mine usually weighs in at around 6 kgs, or just under. His weighs in at more than 8 kgs..
We are only about one size different in clothes, so that is not where the weight climbs up. I carry all personal hygiene and washing things, medical products and guide which has been made up of various pages downloaded from Internet. I carry the camera and he carries the IPod. We both have a very small basic cel. phone. Sleeping bags are identical and each carries his/her own. Same with water. Only difference that I can see is the various technical chargers which he carries. And then, once walking, Adriaan carries the food-for-the-day. But that hasn't been weighed in at the airport, so I guess by then, it's coming up to 9 kgs or more! Still a mystery. Anne

 

[Bajaracer]

I believe I saw a lot of men with what looked like large, heavy packs - possibly because of their size and / or helping their female companions. But I also saw a LOT of men with smaller packs than any woman carried. The latter was what I found most interesting!

I'm preparing for my second Camino, and learning how little I really needed from my experience, I am using a 30L pack and have shaved off quite a bit of weight.

 

[bystander]

Just a thought...
.... any spare space inside or outside attach helium balloons...
.... must be available at fiestas or from party supply shops....

 

[Cari T]

Just a thought...
.... any spare space inside or outside attach helium balloons...
.... must be available at fiestas or from party supply shops....

Oh seriously.. how fun would THAT be ???

 

[koilife]

YES they do - in fact even in the Brierly there are suggestions / comments about ripping out the pages you do not need or for the towns you have already passed. There was a recent quote about cutting off the binding and replacing it with a spiral. I have even read about trekkers cutting the excess white space around the text to save 10 or 15 gms. Some people are really serious about all those extra grams/ounces. Buen Camino

Maybe we should do that with our ATM cards . . . cut off everything but the magnetic strip . . .

 

[susanawee]

YES they do - in fact even in the Brierly there are suggestions / comments about ripping out the pages you do not need or for the towns you have already passed. There was a recent quote about cutting off the binding and replacing it with a spiral. I have even read about trekkers cutting the excess white space around the text to save 10 or 15 gms. Some people are really serious about all those extra grams/ounces. Buen Camino

'Cutting the excess white space' - I am stunned.... my guidebooks are 'my friends' and, I might need a particular one again one day...

 

[NicoZ]

mine is a 35 ltr. pack and his is a 45 + 10. Mine usually weighs in at around 6 kgs, or just under. His weighs in at more than 8 kgs..

Well something else to think about. Your pack is 35. His is 55. So he's more then 50% bigger but his weight only increased a third.

 

[wayfarer]

'Cutting the excess white space' - I am stunned.... my guidebooks are 'my friends' and, I might need a particular one again one day...

I agree Susan, I saw several people tearing out pages as they completed sections in 2012, even though the guide I brought was not great and I bought another in Leon, I still carried both to the end and still have them. I still check the notes I have written on them to answer the odd question.

 

[bystander]

Saint Mike II
As you probably know, but for the benefit of others, the purpose for spiral binding Brierley was to make scanning double pages easier. These then exported to iPad or similar so as to save carting the guide around. Notes can, rather than being scribbled in, be dictated to the tablet.
However on a more serious note.
If one is a bit Luddite and want to take the actual guide.
Why not,, in addition to the helium balloons I have recommended for the back pack, deploy a couple tied to the spiral binding and have the guide, suitably tethered to your walking pole, float alongside you as you walk.

 

[David]

Saint Mike II
As you probably know, but for the benefit of others, the purpose for spiral binding Brierley was to make scanning double pages easier. These then exported to iPad or similar so as to save carting the guide around. Notes can, rather than being scribbled in, be dictated to the tablet.
However on a more serious note.
If one is a bit Luddite and want to take the actual guide.
Why not,, in addition to the helium balloons I have recommended for the back pack, deploy a couple tied to the spiral binding and have the guide, suitably tethered to your walking pole, float alongside you as you walk.

Top Tip!

 

[mikevasey]

I have these books in my backpack at the moment 1 will get thrown at Toulouse.. the Gr Book, the MMD might get thrown there as well after taking notes, the Lepere stays until somport a new edition came out in March. The Brierley stays until Santiago and home with me. The Buddhist book I started reading 2 days ago there was no point having it if It did not get looked at. The CSJ credencial is in for the entire journey, and have had pages added to get as much sellos as I want.the notebook is for making notes in, it has not happened yet! The French book is to help me in difficult situations, have not looked at it yet,there has always been French speaking Dutch people around to ask the questions and to rib me about my poor French. Have already chucked linen trousers, osprey hydration bag( too heavy) kept cleaning it and the water still tasted awful back to good old tried and tested plastic bottles, And have another pair of lightweight shoes in my bag for when the ones I am wearing wear out, not sure when that will be. I think my bag weighs 8kg, will lose about 2.5 when the books get sent home and the other shoes finally get put on.

 

[Kanga]

What men carry:
1. Maps. They can't bring themselves to ask directions.
2. Power tools. Freud understood this, I don't.
3. Rope. It might be useful.
4. Only two pairs of under-daks but six cotton t-shirts purchased at Moto GP events. Under-daks don't need washing (hang them on a door handle over night), whereas people notice the t-shirts. Having many avoids washing.
5. Beer, the elixir of life. It is a pilgrimage after all.
6. A very heavy complicated camera with multiple lenses. Because they are SERIOUS photographers.
7. A pack of cards, a torch, a large roll of toilet paper, a Swiss Army knife (with bottle and tin opener), a roll of duct tape, and two spare pairs of Odour Eater shoe inserts (packed by the wife).
8. Lists and spreadsheets. Not sure exactly what for, but something useful.
9. Our love.

 

[Diogo92]

15kg!? What!? Not even with my fully loaded pack, I had 15kg inside it

This year, pack weighted between 7,2 and 7,5kg. Depending of the food that I carried that day.

 

[mikevasey]

What men carry:
1. Maps. They can't bring themselves to ask directions.
2. Power tools. Freud understood this, I don't.
3. Rope. It might be useful.
4. Only two pairs of under-daks but six cotton t-shirts purchased at Moto GP events. Under-daks don't need washing (hang them on a door handle over night), whereas people notice the t-shirts. Having many avoids washing.
5. Beer, the elixir of life. It is a pilgrimage after all.
6. A very heavy complicated camera with multiple lenses. Because they are SERIOUS photographers.
7. A pack of cards, a torch, a large roll of toilet paper, a Swiss Army knife (with bottle and tin opener), a roll of duct tape, and two spare pairs of Odour Eater shoe inserts (packed by the wife).
8. Lists and spreadsheets. Not sure exactly what for, but something useful.
9. Our love.

1. I would ask for directions but I cannot speak a word of French. 2. I would have had the sonic screwdriver but there was no space to fit it in with all the books. 3. See no. 2 4. See no.2. 5.OK I did contemplate a little bottle of wine but see no.2 6. Using my mobile this time( not happy with the 5MP but what can you do). + see no. 2. 7.No cards this time but I did carry a set last time in a metal tin with The Clash on them. No swiss army knife, forgot it. Forgot to wrap the duct tape around my walking poles too busy considering my book problem. No odour eaters-No wife as well- could be connected? 8. No spreadsheets, however did see a dutch guy with a list of useful things! That got me thinking! 9. Lucky bloke your husband!

 

[David]

What men carry:
1. Maps. They can't bring themselves to ask directions.
2. Power tools. Freud understood this, I don't.
3. Rope. It might be useful.
4. Only two pairs of under-daks but six cotton t-shirts purchased at Moto GP events. Under-daks don't need washing (hang them on a door handle over night), whereas people notice the t-shirts. Having many avoids washing.
5. Beer, the elixir of life. It is a pilgrimage after all.
6. A very heavy complicated camera with multiple lenses. Because they are SERIOUS photographers.
7. A pack of cards, a torch, a large roll of toilet paper, a Swiss Army knife (with bottle and tin opener), a roll of duct tape, and two spare pairs of Odour Eater shoe inserts (packed by the wife).
8. Lists and spreadsheets. Not sure exactly what for, but something useful.
9. Our love.

hahaha! really funny!!

What women carry in their backpacks
1. hair curlers
2. hair straighteners (go figure)
3. make up
4. make up remover
5. mirror
6. spare mirror
7. wedding ring on a gold chain (no, we don’t know why)
8. 72 pairs of underwear
9. key ring with 17 keys on it (only 3 being current)
10. purse full of 18 credit cards, 11 membership cards, 12 loyalty cards, 83 photos, 117 receipts dating back 8 years
11. three self-help books on how to walk assertively
12. two fashion magazines for flicking through backwards
13. a book about how women historically were the better walkers
14. a map of Ireland (doesn’t matter, she can’t read it anyway)
15. 7 bodice ripper romantic novels
16. various cooking recipes and ingredients for a birthday cake (just in case)
17. more make up
18. various spray canisters of chemical smells
19. 11 electric plug adapters (none of which are suitable for Spain)
20. a laminated poem that made them cry
21. complete outfit for the evening to feel feminine
22. can of pepper spray (kept at the bottom of the pack)
23. nail varnish in 7 colours
24. nail varnish for toes in 7 other colours
25. nail varnish remover
26. 28 rolls of soft toilet paper (enough for three days)
27. 9 different hair shampoos and conditioners
28. 3 feminine lady razors (pink so they don’t think they are razors)
29. mobile phone (but without the charger)
30. small cuddly animal toy to fix to the outside

 

[bystander]

David,
Love the list
Particularly no. 20
Laughed out loud at 22 - "How to avoid being ravished, at midday, on the CdF" !!

 

[Icacos]

hahaha! really funny!!

What women carry in their backpacks
1. hair curlers
2. hair straighteners (go figure)
3. make up
4. make up remover
5. mirror
6. spare mirror
7. wedding ring on a gold chain (no, we don’t know why)
8. 72 pairs of underwear
9. key ring with 17 keys on it (only 3 being current)
10. purse full of 18 credit cards, 11 membership cards, 12 loyalty cards, 83 photos, 117 receipts dating back 8 years
11. three self-help books on how to walk assertively
12. two fashion magazines for flicking through backwards
13. a book about how women historically were the better walkers
14. a map of Ireland (doesn’t matter, she can’t read it anyway)
15. 7 bodice ripper romantic novels
16. various cooking recipes and ingredients for a birthday cake (just in case)
17. more make up
18. various spray canisters of chemical smells
19. 11 electric plug adapters (none of which are suitable for Spain)
20. a laminated poem that made them cry
21. complete outfit for the evening to feel feminine
22. can of pepper spray (kept at the bottom of the pack)
23. nail varnish in 7 colours
24. nail varnish for toes in 7 other colours
25. nail varnish remover
26. 28 rolls of soft toilet paper (enough for three days)
27. 9 different hair shampoos and conditioners
28. 3 feminine lady razors (pink so they don’t think they are razors)
29. mobile phone (but without the charger)
30. small cuddly animal toy to fix to the outside

Very clever, David!!!
But be careful ...... you may be getting close to Thin Ice!

 

[Icacos]

And don't forget that we ladies have to carry all those items that you guys inevitably forget to pack.

 

[whariwharangi]

David,
Love the list
Particularly no. 20
Laughed out loud at 22 - "How to avoid being ravished, at midday, on the CdF" !!

Its like that with bear spray too. Day 1 its at the ready on the hip belt. Rumours of bear sightings are paramount. Day 2 its at the ready in the top of the pack. No bears seen yet. Day 3 its at the bottom of the pack. No bear scats seen yet. Day 4 is brown trousers time. Ma Grizz is expressing her displeasure at your nearness to her cubs. Bear spray is still in bottom of pack ... cubs are playing with it.

 

[fraluchi]

Frankly, I think her post violated the "no trolling" rules of the forum and for her penance she should be made to carry a "manly" pack for 100 KM.

....or at least have me discharge some of my "gadgets" into her pack and balance the issue.

 

[jumpingin2014]

It's puzzled me for sometime now.....why, oh why do men have so much more weight in their backpacks than us ladies?
You read time and time again that they, the men, mention that, first of all, they have at least a 45 lt. pack. Then they mention that they managed to get the weight down to a mere 10/12, even 15 kgs.
WHAT do they need to carry that we, ladies don't!
Enlightenment please!
Anne

This is an easy one - Our egos!

 

[Saint Mike II]

David - one small question how do you know about these things?

What women carry in their backpacks
1. hair curlers
2. hair straighteners (go figure)
3. make up
4. make up remover
5. mirror
6. spare mirror
7. wedding ring on a gold chain (no, we don’t know why)
8. 72 pairs of underwear (all different colours)?

I gave up counting the KGs for your list but must be well over 25kg so there must be a Nepalese Sherpa service in SJPP??
So the real message of what to put into your backpack - Less is definitely More!!
Buen Camino

 

[Kanga]

hahaha! really funny!!

What women carry in their backpacks

5. mirror
6. spare mirror

And what is the Number 1 item in every wilderness survival list?

 

[susanawee]

hahaha! really funny!!

What women carry in their backpacks
1. hair curlers
2. hair straighteners (go figure)
3. make up
4. make up remover
5. mirror
6. spare mirror
7. wedding ring on a gold chain (no, we don’t know why)
8. 72 pairs of underwear
9. key ring with 17 keys on it (only 3 being current)
10. purse full of 18 credit cards, 11 membership cards, 12 loyalty cards, 83 photos, 117 receipts dating back 8 years
11. three self-help books on how to walk assertively
12. two fashion magazines for flicking through backwards
13. a book about how women historically were the better walkers
14. a map of Ireland (doesn’t matter, she can’t read it anyway)
15. 7 bodice ripper romantic novels
16. various cooking recipes and ingredients for a birthday cake (just in case)
17. more make up
18. various spray canisters of chemical smells
19. 11 electric plug adapters (none of which are suitable for Spain)
20. a laminated poem that made them cry
21. complete outfit for the evening to feel feminine
22. can of pepper spray (kept at the bottom of the pack)
23. nail varnish in 7 colours
24. nail varnish for toes in 7 other colours
25. nail varnish remover
26. 28 rolls of soft toilet paper (enough for three days)
27. 9 different hair shampoos and conditioners
28. 3 feminine lady razors (pink so they don’t think they are razors)
29. mobile phone (but without the charger)
30. small cuddly animal toy to fix to the outside

Just love this response

 

[koilife]

And what is the Number 1 item in every wilderness survival list?

The number 1 item is the second mirror???

 

[Kanga]

If 1 is good, 2 has to be better....

 

[Susan hopes]

We're not allowed to wear clothes made of diaphanous materials.

I don't mind.

 

[newfydog]

hahaha! really funny!!

What women carry in their backpacks

30. small cuddly animal toy to fix to the outside

Heading out on the Stevenson trail, retracing the route of RL Stevenson and his donkey. I' m carrying the stuffed donkey.

 

[Diogo92]

And what is the Number 1 item in every wilderness survival list?

A pocket-knife

 

[Kanga]

A pocket-knife

Oh - how blind are you men!

Primary need is to signal rescuers so you need a mirror.

A mirror can also be used to make fire by reflecting the suns rays onto flammable material (there's actually a YouTube video using a mirror focused onto a tampon!)

It can be used to get water by condensation - licking it might just be the difference between life and death.

And if you break a mirror you have - wait for it boys - a knife!

 

[David]

or a spare mirror ...........
though, to make the fire your really need a metal mirror, then you can bend it and make it into more of a lens

and if you carry a tiny piece of steel wool you can press it onto both terminals of any battery and it will glow and you can light tinder with that.

 

[NicoZ]

What's a shiny knife?

 

[wayfarer]

And if you break a mirror you have - wait for it boys - a knife!

Or..... seven years bad luck.

 

[Diogo92]

Oh - how blind are you men!

Primary need is to signal rescuers so you need a mirror.

A mirror can also be used to make fire by reflecting the suns rays onto flammable material (there's actually a YouTube video using a mirror focused onto a tampon!)

It can be used to get water by condensation - licking it might just be the difference between life and death.

And if you break a mirror you have - wait for it boys - a knife!

Kanga, has a survival and bushcraft learner, I understand your point. But how many people out there know the techniques to do such things?

I rather trust my life on my carbon blade Opinel, than in a mirror of any kind.

I’ve seen people surviving only with knifes, but never only with mirrors.

 

[Diogo92]

P.S: Primary need in any survival situation it's always Shelter.

 

[koilife]

Kanga, has a survival and bushcraft learner, I understand your point. But how many people out there know the techniques to do such things?

I rather trust my life on my carbon blade Opinel, than in a mirror of any kind.

I’ve seen people surviving only with knifes, but never only with mirrors.

What @Diogo92 isn't saying is that his Opinel ALSO has a built in corkscrew, which gets us very close the truly necessary survival item on the Camino . . . Vino!