Camino shopping has arrived and I'm thrilled

[Anemone del Camino]

After a lot of planning, search, reading advice here and some store visits I finally put in orders for a number of items on line. Today they arrived and I am thrilled with my choices so I thought I would share. After all, many of these items were suggested here, so I am paying it forward.

Rain pants: Mac in Sac. http://www.macinasac.com/collection...sac-2-packaway-overtrousers?variant=270995914
Super light, in their own little carrying pocket, breathable plastic. I will go check with they make rain jackets in the same material because it is super light.

Then came the Smartube: http://www.bluedesert.co.il/ Adapts for regular bottles so no need to carry heavier travel bottles, and tube is long enough to fit all the way down to the bottom of a bottle carried on the side of your backpack while sitting on your shoulder ready to be used. Comes with its own clip to attach it to backpack strap, but that plastic is a bit flimsy.

Eastbay compression shorts: http://www.eastbay.com/XYPromo/model:103166/sku:1137102/?cm=compressionclothing_search_redesign
Super light material, will certainly dry very quickly. Just one caveat: the 5 inch are definately too short to prevent chaffing and they roll up, all the way up. Don't know if it's because they are too big, if the elastic bands on the legs are not strong enough, of if that's just the way they are. Glad I tried them out this evening with my Macabi.

Because I had not realised the Smartube came with its own clip I ordered one: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007TJ5X8E/?tag=casaivar02-20
Super good quality, and strong magnet.

Finally my silly item: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007SUW260/?tag=casaivar02-20
A handsfree umbrella worn on the head. Large rim, comfortable around the forhead and have a chin strap. It's flimsy, no doubt, but I don't expect to put it to use for more than this next Camino.

 

[cher99840]

I'm not seeing the rain pants. The umbrella came up in that link too. I would love to read your report regarding the umbrella after you try it. Hopefully you can try it out in the rain and wind before you go.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

I'm not seeing the rain pants. The umbrella came up in that link too. I would love to read your report regarding the umbrella after you try it. Hopefully you can try it out in the rain and wind before you go.

Changed the link to the pants. I actually had an umbrella like this one on Camino 1, but from the dollar store. It had a Québec flag motif ;0) It was also smaller and heavier, and the elastic around the forehead was not very comfortable. But it got me over the Pyrenees from SJPP to Roncesvalles with two walking sticks and dry glasses.

 

[Kiwi-family]

Love the look of the drinking tube. I use a hydration bladder because I like the hands-free tube component, but I've often said I'd prefer a bottle on the outside of my pack with a tube attached because it would be easier to fill at a fountain than taking my bladder out of my pack. (Last time the kids carried bottles and we used them to fill my bladder whilst still in my pack when en route, but this time I'm going sans kids!)

 

[Introibo]

Love the look of the drinking tube. I use a hydration bladder because I like the hands-free tube component, but I've often said I'd prefer a bottle on the outside of my pack with a tube attached because it would be easier to fill at a fountain than taking my bladder out of my pack. (Last time the kids carried bottles and we used them to fill my bladder whilst still in my pack when en route, but this time I'm going sans kids!)

Hi hi Kiwi-family. Have a look at the camelback hands free tube. Couple this with a camelback eddy and you have my favourite piece of gear I took with me

 

[Tatiana B]

What about the backpack. What did you buy?

 

[Anemone del Camino]

What about the backpack. What did you buy?

Tatiana, are you asking me? I already have a backpack so no need for a new one. It's the Osprey Tempsest 40 - 40 because I now carry a sleeping bag. Before that I had another Osprey, can't remember the model, and it was a 32 l. I think. I bought it 7 years ago and the material it is made with is much heavier than the one used for my Tempest. Very light.