Backpack??

[sara2804]

Heyy! How many litters backpack did you have? I’m thinking Deuter 30l or 36l. What do you think?
Some people say 30l is completely enough and some wish they would have little more space…

 

[dick bird]

What do you think will be a bigger problem, a backpack that is too small or a backpack that is too big?

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

Sara, assemble everything you want to take with you. Put it all in a couple of bags and take it to the store and see which option works the best. Ensure you have a little room to spare just in case. And of course for your lunch and snacks.

Just like with your shoes, the most important consideration is comfort. So if the larger pack is more comfortable, then buy it. Better to have a little too much room than not enough.

Everyone's needs are a little different, and it does depend on the season you intend to walk as well.

I and many others comfortably walk with a 23 liter backpack in the summer months, however I swap out to my 32 litre Dueter for the shoulder seasons, because I carry a little more gear.

 

[J Willhaus]

It may depend on a few things. Are you walking in summer? If so, you need fewer bulky clothes, coats, etc. You probably need only a silk liner bag which is smaller than a sleeping bag. Do you have a lot of critical items? I have a CPAP and assorted medications that take up space.

Pack up and bag and see if it holds everything.

 

[Pafayac]

36L should be fine.
I walk from Le Puy to Puente La Reina with a 30L pack. It was nearly sufficient but prevent me for carrying stuff for the others.
I have now a 38L and it fits well.

 

[David]

Hi Sara - a question we all ponder! Put all your Camino items into bag and measure it for litres is a good start.
Unless you are a seasoned hiker then if this is your first Camino you are carrying too much stuff (we all did).
So before buying pack I would suggest finding out how much you are taking.

Next is comfort and back length (back length is pretty important)
then the weight of the pack.
Some packs are 2 kilos, some are 900gms - it makes a difference.
Once you have shortlisted to the lighter packs then short list for comfort - many people like air mesh backs as it keeps most of the pack off the body, however, it usually means that the pack is curved inside (irritating for filling it!) and then the weight is pushed further back away from your body, so others prefer a traditional back - these will be your choices as no one can choose your pack except you.

Re the specific size ... one brand of the right pack for you at 36l may be lighter than a 30l from another company - so shop around .. not just one shop as they all stock different brands - and yes - fill the pack at the store, take things off shelves, and fill it to 'know'.

as for your specific question - twenty years ago my eldest son went round the world for a year with a 30l.

It is horrid cramming things tightly into a pack as it can be difficult to locate what you want later .. then ... you may be carrying wet clothes, a packed lunch ... so ... it is down to you .. are you a minimalist hiker?

If you want to really travel light and forget the whole 30/36/40/45l quandary you could go for a large lumbar pack with shoulder harness, no sweaty back, kissing your hand at weary pilgrims as you pass - 10 litres and away you go!

 

[simoncooper99]

The main issue for me was weight. You will be limited by what you can carry if you intend to walk with a backpack.

 

[Anhalter]

Only you can know how many things you want to put into your backpack. Some are fine with 20L (or even below), some need 60L. Most pilgrims seem to be fine with something between 30L and 40L.

The advice from @Peterexpatkiwi to first put together all your other items and see how much room you'll need is very solid.

 

[JerryStroebele]

Don’t forget that in addition to all your “gear “ you will want to carry a banana, an orange or two or apples, maybe a bunch of juicy grapes, some cheese, bread, cookies, chorizo, chocolate, a leftover slice of pizza, a can of Aquarius. Not all of these all the time but some for sure. (Very rare to have any leftover pizza on the Camino.) I did fine with two different 45 liter packs for several years then upgraded to a super light 38 liter pack. I saved a lot of weight but was often cramming that pack so full it bulged like the Michelin Man and was uncomfortable. On my last Camino this fall I used the new REI Flash Air 50 liter backpack. It weighs under 2 pounds. Never close to being full so it was easy to poke around and find stuff inside. And comfortable. Buen Camino

 

[JesperK]

Heyy! How many litters backpack did you have? I’m thinking Deuter 30l or 36l. What do you think?
Some people say 30l is completely enough and some wish they would have little more space…

Those of us that have walked multiple caminos have all struggled with that issue. Depending on the season I would go for the Osprey Nebula 32 litres, the Patagonia Refugio 30litres between 1.may and 1.sep. They both weigh next to nothing and have good sidepockets. You can easily fit everything you need into them.

In june 2025 I'll be walking with a 25 litre Savotta pack.

 

[Stephan the Painter]

Heyy! How many litters backpack did you have? I’m thinking Deuter 30l or 36l. What do you think?
Some people say 30l is completely enough and some wish they would have little more space…

Less is always more. Take as little as possible.
I have a Osprey Kestrel 38 which was about right for the extra clothes for a cold April. But towards the end of the trip in May, I was able to ship some things ahead and I could've done with a 30 or perhaps smaller. If you're going in March/April on the Frances, you will have to prepare for the potential for colder weather so I would probably go with a 36.

But if you could manage it all in a 30 that would even be better. The less weight you have, the happier your Camino will be. But even if you can fit it in a 30 keep in mind that sometimes you'll probably want to carry a little bit of food and may want extra space.

If possible gather all your items together and take it to an outdoor store and start packing and trying bags out. Which is what I did, and the outdoor store people were completely on board. If you can't easily fit it in your 36, you're taking too much stuff!

It's unfortunately one of those things that you can't really be sure of until you're 10 days into your first camino.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Which pack fits your body best? Weight and volume are both very important but if the pack sits badly on your back/shoulders you will not be comfortable and an uncomfortable hiker can soon turn into an unhappy hiker.

Either way, Buen Camino!

 

[trecile]

Comfort is the most important consideration, which usually means the lightest load possible. But backpack volume and weight don't always correlate. You can find 50 liter backpacks that are lighter weight than some 30 liter (and smaller) backpacks. @JerryStroebele gave some examples above.

The suggestion of taking your gear to an outdoor store to find a backpack that fits both you and your gear is an excellent one.

 

[Bill905]

Pack size also depends on whether you plan on walking with your pack .... or shipping it ahead.

 

[60LifeChange]

I went with concern around weight as I am a 62-year-old spring chicken that likes to think he is much younger. So, I found hyperlite backpacks that by nature are already waterproof. very light and fit my back better than most packs I have tried. I would follow their advice to pack your pack as you see it going down the Camino and see how it sits and how it feels. rearrange gear, look for comfort then accessibility. (at least in my head) and if that pack isn't large enough for what you need? you still have time to correct either what you are carrying or the pack itself. I have changed what I am taking on my first Camino so many times my head hurts, but I am quite excited to go on my first Camino in early May of next year. If I time it right? try to leave on Cinco De Mayo...

 

[Jeff Crawley]

I went with concern around weight as I am a 62-year-old spring chicken that likes to think he is much younger. So, I found hyperlite backpacks that by nature are already waterproof. very light and fit my back better than most packs I have tried. I would follow their advice to pack your pack as you see it going down the Camino and see how it sits and how it feels. rearrange gear, look for comfort then accessibility. (at least in my head) and if that pack isn't large enough for what you need? you still have time to correct either what you are carrying or the pack itself. I have changed what I am taking on my first Camino so many times my head hurts, but I am quite excited to go on my first Camino in early May of next year. If I time it right? try to leave on Cinco De Mayo...

Er, Cinco De Mayo was a Mexican military victory over the French. Not sure you'll find it relevant to a walk through Spain, especially as Spain (and England) supported France not Mexico but Buen Camino anyway!

 

[trecile]

Er, Cinco De Mayo was a Mexican military victory over the French. Not sure you'll find it relevant to a walk through Spain, especially as Spain (and England) supported France not Mexico but Buen Camino anyway!

And Cinco de Mayo is not widely celebrated in Mexico. It's a "holiday" meant to sell beer and tequila in the US. In Mexico it's a regional holiday in Puebla México where the battle with the French took place.

 

[henrythedog]

Random commercial opportunity which fits in straight after Easter? I’m astounded we’re not being encouraged to celebrate it already.

To the OP: the only important criterion is ‘fit’; so long as it’s big enough the comfort of the pack is paramount. I - and many others - use a sack which is marginally bigger and heavier than it could be, because it’s very comfortable.

 

[domigee]

Er, Cinco De Mayo was a Mexican military victory over the French. Not sure you'll find it relevant to a walk through Spain, especially as Spain (and England) supported France not Mexico but Buen Camino anyway!

I wasn’t even aware of a battle! They don’t teach you that in French schools
Or maybe I wasn’t listening…

 

[alexwalker]

My advice (and I am always abiding by it):

Choose a backpack size that is allowed as carry-on on planes.

Benefits:

• You don't have to wait in the airport(s) for your check-in backpack. Walk right out and continue your journey.
• You won't lose it in transport: It is with you at all times.
• You ought not to have a backpack weight more than 10% of your bodweight. Makes your days easy while walking.
• Most important: You will not pack items you think you need; only what you know you need. No space.

The Camino(s) is littered with items people have brought with them that they eventually found completely unnecessary: Beauty boxes, evening gowns, chain locks, 5 sets of everything clothes, , tents (tenting generally not allowed in Spain), sleeping mats, and so on. Believe me: On the Camino, you will not be noticed for your makeup or dresses. Tenting is generally breaking Spanish law as well as private property rights. And dangerous if you are tenting in a field during harvesting/ploughing etc.

Pilgrims just want to walk, eat, sleep and repeat next day. You are not joining a beauty contest: We don't care about looks on the Camino.

Some albergues keep a donativo box (take what you need for free) place where you can leave excess items. Most people won't pick them up, but rather contribute to the content of the box...

Edit: If you find that you have forgot some items: Spain is a 1st world developed country: They discovered America 500 years ago. You can buy anything you need in Spain, for a (much) better price than at home.

 

[Robo]

Sort out your gear first.
Be ruthless in your selection of items.
Then stick it all in a garbage bag, so to a store, and see what size pack it fits into.

We all carry different gear, and so use different packs.

I use a 34L my wife a 24L.
We carry the exact same gear (almost) including sleeping bags.

 

[canyonhiker]

Heyy! How many litters backpack did you have? I’m thinking Deuter 30l or 36l. What do you think?
Some people say 30l is completely enough and some wish they would have little more space…

It looks like you are going Mar/Apr, the 36L would probably be the better choice, as you will need a sleeping bag and more clothing layers. Neither of the packs are of carry on size and the weight difference between them is negligible. Also the 36L size allows for easier packing up in the morning, you won't have to solve a puzzle to before leaving the albergue.

 

[Pilgrim9]

Heyy! How many litters backpack did you have? I’m thinking Deuter 30l or 36l. What do you think?
Some people say 30l is completely enough and some wish they would have little more space…

Internal frame packs are much-more-heavily marketed than external frame packs, and as a result it never occurs to most people to even consider external frame packs. Don't rule them out until after you have evaluated a few.

 

[JerryStroebele]

For the record I had no problem carrying my REI Flash Air 50 on Iberia in September. It met the dimensions requirements and was lightly loaded. (Trekking pole umbrella and easily replaceable gear was in a checked bag). Buen Camino

 

[J Willhaus]

It looks like you are going Mar/Apr, the 36L would probably be the better choice, as you will need a sleeping bag and more clothing layers. Neither of the packs are of carry on size and the weight difference between them is negligible. Also the 36L size allows for easier packing up in the morning, you won't have to solve a puzzle to before leaving the albergue.

My 42 literally back also makes the cut as a carry on except on very small jets.

 

[simoncooper99]

Sort out your gear first.
Be ruthless in your selection of items.
Then stick it all in a garbage bag, so to a store, and see what size pack it fits into.

We all carry different gear, and so use different packs.

I use a 34L my wife a 24L.
We carry the exact same gear (almost) including sleeping bags.

And then weigh it. As some one said if it is more than 10% of your body weight it is probably too heavy.

 

[Robo]

And then weigh it. As some one said if it is more than 10% of your body weight it is probably too heavy.

I would weigh all the gear before buying the pack.
No point in taking 10 kg of gear and buying a pack that fits it all in, only to find you need to cut down your gear to a much lower weight.
I would get the packing list right first.

 

[bakedbeans]

Depends when you're going. You're going to need a bigger backpack in colder temps for the sleeping bag and clothing that will keep you warm and ran jacket to keep you dry. A lot of that is personal, how thick does the sleeping bag have to be to keep you warm? Varies from person to person.

IMO: 40l is as big as you'd ever need in the middle of winter. 25l probably enough for summer. Somewhere in between for other times of the year.

 

[dougfitz]

IMO: 40l is as big as you'd ever need in the middle of winter. 25l probably enough for summer. Somewhere in between for other times of the year.

@bakedbeans, when I see assertions like this, I wonder how tall you are, how much you weigh, and what time of year you walked. These are three of the key determinants of the weight of the gear that you will need to carry. More, if others know that, they can quickly see if they are similar enough in size to you so that any recommendations you make based on your personal experience might be worth heeding. Otherwise, they might consider that the difference is too great, and discount your advice.

Are you willing to share that information?

 

[Paul-CH]

I would recommend that you read some packing lists. Than start you own packing list and drop your things on the floor, so you have a layout. Now think about your packing list again, is it all you need?
Do you miss anything?
Do you really want to carry all this things in front of you for the next 30 or more days?
Once you decided what to take with you, grab it all together and go to an outdoor store.
There you have to try different (filled with you items) backpacks, depending on the length of your back.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

I would recommend that you read some packing lists. Than start you own packing list and drop your things on the floor, so you have a layout. Now think about your packing list again, is it all you need?
Do you miss anything?
Do you really want to carry all this things in front of you for the next 30 or more days?
Once you decided what to take with you, grab it all together and go to an outdoor store.
There you have to try different (filled with you items) backpacks, depending on the length of your back.

It always looks an awful lot of stuff when it is spread out doesn't it?

¡Feliz Navidad y próspero año nuevo!

 

[Paul-CH]

It always looks an awful lot of stuff when it is spread out doesn't it?

¡Feliz Navidad y próspero año nuevo!

Yes, that's true, but only the items to the right of the walking stick count. The other items are the clothes and shoes I'll be wearing and the rucksack. Size S dresses take up very little space.

 

[bakedbeans]

@bakedbeans, when I see assertions like this, I wonder how tall you are, how much you weigh, and what time of year you walked. These are three of the key determinants of the weight of the gear that you will need to carry. More, if others know that, they can quickly see if they are similar enough in size to you so that any recommendations you make based on your personal experience might be worth heeding. Otherwise, they might consider that the difference is too great, and discount your advice.

Are you willing to share that information?

I'm a very average size European male so that's not really an angle to invalidate what I said. I did provide season information against bag size.

 

[Paul-CH]

average size European male

What is nowadays an average size? Trending towards the American way?
If anyone needs more than 40l, in a normal season, he has to carry something others luckily do not need.

 

[trecile]

There are a number small backpack manufacturers who cater to the ultralight through hiker community who make backpacks in the size and weight that group is looking for, which is usually 40 + liters at at a weight of 1 kg or less, therefore there are quite a few options for lightweight backpacks that are larger than what is necessary for a Camino, but weigh much less than even 30 liter backpacks.

For example, Zpacks Ultra Arc Haul 50 L weighs only 584 gm

 

[Damien Reynolds]

Trending towards the American way?

I am not fat! I am just big boned.

So mean! .

For what it's worth I carry a 34L backpack on my caminos but it ends up weighing around 10kgs when I include my Puffy, fleece, sleeping bag (55 degrees (F)) in winter and my town clothes.

 

[C clearly]

how tall you are, how much you weigh, and what time of year you walked. These are three of the key determinants of the weight of the gear that you will need to carry.

True, these are valid factors. However, I carry about 5.5 kg (excluding food and water) and of that only 1.5 kg is typically clothing in my 31 L backpack. Most of the stuff in my pack is independent of body size. I could double the weight of clothing in my backpack, and I would be carrying 8 kg. That doesn't count the clothes that I usually wear.

Everyone is free to add and carry whatever they want or need, but it can be useful for a newcomer to have an idea of what people typically find is a minimal but practical size. An estimate of 30-40 L and 5-8 kg seems like a good general guideline for basic necessities excluding food and water, and it doesn't require complicated calculations. (Or make the guideline 30-45 L and 5-10 kg if you want.) Obviously a husky 7 foot man, would be aware that he'll need to look at the high end of that range, or beyond it. Also, I would advise anyone to gather together their anticipated things and test the fit before committing to a pack, especially at the lower end of the size range.

 

[Damien Reynolds]

Believe me: On the Camino, you will not be noticed for your makeup or dresses.

I always notice makeup and dresses. I mean, is that so wrong? This isn't necessarily "attraction" on my part, but I notice.

You are not joining a beauty contest: We don't care about looks on the Camino.

Ok, now you made me tell a little story...

In 2024 I was on the Norte staying at the old train station albergue in Deba, and I ended up talking to an experienced walker, probably mid 60's, for an absolutely fascinating hour. He was introducing his granddaughter to the camino and she was having a hard time physically and mentally.

He told me that she wanted to go home.

He found her crying in the night, and they spoke. and she talked about feeling badly because in town she wasn't comfortable with the way she looked.

He convinced her to stay, by promising to take a day off together, and find a store where she could get a "pretty dress".

Now I am not saying its a good thing necessarily, it is however a real thing.

It's not just the women tho. I care about how I look too.

BTW - just so I can minimize hatred, I tend to notice walkers who look good and are smart no matter what they are wearing,

 

[henrythedog]

Yes, that's true, but only the items to the right of the walking stick count. The other items are the clothes and shoes I'll be wearing and the rucksack. Size S dresses take up very little space.

How are you transporting the walking stick to your start point?

 

[Paul-CH]

How are you transporting the walking stick to your start point?

As you may have noticed that airlines transport sporting goods like skis fishing gear Golfbags. I went to the airport and asked if they accept my stick enveloped in Carton envelope. And they accepted it. Because I have a swiss knife in my backpack it went to luggage too. From ZRH to LCY London City Airport. No problems on the ferry to Calais. Home from St. Maurice (Switzerland) by train to Zürich.

 

[dougfitz]

I'm a very average size European male so that's not really an angle to invalidate what I said.

@bakedbeans, you are correct. For those in the sweet spot around your height and weight, it would be reasonable to expect your experience could be a suitable guide. For anyone much larger than you, they might want to consider larger packs than you are recommending.

What is nowadays an average size?

I looked this up here: https://www.worlddata.info/average-bodyheight.php#by-area. TheIr current figures are based on 2022 studies. For an western European male, the average height is 180 cm, and average weight is 84.2 kg. The average man in England is slightly shorter and a bit heavier - 175.2 cm and 85.4 kg according to Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_body_weight and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Average_human_height_by_country).

 

[Paul-CH]

Thanks. Cool so I am under average with my 65kg at 176cm, but I don't mind as long as I am feeling well and can hike with an average speed of 6.6km/h or around 9 minutes for one Kilometer with 5.5kg on my back.