Equipment for November Camino

[walkonrocks]

Hi everyone,

I'm planing to do the Camino from October 31st - November 10th.
Here's my packing list that I have put together.

• Backpack 36 - 40 Liter with Cover
• Trail Shoes (2 pairs) was planning on a pair of Salomon and maybe a softer Hoka
• Indoor Shoes for Hostels
• 3 Pairs of Wool Hiking Socks
• 2 Pairs of Wool 1 Synthetic Hiking Undershorts
• 2 Pairs pairs of Wool 1 pair Synthetic Hiking T-Shirts (2 SS / 1 LS)
• 1 pair Hiking Pants
• 1 pair Hiking Shorts
• 1 Mid Layer Fleece )
• Rain Jacket and or a Rainponcho
• Sweatpants for evenings
• 2 T-Shirts
• 1 Sweatshirt
• Rain Hat

• Deo
• Shower Gel
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrush
• Vaseline / Body Glide
• Dude Wipes
• Headlamp

• Journal & Pen for Journaling
• Phone
• Two power banks

What is everyone's thought and experience. Especially considering that it's November ?
Any insights on shoes ?
Thanks,
Rocco

 

[David Tallan]

I'm wondering. If you have:

• 2 Pairs pairs of Wool 1 pair Synthetic Hiking T-Shirts (2 SS / 1 LS)
• 1 Mid Layer Fleece )

Why do you also need:

• 2 T-Shirts
• 1 Sweatshirt

 

[jcat]

That's a lot of shoes and shirts.

 

[J Willhaus]

I take one set of clothes for day and one for night. Maybe one extra t-shirt for sleeping.

I did not see a sleeping bag?

 

[Pafayac]

• Two power banks

Heavy and useless.

 

[Jarrad]

I would add hat, sunglasses, pack cover, stuff sacks/dry bags/Zip loc bags for clothes, water bottles, ear plugs, blister kit, phone charger, and adapter plug. Look at some options for laundry soap (there is no end of discussion on that topic; shampoo works just as well in a pinch). I'd add a light sleeping bag (40 degrees F). I'm debating carrying the Brierly guide this spring, the many apps out there would get you where you want to go.

The two tee shirts seem like you could do without. You do not need a second pair of trail shoes. If you've got a mid-layer fleece, then you can get by without the sweat shirt. The rain hat is not likely needed, as I'd expect that you'd have on built into your poncho or rain jacket. Dude Wipes are unnecessary -- you can get a shower every day. I personally believe shower gel is excess weight and that a soap bar would serve you better, but YMMV. I suspect you could get by on one power bank (you can find a cheap, effective one here for about $20), and if you are just using off-line maps then you could probably get by without one.

Shoes are a super-personal choice. There are lots of threads on them on the forum. Start with Dave Bugg's post here. And then go to footwear and care for a vast selection of posts on all-things-feet.

 

[woody66]

Not sure which Camino but i wear a pair of Hoka Stinson ATR 6 that's it; if comfortable all day you don't need more!!!
2 ss t shirts and a pair of arm sleeves, long sleeve puffy, plus LW rain jacket and rain kilt. 2 zip off pants only one set of legs (equals two long and to shorts)
2 socks ,2 briefs for 28 days walking. If cold wear everything!

 

[walkonrocks]

I take one set of clothes for day and one for night. Maybe one extra t-shirt for sleeping.

I did not see a sleeping bag?

Are sleeping bags needed in the hostels ? I’m probably Naive and thought that they’d offer bed linens and duvets in every hostel

 

[J Willhaus]

On the Camino the primary pilgrim hostel is called an albergue. You may be provided a disposable fitted sheet and pillowcase, but that's pretty much it. You will likely need a sleeping bag in November. Some places do have seldom washed blankets, but don't depend on that.

If you will stay in private rooms and hotels usually bedding will be provided.

 

[Philtration]

If you use a raincoat designed to go over a pack, you won't need a pack cover. There are various brands, Decathlon and others. I like the Altus advertised here on the forum.

 

[Donna Sch]

Gloves even if they are just liners. The cheap pair I picked up at Decathlon were a godsend for the first couple of hours. Buffs or a beanie to keep your head warm. If your extremities are warm you will stay warmer.
I was walking in Feb/Mar. A combo I found useful was a s/s Smartwool T, a windbreaker and a puffer vest over the top. I had a fleece buff and a normal buff for neck and ears. I swear by my Paramo Cascada 2 pants for weather under 20 Deg. If you get drenched they will keep you warm. If you opt for a poncho make sure it can handle windy weather otherwise it will end up wrapping itself around your neck.

 

[walkonrocks]

What size backpack should I consider. is 55 to 60 L too big?

 

[J Willhaus]

What size backpack should I consider. is 55 to 60 L too big?

I carry a 42 liter pack and it is considered large because I carry a CPAP. However, if that is what you have and it fits well, just don't fill it up. As a ballpark rule, carry about 10% of your body weight. My pack in the winter with a CPAP weighs 6 kg.

 

[Pafayac]

What size backpack should I consider. is 55 to 60 L too big?

Yes : bigger means heavier.
On the Camino, we walk from villages to towns. If you have no tent, a 40l should be sufficient.

 

[woody66]

On my first i took an Osprey Talon 33 and because i took loads more gear than i needed; when i got there!!
I donated about 2kg worth or slightly more by day 4 or 5!
You will be amazed by what you think you need.
I then brought a Gossamer Gear G4-20 4 loved it on all my training walks fully loaded; when i got on Camino and walked i learned to hate it.
So subsequent walks i have gone back to the Talon 33 it's lightweight, my pack weight is now down another kilo and a half and i still come back with stuff in it i haven't used!
I should add i stay in private rooms in Hotels, Hostels, Casa Rural's and a couple of Albergue's but i have carried in my Talon33 a silk liner with a down quilt so plenty big enough for me!
But if you carry extra just in case items like additional clothes, shoes, hair dryer, electronics or a rice cooker carry a bigger pack
One guy i passed somewhere between Sarria and Santiago had a huge backpack and was pulling a suitcase with slide out handle and wheels behind him?
Travel light it makes the walk easier; if you need anything you can buy it on the walk.

 

[David Tallan]

What size backpack should I consider. is 55 to 60 L too big?

I carried a 30L backpack that fit in carry on for my 51 day, 1000+ km Camino last year.

But the most important thing is fit.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

What size backpack should I consider. is 55 to 60 L too big?

With the exception of Ultralight people and those that are solely walking in summer, I think the majority of people I've seen on camino carry between a 30 and 40 liter rucksack. (There are of course a few with larger packs, some of them already have them or have borrowed them. You walk with what you've got). Mine is a Dueter Futura 32, I predominantly walk in the shoulder seasons. My winter gear is a little bulkier but still fits.

Realistically the best way to choose a backpack is to assemble the rest of your gear ( including sleeping bag) and see how much room you require. If you're really unsure shove it all into a couple of bags and take it down to the Sports store with you . If you intend to do additional walking (other than just the camino) then make allowance for that. So for example if you also plan to do some hikes where a tent is required then you may wish to consider a 45 to 50 litre; just make sure that it can be cinched down properly for lighter loads.

As David says, the most important criteria is fit. Just like with your shoes, comfort is King.