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Equipment purchase near SJPP

C

Cheryllai

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
Planning September 2023
Hello dear Camino friends,

I currently live in the UK and will start my French route from sjpp in September. May I know if there’s any shop or donation points I can get some equipment like backpack and poles near the area?

Many thanks in advance!
 
Camino Ready, Backpacks, Boots etc
3rd Edition. More content, training & pack guides avoid common mistakes, bed bugs etc
There is a shop in SJPdP with everything you might need, right in the main street, near the Pilgrim's Office. Boutique du Pelerin
 
Cheryllai said:
I currently live in the UK and will start my French route from sjpp in September. May I know if there’s any shop or donation points I can get some equipment like backpack and poles near the area?
Click to expand...

Cheryllai said:
Hi Cheryllai !
While you can buy a pack and poles and most anything else you want in SJPP; are you intending to buy your gear and just walk the Camino?
Click to expand...
Or do you already have your shoes,waterproofs,spare clothes,sleeping gear(quilt or bag) electronics, meds etc sorted?
Woody
 
Camino Preparation Guide
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
You live in Manchester, England I presume? Although there are shops in St. Jean I would highly recommend you buy your equipment before you leave your home. Go to a Decathlon or another outdoor store where you will have a much wider selection of clothes, gear and packs to choose from. I am sure whatever you will need in St. Jean will be available many times over in a store like Decathlon. I assume this is your first camino. A larger selection of backpacks (rucksacks) is a great advantage as the two most important items you buy will be your pack and your shoes. (I would recommend trail runners but of course shoes are really personal). If you get a sleeping bag get the lightest one you can. You do not need a super insulated bag walking in September/October. I walk in November and December and my bag is only insulated to 50F. I have never been cold and if you do get cold you can always wear some extra clothes to bed. Just my suggestions and of course I have no idea your preferences. Check out the packing lists that others have recommended. Remember to be as light as possible. Take only what you are sure you will use. You are walking in Spain and not at the Arctic Circle. Whatever you may find you really need you will almost certainly be able to purchase it within a few days at the most. Also buying before you go allows you to try on and walk with the clothes and pack you buy. You may find that what you have is perfect or you may find you made a mistake and need to go back and exchange it. Buen Camino. (Oh yes, find out the return and exchange policies).
 
CarolamS said:
There is a shop in SJPdP with everything you might need, right in the main street, near the Pilgrim's Office. Boutique du Pelerin
Click to expand...
Thank you! I sent an email to them if they have secondhand or cheap backpack for me because I’m not able to bring it back to the UK after the trail. Hope they offer something good!
 
woody66 said:
Or do you already have your shoes,waterproofs,spare clothes,sleeping gear(quilt or bag) electronics, meds etc sorted?
Woody
Click to expand...
Yes I have my shoes (most important and small gears ready!

Because I’ll carry a suitcase for post-Camino travel and no spare cabin capacity of my flight… so I need to purchase some equipment after landing Europe
 
Altus BALI Sleeping bag liner
Ideal sleeping bag liner whether we want to add a thermal plus to our bag, or if we want to use it alone to sleep in shelters or hostels. Thanks to its mummy shape, it adapts perfectly to our body.

€46,-
Cheryllai said:
Yes I have my shoes (most important and small gears ready!

Because I’ll carry a suitcase for post-Camino travel and no spare cabin capacity of my flight… so I need to purchase some equipment after landing Europe
Click to expand...


No cheap brands for backpacks there.

Brands - Pilgrim's shop

Click on logos to consult manufacturer's catalogs
www.boutique-du-pelerin.com

You might want to consider a cheaper version from Decathlon and donate it in Santiago.
 


Yes, this is my first Camino and thank you for the kind suggestion it did clear some of my concerns!

I have got my walking shoes and some important electronics sorted. The reason that I can’t buy the backpack in the UK is due to the luggage capacity of my flight ticket. I need to bring carry-on for my travel after completed Camino so I’m looking for the cheap or secondhand backpack that I can use along the way, and donate away at the Santiago.

I will try Decathlon, thank you!
 

I see… I’m wondering if people like me would have donated their backpacks, possibly somewhere I can purchase those items?
 
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@Cherylan, though that may seem a good idea the likely purchase cost of even a “cheap” backpack will likely exceed the cost of an extra bag on your flight. You also risk your Camino using an badly fitted, inappropriate backpack for your build and load.
Presumably you are forwarding your suitcase from St J? I would consider squishing my purchased, well fitted, rucksack in the suitcase or paying the extra
 
Cheryllai said:
I see… I’m wondering if people like me would have donated their backpacks, possibly somewhere I can purchase those items?
Click to expand...


Less people will have stopped definitely in Saint Jean Pied de Port but you could ask around.
The municipal albergue might have some stuff in their donation box.
But seems simpler to me to pay some extra money for your flight ticket.
 
A perfectly functional Decathalon rucksack plus the charge for a checked bag will probably cost less than the sacks available in St Jean.

You could pick up something on eBay for very little which will do the job

It’s more common for walkers to donate their excess kit at the end of their Camino which is, unsurprisingly, usually Santiago.

Next to footwear the most important item which needs to fit and be comfortable is your sack.
 
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Thank you! That’s a very useful suggestion, so I did a little calculation.

For example I intended to buy this ticket for £53. If I bought the rucksack in advance (considering Decathlon as a lovely friend mentioned above) I might need to pay for the extra £26. Whilst I can still get the same decathlon backpack (with pounds in advantages converting to euros) in Europe without paying extra luggage? Not sure if that adds up but I will look more closely if I can identify a good rucksack!

Studying the backpack recommendation now, the forum provides very helpful information!
 

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I would wear lots of my clothes on the plane to make enough room and available weight in my luggage for a backpack. It is surprising as well what you can get in your pockets, you can always take things off and put them in the overhead locker if you get too hot/uncomfortable.
 
Yes, you could pack a small rucksack in your suitcase, I paid €34 for ,y Decathlon one and you can pretty much flatten it when empty.
 
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@Cheryllai, how are you planning to get the rest of your Camino gear to Decathalon (which Decathalon?) before you pack and start your pilgrimage? What’s in the suitcase that you won’t/ don’t need on Camino? If it’s a business suit or a wedding dress couldn’t you buy those in Santiago and save yourself some hassle on the way?

You don’t have to answer this!!!!
 
It's best to arrive with everything you need. Why go through the stress of a scavenger hunt when you could be enjoying the company of others just starting. You risk not finding exactly what you need.
 
Cheryllai said:
Yes I have my shoes (most important and small gears ready!

Because I’ll carry a suitcase for post-Camino travel and no spare cabin capacity of my flight… so I need to purchase some equipment after landing Europe
Click to expand...
The money you save by not paying the airline for your extra baggage could be offset by the cost of items upon your arrival where your choices and time are limited. It's your choice.
 
Camino Ready, Backpacks, Boots etc
3rd Edition. More content, training & pack guides avoid common mistakes, bed bugs etc
SabsP said:
Less people will have stopped definitely in Saint Jean Pied de Port but you could ask around.
The municipal albergue might have some stuff in their donation box.
But seems simpler to me to pay some extra money for your flight ticket.
Click to expand...



Molly Cassidy said:
Yes, you could pack a small rucksack in your suitcase, I paid €34 for ,y Decathlon one and you can pretty much flatten it when empty.
Click to expand...


RRat said:
It's best to arrive with everything you need. Why go through the stress of a scavenger hunt when you could be enjoying the company of others just starting. You risk not finding exactly what you need.
Click to expand...

RRat said:
The money you save by not paying the airline for your extra baggage could be offset by the cost of items upon your arrival where your choices and time are limited. It's your choice.
Click to expand...


Thank you lovely people!

I think I find my answer to pack before departure after your explanation. It’s usually budget focus for me traveling as a student without income, but some how the journey is more valuable than savings.

I look forward to the enlightenment from Camino, hope you all have a nice day and I appreciate your help if anyone is walking in September may our roads crossed on the beautiful trails!
 
Congratulations on figuring out the ‘multi quote’ feature. It took me years and it’s still like giving a monkey a typewriter with most of my posts.

Anyway: you seem to have got the message - I hope you have a great experience on Camino.
 
Wow! - even advance purchase tickets from Oz are reaching well above $4000 economy return for direct flights since Covid - obviously savings are relative depending on location - I’d still not rely on getting a suitable pack in Sjpp
 
Altus BALI Sleeping bag liner
Ideal sleeping bag liner whether we want to add a thermal plus to our bag, or if we want to use it alone to sleep in shelters or hostels. Thanks to its mummy shape, it adapts perfectly to our body.

€46,-
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