What’s in my pack
I’ve had a few messages from some really lovely forum members, those less experienced with the Camino. And they’re all going to be on trail before I get home to do the “empty my pack with me” thing. I’ve been on trail 25 days and that’s plenty to say what’s working for me. This is an “I’m 51 and female” list.
I don’t know how much my pack weighs right now because I’ve added and subtracted a few things along the way. It’s probably within the 10% of ideal weight range, and I only notice my pack feeling heavy when I’m carrying extra water and food.
The Old Navy pants I posted about elsewhere on the forum are working well. I have two pair of them. I have two 32 Degrees brand short sleeved “cool” shirts, one 32 Degrees long sleeved “heat” shirt and one 150 wt merino long sleeved shirt. I wear the pants and short sleeves every day and the synthetic goes on top of the t shirt on cool days ( which so far is every single day). In the evening I wear the second pants with just the merino shirt without a short sleeve under it. If the wind is blowing I wear a Patagonia ultralight windbreaker. I also have a pair of lightweight capris. I’ve used them a few times and expect to use them more as the weather warms up. I don’t do shorts so this is my alternative.
I have three sets of socks (3 toe socks/3 regular) and I wear one set for the walk. I usually just wear the single normal socks at night.
Two bras are fine as long as you get them comfy enough to wear to sleep (Old Navy again).
I’ve got a lightweight cotton t shirt I wear to sleep in every single night. I can’t sleep in synthetic. It’s ick. And I have a pair of 9 inch inseam mens merino boxers or a pair of baselayer merino leggings to sleep in. Either of these can also go under day clothes when the weather requires it and are breathable for sleeping. Bonus? They’re plenty modest for an albergue.
I brought one pair of mens Ex Officio boxers and 2 pair Ex Officio womens undies and damn I wish I had brought 2 boxers instead. Coming out of the shower I can put on the boxers, bra and t shirt and then modesty wise I can step out of the wet shower area to put my pants on without getting them wet on the floor. And they’re incredibly comfortable to walk in.
I’ve got two ikea market bags (38 grams each) and I use both of them every single day. One bag has my shower stuff in it. I use the other for my electronics/valuables and clean clothes. When I’m out of the shower I put the dirty clothes into the shower bag to be washed. And then around town or around the albergue the bag with my valuables goes everywhere with me.
Picture is of my shower contraption I worked out. 4 mesh bags on a double S clip with a sunglasses string. It’s working really well and there’s pretty much always a place to hang it. I tie it up on the bunk to dry out or set it under the bunk on a ziplock if there’s nowhere to hang it. I’ve got a pareo as my towel and a wool buff I use as a hair wrap when I wash my hair, or can also be used as a wool beanie on cold days.
I’d be lost without my
Altus, my sticks, and my waist pack all of which I bought on trail. And then my sun gloves and sun sleeves on hot days and my fleece mittens that pull back into fingerless gloves on cool mornings. All inexpensive Amazon purchases. And my waterproof socks (Randy Sun brand, also Amazon).
@trecile mentioned them somewhere on the forum and I’ve used them quite a few times. They’re weirdly comfortable (I wear my thinnest toe socks under them), and genuinely keep your feet dry no matter what shoes you wear.
I’ve got one buff cut into two and I use them every day, too. One covers my ears and keeps my hair out of my face. If it’s really cold I wear both over my ears. Otherwise the other is around my neck to use as a face covering if it’s windy or to get it wet to keep my neck cool and to keep it covered in sun. One full buff is too much fabric for these needs. I’ve got a lightweight sun visor that’s a little broader than most (Sunday Afternoon brand, Amazon). I like it except it blows off in windy weather. I use one of the half buffs to keep it on my head in wind. The
Altus hood is way too much fabric and I’d never be able to see where I’m going if I didn’t wear the visor under the hood and then I fold back the brim of the
Altus.
I am using disposable face masks for Covid safety and I use them on a sunglasses strings around my neck.
I brought Old Navy flip flops but ditched them for real crocs and do not regret it. When your legs are tired it’s just too easy to trip in flip flops, especially as someone over 50. And waterproof socks plus crocs are perfect for wet/muddy days.
I brought my Fitbit and I use it every day, no regrets. I like having the meditation options, the alarm that vibrates my wrist but no one can hear it, and seeing my steps.
Instead of earplugs I brought one of those headbands with Bluetooth speakers (Amazon). It charges with a usb cord. I hate earplugs. I sleep with the tv on for white noise at home already so I downloaded the same program I use at home to my phone, and use this every night. I do not hear snorers. I could also use it to cover my eyes if I needed to.
I have entirely too many lightweight dry bags and ziplocks and don’t regret it in the slightest lol. Organization helps my brain. And I’m using a trash compactor bag as a pack liner. I like to double up on water protection.
Neutrogena makes a face sunscreen bar, spf 50 I think. I took it out of the container, wrapped it in wax paper and it’s working very well for face and arms as necessary. Don’t do what I did and decide to rub your pants with some sunscreen left on your hands. It won’t come out in the wash.
HiBar brand shampoo and conditioner bars are a thumbs up. Way better than the Lush bar I used in 2017.
Ymmv when it comes to sleeping bag, hiking shoes, the need for a jacket or whatever. That’s all really personal and depends on if you run hot or cold. I’m in teva sandals exclusively now that I’m out of the snow. I’m using a silk liner with the infamous Costco quilt for sleep, and my long sleeved shirts plus my windbreaker are fine with no need for a fleece (windbreaker weighs something like 6 Oz and fits in a quart size ziplock). Around me, people who run cold have real sleeping bags and puffy coats as well as a fleece. Most are hiking in mid height hiking boots. And most of them have blisters. Just sayin’
In the morning I have small bag that holds just my toothbrush stuff and my deodorant under my bed. I use it and toss it into the ikea shower bag and then the whole thing goes into my pack (sleep system in its own bag goes in first). A 2 gallon ziplock under bunk holds my clothes. I add pjs back to it and it goes into the pack next. Last to go in is my dry bag with journal and electronics. This and waistpack are inside my silk liner all night for safety. I also keep a chapstick and my daily scrips/vitamins in this bag because I am in it a lot in the evening, with my kindle and cords, so it makes it easy to remember to fill the tiny pill box I brought for each day, before I read. I have chapsticks in every pocket.
I can’t stand not being able to find one when I need it so that’s why there’s one in the electronics/journal drybag lol.
Having a system for when I get up in the morning, my little piles under the bunk (which includes my clothes for the day) helps a lot. I get dressed, stack 4 bags into my pack and know I’ve got everything in there. Idk what I’d do in a top bunk. So far I’ve managed to avoid that.
I highly recommend setting up WhatsApp on your phone before you leave. Everyone here uses it. And I’m using the Camino ninja app daily.