Thinking about tents

[JillGat]

Could this work? only 1.61 lbs. Including the mat.
Other than color, It checks all your points .
Therm-a-Rest LuxuryLite Cot Bug Shelter
price $90.73
View attachment 75809

Except it isn't waterproof, which - to me - is one of the main reasons to have a tent.

 

[David]

 

[Saint Mike II]

Well said David - from what I remember when staying in small towns (eg Hontanas) the night sky is impressive, (for Europe).

 

[good_old_shoes]

Since there seem to be a lot more people interested in camping on the Camino than before Corona times, I have been thinking about ways to make the Camino more tent-friendly - without the negative impact some would expect. With this I mean no loss for local business, no littering problem, and still keeping the "pilgrim spirit" / "Camino feeling".

Would anyone be interested in a seperate thread for that? Like, for collecting ideas about how this could be done without too much effort, and as inexpensive as possible for those who would have to make the changes (albergues, towns), so that there might be a real chance of it happening some day...? (One can dream!)

Then I'd start one.

 

[David]

Since there seem to be a lot more people interested in camping on the Camino than before Corona times, I have been thinking about ways to make the Camino more tent-friendly - without the negative impact some would expect. With this I mean no loss for local business, no littering problem, and still keeping the "pilgrim spirit" / "Camino feeling".

Would anyone be interested in a seperate thread for that? Like, for collecting ideas about how this could be done without too much effort, and as inexpensive as possible for those who would have to make the changes (albergues, towns), so that there might be a real chance of it happening some day...? (One can dream!)

Then I'd start one.

I'm in!

 

[OxFyrd]

I will first readily admit I am in the camp of using local hostels and hotels. Just to help with the economy of those who have put their lives and savings into providing amenities to pilgrims for years. That being said I also think you are going to stuck with carrying a small camp stove and provisions to cook at night and breakfast. I don't see carry-out every evening as viable option. So now the Camino is sounding more like the AP of PCT. Someone recently posted a photo of a poncho set up as an bivy, that's okay unless it is cold or rainy. Don't get me wrong but I personally want to provide support to the life in the villages where I stay and relish the regional dining.

In my opinion, goal is to avoid virus especially in dormitory. And to book a full room when single is expensive. The main problem with camping is water (beverage, rope cleaning, hygiene). For equipment, have a look to PCT hikers on YouTube. Everything explained by pros. But, camp is a lonely experience...

 

[gerip]

Since there seem to be a lot more people interested in camping on the Camino than before Corona times, I have been thinking about ways to make the Camino more tent-friendly - without the negative impact some would expect. With this I mean no loss for local business, no littering problem, and still keeping the "pilgrim spirit" / "Camino feeling".

Would anyone be interested in a seperate thread for that? Like, for collecting ideas about how this could be done without too much effort, and as inexpensive as possible for those who would have to make the changes (albergues, towns), so that there might be a real chance of it happening some day...? (One can dream!)

Then I'd start one.

Some input from albergue owners would be very helpful as well. Maybe getting as many as possible to agree to host tenters (not campers) on their grounds.
To be clear, by “tenters” I mean those who intend to be fully involved in the whole albergue “experience”, but who for some (or much) of the time will be sleeping outdoors.
Owners/hospitallers may want to work out a way for tenters to access facilities like nighttime access to toilets (after all, the idea is to maintain a higher level of hygiene).

 

[David]

The weights quickly add up. From my current equipment collection:

• tent, mat, pillow - 2.7 kg
• cooking stove, pot and fuel ~800 gm
• tarp rigged to create an open sided hootchie with mat and pillow ~ 850 gm
• bivvy bag ~ 700 gm

None of these are anywhere near the absolute minimum. While I am not planning any new purchases here, it would still be interesting to see what others, including serious ultra-light practitioners, would need to add to their normal camino load.

Hey Doug - nice list. What is the deal with a tent and also a bivvi bag??

 

[David]

Rather than write a list this is my future Camino equipment for relaxing after walking. You will notice the free standing dome. (I don't know who the other three pilgrims are).

 

[dougfitz]

Hey Doug - nice list. What is the deal with a tent and also a bivvi bag??

My list had options for different levels of shelter. I wouldn't take all three.

 

[alipilgrim]

Tent – 21 oz / 595 gm Gossamer Gear, The One (Using a tarp shelter, would save about 6 oz/170 gm)
Quilt - 11 oz / 311 gm Enlightened Equipment Revelation: to my specifications
Mattress - 13 oz / 368 gm Nemo Tensor
Stove - 2 oz / 57 gm Kovea
Fuel - 4 oz / 113 gm Various, Isobutane canister
Mug - 3 oz / 85 gm Toaks mug. Cooking and eating

Totals: Around 963 g / 34 ounces

Just to play with Dave's numbers a bit... he mentioned he wouldn't probably bring a stove so one can eliminate that weight, and if he stayed at albergues he'd probably need a sleeping bag/quilt of some kind anyway as I don't think many will have blankets in the near future, so really he'd be only adding just over 2 pounds to have the ability to sleep outside whenever he chose. Seems like a very acceptable weight penalty to me!

 

[Henm2]

If I were taking a shelter, it would be a tarp-based shelter and not a tent, but that's because I am comfortable with rigging one up quickly. However, using a tent (which would be the Gossamer Gear The One model at $245 usd):

Tent – 21 oz / 595 gm Gossamer Gear, The One (Using a tarp shelter, would save about 6 oz/170 gm)
Quilt - 11 oz / 311 gm Enlightened Equipment Revelation: to my specifications
Mattress - 13 oz / 368 gm Nemo Tensor
Stove - 2 oz / 57 gm Kovea
Fuel - 4 oz / 113 gm Various, Isobutane canister
Mug - 3 oz / 85 gm Toaks mug. Cooking and eating

Totals: Around 1.3 Kg / 3.4 pounds

I would not plan on doing any cooking, though. I would be eating and drinking at bars, restaurants, etc like I would on any Camino. So I would skip taking cooking-related gear which would decrease the weight carried. I just included them to keep things "what if" consistent.

I have been doing the camino frances in week long stages. Started SJPdP October 2017 and on my last trip reached Villafranca del Bierzo. I have wild camped a few times following LNT principles. Most times I used the albergues. For wild camping my 3F UL poncho is also great as a tarp. I also use a thermarest xtherm sleep pad, a light ice flame down quilt and a very light tyvek bivy bag. I have had no problem setting up late and leaving early from rest areas on the camino. I am hoping to be back in September to carry on from where I left off.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

You crossed out my sleeping quilt, which would add 11 more ounces to the total. So, excluding cooking stuff, the total for tent, mattress, sleeping quilt would be 45 oz / 2.75 pounds / 1.3 kg.

That would bring my total backpack weight to around 12 pounds / 5.5 kg, all-in.

 

[David]

My list had options for different levels of shelter. I wouldn't take all three.

Ah, so a list of what you own, not what you would take.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

I have been doing the camino frances in week long stages. Started SJPdP October 2017 and on my last trip reached Villafranca del Bierzo. I have wild camped a few times following LNT principles. Most times I used the albergues. For wild camping my 3F UL poncho is also great as a tarp. I also use a thermarest xtherm sleep pad, a light ice flame down quilt and a very light tyvek bivy bag. I have had no problem setting up late and leaving early from rest areas on the camino. I am hoping to be back in September to carry on from where I left off.

For tarp-based shelters, using my trekking poles, I use polycro sheets, which are tough as nails. A full sheet of 96" x 120" weighs about 3.5 ounces, and costs about $12.00 usd. I have a sheet that I've used off and on for 3 years now.

I've attached stick on tapes with rivet openings ($2.50), for locations where I use micro tent pegs ($15.00) and trekking poles, and a length of dyneema-core guyline cord (2.0 mm, $15.00). With pegs, line, permanently attached rivet tapes, and a silnylon stuff sack for it all, it all weighs around 8 ounces. As packed, it takes up no more space than a sport drink bottle.

I do not include the weight of trekking poles or poncho-groundcloth, as I carry those anyway for use in their normal roles.

Because of the existing laws, I would not wild camp in Spain, but utilize available yards and garden spaces at alburgues, hostals, and other permitted sites. That would give me plenty of access to toileting and washing facilities.

I do my backpacking at home. For Camino, I prefer to sleep indoors along the way. Private rooms in alburgues or at casa rurals, hostals, or hotels suit me just fine.

 

[AlwynWellington]

interesting to see what others ... would add to their normal camino load

At the start of each day my all up weight, including camping gear, is around 7.6 kg.

The camping gear totals 0.9 kg and comprises:
570 g tent 2 person (me and my pack) - 2015 Zpacks
115 g pegs and pole - 2015 Zpacks (second pole is a trekking pole repurposed)
220 g inflatable sleep pad - 2015 Therm-A-Rest

Without this my start of each day all up weight is 6.7 kg.

This gear has seen me doss down in quite a few places (churchyards is the most common). As the alternatives were B&B or hotels I think the savings amount to about as much as the cost of that gear.

This gear was not used between Le Puy and Compostela. But I did meet a guy on that route who often set up his tent in the grounds of gite / albergue paying a lesser fee to use kitchen and toilets.

If walking from anywhere along the south coast of Spain, with many longer stages, I would expect to use this gear quite often.

I considered carry cooking equipment and food. For me the number of times I would expect to cook was quite low - too many cafe and restaurants to be encountered each day. So, after some experiments decided no.

I do carry some sachets of ready to eat meals (totaling less than 500 g and included in my all up weight) in case of emergency.

For me I believe I have made a good trade-off and have quite a bit of flexibility as a result.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

This is the 3rd thread I've posted this picture on as it seems to apply to each of them. I walked past these guys on the Primitivo in May of 2016 and had a chat. They also sleep under church porches, and an ocassional albergue thrown in for a good clean-up. They look very happy!

 

[Bumpa]

In general, I think there is a lot to be learned from the through-hiking community here. The tent I recommended above was from a video by a through-hiker that was basically "How to kit yourself out for your first through hike for under $500 all in because you don't yet know if you are going to enjoy it so you don't want to invest in the expensive equipment, but you don't want something that will prevent you from enjoying it, too". It seems to me that through hikers probably have a lot of experience in finding the right amount and types of equipment for camping that (a) isn't too terrible to carry all day walking and (b) isn't too hard to set up in potentially inclement weather when you are very tired at the end of the day. Might as well learn from that experience.

Of course, someone doing the Camino won't necessarily need everything a through-hiker needs. We likely won't need cooking gear, for example (although some through-hikers also travel without cooking gear). We can generally expect to be in a populated community with restaurants, bars, washrooms, etc. at the end of the day. But I think it is likely to be a good taking off point.

(Written as someone who has not through hiked, although he has watched some YouTube videos by through-hikers.)

As someone who has through hiked the Appalachian Trail and various trails in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, I would like to draw attention to an issue, other than the tent, which may be a problem for some here.

I have an excellent Big Agnes single person light weight tent but have not used it for a few years. My problem, as I age through my seventies, is what do I rest my weary bones on in the tent. I have tried to consider the weight, size, comfort of different materials. I find, increasingly, that I cannot walk required distances over a number of days while sleeping on a camp mat, be it inflatable or foam. Quite quickly my old body says: "you need to stop this and find a mattress". Maybe just my problem, but I think not.

 

[Undermanager]

There are enough 1 man tents around the 1 kg mark, or even lighter a bivvy - but bivvies aren't everyone's cup of tea. If you want to carry 2kgs, then you have a lot of choice but unless planning to cross mountains or walk in the worst seasons, I don't think it's necessary. Personally, I wouldn't take any cooking gear as there are (were) plenty of opportunities to eat in cafes and I'd just carry cold food for the evening and small breakfast. Besides, however careful, it is another fire risk. Add a foam sleeping mat for 300g (I wouldn't use an air one - too many thorns and sharp bits on the ground!) You carry a sleeping bag anyway, just get a good lightweight one like a Cumulus for three seasons. If you don't go crazy, camping could add just an extra 1.3kg to the walk - doable even at my age if your pack like mine is around the 7- 8kg mark normally. It would give you that extra flexibility on when to stop, and you don't have to camp all the time - mix up the stays between hostels, camping and pubs. What I would want though is a 'right to camp' with a code of conduct on all caminos. That would swing it for me.

 

[kelleymac]

[ Cheap tents have heavy groundsheets which don't roll up small and in the past I've cut it off and replaced it with a piece of lightweight nylon fabric, or poncho although this adds to the cost it's still a lot cheaper.

Our scout troop bought a role of TYVEK, and cut footprints (groundsheets) for each of our backpacking tents. The TYVEK is strong, lightweight, and can be tossed in the washing machine and dryer.

 

[LTfit]

@davebugg I checked out the Gossamer Gear the one a while back when you mentioned it in another thread. At that time they were out of stock but I received an email this week that they are available again. You can pre-order now and it will be shipped by June 15th. That's unfortunately too late for me I'm afraid. I was thinking about walking a week or so before I open up the albergue in July. And the 595 gr you mention is only for the shelter, not for the stuff bag, stakes, etc. One thing I do like about The One is that you can use your walking poles to set it up.

https://www.gossamergear.com/products/the-one

 

[anthikes]

I have done a ton of camping around the world and have even managed it on all my caminos. Yes, always legally too! I think it is definitely a good way forward and perfect in these times.

The issue with weight is that you have to spend a lot to get a decent lightweight tent. My current one cost over $500 (BA Copper Spur UL2) but is worth every penny to me because I have used it loads and even been big enough to share. Only weighs 1.2kg. My sleep pad and bag weights a combined 800g, making an extra 2kg.

I did have a much smaller Vango tent which was only 800g that I actually used on the CF a few times with an even lighter pad. It is possible to get even lighter, but then you are looking at mega bucks.

I have also owned the Naturehike Cloud Up 2 on the VDLP. 1.4kg and much cheaper around $100 - I ordered it direct from Aliexpress China. They are very good tents that basically rip off the expensive US ones (as China does!).

Not sure about Decathlon tents but they will be heavy. I'd really try and aim for less than 1.5kg if possible.

I am about to cycle the length of Portugal and then hopefully into Spain in July and do the CF in reverse, so plan to see how many albergues are open and where it's possible to camp too and I hope to put some kind of guide together.

 

[Aralim]

Hi David, I hope to walk the Primitivo in September and I was thinking of a lightweight tent. I now have a tree tent in mind. It's super lightweight but not cheap. An American company called Tentsile, they have an office in England, make them https://www.tentsile.com/collection...-1-person-hammock-tent?variant=31296763985993

wow, I love that tree tent.

 

[AlwynWellington]

From my post #116 above:

The camping gear totals 0.9 kg and comprises:
570 g tent 2 person (me and my pack) - 2015 Zpacks
115 g pegs and pole - 2015 Zpacks (second pole is a trekking pole repurposed)
220 g inflatable sleep pad - 2015 Therm-A-Rest

And now here in mid August 2018, as the cow shed (local expensive hotel) was full, the owner of a nearby creperie (closed for summer) alongside the Marne River (two days on from Rheims) gave me the backyard to pitch my tent. This also gave me toilets and a hot point to recharge my tablet.

Spoiler: rear of tent with sleeping bag spread to air

Spoiler: tent from the front

Spoiler: anti-clockwise inside: yellow mattress, Altus coat, yellow pack with dry sack liner (also pack outer carry bag) and blue 'kitchen sink'

 

[Hansel]

For those worried about weight, then you could maybe use a baggage service if you knew where you would be staying. Not something I'd want to do myself (yet), just a thought.

Obviously a more expensive tent is better for many reasons, but for those who can't afford it then a really cheap tent can be a viable alternative, my last one lasted 3 two month summer trips, so that 6 months of camping for £25 only leaked slightly in one top corner easily fixed and survived a massive hail shower which broke a pole, again easily fixed, The only reason I got rid of it was because mice ate it when it was stored in the attic.

 

[ahemobile]

I am also thinking about bringing a camping solution on my next camino. But the shelter will be determined partially by the route. I have a Hennessy Hammock - a great camping hammock that is heaven to sleep in - but that requires trees (or other vertical supports) to attach to, so the arid areas of Spain are out of the question. The one I have is too heavy to carry long distances. I'm looking at all the tent suggestions posted here.

As a woman, I agree with Rebecca Scott that safety would also limit my locations. Having been a Hospitalera and with current COVID considerations, I'd think most albergues with a garden or courtyard would be happy to accommodate campers in order to keep pigrims apart at night.

 

[Hansel]

As Dromengro mentions the way to go might be the carrier service,
In Scotland it's not uncommon to walk the West highlands way and have your baggage transferred then weight is not such an issue,
This may have been mentioned already,
Plus on the Portuguese Camino I came across a field with donativo camping,
Before Porto,
Before lock down I was planning on cycling to Lisbon from Scotland staying in albergues,now camping seems an option once ferries are open to tourists.

 

[Dromengro]

In Scotland it's not uncommon to walk the West highlands way and have your baggage transferred then weight is not such an issue.

Really! Well you learn something new every day.
The last time I was on the WHW was in 1980 with a cotton tent, wooden tent poles, an old frying pan and a wool army blanket, my rucksack weighed more than me. Folk have it so easy today.

 

[AlwynWellington]

Quite quickly my old body says: "you need to stop this and find a mattress". Maybe just my problem ...

@Bumpa, I am sure I am at least a day or two older than yourself. It is, of course, your right to tell us what your camino problems are. But it is not your right to project your problems onto others.

I was very much looking forward to returning to la-haut-Marne in north-east France in early April and continuing my trek to Rome. Not only did I have a list of hostels but also a list of camp-grounds along my route and would prospect towards the end of each day's march when necessary. For the latter two instances the tent, coat, mattress etc you can see in post #124 above are always in my pack, even for training trips around my region.

And so I wish you kia kaha (take care, be strong, get going when you can).

 

[Hansel]

Really! Well you learn something new every day.
The last time I was on the WHW was in 1980 with a cotton tent, wooden tent poles, an old frying pan and a wool army blanket, my rucksack weighed more than me. Folk have it so easy today.

I might have seen you,!
I walked it in '79 ,and then again for charity in '95 with a support crew,I have more recently ran parts of it,but I know there are companies who specialise in carrying your baggage,similar to Correos on the Camino,
I trecked in Morocco with Exodus,they use mules to carry tents etc,not sure if that would be an option on the Camino!
Bill

 

[AlwynWellington]

Really! Well you learn something new every day.

A digression I hope the moderators will gloss over.

My four Glasgow rellies have also walked the West Highland Way. At least three of them have, in what seems to be true British styles. The fourth is the driver. She takes them to the days start point, then drives on to the agreed end point for the day and reads from the veritable library assembled for the purpose. On pick up she drives them to the B&B booked several months before. The next day she drives them to yesterday's stopping point, then drives on ... . That days B&B may be the same as yesterday's. And a mobile phone allows them all to change some details on the fly.

As I understand it the walkers carry no more than a rain coat and maybe one extra layer and a few sandwiches for lunch. And, of course, a mobile phone.

It would not have done for the Duke, sir.

 

[David]

@Bumpa, I am sure I am at least a day or two older than yourself. It is, of course, your right to tell us what your camino problems are. But it is not your right to project your problems onto others.

Steady now! Keep it fluffy, we are all friends here and it is a forum for views. Surely Bumpa was only mentioning his particular sleeping problem? I too have the same problem. I'm ok on an inflatable for a couple of nights and then I start to get achey ... hardly projection, surely only observation?
As mats have been mentioned a few times I think starting another post re sleeping mats and comfort, weight, durability, and so on could be interesting - especially if users who rave about one let us know their age and weight (and possible disabilities) .

I am 72 and 'normal' weight ... but from an earlier life of being both very stupid and happy to do slightly dangerous things have broken about twelve bones over those younger years - twelve incidents, all broken singly! ... as well as rips and stitches and so on .. yes, I know, I never moved fast enough - and now, well, unless it is high barometeric pressure, they ache - and they really ache after a couple of nights if I don't get a good support under me for sleeping - so, yes, let us have a post on sleeping mats - I would love to hear of one that packs down small, is fairly light, and really does the job - and on this one I might be happy to drop my budget conscious brain from interfereing!

 

[Deleted member 67185]

@davebugg I checked out the Gossamer Gear the one a while back when you mentioned it in another thread. At that time they were out of stock but I received an email this week that they are available again. You can pre-order now and it will be shipped by June 15th. That's unfortunately too late for me I'm afraid. I was thinking about walking a week or so before I open up the albergue in July. And the 595 gr you mention is only for the shelter, not for the stuff bag, stakes, etc. One thing I do like about The One is that you can use your walking poles to set it up.

https://www.gossamergear.com/products/the-one

Hey, you'll like the tent, and it is a breeze to set up.

Weights: I have been gear testing this tent for Gossamer Gear for the last two months. It is the newest updated version to this model, and is going to be released in a couple of weeks for shipping. What I am measuring for weights is with their newer changes. It is possible that you are seeing the listed weights for the older version.

For what I have at home, my measurements at home showed 528 grms. The the website currently shows it to be 540 grms.

My total tent stake weight is 17 grams. I use Toaks titanium pegs/stakes, rather than the ones supplied by Gossamer Gear.

I use a 3 gram stuff sack for the tent and pegs.

So what I am testing actually comes to a total weight of around 550 grams.

The 595 grms weight I stated was to allow for discrepancies in the choices folks will make for products and materials, like pegs and stuff sacks, or extra pegs and extra guyline. On average, though, the tent weight will be below 600 grms even if using the Gossamer Gear supplied accessories.

As I mentioned, I think you will like your choice.

 

[Henm2]

For tarp-based shelters, using my trekking poles, I use polycro sheets, which are tough as nails. A full sheet of 96" x 120" weighs about 3.5 ounces, and costs about $12.00 usd. I have a sheet that I've used off and on for 3 years now.

I've attached stick on tapes with rivet openings ($2.50), for locations where I use micro tent pegs ($15.00) and trekking poles, and a length of dyneema-core guyline cord (2.0 mm, $15.00). With pegs, line, permanently attached rivet tapes, and a silnylon stuff sack for it all, it all weighs around 8 ounces. As packed, it takes up no more space than a sport drink bottle.

I do not include the weight of trekking poles or poncho-groundcloth, as I carry those anyway for use in their normal roles.

Because of the existing laws, I would not wild camp in Spain, but utilize available yards and garden spaces at alburgues, hostals, and other permitted sites. That would give me plenty of access to toileting and washing facilities.

I do my backpacking at home. For Camino, I prefer to sleep indoors along the way. Private rooms in alburgues or at casa rurals, hostals, or hotels suit me just fine.

I've just sorted myself out with a polycro groundsheet. I've reinforced the edges. Duct tape applied to the corners and rivet openings put through them. That groundsheet will be used with a light tyvek bivy bag, down camping quilt, thermarest xtherm pad and if necessary I will use my 3F UL poncho as a tarp. Poncho supported by the trekking poles.

 

[Hansel]

A digression I hope the moderators will gloss over.

My four Glasgow rellies have also walked the West Highland Way. At least three of them have, in what seems to be true British styles. The fourth is the driver. She takes them to the days start point, then drives on to the agreed end point for the day and reads from the veritable library assembled for the purpose. On pick up she drives them to the B&B booked several months before. The next day she drives them to yesterday's stopping point, then drives on ... . That days B&B may be the same as yesterday's. And a mobile phone allows them all to change some details on the fly.

As I understand it the walkers carry no more than a rain coat and maybe one extra layer and a few sandwiches for lunch. And, of course, a mobile phone.

It would not have done for the Duke, sir.

On the Camino I started from StJ ,and walked with two Portuguese ladies part of the way,one of the ladies husband drove the car to the next stop,then cycled back to meet them,they walked all the way to Burgos like this!

 

[ken2116]

Quick two cents worth. Now is an excellent time to buy a quality tent at significant discounts as retailers try to get rid of inventory to bring out new models, while sales are lacking due to COVID. My criteria for a lightweight tent includes: tents that ventilate well, have a fly and waterpoof seams, quick to pack or setup, are somewhat durable and have enough room for me and my pack under cover.

Often the lighter the tent, the more fragile the screen, poles and material may be, so I always look at the reviews of others to see how the tent measures up. Most UL (ultralight) tents really require a 2 man size for a single person, or 3 man size for two. Note I didn't mention a footprint as requirement, since footprints are typically heavy. Go to any hardware store (or find some used at a building site) and get 7 foot square sheet of Tyvek "building wrap". Strong and super light and will protect your tent floor from sharp rocks etc.

My favourite two tents I own are my Hubba Hubba (2 man) from MSR and Copper Spur UL2 from Big Agnes. Both tents can be pegged down of set up standalone on a platform. Setup in under 5 minutes. Both have thousands of popular reviews online. I'm 6' 2" and fit comfortably with room to spare. Both weigh in at around 1.3kg, and pack up very small (size of 2 litre bottle). Should last many years of caminos or hikes.

Have had 10+ years of great experiences backpacking in the Sierra with 2 Big Agnes tents and inflatable pads, they're very good quality and hold up well but are on the expensive side, which pays for their excellent post-purchase customer service. During a month's cycling trip in Ireland we carried a very basic single wall urethane coated tent, using it 5 nights including in rain, when we couldn't get B&B's - we were comfortable, no show-stopping condensation. If going cheap, beware coarse seams - slack tension or less than 8 stitches per inch won't remain water proof, even if seam sealed.

Tyvek for ground sheet: it comes in many weight grades and you may need to search for the lightest, we found some on eBay.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

I've just sorted myself out with a polycro groundsheet. I've reinforced the edges. Duct tape applied to the corners and rivet openings put through them. That groundsheet will be used with a light tyvek bivy bag, down camping quilt, thermarest xtherm pad and if necessary I will use my 3F UL poncho as a tarp. Poncho supported by the trekking poles.

Sounds great, and you are getting well sorted out.

I do not know how large your poncho is, so I have no ability to determine if it will give you the amount of overhang needed to allow rainwater to shed far enough away from your sleeping area to keep it from running back in. That is why, when I use a tarp shelter when backpacking (of if I used on on Camino) I don't double up my poncho as a tarp, but only use it as a ground cloth.

Polycro can be a bit slick and cause sleeping bags, mats, etc to slid around while moving in your sleep. If that is a problem for you, try spraying a light coating of an anti-slip coating onto your groundsheet. I've used this product before, but there are other products that will work as well. Again, just a thin spray of film. And the spray doesn't have to be even. Even spraying a grid pattern, with a checkerboard pattern will work.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000UDCC8K/?tag=casaivar02-20

 

[Henm2]

Lanshan is definitely my choice of all the one-person-tents I've seen so far. Thanks for the suggestion

I won't need it for any thru-hike but could be very handy in post corona circumstances and especially on less walked Caminos (warmer months only) which I'm interested in. Also I don't plan to sleep in it in bad weather especially in rain or after walking whole day in rain with all the gear and clothes wet. Nope

I own a Lanshan 2 tent. Great tent. However for the camino I prefer the lighter option of a poncho tarp. I can usually keep my overall pack weight under 8kg. For food I use local cafes/bars and shops. Every few nights I stay in an albergue.

 

[Henm2]

Sounds great, and you are getting well sorted out.

I do not know how large your poncho is, so I have no ability to determine if it will give you the amount of overhang needed to allow rainwater to shed far enough away from your sleeping area to keep it from running back in. That is why, when I use a tarp shelter when backpacking (of if I used on on Camino) I don't double up my poncho as a tarp, but only use it as a ground cloth.

Polycro can be a bit slick and cause sleeping bags, mats, etc to slid around while moving in your sleep. If that is a problem for you, try spraying a light coating of an anti-slip coating onto your groundsheet. I've used this product before, but there are other products that will work as well. Again, just a thin spray of film. And the spray doesn't have to be even. Even spraying a grid pattern, with a checkerboard pattern will work.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000UDCC8K/?tag=casaivar02-20

Great tip. I will try that.

 

[pmw]

Yes, I see your point and commiserate with you, 'sigh' indeed - why on earth should they think they can have a bed even if it is a howling storm outside - I mean, they did choose to bring a tent so obviously they should use it.

But it isn't just pilgrims with tents, is it. Think of pilgrims who earn more money than us, why, their pockets are probably full of Euros, what on earth are they doing in a refugio taking the last bed when a Parador is only a few yards away - so selfish. Why are they clogging up the Camino by walking anyway? Surely they can afford a taxi?

Then! Think of the unfair advantage tall pilgrims have! As they have longer legs they have a naturally longer stride so tend to arrive earlier than short people - is this fair? Seems to me that if a refugio becomes full then tall pilgrims should be asked to leave - anyway, with their long strides they will get to the next place much easier than a short person would.
and then - what if the tall pilgrim is of normal healthy weight? and what if the short person is not just short but fat as well? Is this fair?
My idea is to stop tall normal weight pilgrims leaving a refugio for at least an hour after short pilgrims and two hours after short fat pilgrims have left - surely this would be much more fair?

Top tip for pilgrims carrying a tent: - tent bags tend to be roundish, long, and narrow - before leaving home have a local artist paint it to look like a large loaf of bread - this way if your tent bag is discovered when you are in a refugio the other pilgrim will just think that you like bread - oh, though that may become a problem if they are hungry and ask for some of it. *sigh*

Excellent!

 

[gerip]

and now, well, unless it is high barometeric pressure, they ache - and they really ache after a couple of nights if I don't get a good support under me for sleeping

But sometimes those albergue mattresses are not as supportive as we need them to be.

 

[Nev Sheather]

Hi – I have been thinking about tents for Camino - idle thoughts

Now, I don’t want to get into the rights or wrongs nor the legalities or illegalities, would rather leave that out for this thread … but, when the Camino does open again I do think that there will be more tenting pilgrims. I will certainly be packing one onto my first aid trailer.

So – to me there are a few main requirements - I would be interested to hear other views

1. It has to be light – for obvious reasons really.

2. It will be a dome or pop-up tent as it has to be free-standing, that it will stand up without pegging down.

There are many refugios with concrete/wooden verandahs, porches outside churches with stone floors. There are countless businesses along the way with car parks that close early evening and don’t open again until 8 or 9 the next day. There are tarmac Pelota squares in many villages ...
Again – this is not about the legality, but thinking about it, not camping on farmland could be a much better way forward. And something like a dome tent doesn’t have to be pegged unless there is a strong wind.

3. It has to be cheap.

The reason I have for this is that it will only be used for, what, 35 days max? And in Santiago could be given to a homeless person. Also, if it is is damaged, lost, stolen – who cares if it is cheap?

4. As it has to be both cheap and light I think that a single skin tent would do – if it gets a little cold and this causes condensation for a few nights .. is that important?

5. It will be small (to be light) but has to be big enough to keep footwear and pack inside.

And that is it really

Oh, 6. It should be blue with yellow waymarker signs spray-stencilled onto it.

I could be completely wrong here but I don’t think anyone has to spend a fortune on a tent with all gizzmos and super strong Himalayan waterproofing and maybe half a kilo, a pound, lighter – but can one can budget this? And how light is ‘light’?

Pop up tents usually have rigid fiberglass poles or similar, so don't fold small! And having a single skin, no peg, cheap tent to my way of thinking is just asking for miserable nights. Better to spend money on a good quality lightweight tent. I do have a lifetime of bushwalking experience!

 

[David]

Nev - why would that be miserable? It isn't outback trecking, just a long stroll along civilised paths with a village or town always nearby. Late spring to early autumn so pleasant weather usually. Has to be free-standing as the possibilities of pitching on hard ground, paving slabs, concrete, timber decking, are very high - so no pegging in those situations.
But why miserable? No extremes, cafes and refugio bathrooms nearby (for a small fee) .... and the problem is?

 

[Bumpa]

@Bumpa, I am sure I am at least a day or two older than yourself. It is, of course, your right to tell us what your camino problems are. But it is not your right to project your problems onto others.

I was very much looking forward to returning to la-haut-Marne in north-east France in early April and continuing my trek to Rome. Not only did I have a list of hostels but also a list of camp-grounds along my route and would prospect towards the end of each day's march when necessary. For the latter two instances the tent, coat, mattress etc you can see in post #124 above are always in my pack, even for training trips around my region.

And so I wish you kia kaha (take care, be strong, get going when you can).

Dear AlwynWellington, please forgive me if you feel "projected upon" with my problems. It was simply an attempt to add to the conversation. Not a bad idea, surely

 

[Undermanager]

"Better to spend money on a good quality lightweight tent."

Got to agree here. Weight is really important and you have to spend money to keep the weight down and to stay comfy. Caminos are long, can be really hot and sticky, are prone to downpours, and carrying more than you absolutely need to is not sensible over hundreds of miles.

 

[Tone-Lise]

Haven't read all the info above, so this may have been mentioned already...but have decided to go for this 28oz tent that packs down to 12 by 5 inches. It uses trekking poles, which I wanted to bring anyway and I will use my rain poncho as a footprint. It's not the cheapest, but at $200 it beats some of the ultralight alternatives. And it's not a stand alone. https: https://drop.com/buy/massdrop-x-dan-durston-x-mid-1p-tent

 

[Faith Walker]

I think paying an albergue to tent in their garden is very reasonable. You are supporting them and helping their social distancing requirements. Maybe email a couple albergues to see how well the idea is received.

When I walked a third of Japan's Shikoku pilgrimage I used a tarp, mosquito net, sleeping pad, and cut-flat trash bag for a ground cloth. It is a couple of pounds, but the camino pack is so much lighter than a wilderness pack (which includes food and water). You don't need to carry cooking equipment. Just grocery store food am and pm with a good, hot meal at lunch.

I am supposed to be on the Portuguese Camino right now, bummer. Instead I am Google street viewing and drawing a faux travel journal.

If you want to sleep outside, looking into Japan's Shikoku pilgrimage. It is mostly road walking. There are free open-air pilgrim shelters for overnight. Mask wearing is normal so I would be fairly comfortable with the public transportation that it takes to get to the pilgrimage route. The language is doable since a pilgrim's life is so simple: walk, eat, clean, sleep. I learned the alphabet so I could read the street signage and could could say "Hello, goodbye, excuse me, thank you." Google Translate took care of the rest. It is a very doable alternative, says the obese grandma that did 270 solo miles in 2018. Just avoid the summer humidity.

 

[AlwynWellington]

It was simply an attempt to add to the conversation.

@Bumpa, thank you. I believe it is absolutely OK for you to tell us you have used a tent for a while, but your bones (for whatever reason) now prefer something else.

For me your last sentence was a form of ageism and was the basis of my concern.

I sincerely hope you are able to enjoy going on camino for many years yet using whatever accommodation you prefer.

So I say to you, kia ora (be healthy) and kia kaha (take care, be strong, get going when you can).

 

[David Tallan]

As someone who has through hiked the Appalachian Trail and various trails in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, I would like to draw attention to an issue, other than the tent, which may be a problem for some here.

I have an excellent Big Agnes single person light weight tent but have not used it for a few years. My problem, as I age through my seventies, is what do I rest my weary bones on in the tent. I have tried to consider the weight, size, comfort of different materials. I find, increasingly, that I cannot walk required distances over a number of days while sleeping on a camp mat, be it inflatable or foam. Quite quickly my old body says: "you need to stop this and find a mattress". Maybe just my problem, but I think not.

Absolutely, camping isn't for everyone. Heck, albergues are not for everyone. Just as you can't get the rest you need on an inflatable mat, others find they can't get the sleep they need in a dorm. Ours is not to judge them. I think the issue that you raise hasn't been discussed here because the thread is primarily of interest to and aimed at those for whom camping is a possibility. It is generally only those who find camping an acceptable alternative who will be considering which tent to bring.

That said, I know people who have camped and slept in beds in their tents. Obviously, those were larger tents. Even more obviously, they weren't carrying bed and tent on their backs walking all day.

 

[gerip]

I think the issue that you raise hasn't been discussed here because the thread is primarily of interest to and aimed at those for whom camping is a possibility. It is generally only those who find camping an acceptable alternative who will be considering which tent to bring.

Exactly.

 

[Barbara]

I can sleep on a yoga mat if it's in a quiet place. No problem. Got plenty of natural padding. Have big problems in a noisy dorm, and have never found earplugs that are comfortable and stay in place.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

I wrote this on the "How To Make the Camino Tent Friendly" thread, I think it applies here, too.

I am the hospitality coordinator for the FICS (International Fraternity of the Camino de Santiago.) We run the donativo Albergue Villa de Grado on the Camino Primitivo, and participate in a lot of policy chatter in the Camino world. I have brought up this great upsurge in interest in tent camping to the people who run albergues on the caminos as well as those who write policy... Everyone says Yes, Yes, Ain't it the Truth? It will be so much better if more people bring tents! But so far, the post-Covid government guidelines for albergues (not specific to camino shelters) has absolutley no advice or guidance at all for camping or tenting at albergues, or the use of albergue sanitary facilities by people not sleeping inside. I think it has not occurred to them that this might happen.
There are tons and tons of things for them, and us, to consider in coming days, and as real pilgrims and volunteer hosts make use of adapted facilities.
At this point, accommodating tents is very much a sidelight, footnote, and detail. Don't take it personally. The next few months are going to be a learning curve to compare with the climb up O Cebreiro. Pilgrims who arrive had better be ready for that.
(Villa de Grado doesn't have tenting space, but pilgrims sometimes pitch tents in the park across the street and use our washing facilities.)

 

[David]

I wonder if we will see any of these .... https://www.eta.co.uk/2011/06/23/the-caravan-designed-to-be-towed-behind-a-bicycle/

 

[David]

@Rebekah - thank you for your post - that is great news that refugio owners are pro tenting pilgrims!

 

[Henm2]

A lot of ponchos can also be used as tarps. The 3f ul poncho is a good example. Then all you need also is your trekking poles as support, a sleep pad and your sleeping bag.

 

[peregrino_tom]

I've really been enjoying the development of the tent hypothesis over the last couple of months. I started as a naysayer concerned that people would just camp anywhere, wreak havoc on the environment and contribute little back to the camino hospitality community.
Now I like the idea of albergue garden and courtyard camping and hope it continues to progress:
Albergues get paid by pilgrims, pilgrims get restricted access to cleaning, toilets and some of the magic of the communal albergue way of life.
As some commentators have noted though, you're really going to need a freestanding tent for this to work for a lot of people, allowing you to pitch on hard surfaces where necessary, in places like courtyards. I think this rules out all the lightweighters, intending to use shelters that depend on trekking poles and stakes to keep them upright. (Or maybe it'll just turn into a 'pitch race' instead of a 'bed race' for those requiring a little patch of grass...). Plus, having used various set-ups like the Gatewood Cape (a poncho that's also a minimalist tent), I'd say they're not designed for night-after-night use unless you are really young and hardcore. And being made out of silnylon or other low-breathability fabrics, they're actually rubbish as rain-wear. Frankly, why make the camino double the endurance test that it already is?
There are the almost-freestander tents like those that Big Agnes provide, but even these need some pegs to hold out their side porches. But I guess they'd do in most situations. The true freestanders are usually heavier (because of the pole set up) and the technical ones are expensive. The cheap ones rarely come in at less than 2kg. However I like the look of the Big Sky Soul tents, where both the one and two-person come in at about a kilo.
As for getting a good night's sleep - if you're bedding down on hard ground I'd suggest you'll need something a bit more comfortable than a glorified yoga mat. But it won't need to be full-length, so you can save a little weight there.
All in all, it means more weight. If you're hardy, that might be fine and you can always just walk a few less km each day. Otherwise as has been mentioned somewhere above, if you're going from albergue to albergue, you could use the camino transport service to move your kit.
Cheers, tom

 

[Anniesantiago]

I have not read this entire thread, but here is my 2 cents.

On the Camino when I've carried a tent, I did so because of my Multiple Chemical Sensitivities.
If an albergue cleaned with that danged STRONG stinky perfumed cleaner they use on the floors, I would have to use my tent. Or if pilgrims were spraying themselves with essential oils and/or perfumes, I would use my tent. Ork if the albergue was "completo" I would use the tent.

Maybe I should go back and read the thread . . .

 

[Camino Chrissy]

David, this thread has gone pretty much "viral". In pre-covid times the responses would have been far less. I have been amazed at the interest expressed and how many who love the pilgrimages are willing to accept and adapt to new ideas in order to eventually be able to...go!

 

[AliceBerry16]

Next week I will go camping. I am confused about which tent is good?

 

[peregrino_tom]

HI Alice. Welcome to the forum!
Well, we are up to post 160 on this thread and there's no definitive answer, except that if you walk the camino carrying a tent it should be a really light one.
It'd be interesting to know why you are planning to camp and what makes you think it's the best option for you at this time.
Cheers, tom

 

[AlwynWellington]

... tent should be a really light one.

Amen, amen and again, amen.

My 2 person tent (me and my backpack) is 570 grams, pegs 115 g and sleeping pad 220 g for a total of 905 g. The next lightest I could find was over 1600 grams including the pegs and sleeping pad.

 

[Geodoc]

I am thinking along these lines, too. I want to try tenting along the camino before the floodgates open, and I have answered the weight problem by deciding to use my bicycle.
But there are some unanswered questions still.

2. I hope to NOT have to carry cooking gear. Where this will leave me coffee-wise each morning will be another challenge. I am ready to eat out of boxes and tins if I have to, but I will whine.

Rebekah, I did the Camino last year with a basic cook kit (I'm mostly vegan so do a lot of my own cooking). I've got a free ebook I provide for the asking that describes the kit.

 

[gerip]

Next week I will go camping. I am confused about which tent is good?

We’ll need more information. Are you going on the Camino or will you be camping closer to home? If not on the Camino then where? What’s the terrain, the climate? Are you going on your own or will you be sharing a tent? Will you have to carry other equipment and if so how much? Will it be an overnight trip, a weekend, or longer? If you live near an outfitter it would be a good idea to go in where you will be asked these questions and they will be able to help you based on your answers.

 

[Undermanager]

When I walked the Pennine Way in the UK last year, carrying a tent was the only option if you didn't want to use taxis, walk miles out of your way or spend silly amounts at times for B&B. Even with a light tent, not carrying a stove, using a water filter, carrying a mat and better sleeping bag for cold nights etc meant the weight was well over 10kgs, and often more, depending on how much food you carried.

Compared to the 7kgs carried on a Camino, it's a lot more, especially over 100s of miles. Add the heat, the many ups and downs in Spain, the extra water you need and many people really needing a shower at the end of a hot sweaty day, camping is an option, but you need to be fairly fit and know what you are getting into. I'd be very keen to camp and love camping, but am ultra cautious, having dodgy knees, a sore hip and a tempermental back these days.

I would like to see the option available to Camino-ers, though, as it rarely does at the moment. More thought to accommodating campers is needed, and it could reduce the pressures in hostels. I'd like to see albergues etc offer cheap tented accomodation as well, so you can camp but not carry the weight, but still have access to showers, cooking etc.

This is the first year for five years I won't have walked a Camino, but I can't see a return for a few years, or a resurgence in numbers. The walks will either have to go upmarket to make them pay, or options like camping will have to be taken more seriously.

 

[anthikes]

I think the camino numbers will return much sooner than the doom sayers predict.

 

[roving_rufus]

I carried a tent on the Via Francigena (pilgrim route to Rome) through France- a route which called often for carrying food and 2 litres of water - but still easily managed to keep weight below 10kg all in - including tent, cooking stove, food and water and sleeping bag. However, as I like camino walking in winter - my winter camino kit is over 8kg because of carrying warmer gear and extra food, it didn't seem too much of an adjustment. And just to note I am a 5'3 woman.
I have a terranova 1-person laser competition which is lightweight but not ultralight weight. The cost of buying a tent and how much you will use it have to be taken into account! Cheap tents tend to be heavier due to the material used. There are ways to reduce weight - but some are costly, while others will reduce comfort. It will take some research as to decide your weight, comfort and cost ratios if you feel that camping is suited to the camino route that you are planning.
My current camino plan will see me once again carrying the tent in spring 2021 heading from Cherbourg down through France as accomodation is more limited on this camino route but there are quite a few campsites.

 

[Tone-Lise]

I carried a tent on the Via Francigena (pilgrim route to Rome) through France- a route which called often for carrying food and 2 litres of water - but still easily managed to keep weight below 10kg all in - including tent, cooking stove, food and water and sleeping bag. However, as I like camino walking in winter - my winter camino kit is over 8kg because of carrying warmer gear and extra food, it didn't seem too much of an adjustment. And just to note I am a 5'3 woman.
I have a terranova 1-person laser competition which is lightweight but not ultralight weight. The cost of buying a tent and how much you will use it have to be taken into account! Cheap tents tend to be heavier due to the material used. There are ways to reduce weight - but some are costly, while others will reduce comfort. It will take some research as to decide your weight, comfort and cost ratios if you feel that camping is suited to the camino route that you are planning.
My current camino plan will see me once again carrying the tent in spring 2021 heading from Cherbourg down through France as accomodation is more limited on this camino route but there are quite a few campsites.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[martin1ws]

I carried sleeping gear (a tarp, a inflatable mattress, a sleeping bag for lower temperatures) on my Camino from Munich to Lindau in Germany in the last two weeks. I wanted to have it as a fallback option if corona would get worse.
Finally (and luckily) I did not need it... I only slept one time in the forest to test it on my Camino and it was okay for sleeping.
Together with the bigger backpack it was additional weight of a little bit less than 2 kg... I think I would not take the sleeping gear next time "just in case" as a fallback option on a camino... only if I read of several current stories where pilgrims had really problems with finding a place for sleeping.

 

[AliceBerry16]

Tents are an essential and most useful piece of camping. if you going to camping you must know how to use a tent.

 

[David Tallan]

Tents are an essential and most useful piece of camping. if you going to camping you must know how to use a tent.

That depends on where you are camping. I've camped in deserts several times without tents and without issues. I also know people who camp in areas where there are plenty of trees using hammocks instead of tents. And the one time I stayed in a campground on the Camino I didn't need or use a tent, as they had cabins for peregrinos.

Not to deny the usefulness of tents for most types of camping. I know through hikers who find them among their most important pieces of equipment. And, if one wanted to camp along the camino, a lightweight tent would be extremely useful.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I once slept under the stars in the forest one autumn and I was glad I did. I got to see a bear shuffle through the leaves along a creek in the light of a full moon.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

Just to put a period at the end of this discussion... I walked (not biked) the camino Leon to Santiago August-September 2020. I did not bring a tent. I saw only two tents in use along the Way. There were plenty of pilgrims (234 compostelas issued the day I arrived), and still we sometimes had an entire spotless, Covid-prevented albergue to ourselves at the day's end.
No need for a tent, unless that's where you really want to sleep.

 

[OxFyrd]

Just FYI. 2 friends have just completed the "French route", one in August, the other in September. Few albergues but was always possible to find accommodation. Mask must be worn when seeing someone (!), In town, and of course albergues. Few pilgrims.
In case of, have a look to bivy (mountainlaureldesigns.com) are the best. In case of heavy rain take an hotel.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Tents are an essential and most useful piece of camping. if you going to camping you must know how to use a tent.

Or a tarp. Or a bivvy bag.

 

[JonyWest]

If you arrive at a town where the albergues are full, you will have other (better) options than being forced to camp. Just by asking around town, you will most likely find a spare room or bed to sleep for the night. I also like to sleep in tents, but it all depends on the area and the weather. A couple of times I spent the night in a low-quality tent and it slightly spoiled my opinion about this type of trip. However, a couple of months ago, a friend of mine suggested giving me one of the Best Lightweight tents for thru-hiking. It completely changed my mind. Now I'm saving up for a tent like this ;DD

 

[Barbara]

JonyWest, some of us like camping. I've walked a few Caminos, some with a donkey, some without. I like my tent. Each to their own.

 

[Tincatinker]

If you arrive at a town where the albergues are full, you will have other (better) options than being forced to camp. Just by asking around town, you will most likely find a spare room or bed to sleep for the night.

@JonyWest that's an interesting assertion. There certainly was a time, and some places, when a bed could be found by asking around the bars, the railway station, the Guardia Civil post or by tracking down the Mayor. Though throughout the modern revival that has applied more on the less travelled Caminos than on the Frances. It was the method I relied on in the early '70's - though I tended to avoid the Guardia if possible. Post-Covid, realistically Intra-Covid, I don't think the old days of a spare bed in the Widow's house is going to be much of an option. I'll still not be taking a tent but I'll be taking my sleeping bag, my mask, and a big pinch of salt.

 

[Stroller]

The best I could find in two towns with full albergues in 2016 on the Frances was to move on and as it was late in the day with rain heaving down by taxi. The first place I got to was also full and it was only in the third town, some 20kM on that I found a place to stay. I was beginning to wish I had packed my bivvy. So JonyWest you can't always get a bed as easily as you assert.

 

[JillGat]

JonyWest, some of us like camping. I've walked a few Caminos, some with a donkey, some without. I like my tent. Each to their own.

I'd love to hear more about your Caminos with the donkey! I would think sometimes it might be hard to find a place to pitch a tent on the camino.

 

[Barbara]

JillGat, it can be difficult. The Norte is easier than the Frances, and people do understand that the donkey needs to eat at night. I usually camped in the same field as the donkey, sometimes a hotel had some grass, a few times there was a stable near by. Riding stables usually have somewhere to spread a bedroll. There are even some albergues with stables, but not often with hay or bedding. I suspect it's easier to find a campsite once the donkey starts asking. Hard to resist those big brown eyes and floppy ears. Unless you are a monk. Don't ask....

 

[Trude]

Hi – I have been thinking about tents for Camino - idle thoughts

Now, I don’t want to get into the rights or wrongs nor the legalities or illegalities, would rather leave that out for this thread … but, when the Camino does open again I do think that there will be more tenting pilgrims. I will certainly be packing one onto my first aid trailer.

So – to me there are a few main requirements - I would be interested to hear other views

1. It has to be light – for obvious reasons really.

2. It will be a dome or pop-up tent as it has to be free-standing, that it will stand up without pegging down.

There are many refugios with concrete/wooden verandahs, porches outside churches with stone floors. There are countless businesses along the way with car parks that close early evening and don’t open again until 8 or 9 the next day. There are tarmac Pelota squares in many villages ...
Again – this is not about the legality, but thinking about it, not camping on farmland could be a much better way forward. And something like a dome tent doesn’t have to be pegged unless there is a strong wind.

3. It has to be cheap.

The reason I have for this is that it will only be used for, what, 35 days max? And in Santiago could be given to a homeless person. Also, if it is is damaged, lost, stolen – who cares if it is cheap?

4. As it has to be both cheap and light I think that a single skin tent would do – if it gets a little cold and this causes condensation for a few nights .. is that important?

5. It will be small (to be light) but has to be big enough to keep footwear and pack inside.

And that is it really

Oh, 6. It should be blue with yellow waymarker signs spray-stencilled onto it.

I could be completely wrong here but I don’t think anyone has to spend a fortune on a tent with all gizzmos and super strong Himalayan waterproofing and maybe half a kilo, a pound, lighter – but can one can budget this? And how light is ‘light’?

Hi David, I live in Australia and have camped the 88 temples in Japan and spent a few nights in tents on various Camino’s. I buy a 2 person Dome tent from Woolworths or Kmart for about $15 it is just about 1 kilo maybe under. If there is 2 of you one can carry the poles and the other the tent. It is wise to buy one of those self inflating air beds and pillows they are quite expensive but very small and make a comfortable nights sleep. I give my tent away at the end of my journey. I don’t worry about it being legal or illegal to camp I find a nice flat spot in amongst the trees and when I leave you would not know I have been there. No cooking of course.

 

[Undermanager]

Very jealous. The 88 temples walk was on my list for this year!!