Waist/front Pack

[desertwoman]

Good Morning! My first Camino was 2023 on el Norte and it was fabulous! I am now inspired to travel this mode until my body says to stop. So September 20ish I will begin the Camino Portuguese from Porto after a few days in Lisbon. This year I will be better organized based on what did and did not work last year. I love my pack (Osprey Eja 48) but I find that I need a waist or frontal pack of some kind because I cannot reach my water bottle and the little side pockets are not big enough to hold what I want to reach. It wastes time and momentum to have to stop to remove my pack. Therefore I am looking for recommendations. I know I saw old posts a few years ago but can’t seem to find them now. I did buy a bag from Decathlon last year - the size was perfect but attaching it was not.

 

[naplesdon]

Okay, from a male point of view; I carry a .5 litre bottle in my front pocket. If I need additional water for a long day with few places to refill that bottle, I carry a 1.5 litre bottle in the top of my backpack for refills. A 48 L bag is much larger than I walk with.

 

[Jarrad]

I recommend just getting a water bottle pouch/holder that attaches to the front of your shoulder strap on your backpack.

Or you might try using the 0.5 liter bottles to see if they fit better in your side pockets (plus that would probably work better if you choose to carry one on the front of your shoulder strap).

Inevitably someone will mention the water bladder. That'd work too, if you don't mind pulling it out for refills.

 

[C clearly]

If you are mainly looking for other ways to carry your water, have a look at the threads tagged with "water/hydration."

For other things that I want quick access to, I use a slim cross-shoulder bag. I don't like having anything else (other than my backpack belt) around my waist and hips. I have more than enough flesh to fill that space comfortably!

 

[desertwoman]

Thank you all for your replies. I know that 48L is larger than most, but being 74 with some minor health issues, that require extra space plus I had planned to make some purchases at the end (which I did not make). The problem was not the size of the bottle - I just could not reach it. My pack weighed in at 15 pounds so I was happy with that. I just checked my Decathlon bag and it will suffice as a sling so all is good.

 

[Cleenjones]

Im about to head out on my 3rd Camino and I hear you - accessing water can be tough and those little side pockets don’t quite cut it. I’ve found that wearing a small Patagonia pouch that holds my credentiàl, passport and wallet, as well as a Kleenex and hand sanitizer and my cell phone has been a great solution. I keep it on me at all times (except in the shower). It weighs next to nothing, is convenient and gives me peace of mind knowing I always have my most important items within reach at all times.

This year I purchased a water bottle sleeve that attaches to my packs shoulder strap. I’ve done a few training walks with it and love it! I’ll carry one water bottle in the pouch and a second in one of the side pouches. Check out Amazon - there are lots of options to choose from

Good luck and Buen Camino

 

[ShoshTrvls]

Another vote for the shoulder strap pouch. I use a water bladder mostly, but I also carry a bottle for electrolytes which I keep in the pouch. My passport, credential and phone stay in a flat waist pack for easy access during the day.

 

[Vancouver pilgrim]

Hi there, I use a “Bison” brand water bottle holder. It is rubber that fits the neck of a water bottle. I replaced the carabiner with a stronger one and use an elastic strap around the base so it doesn’t flop around but it clips easily to the horizontal straps on the shoulder straps of my Osprey pack.

 

[Mananath]

I have a hydration tube that screws into a plastic water bottle (in my case a 1l smart water bottle) which slips into a side pocket on my pack. It's easy to refill and see how much water I have left.

I wear a 2l fanny pack from REI which works nicely for me.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

This is the waist bag I use when I walk and need quick access to my water bottle. You can use both sides, too, or cinch them shut. It is not overly heavy and store all my variables including my sunglasses.

Amazon.com

 

[J Willhaus]

I have a water bottle holder from Chums. Works well for me. I just use a small bottle and change out when it is empty.

 

[Bill905]

I too use a waist bag to keep my day-to-day items and to reduce the number of times the backpack needs to be removed. It's indispensable. For my cards, cash, and passport etc. I use a secure neck pouch under my shirt. For my pack I used to use a 48 liter Osprey, but have now reduced to a 38 liter. When I completed the Camino Portuguese I bought a light nylon bag at a souvenir shop. It has cords so it can be used as a day pack/backpack, and that was only because I bought so many souvenirs etc! My preferred water container is shown in the photo - convenient to carry, easy to fill, easy to drink from. I also carry pouches of dry electrolytes (Hydralite) in my waist pouch and occasionally mix that into the water. And remember zip-lok bags to keep your stuff dry. Buen Camino!

 

[Kiwi-family]

I have a hydration tube that screws into a plastic water bottle (in my case a 1l smart water bottle) which slips into a side pocket on my pack. It's easy to refill and see how much water I have left.

I wear a 2l fanny pack from REI which works nicely for me.

I tried a tube and bottle on my last camino and will never go back to other systems! Loved it.

I also wear a bumbag with my glasses, journal, watercolours and pens, mini keyboard, phone, lip balm etc. Firstly it's good to carry some of that weight on my front instead of all on my back, and secondly, they are all things I like to take out to a bar after I've dropped my pack at an albergue. So I'm a fan!

 

[gwynth]

Good Morning! My first Camino was 2023 on el Norte and it was fabulous! I am now inspired to travel this mode until my body says to stop. So September 20ish I will begin the Camino Portuguese from Porto after a few days in Lisbon. This year I will be better organized based on what did and did not work last year. I love my pack (Osprey Eja 48) but I find that I need a waist or frontal pack of some kind because I cannot reach my water bottle and the little side pockets are not big enough to hold what I want to reach. It wastes time and momentum to have to stop to remove my pack. Therefore I am looking for recommendations. I know I saw old posts a few years ago but can’t seem to find them now. I did buy a bag from Decathlon last year - the size was perfect but attaching it was not.

I love my macpac waist pac. Fits a water bottle etc. Check out their website. It's called the "Macpac Wilderness Bumbag"

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

I'm another one that uses the Convertube system with my water bottle. For me personally far more practical than a bladder, whilst keeping the water within easy reach. I attach it to my 500 mil bottle and keep one liter in my pack ( stays cool). Helps me monitor my water use.

 

[Pafayac]

I use this one:

PACK-AVANT ACTIV

Augmentez le volume de votre sac Gagnez jusqu'à 4L de volume supplémentaires grâce au pack-avant Activ. Compatible avec les sacs RAID LEGEND 24L, ULTRALIGHT 24L-30L, ADVENTURE 40L et ENDURANCE 12L-24L, il vous permettra d'emporter tout le nécessaire sur vos courses à étapes, tout en répartissant...

raidlight.com

After the buckles have been sewed on the backpack, it can be easily carried.

 

[Lurch]

My take is a bit different. I use plastic whiskey bottles, after consuming their contents. They are flatter and slip in and out of my cargo pocket easier. A 375 ml in front lasts long enough for me to put in enough distance to usually find a water point and 1 or 2 750 ml bottles in the pockets of my pack as a reserve. Not insulated, but when you need it, water is great warm or cold.

 

[NomadJMJ]

https://www.amazon.com/Flimjibg-Military-Water-Bottle-Pouch/dp/B0CNYRGNZC

 

[Pafayac]

My take is a bit different. I use plastic whiskey bottles, after consuming their contents.

How much time do you wait between consuming their contents and starting walking ?

 

[WalkingInGers]

I use this one:

PACK-AVANT ACTIV

Augmentez le volume de votre sac Gagnez jusqu'à 4L de volume supplémentaires grâce au pack-avant Activ. Compatible avec les sacs RAID LEGEND 24L, ULTRALIGHT 24L-30L, ADVENTURE 40L et ENDURANCE 12L-24L, il vous permettra d'emporter tout le nécessaire sur vos courses à étapes, tout en répartissant...

raidlight.com

After the buckles have been sewed on the backpack, it can be easily carried.

So you cannot use it to visit a town or a city given that the system needs to be sown on the rucksack?
I really need a front pack that can be used as I walk with and without by backpack..
Still looking for another system..that holds a liter bottle in front as all of those other things such as credit cards, passport and the like....

Good thread @desertwoman

 

[t2andreo]

Many people will wear a fanny pack - bum bag, backwards. You can search to find try to find one with one or two bottle holders.

Shifting the weight of two full water bottles from the back (rucksack side pockets) to the front, shifts significant weight. @ x .5 liters equal on liter = about one kilo of weight. I have special stainless steel clips that attach to the necks of two additional .5 liter water bottles and hang from the front of my rucksack harness. This allows me to tote up to 4 x .5 liter bottles. When all four bottles are full, I move 2 kg, or 4.4 pounds, from my back to my front - helping to balance my carry weight.

I did this some years back. I also put anything that I will need during the day in the front pack. This includes: my battery pack for recharging my iPhone, sunglasses, snacks and my field expedient toileting kit (just in case), and my IPhone. I also fold my sun hat and put it in here when I am not wearing it.

My important papers, wallet, passport, credencial, etc., ride in zip lock bags in my cargo pockets. Even if I lose everything on my back, I can still salvage my trip from my pockets and the "belly bag."

The rucksack side pockets now get used for my rolled up rain gear (poncho), hiking umbrella and wind and rain-resistant jacket / parka. The rain gear is accessible without removing my rucksack. My fleece rides in the rear mesh pocket. I rarely need to open my rucksack during the day.

The front bag I currently use also has a horizontal sleeve, atop the main compartment, that can hold a 1.5 liter bottle of water. When I know I will need additional water during the day. e.g. on the Meseta, or when no services are available on a daily segment, I will tote the extra weight - in the front - to (a) offset weight for improved overall balance, and (b) to help others I encounter who may not have planned ahead - it does happen.

Here is but one suggestion for something that would work. My bag was made by a French equipment company that has since stopped making it.

Amazon.com

This setup works for me. It may work for you. I use a 38 liter Osprey Kestrel.

Hope this helps.

Tom

 

[Getwood]

I purchased and will use several bottle attachment gizmos off of Amazon; they have various methods of securing the neck of the bottle, but they all allow you to attach a bottle anywhere on the front of you or your pack:

 • https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09YRJ823F?psc=1
 • https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0BFB3XFMK?psc=1

The hip-belt on my pack's gonna interfere with any bumbag I attempt to use, so for "the other stuff," I'm using a small EDC bag from Think Tank Photo which can also attach most anywhere and fits the following: passport, small and large notebook, pen, cellphone, wallet. I'm sure once I start walking I'll detect shortcomings, but that's what experience does for you. :-/

 

[wynrich]

This is the waist pack I use and it's perfect for me. Water bottle always handy. (Might not be easy to get outside the US?) It works fine so pack is in front.

https://www.rei.com/product/227961/rei-co-op-trail-5-waist-pack

 

[WalkingInGers]

Many people will wear a fanny pack - bum bag, backwards. You can search to find try to find one with one or two bottle holders.

Shifting the weight of two full water bottles from the back (rucksack side pockets) to the front, shifts significant weight. @ x .5 liters equal on liter = about one kilo of weight. I have special stainless steel clips that attach to the necks of two additional .5 liter water bottles and hang from the front of my rucksack harness. This allows me to tote up to 4 x .5 liter bottles. When all four bottles are full, I move 2 kg, or 4.4 pounds, from my back to my front - helping to balance my carry weight.

I did this some years back. I also put anything that I will need during the day in the front pack. This includes: my battery pack for recharging my iPhone, sunglasses, snacks and my field expedient toileting kit (just in case), and my IPhone. I also fold my sun hat and put it in here when I am not wearing it.

My important papers, wallet, passport, credencial, etc., ride in zip lock bags in my cargo pockets. Even if I lose everything on my back, I can still salvage my trip from my pockets and the "belly bag."

The rucksack side pockets now get used for my rolled up rain gear (poncho), hiking umbrella and wind and rain-resistant jacket / parka. The rain gear is accessible without removing my rucksack. My fleece rides in the rear mesh pocket. I rarely need to open my rucksack during the day.

The front bag I currently use also has a horizontal sleeve, atop the main compartment, that can hold a 1.5 liter bottle of water. When I know I will need additional water during the day. e.g. on the Meseta, or when no services are available on a daily segment, I will tote the extra weight - in the front - to (a) offset weight for improved overall balance, and (b) to help others I encounter who may not have planned ahead - it does happen.

Here is but one suggestion for something that would work. My bag was made by a French equipment company that has since stopped making it.

Amazon.com

This setup works for me. It may work for you. I use a 38 liter Osprey Kestrel.

Hope this helps.

Tom

I will run over to the Au Vieux Campeur ( https://www.auvieuxcampeur.fr/ ) and see if they have something like this. From Sevilla, I will need to start off with three liters of water. I use a hydration system that works with the bottles in the rucksack and I sip on the end from time to time. I used it on the Camino Frances this year and it was great as it did not stop one from stopping and drinking away.

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

Another option I have found is a leg pack. It is supported by a waist belt and another around the leg. Contents are easily accessed and, for the most part, the weight it carries does not depend on and upper body strength. Check Aliexpress as I believe they have a good selection. But here is one;

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002637255029.html

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I am quite "chesty/well endowed" so for me I am not interested in attaching water bottles to my pack straps no matter how convenient they may be...enough is enough.

 

[hieudovan]

Good Morning! My first Camino was 2023 on el Norte and it was fabulous! I am now inspired to travel this mode until my body says to stop. So September 20ish I will begin the Camino Portuguese from Porto after a few days in Lisbon. This year I will be better organized based on what did and did not work last year. I love my pack (Osprey Eja 48) but I find that I need a waist or frontal pack of some kind because I cannot reach my water bottle and the little side pockets are not big enough to hold what I want to reach. It wastes time and momentum to have to stop to remove my pack. Therefore I am looking for recommendations. I know I saw old posts a few years ago but can’t seem to find them now. I did buy a bag from Decathlon last year - the size was perfect but attaching it was not.

I bought 2 bottle holders for my backpack front straps. Easily carried and accessible. Sometimes I use one of them to store a banana so it does not get smushed.

 

[Getwood]

Another option I have found is a leg pack. It is supported by a waist belt and another around the leg. Contents are easily accessed and, for the most part, the weight it carries does not depend on and upper body strength. Check Aliexpress as I believe they have a good selection. But here is one;

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002637255029.html

Interesting options. Thanks!

 

[canyonhiker]

This is what I used:

WATER BOTTLE SLEEVE

Stay hydrated on-the-go with our durable water bottle sleeves. Choose from a variety of colors and sizes. Find yours today!

chickentrampergear.com

 

[MikeyC]

I use a waist pack from Elementerre, a French brand. Has two bottle holders which is better for balance. I bought mine in Carrion but a search online shows them available at around €25

 

[t2andreo]

Here is the direct website. They list their resellers.

ADVENT

Sacoche ceinture 3L

elementerre.fr

It comes in black/grey and bright neon green/grey. The green would be an aid for visibility and enhanced safety when road-walking.

I have a similar bag. Mine is an older design with a horizontal sleeve on the top of the bag, with the main compartment zipper at the rear. The sleeve will hold a 1.5 liter bottle.

But, it has numerous mounting options: fanny bag, belly bag, shoulder bag. It is a value at that price, unless you need to try to ship it off the continent.

Hope this helps.

Tom

 

[KariC]

Good Morning! My first Camino was 2023 on el Norte and it was fabulous! I am now inspired to travel this mode until my body says to stop. So September 20ish I will begin the Camino Portuguese from Porto after a few days in Lisbon. This year I will be better organized based on what did and did not work last year. I love my pack (Osprey Eja 48) but I find that I need a waist or frontal pack of some kind because I cannot reach my water bottle and the little side pockets are not big enough to hold what I want to reach. It wastes time and momentum to have to stop to remove my pack. Therefore I am looking for recommendations. I know I saw old posts a few years ago but can’t seem to find them now. I did buy a bag from Decathlon last year - the size was perfect but attaching it was not.

Gossamer Gear makes lightweight hiking gear, including fanny/waist packs.

 

[JamesG]

I’m trying the bellroy venture for the first time. I’m heading out on the Plata October 3 and carrying a 24 litre pack with a 3 litre osprey bladder. I did the via Francigena last year with this pack setup plus a very small day pouch I could pack away. it worked very well for hiking but needed a little something else for wandering and traveling.

 

[Mycroft]

Good Morning! My first Camino was 2023 on el Norte and it was fabulous! I am now inspired to travel this mode until my body says to stop. So September 20ish I will begin the Camino Portuguese from Porto after a few days in Lisbon. This year I will be better organized based on what did and did not work last year. I love my pack (Osprey Eja 48) but I find that I need a waist or frontal pack of some kind because I cannot reach my water bottle and the little side pockets are not big enough to hold what I want to reach. It wastes time and momentum to have to stop to remove my pack. Therefore I am looking for recommendations. I know I saw old posts a few years ago but can’t seem to find them now. I did buy a bag from Decathlon last year - the size was perfect but attaching it was not.

The only way I could get myself to drink water as I should was to use a Platypus bladder and tube attached right near my shoulder. I carry a cross-body bag (5 liter size I believe it is) for 'immediate necessities.'

 

[DJwalKing]

Hi @desertwoman. I stumbled on this cross body bag when I was doing research for my next Camino. Like you, I had to have a small bag to easily access essential. I found a belt pack to interfere with the straps on my backpack, so wasn't super comfortable. This cross body sling bag was actually designed by a pilgrim to be used specifically for this purpose.
https://shelltoucher.com/collection...ling-bag-your-best-friend-on-the-trail-unisex

 

[Goyo]

Justin's UL (13g) Original Ultralight Smartwater Water Bottle Carrier Backpacking Shoulder Strap (1item)
I picked up two of these water bottle carriers from this guy on Etsy and have been happy with them on my prep walks. I contacted Justin with some questions about bottles/sizes, etc, and he was quick to respond. You tell him what size bottles you plan to use, their shape, and he will custom make the carriers accordingly.

 

[Enzed]

Some ways i stored personal items.

A cross body sling bag for my ID, phone, coin purse, a bank card, credential, notepad and pen, small reusable carry bag, reusable straw and spork, prescription glasses when not wearing...useful stuff like that.
I had a hidden spot for a spare debit card and larger notes.
And a lightweight small dry bag clipped around my shoulder straps. Good for storing a few snacks and a drink bottle. Simple enough to unclick on the go.
I usually used my drink bottle holders on main bag, for spare muesli bars, an umbrella and another drink bottle.

 

[kdespot]

I have a hydration tube that screws into a plastic water bottle (in my case a 1l smart water bottle) which slips into a side pocket on my pack. It's easy to refill and see how much water I have left.

I wear a 2l fanny pack from REI which works nicely for me.

Can't agree more! A hydration tube is so easy and the bottle can be back there anywhere. The tube with mouthpiece clips to your pack straps and the bottle can be any old lightweight disposable bottle.