Would a shemagh be useful on the Camino?

[Stephen]

It's a large scarf worn by people in the Middle East.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Yes. I used a scarf last Camino on both cold and hot days, to protect me from the cold wind, and to protect me from the sun.
It's also good coming from the shower, and as a coverup.

 

[GreatDane]

I used a bright purple patterned 117gr rayon sarong on my previous camino. I'd sprayed it with permethrin and would use it to mark my bunk, or wrap the pillow if no pillowcase, as a belt to make my Macabi and hiking t-shirts look a little "dressier" and as a curtain separating me from my bunk neighbor. Found an even lighter weight one I'm bringing this year. (on Amazon for $3 so if I want to give it away or leave it somewhere, no loss)

 

[Robo]

I could certainly have used one on a few very hot days. In fact I looked in a few shops for a suitable piece of fabric, but couldn't really find anything

I made do with a wide brimmed hat that had a neck flap. And lightweight gloves.........I saved putting on sunblock all the time. My hands got burnt in the first few days.

I found some interesting videos on how to wear a Shemagh though..... A very versatile bit of head gear!

Most of the videos were made by survivalist/military types, but this one is a good demo.

Just as an aside. I wore long sleeves and long pants all the way. Saw lots of sunburn on those who didn't and forgot to apply sunblock

Lazy and safe............just cover up

 

[Sailor]

Thanks Mister Rob for the link to the video (good information). Muchas gracias, Sir, y que la luz de Dios alumbre su camino.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

I find the shemagh to be too large and heavy for what your needs would be on the camino. And being cotton (aren't they all mostly cotton?) it would take a long time to dry of it gets wet and too bulky for the packpack. This being said I always walk with my faithful silk meditation scarf. Serves also as a blanky on long bus rides to my starting point, extra warmth on cold nights.

 

[Robo]

I find the shemagh to be too large and heavy for what your needs would be on the camino. And being cotton (aren't they all mostly cotton?) it would take a long time to dry of it gets wet and too bulky for the packpack. This being said I always walk with my faithful silk meditation scarf. Serves also as a blanky on long bus rides to my starting point, extra warmth on cold nights.

I agree cotton would be too bulky and take too long to dry. I was looking for a lighter material but never really found anything whilst walking.

 

[Seabird]

I used a bright purple patterned 117gr rayon sarong on my previous camino. I'd sprayed it with permethrin and would use it to mark my bunk, or wrap the pillow if no pillowcase, as a belt to make my Macabi and hiking t-shirts look a little "dressier" and as a curtain separating me from my bunk neighbor. Found an even lighter weight one I'm bringing this year. (on Amazon for $3 so if I want to give it away or leave it somewhere, no loss)

My lightest sarong is 207g, but I have a large 46" in square scarf (91g) I was planning to bring. It wouldn't be suitable to wear from the shower, though. I'm not sure I'd wear one anyway, but would it be more practical to look for something I could also wear?

 

[Nanumea]

Thank you Robo for the video, it was really useful.

I'm planning to take a large scarf (not shemaq though) and wear it as sun protection. Is it appropriate to walk around in a scarf if only the eyes are visible? I know in France it's not allowed to cover your face in public, how about Spain?

I would only wear the scarf ninja-style on the sunniest parts of the Camino (mountains, meseta), not the villages and towns. I'm allergic to sunscreen lotions and I'm very pale, so I burn easily. I thought a scarf would be the best option to protect myself from the sun. I've also been thinking about bringing an umbrella, but it's heavy and won't work in windy weather.

 

[GreatDane]

It wouldn't be suitable to wear from the shower, though.

Maybe it was just my luck with the places I stayed, but I never had the occasion to have to walk anywhere from the shower with any but my new fresh change of clothes on.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Maybe it was just my luck with the places I stayed, but I never had the occasion to have to walk anywhere from the shower with any but my new fresh change of clothes on.

That is exactly what I was going to say. You normally change right in the shower stall, or if it's not built for that, then in the bathroom itself. So you are fully dressed by the time you leave the bathroom.

 

[trecile]

I used a bright purple patterned 117gr rayon sarong on my previous camino. I'd sprayed it with permethrin and would use it to mark my bunk, or wrap the pillow if no pillowcase, as a belt to make my Macabi and hiking t-shirts look a little "dressier" and as a curtain separating me from my bunk neighbor. Found an even lighter weight one I'm bringing this year. (on Amazon for $3 so if I want to give it away or leave it somewhere, no loss)

Do you have a link to the Amazon sarong??

 

[Stephen]

Nanumea, you can buy umbrellas that are claimed to be wind proof. Whether they are or not is another matter.

 

[koknesis]

Thank you Robo for the video, it was really useful.

I'm planning to take a large scarf (not shemaq though) and wear it as sun protection. Is it appropriate to walk around in a scarf if only the eyes are visible? I know in France it's not allowed to cover your face in public, how about Spain?

I would only wear the scarf ninja-style on the sunniest parts of the Camino (mountains, meseta), not the villages and towns. I'm allergic to sunscreen lotions and I'm very pale, so I burn easily. I thought a scarf would be the best option to protect myself from the sun. I've also been thinking about bringing an umbrella, but it's heavy and won't work in windy weather.

in 2014 I met quite many ninja-dressed pilgrims (Korean?). I firmly believe in thermoactive fabrics, so I went with a coolmax extreme buff, which helps to cool down the skin upon excessive heat and has good UV protection.

in Finland you may check out in the closest Partioaitta outlet products like these:
http://www.partioaitta.fi/sea-to-summit-the-mullet
http://www.partioaitta.fi/euroschirm-swing

 

[Nanumea]

Thank you for the tips