Rucksack.

[Bernie]

Hi folks,

Do those who have experience of the Camino have a favourite rucksack that they use,one that is ideal for the walk,many thanks.

Bernie.

[ScotlandtoSantiago]

Hi Bernie,

I went for the Osprey Kestrel 38 and it was perfect for my needs. I noticed that most people generally had bigger bags but i figured that the bigger the bag, the more stuff I would carry. I found it to be very practical, especially the hip pockets where I stored my camera, knife etc. I guess I was carrying 10 to 12kg in weight each day which was very little considering I'm 6'2 and around 14 stone. I'd definitely recommend it.

Buen Camino!

[HuskyNerd]

My pack is an Osprey Atmos 50L, which is a great pack and now a trusted friend. :-) It's actually a larger pack than I need for caminos and I could do with something in the 35L range, since my kit was only 7 kgs, but I also use the pack for local mountain hiking. In our area the Osprey and Deuter packs seem to rise to the top. I chose the Osprey because its frame fit my back and hips a little better (this model of Osprey comes in S-M-L frame sizes).

Buen camino!

[Bernie]

Thanks guys,much appreciated,Osprey it is.

[Lipka149]

I chose the Osprey because its frame fit my back and hips a little better (this model of Osprey comes in S-M-L frame sizes).

Hi Bernie -

I used a Gregory Z55. The extra "space" (about 10 liters worth) is just fabric that folds up from the top to make more room inside. It made a nice loose place for the easily bruised apples, bananas, and tomatoes I carried along the Way.

Sandy makes a good point about having the backpack fit to your body length. Have an expert do the fitting for you. I might also add that it is important to have an outside frame that allows the pack to ride away from direct contact with your back.

[John Hussey]

Mine is a McHale pack, hand made in Seattle, Washington, USA, and made especially to fit my body dimensions. It is expensive but it will most likely outlive me. Its 43 liters, about 2650 cubic inches and weighs 3.25 pounds. It is to large for the Camino, but I have used it on other, longer trails, with much less opportunity for resupply where I needed to carry food, water, cooking stuff....

[zzotte]

I have not done the Camino yet I will soon, however the best pack so far for me (I have tried about five) has been the AARN Bodyback, I have logged lots of miles with it some trips with over 40 lbs. and it’s a great pack after a little of a learning curve.

Zo

[Bernie]

Hi Bernie -

I used a Gregory Z55. The extra "space" (about 10 liters worth) is just fabric that folds up from the top to make more room inside. It made a nice loose place for the easily bruised apples, bananas, and tomatoes I carried along the Way.

Sandy makes a good point about having the backpack fit to your body length. Have an expert do the fitting for you. I might also add that it is important to have an outside frame that allows the pack to ride away from direct contact with your back.

Thank you,Bernie.

[doctor_robert]

I noticed that most people generally had bigger bags but i figured that the bigger the bag, the more stuff I would carry.

It is all about self control and realizing the weight will be on your back all day everyday. I have seen lots of people stuff lots of things in small packs, but I prefer the bigger pack with my things being less dense. It is just easier to put less in a bigger bag than more in a smaller bag.

I carried a 60L in february and had some extra room that was nice for some food or packing my jackets on warm days. I was carrying a 0 deg C sleeping bag as well that took up some room.

[ScotlandtoSantiago]

It is all about self control and realizing the weight will be on your back all day everyday.

That's a good point - I guess it says more about me than the backpack! You could say that by choosing a smaller backpack I took the element of self-control out of the equation, forcing me to travel light. In the end, I found that I had plenty of extra space each day for lunch etc.

[John Hussey]

That's a good point - I guess it says more about me than the backpack! You could say that by choosing a smaller backpack I took the element of self-control out of the equation, forcing me to travel light. In the end, I found that I had plenty of extra space each day for lunch etc.

I really believe that is true for most folk, too. Self control is difficult when you are planning your trip and stuffing all those "nice to haves" into the open mouth of a cavernous backpack. Having a smaller one forces restraint whether you wish it so or no!

[Oak]

I'm going to take my largest Sack that I own, my logic being that it is very comfortable, in that I can easily change the weight distribution will plodding, from hips to sholders, & it's big so if I want to bring pressies back to the UK I can, I still hope to walk with 10kgs if possible.

[Atlantic]

IMO, any well made 30-35 litre sac is enough. Any more and you'll just fill it up with junk. I know, I've done that, till I stopped doing that. It is really important that the sac fits your back length but beyond that, don't fall victim to brand name mania or expensive advertising.

Among the sacs I have, my favourite is a 30£ or euro sac. 30+ litres. I have another of 30 litres with the mesh thingy which keeps it off your back for air circulation. The brand names don't matter at all. What suits me, you might hate. Read Naomi Klein 'No Logo'.

So do your own choosing and be confident. Hey, you could be a mediaeval pilg with a wool or leather bag. Be happy. Don't worry.

Incidentally, if you do have a sac of 30 litres you can have it as cabin luggage. If it's bigger, then you'll pay through the nose for cargo. Adding about 40 euros a flight to the cost of your monster sac. And you wouldn't want to hump that giant sac for 1600 ks so you can put presents in it on the last day? Why not buy a cheap crap bag in SDC for that?

Anyway the tourist trinkets in SDC won't fill your big rucsac. If you want them that is. All else for sale in SDC you can get in your town back home. Apart from the Tarta de Santiago. And I'm not referring to the ladies here.