With a wide toe box zero drop platform the waterproof Altra Lone Peaks are some of my all-time favorite shoes. When I found out they made a high-top ("Mid") version, it sounded like the perfect Camino shoe. Are they as great as they sound - or do they fail to perform? After not being too … Continue reading Altra Lone Peak RSM Mids Revisited
(Yes, I've tried ALL of these packs! Reviews HERE!) Like most things in life, there is no simple rule for deciding on a Camino backpack. It's not just about how much gear you bring, but also the kind of gear. Small differences can add up to a large impact on what you'll want your pack … Continue reading What is the Right Backpack Size for the Camino?
Camino pack volumes typically come in at around 30-40 liters, and the Osprey Stratos 36 is one of the most popular backpacks in that range. While not an ultra-light pack, it is feature rich - and those features may make the difference. Click the image above or HERE for my review! I took some young … Continue reading Osprey Stratos 36 Review and Gear Test
In my quest for an enjoyable Camino experience, I have continued to adjust my packing strategy. After my Ultralight Camino thought experiment (video HERE), I determined that a realistic base weight (gear weight minus worn or consumable items) could be around 10 pounds and still provide an acceptable amount of comfort. My pack weight right … Continue reading Lightening Pack Weight for the Camino
Even on the Camino, sleep systems are still important. I've tried out a few (see HERE and HERE), but I think I might have found something really good in The Big Blue Mountain Lazy Bear puffy blanket. It is a fairly lightweight, stuffable, throw blanket that is weather resistant and can function when wet. Here … Continue reading Lazy Bear Blanket Review
The struggle is real. As I wrote about in My Pack, my Camino gear journey began with the gift of the Osprey Exos 38. On paper, this was the perfect Camino pack - it seemed to work just fine on my first test hike, and held my gear perfectly on my first pack test. The … Continue reading Shopping for My Camino Backpack (Again)
It's Halloween and so I am dropping (pun intended) this SCARY video today. It is literally scary how bad this issue has gotten on the Camino, and scary that few if anyone knows how to deal with it. In this video I discuss how pilgrims can learn from backpacker's "trail toilets" and discuss the tools … Continue reading Pooping on the Camino
It probably sounds crazy to even suggest taking a 60 Liter backpack on the Camino, and for good reason: They have too much space! They cost too much! They weight too much! Or do they??? Today's inexpensive, high quality, expandable backpacks are making such a choice a lot more reasonable. HERE I look at two … Continue reading A 60 Liter Backpack for the Camino???
I finally had to admit that my Camino backpack - the excellent Osprey Exos 38 - was not the correct size. HERE I explain how to avoid this happening to you!
The "10% Rule" . . . when it comes to pack weight considerations, probably no guideline is more cited (and disputed!) in Camino forums. What is the 10% Rule, and is it based on science, folk wisdom, or mere rumor? FULL VIDEO HERE! Problems with the 10% Rule This popular pack weight rule of thumb … Continue reading The So-Called 10% Rule
Backcountry Pilgrim 