Blanket Statement After much deliberation I have decided to remove my down blanket from my sleeping system. It all started during my first gear packing test when I discovered that the second heaviest item in my kit was my blanket. Even though it was down-filled and not terribly big, it still weighed in at a … Continue reading Sleep System Redo
Backpackers (especially thru-hikers) are constantly in search of ways to lighten their load. When I did my initial gear weigh-in, my base weight was just under 20 pounds. Once I add in a full water bottle and the clothing I'd be wearing, the total comes to about 25 pounds. Gear This guy says he got … Continue reading Weight Loss
Now that I am nearly done gearing up for the Camino, I decided to get everything out and see what I could expect for packing. I want to get as close to the real deal as possible for training purposes. Organization Organization and quick access makes trail life a lot easier - and since my … Continue reading First Packing Test
I'm a pretty light sleeper, and recurring noises drive me crazy at night when I am trying to sleep. As every peregrino will verify, dozens of exhausted pilgrims sleeping in the same albergue room make earplugs a Camino sleep system essential. The other night was a perfect time to test my earplugs. My wife and … Continue reading Earplugs
So the other night I'm standing in the shower wearing a plastic skirt, sun hat, and biking gloves . . . I got my nearly final gear shipment the other day and found myself with some time to test the remaining "waterproof" items to see how they performed. Testing was exactly as fun as you … Continue reading Is it Waterproof? Mo Gear, Mo Tests!
Although walking the Camino is not backpacking in the normal sense of the word (where you must carry food, cooking supplies, and shelter), you do need some sleeping gear. While many albergues provide bedding, some do not (some do not provide heat!). Thus, the prepared peregrino must have at least a minimal sleep system just … Continue reading $45 Sleep System
After my failed "Waterproof" Waist Pack Test, I decided to try out another product. Although the Blue Sky Basics Waterproof Pouch is the cheapest of any waterproof waist pack I've found on the market, it is also one of the highest rated. This was obviously too good to be true, so I figured it wouldn't … Continue reading Actually Waterproof Waist Pack Test
As I have been hiking around, one thing I kept wishing I had was a waist pack. Pockets can hold flat things well, but they can get uncomfortable. There are some things I'll want to access more often than others (like snacks or my phone) and I don't want to have to drop the backpack … Continue reading “Waterproof” Waist Pack Test
As I've said before, I really dislike being wet unless I am showering or swimming. So, even though I've had wet weather gear for years, I've never really stress tested it because that would mean getting wet while hiking which never sounds fun to me. I knew I needed to though - because the last … Continue reading Water – “Proof” or “Resistant”?
I love watching thru-hiker gear reviews (two of my favorites are Darwin onthetrail and Homemade Wanderlust). After hiking literally thousands of miles and trying out many different products, these thru-hikers really know their stuff. As helpful as their knowledge is, though, it is important to realize that walking the Camino is almost nothing like a … Continue reading Ultralight Gear?
Backcountry Pilgrim 