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Post by brazukrash on Aug 17, 2015 6:50:48 GMT -8
Hi, in 2 weeks I’m going to do the Camino de Santiago and still need a backpack. The problem is that I don’t know which one to get.
I was looking for a 50L max backpack with raincover built in and as a plus I would like one backpack that fits those low cost flights (but it’s not mandatory ofc).
I did some research online and was considering to get an osprey kestrel 48L or the Atmos AG 50 or a Lowe AirZone Pro 45-55, but I’m not sure if they are the best choice, considering the fact that I know nothing about good backpacks.
Thanks in advance.
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Aug 17, 2015 6:56:25 GMT -8
Whatever fits best with the load you're hauling is the pack you want. Less stitching means less places to fail. Those brands are brought up often and are viable choices.
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Post by brazukrash on Aug 17, 2015 7:18:43 GMT -8
Unfortunately I can't try the backpacks, because where I live (Portugal)this kind of stores are not commom. I'm going to buy online this week tho
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swmtnbackpacker
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Post by swmtnbackpacker on Aug 17, 2015 7:25:40 GMT -8
They are all good packs. The Kestrel is tough enough to double as luggage while the Atmos AG can get you into lightweight American-style wilderness backpacking (or Sweden's Kungsleden or Scottish adventures) with that trampoline suspension. With 50 L either way you will need to pack wisely, but 65L can be a little big to get through airports, use as a daypack, etc..
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jazzmom
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Post by jazzmom on Aug 17, 2015 7:29:11 GMT -8
Osprey and Lowe are "good" as far as brands go but you really can't talk about "best choice" without being able to try them on. The best choice is a pack that (a) fits and (b) carries your gear -- volume and weight -- comfortably. Do you know about how much weight you'll be carrying (gear + food + water)?
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Post by brazukrash on Aug 17, 2015 7:42:07 GMT -8
I'm not going to carry more than 25Lbs. I'm not sure if you guys are familiar with the Camino de Santiago, but there are a few things that I don't need to carry with me, like a stove (not sure if it's the appropriate name for it) to cook or some other stuff.
This is what I will be packing (may change tho):
2 - Shorts
1 - Pants
4 - Underwear
3 - T-Shirts
4 - Socks
1 - Light Jacket (here they are known as "polar"
1 - Rain Coat
1 - Towel
Hygiene Products - Small versions (toothbrush, deodorant, etc)
1 - Small Lantern
Cellphone + charger (considering getting some extra batteries, good idea?)
First Aid Kit
Water Bottle
Sleeping Bag
I can buy food everyday because I will pass through some cities everyday, so no need to carry a lot of food
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Aug 17, 2015 8:08:28 GMT -8
Are you doing all 500 or 600 miles? A simpler pack is probably best (any separation can be done with waterproofed stuff sacks, even color coded if you want) and one from somewhere that takes returns would be good if it turns out just not to fit at all. Lighter loads will help with any pack so a backpacking quilt might help with that... plus a pack that's lighter to start with.
The critical thing is that your footwear fit perfectly, depending on intervals between water sources a second water bottle right be nice, that can be (and it's light) just a bottled water plastic bottle. If some of your water sources can be questionable some sort of chemical water treatment might prove useful.
No camera? If you'll be using your cellphone as your camera and your phone accepts removable batteries that might be a good addition.
Oh and "small lantern"? I'd suggest a headlamp instead: better light, the new LED ones use tiny amounts of energy and it frees up your hands for doing things without annoying shadows.
Enjoy the walk!
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Post by brazukrash on Aug 17, 2015 8:20:09 GMT -8
I think you are referring to the french Camino  although I'm not going to do that, I'm going to do the portuguese camino it's shorter and take only 7-9 days. There are plenty of water to refill my bottle, but I'll also get a blader to put on the backpack, so I will carry 2-3L of water a day. I will consider taking my camera with me, not sure tho. I'm going to walk 300Km (more or less) from Barcelos to Santiago de Compostela. |
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Aug 17, 2015 8:25:31 GMT -8
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Post by brazukrash on Aug 17, 2015 8:37:59 GMT -8
There are a lot of "caminos". I've visited the website before, but most of the posts are older or they don't reply as much as I was hoping tho.
So just really need to know, which backpack would suit better for a 7-9 days walk? Considering what I will carry
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Aug 17, 2015 8:47:11 GMT -8
Though I like Lowe camera things they don't impress me for backpacks, older designs and a bit clumsy, www.rei.com/product/828434/osprey-kestrel-48-pack#tab-specsI'd say look at it's fit dimensions and measure yourself to see how either matches for a start especially given the Kestrel has a woman-specific design fit. For seven days of overnight walks I'd drop that three pair of pants/shorts down to one pair you wear. Either lightweight pants (something in ripstop nylon perhaps) or just a pair of shorts. Lighter, less bulky is always good for when you carry everything. Wear one t-shirt and carry another: rinse the spare at night. If they're made out of a nice tech fabric (and they should be) it will dry easily overnight. |
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Post by brazukrash on Aug 17, 2015 9:06:06 GMT -8
The Atmos AG 50 is not discontinued, I think they did an upgrade from the older version. I was looking for their new Anti-Gravity stuff, sounds like a really good thing, but I think the price difference is not worthy tho.
Thanks for the help, I will have all that in mind.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Aug 17, 2015 9:37:57 GMT -8
Yes, they had the older and newer version listed, I hit the older first. (Hence my edit).
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Aug 18, 2015 6:28:26 GMT -8
If you really can't try them on in person, just go with the most simplistic cheapest pack. It won't matter what brand because it's going to be like trying on a pair of shoes without knowing the size. It will either work...or it won't. The good news is, if you don't know what a great fitting pack feels like...at least you won't have anything to compare it to.
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swmtnbackpacker
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Post by swmtnbackpacker on Aug 18, 2015 9:49:24 GMT -8
Some caminos require lots of hiking by roadside if my reading is right, so maybe the ventilated "anti-gravity" if going in the warmer months.
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although I'm not going to do that, I'm going to do the portuguese camino