Preparing for rain when you’re about to embark on the Camino de Santiago may not seem like something you need to do all year round, but you’d be surprised.
Whilst it offers brilliant weather during most of the summer, there’s always the chance of rain – I have been caught in thunderstorms in July and August. That’s why deciding between a poncho and a rain jacket is really important if you want to stay dry and get the most out of your Camino.
Whether you are planning a trip to the wonderful pilgrim’s routes of the Camino de Santiago, going hiking in the Lake District, or perhaps any of the great wilderness trails in North America, it is essential that you have the best hiking gear to ensure a pleasant journey.
How fit do I have to be to walk the Camino de Santiago or what kind of training do I have to do? This is one of the questions I am asked most often.
The answer depends on your Camino plan.
How long do you want to take?
Are you walking the whole way?
If you have a lot of time say 40 days or more you don’t need to have good fitness, you can risk getting fit as you walk, this is what most people do – however, this is not a good or advisable strategy for looking after your body, finishing, or reducing the inevitable pain that comes with walking every day and carrying a backpack, even though you will likely lose a lot of weight.
Microfiber towels aren’t the most exciting subject to talk about, but they are nevertheless vital. If you are heading out on a hike or are going backpacking, you’re going to need a microfiber travel towel.
Towels such as these make life on the trail so much easier. These little pieces of fabric are quick to dry, quite small and usually quite affordable too.
This is one of the questions I get asked most frequently, what is the best time of year to walk the Camino de Santiago. Usually, though people are asking about the Camino Frances to Santiago, and for that reason that is the route this post refers to.
A sleeping bag liner is designed to go inside your sleeping bag. The best sleeping bag liners can be used all year in different situations. If it is very hot, you only need the liner and not a sleeping bag. In winter or where it is very cold, a sleeping bag liner helps keep your warmer and can save you having to wear your clothes while sleeping at night.
The Pilgrimage to Santiago is a one of a kind experience. While many would love to walk the entire way, it is not always easy to get away from our day-to-day duties and responsibilities for a whole month. So here following on from the post listing the best start points for two weeks on the Camino is the best start points for one week.
Rather than giving up the journey altogether, many pilgrims opt to undertake a shorter one-week version of the Camino.
When the time is limited, people want to make the most of the experience. Thus, the pressing question on the minds of to-be one-week pilgrims is that of the best starting point.
Where should you kick off your journey to get the best of the Camino de Santiago in a short period of seven days?
Contents1 Why Use a Reusable Water Bottle?2 Klean Kanteen3 Hydro Flask4 Similarities Between Klean Kanteen and Hydro Flask4.1 BPA and PVC-Free4.2 Not Dishwasher Safe5 Differences Between Klean Kanteen and Hydro Flask5.1 Cap, Lid, Size, and Color Options5.2 Insulation5.3 Taste5.4 Durability5.5 Cleaning and Easy of Use6 So… Klean Kanteen vs Hydro Flask? These two brands are …
I lost about 8kgs, about 18 lbs, over a four week period. So yes I did lose a lot of weight on the Camino.
However, losing weight was never one of my reasons for walking. I did not set out on the Camino to lose weight and I must admit that it never entered into my mind at any time while I was there.
Contents1 What Is the Difference Between a Daypack and a Backpack?2 How Big of a Backpack Do I Need for Backpacking?3 How Big of a Backpack Do I Need for 3 Days?4 How Big of a Backpack Do I Need for 5 Days?5 How Big of a Backpack Do I Need for Extended Trips?6 Our …
Contents1 MAGCOMSEN Men’s Outdoor Performance2 Eddie Bauer Men’s Mountain Short-Sleeve Shirt3 ATG by Wrangler Men’s Long Sleeve Hike to Fish Shirt4 Real Essentials 5 Pack Shirts5 ColdPruf Men’s Platinum II6 Roadbox Men’s Long Sleeve Hiking Shirt7 The North Face Men’s Short Sleeve Half Dome Tee8 BALEAF Men’s Lightweight Long Sleeve Shirt9 NAVISKIN Long Sleeve Fishing …
Contents1 Which Way to Hike – East to West or West to East?2 When Is The Best Time To Do The Walk?3 What Do I Need To Take With Me?4 Our Itinerary4.1 Day 1: Wallsend to Heddon-on-the-Wall – 26km4.2 Day 2: Heddon-on-the-Wall to Greencarts Farm – 28km4.3 Day 3: Greencarts Farm to Once Brewed – …
Hadrian’s Wall Path Adventure – Trails, Trees and Trick Knees Read More »
Contents1 When Buying Hiking Shoes, What do I Need to Consider?1.1 Comfort1.2 Waterproofing1.3 Breathability1.4 Support1.5 Traction1.6 Lacing1.7 Weight2 Which shoes are the best?2.1 Ahnu Sugarpine Air Mesh2.2 Salomon X Ultra Mid 2 GTX2.3 Danner Trail 26502.4 Arc’teryx Aerios FL GTX2.5 Salomon Odyssey Triple Crown2.6 Brooks Cascadia 142.7 Vasque Grand Traverse2.8 La Sportiva Wildcat2.9 North Face …
Depending on the terrain and the weather I like to have a good choice of hiking shoes, walking boots or trail running shoes for my many treks. As I am generally a fair weather hiker I have good experience in buying lightweight hiking shoes that I use all summer long.
Hiking is a wonderful way of exploring the great outdoors, and as I live in a city it refreshes me every weekend when I get out onto a hill and get in a decent long hike.
If I am walking the Camino in summer I use hiking shoes, and I usually take along minimalist sandals to wear in the evenings.
There’s something about long-distance hikes that feels very soothing. Walking for days on end and not worrying about anything other than how to get from one place to the next has a very simple, relaxing charm to it, and hiking enthusiasts know all about how energizing it can be. If you decide to visit one of the countries with the most beautiful, untouched nature on top of it? Well, you’re in for a wonderful experience.
Contents1 Our Top Pick: Nemo Fillo2 Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow3 Cocoon Hyperlight Air-Core Pillow4 Trekology Ultralight Inflating Travel Pillow5 Exped Air Pillow UL6 Klymit Pillow X7 Sea to Summit Aeros Premium8 Therm-a-Rest Trekker Pillow Case9 TETON Sports ComfortLite Inflating Pillow10 Sierra Designs DriDown Pillow11 Nemo Fillo12 Things to Consider When Choosing a Backpacking Pillow12.1 Size and …
Contents1 Our Top Pick: Platypus Big Zip EVO2 Source Outdoor Widepac 3L3 Platypus Big Zip EVO 3L4 CamelBak Crux5 HydraPak Shape-Shift Reservoir6 Osprey Hydraulics Reservoir7 Geigerrig Pressurized Hydration Engine8 MSR DromLite9 Platypus Hoser10 Source Tactical WXP11 Deuter Streamer12 Things to Consider When Choosing a Hydration Bladder12.1 Size, Profile, and Compatibility12.2 Opening12.3 Flow Rate13 Component Interchangeability …
Contents1 The Advantages of Collapsible Water Bottles1.1 Portability1.2 Size and Weight2 Our Top Pick: Nomander2.1 Honorable Mention: Hydaway3 Best Collapsible Water Bottles3.1 Nefeeko3.2 Silbyloyoe3.3 Nomader3.4 HYDAWAY3.5 Platypus Platy 2-Liter Ultralight3.6 Mountop3.7 Anntrue3.8 Darunaxy3.9 Farielyn X (2 Bottles)3.10 Biange4 Things to Consider When Buying a Collapsible Water Bottle4.1 Water Capacity4.2 The Material4.3 Durability4.4 Extra Features and …
Contents1 What Should I Know About Buying A Headlamp?1.1 Beam Distance1.2 Weight1.3 Fit1.4 Straps and comfort1.5 Speaking Of Intense Exercise, Can I Use A Headlamp For Running?1.6 Brightness – How Many Lumens Do I Need In A Headlamp?1.7 Water Resistance And Cold Weather Performance1.8 What Are My Battery Options With A Headlamp?1.9 Headlamp Battery Life2 …
Contents1 Our Picks1.1 ArcTeryx Phase SL Boxers1.2 Minus33 Acadian Boxers1.3 ExOfficio Give-N-Go Sport Mesh Boxers1.4 SmartWool 150 Boxers1.5 Icebreaker Anatomica Boxers1.6 Adidas Climalite Boxer Brief1.7 David Archy Performance Briefs2 Things To Consider When Buying Hiking Underwear2.1 Materials2.2 Antimicrobial Properties2.3 Durability2.4 Cut And Construction2.5 Washability Many hikers don’t buy hiking-specific underwear. But they should. Hiking underwear …
