Camino de Santiago Hiking/Trekking Umbrella Review - G4Free LiteFlex

The trekking umbrella was a new idea to me and I learned that it was a wonderful help on Camino de Santiago. I walked Camino's Meseta in July with the trekking umbrella and stayed much more cool than I could have imagined. Watch to discover why hiking umbrellas are so wonderful and why you may consider the G4Free LiteFlex trekking umbrella.
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[@CaminoGuide]

Learn more and register for one of my pilgrim groups over on my website! www.caminoguide.info/guidedgroups

[@cindydain5801]

I can also attest to the effectiveness of these hiking umbrellas for heat and sun protection! I live in Florida and it has been invaluable for training in our direct summer heat. I would estimate a 10 degree difference in the heat index with the umbrella. I have not been happy with the hands free method yet, so I would usually hold it with one hand and use a hiking pole with the other. It is so lightweight that it is not tiring, even while holding it for several hours.

[@CaminoGuide]

I think 10 degrees sounds about right. It so much more humid in Florida too. I wonder if it may be a bit more in less humid environments like on Meseta. You may give the second method I explained a try. I really liked how little I had to worry about it when attached to a pole.

[@seakyle8320]

Very VERY good idea with the tracking pole! love it!

[@edog1955]

I just purchased a MontBell “Long Tailed” trekking umbrella. It covers the pack. On clearance 2/24. Also purchased (Amazon) a clip designed for securing a hydration bladder tube. It can be used to hold the shaft in place on the pack shoulder strap.

[@ziirn1]

Jeremiah, thanks for doing this video. I found it very helpful and I used your link to order my own umbrella! I especially liked your contraption with the trekking pole for use in the later part of the day.

[@Direct19681]

Great video on umbrella use! Very informative! Thanks!

[@denise6658]

Very clever using the hiking pole! Helpful video, much thanks

[@CaminoGuide]

Thanks! It works really well!

[@SC03]

Great video on the umbrella Jeremiah. I found it very helpful. Blessings.

[@CaminoGuide]

Thanks!!

[@KeyserTheRedBeard]

terrific upload Camino Guide. I broke the thumbs up on your video. Always keep up the very good work.

[@CaminoGuide]

That’s super kind. Thank you! I love when people find this helpful!

[@DailyMynt]

Yea I’m gonna be ordering one of these and testing it out when I get my pack

[@CaminoGuide]

It’s worth your time on hot days!

[@karenlee005]

Great review on using an umbrella or not, as I’m on the fence. The tip on using the trekking pole is brilliant!

[@CaminoGuide]

Thanks Karen…that trekking pole trick was a nice discovery!

[@johnavery5384]

Very useful. Thanks. I decided to get the folding version as I have to put my backpack in the aircraft hold and I don’t think the full size one would survive.

[@seakyle8320]

link please!

[@dilkashahmed2466]

I’m definitely investing on an umbrella for my first Camino in July this year. FYI these umbrellas are mostly made in China. I think it would be hard to find one made in Germany for $50 or less.

[@seakyle8320]

Wie war deine Reise?

[@dilkashahmed2466]

Ich bin mir ziemlich sicher, dass mich andere Wanderer um diese genialen Utensilien beneidet haben, die mich vor der sengenden Mittagssonne schützten.

[@seakyle8320]

hast du dir mal den "euroschirm uv 50+ telescope handsfree" angeschaut? Das ist ein "game changer" :) @@dilkashahmed2466

[@walkingstics]

Thank you so much for all your helpful videos. They are helping me prepare for my first Camino this summer if everything goes well. I’d like to know how you transport your walking sticks and umbrella from the US? Do you include them in your checked luggage? If so, how did you pack them? I would prefer to take my backpack as a carry on and check in the sticks and umbrella in a packing tube as some have suggested. Thanks!

[@CaminoGuide]

Hi Sylvia. I hope you can make your first pilgrimage and I’m thrilled these are useful. Umbrella can just be packed along the side of your backpack. No problem. Poles are technically against TSA. But I have never been stopped by TSA with them. Pack them in my bag and go through. But I always allow some extra time to go put them in checked baggage if I were stopped. When returning from Spain you WILL be prevented from taking your poles on the airplane (every airport has stopped me). So ok the way home from Spain, I always check my bag. If it got lost on the way for a while it wouldn’t ruin my Camino. If you want to check them for sure, then the tube is a good idea.

[@susananquist8357]

How do you attach it?

[@RobertBernardoKim]

I agree to you. Hiking umbrella is very important, in particular during summer season. As one South Korean person, I want to know about Albergue opening. There is a word in Korea that a lot of albergues are closed due to COVID pandemic. Keep going and best regards. From korea.

[@CaminoGuide]

Thanks Robert! There are some albergues closed on Camino Frances. But there are fewer pilgrims too. I have no idea what will happen when the holy year crowd picks up next year. But this summer was no problem at all until you got to Sarria. Many folks struggled to find beds the last week. I don’t think the Albergue closings are any reason to modify plans.

[@RobertBernardoKim]

@@CaminoGuide Thanks a lot for your reply. I am sure Albergue situation does not have any bad effect on my plan for Santiago camino Frances next Spring. There are so many South Korean backpackers waiting for next year, I guess from a Santiago Camino community which I participate in.

[@teliapollard1931]

Thinking of starting our Frances walk in the middle of May. What are the temperatures like then throughput the walk?

[@DanielOutdoors]

I was thinking on umbrella like that as well, but i think my skin, hoodie, trekking cap will do the job. I am though (since i have a sponsor on it) problaby considering on bringing a tarp for sun/rain pauses where i can slow down and take some streches, and perhaps stealth camp in worste case scenario. But i will problaby not gonna use ut on my camino.

[@CaminoGuide]

I don’t think I’d find a purpose for a tarp, but it could be nice as a picnic blanket. I have a poncho/tarp that I left home at the last minute. I did wish I had brought my ultralight sleep pad when I slept out for short periods on our night hike.

[@Colgaos-qt4pf]

nos encanta ver videos del camino de santiago y sus paisajes!! tieness nuestro like y suscripcion! Nosotros estuvimos un mes y algo haciendo el camino del norte sin dinero y hemos subido el primer capitulo de nuestra aventura, puede que te interese! Saludos y suerte con el canal!

[@wowzieee]

Funny, i just ordered a euroschwim hiking hands free umbrella, they sell out quickly. I got the bigger, backpack coverage one. Just waiting for it to arrive. It s for our 2022 Camino.

[@CaminoGuide]

I didn’t name them in the video, but I think euroschwim makes these for all the other companies.

[@wowzieee]

@@CaminoGuide they seem to be great, I know we'll be glad to have it.

[@denise6658]

Great video. Would you recommend the smaller umbrella for females?

[@CaminoGuide]

Thank you! I think both are great. I don’t think gender would matter at all on this piece. More coverage may be your preference or lighter weight may be preferred. But I think men and women could both choose either one.

[@seakyle8320]

What about the "handsfree telescope euroschirm uv50+" ? Try it !

[@CaminoGuide]

I actually have one now. I haven’t tried it yet though!

[@seakyle8320]

really? wow that´s so great! maybe you can give us a review, even you´ve not tried yet? would be really nice because my camino starts soon, so i have to make a decision wich umbrella i may buy. What have you payed? where you bought it? is a dedicated "handsfree" version better than the version you showed us in this video?@@CaminoGuide

[@LavenderHazelwood]

Can you take one of these with your carry-on or do you have to check it like the poles?

[@LavenderHazelwood]

Nevermind. Just saw your answer to this question. Thank you!

[@CaminoGuide]

Definitely stick it in your pack. No TSA risk

[@seakyle8320]

i have seen in newer videos, you are walking in the rain without a umbrella. Why?

[@CaminoGuide]

I never carried the umbrella for rain. I carry it for the sun. Those newer videos are me walking in Galicia where sun is less of an issue because of the tree cover. If I were to be in the sun I would use this. But other methods are better for rain

[@MichaelPLim]

There's this 'umbrella hat' that straps around your head, about 45 cm wide. I am wondering if that can be practical in the Camino.

[@CaminoGuide]

I’ve seen those before. I don’t know how they fold up. But I think they look pretty goofy, so the umbrella seemed better. But I was on board with a goofy looking sun umbrella so bring on the hat if it works!!

[@MichaelPLim]

@@CaminoGuide Add to that socks with sandals, and you'll notice ppl will be social distancing with you in no time! Haha

[@CaminoGuide]

Right. We need to have a Camino fashion show where we explain to pilgrims all the Camino fashion that is unacceptable elsewhere…lest they try to wear their Buff and boots to a restaurant elsewhere.

[@brendaoquin]

Can you take the umbrella on the plane?

[@CaminoGuide]

Yes. It barely sticks out of the pack and it isn’t a security threat.

[@s.m.painter8808]

What month is that?

[@CaminoGuide]

All of the footage on Camino on my channel is from July 2021

[@s.m.painter8808]

September weather, do you know

[@s.m.painter8808]

Thank you for answering. Grateful.

[@whyicare]

It seems the umbrella is kept hitting his neck. Not very comfortable.

[@CaminoGuide]

Way more comfortable than 95F temps!!

[@wualaguala]

I liked this a lot but I think it's only usefull if you're either a celibate person or a married one.