How Much Water to Carry on the Camino de Santiago

[@johnavery5384]

I have settled on two 800ml bottles one in each side pocket (so I am balanced) but they are rarely full unless it’s a hot day or a long section I also electrolyte tablets, not sure they do much but they are light to carry and make the water taste better. The other tip I picked up is called “camelling-up”. When you get to a refill point drink all the water in your bottle and as much more as you can manage, then leave with a full bottle. I find this particularly helpful when it is hot. I think it works for me because I am stationary when drinking and because I am not thinking about having to ration so I don’t run out before the next tap.

[@robscamino]

I certainly camel up when I’m refilling….

[@DavidHRyall]

I've done it twice and only carry a litre. First camino was a water back pack (benefit of constant hydration but annoying to refill). Second time was with a disposable 1.1L water bottle that I just kept refilling However I also drink a litre when I wake up and a litre when I get to my final destination, and also drinks couple of cans of Aquarius at bars along the way which is probably around another 600ml (Aquarius is like a non-toxic version of Gatorade - just a very simple electrolyte drink, available everywhere, bars and grocery stores). But that 1L when I wake up is the most important, it sets me up for the day as I'm staring fully hydrated 💪❤️

[@robscamino]

Sounds like a good approach that works for you.

[@ENGABU1]

100% the best piece of kit I bought was (your recommendation) a water bottle clip. Holds a standard 500ml...always in front of you to REMIND you to drink. I do think people (I know I did) can overthink the toilet situation too - and reduce water intake. You'll easily sweat off your water, and there are very few times (on the popular routes) that you won't find a cafe/bar etc ever 7km or so. I definitely drank too little on day one of my 115km from Sarria and the overnight leg cramps thought me a valuable lesson for the rest of the journey.

[@robscamino]

Yes, those clips are great.

[@Irishpewtuber]

I recommend one of those water bladders that fit inside your back pack. Most out doors retailers will have them. I got mine from Decathlon, a 2 litre bag it was perfect. Fill ut up in the morning and by afternoon when your tired the weight is almost all gone.

[@robscamino]

I used one on my first Camino.

[@sapengro]

I'm going on Camino in April, your videos are helpful, thanks for contributing and setting my mind to rest.

[@robscamino]

Buen Camino. Which route?

[@stephenreid_66]

I have finally solved my water situation by carrying a 1.5 litre bottle in my backpack and a 500ml bottle in my pocket and sip away as I need to and refill from the bigger bottle as I go, works perfectly, it's taken me years to perfect 👌

[@robscamino]

Makes sense to me ! 🙂

[@julianlord5366]

Most of the time I don't need to carry more than a partly filled 500ml bottle, it's just in long stretches on hot days that I need more. And often I don't drink any. Now the caveat is that I need to carry beer for pain management reasons, so that rehydrates me. But the only reason why some can carry less is that some people retain water more efficiently than most, biologically/physiologically/metabolically, and so can get by with drinking less. Such people simply don't get dehydrated so easily. But that's certainly unusual, and depending on weather and other circumstances, until they know how their own bodies will react, carrying between 1L and 2L is VERY advisable to pilgrims on their first Camino. In my own Caminos, the only time that I really needed to carry a lot of water was that year when my daily stages on the Francès ranged between 40 and 65 Km. In August. Yeah, then I did have a tendency to get dehydrated, and I needed at least a litre of water between each village and each village water fountain. So yes, despite my own much lesser need, I do have experience of what that need is like, and what it helps to avoid. Having said that, if you're walking through France or some parts of Portugal and so on, where the villages aren't more than 2K to 5K apart, you can carry very little water indeed, and refill as frequently as you need.

[@robscamino]

Sound points!

[@auzzygirl8175]

Hi Rob. Just to mention. You said hydrated when you meant dehydrated.

[@robscamino]

I did, apologies.

[@auzzygirl8175]

@@robscamino No need to apologise. I just pointed it out in case anyone was confused. Best wishes.

[@fishnmick9570]

I carry one insulated bottle of around 600ml one local plastic bottle of about 440ml I suppose. If it’s a very hot day I throw in another plastic bottle. Always topping up at fountains . And always use a Gatorade style of salts . Found them great help One question. I’ve seen a few KZbin’s saying that the water in the meseta región can be dodgy and only use bottled water. Have you heard this.? We finally got the courage and are doing the meseta in June

[@robscamino]

I never had a problem with water crossing the Meseta. Just make sure it is marked 'potable'

[@shaunminehan]

Noone can only have a 500ml bottle on Camino Frances between Burgos and Leon. Madness And I’d say most of the less popular caminos that have no fuentes - you need so , so much more. Some stages of VLDP, Madrid etc have 25km plus between towns and zero fuentes . Be careful people - every time in see a pilgrim death it’s usually afternoon walking in the sun with not enough water

[@robscamino]

Some claim to do it! Madness I agree.

[@julianlord5366]

Not madness, but a certain type of metabolism. Definitely not advisable to the vast majority of pilgrims !!

[@robscamino]

How much water do you plan to carry? On which Camino? Or maybe you have your own experiences and tips to share.

[@Motorallyrider]

I plan to carry storage for up to 2 litres (2 x 1 litre), my wife storage for 1 litre (2 x 500ml). Shared capacity 1.5 litres each.

[@robscamino]

For the Camino Frances that should be ample.

[@Motorallyrider]

@@robscamino I hope so, often she uses all my water as well as her own. The old married adage, what is mine is hers, and what is hers is hers too.

[@1PZfan]

I usually carry 2 L when backpacking and I am comfortable with that weight so will probably continue. What do you think of carrying a filter for some of the fountains or streams along the way?

[@robscamino]

I vary the amount of water I carry, based on how far the next water point is. Roughly, I use one liter per 10 kms. I would suggest a water filter is not required. There is no need to get water from streams etc, it's not a wilderness walk....

[@1PZfan]

@@robscamino thank you, I had seen a couple people had posted pictures with signs that some of the fountains were not the best water for drinking so I had wondered

[@Motorallyrider]

Do you mean dehydration is dangerous? You said hydrated for the first 3 examples.

[@robscamino]

Yes. Dehydrated, is not fun…. Slip of the tongue…

[@robscamino]

I found this somewhat technical video on hydration really interesting... kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpisl3ZpidOjhLc