What to Pack for de Camino de Santiago Frances Post gear review - September/October 2023

Here is everything I took on the Camino Frances in September/October 2023
lighterpack.com/r/n1buoo
Hope this helps you pack for your Camino, let me know if you have any question.
You can also watch my Camino Vlogs for more details on my journey such as weather, Albergues and food for each day.
Camino De Santiago Frances Itinerary/Stages plus daily spent and total spent on Accommodations: drive.google.com/file/d/1bpvK...
#caminopackinglist #caminodesantiago #camino #caminofrances #solotravelfemale #travelvlog #hikinggear #femalepackinglist

[@user-bc6of8ou7r]

Thank you very much! This was maybe the best gear review I have seen 😊😊

[@ClaudiaRodrigues-Wanderlust]

Thank you 😊

[@RiverSong.Heart2Heart]

Claudia, an amazing journey and gift you gave yourself. I didn't get to watch from the beginning, but I look forward to seeing them. Absolutely LOVE the Camino Buff!!! I look forward to meeting you on November 4 at the next Toronto meeting. Congratulations, and Buen Camino on your way back.😊

[@ClaudiaRodrigues-Wanderlust]

Thank you!

[@user-oy7yx3cj1g]

Claudia, great thorough review of your pack. We look forward to our trip next September.

[@ClaudiaRodrigues-Wanderlust]

Thank you 😊

[@lorrainecrosse6788]

Claudia you were amazing 🤩. You had me laughing, oohing, ahhing & crying all the way through your walk. I am planning on walking the CF in April next year & you have been an inspiration. I only wish I had found you & followed you in real time as I would have loved to have bought you a cafe con leche 😊. I finished watching last night & over the next few days will put together some questions if you are happy to answer them? How have you settled back into life in Toronto? 😊

[@ClaudiaRodrigues-Wanderlust]

Awe thank you 😊! Yes definitely send me over your question I'd be more than happy to answer. Having a hard time adjusting to the cold 🤣 and missing my daily long walks.

[@silviaterrazas-olivo3521]

Hi Claudia!Another great and well organized video, could’ve sworn you were a professional videographer!From your packing list video, I recently purchased my first Patagonia raincoat, in sumac red, lol… it was on sale. I absolutely love my ALTRAS, I have a pair in the Maxtrac, unfortunately I’m not allowed to wear a zero drop shoe for now, because I broke my right foot in June, a few days before my daughter’s wedding, need more support for now, otherwise an amazing shoe with a very comfortable toe box. I have an identical gray pair of Darn Tough ankle socks 🧦 as yours, mine are a bit old though, they are seven years old. I still LOVE your Camino BUFF! I will continue to add more items as time goes by for my future Camino, for now physical therapy. 🤦🏻‍♀️ I hope you had a wonderful time with your parents and your visit to Porto. Thank you again for sharing so many beautiful moments in your Camino. I loved all your videos always so positive and motivating! Hugs, Claudia! Buen Camino! 🌻🎒🌻

[@ClaudiaRodrigues-Wanderlust]

Oh no Silvia! Wishing you a quick recovery 🙏. Thank you so much for following and your lovely comments.

[@silviaterrazas-olivo3521]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIi4iGmpr7qAqdEsi=2dOfQXv_97PgyP-7 I’m sorry, I’m not tech savvy, I sincerely hope I have copied the information correctly, this is one of the first videos that showed up on my KZbin feed.

[@josepleonlopez3217]

Excelente explicación a pesar de la durada en ningún momento se hace largo gracias pir tan buen vidio utrella Usella

[@heather333]

I love your sleeping bag. One for my list. ❤

[@julianmontoya8109]

Thanks, great all around work doing your camino. I throughly enjoy your videos. I would recommend you think about doing the Portuguese route from Lisbon, if you like the ocean. Thanks.

[@ClaudiaRodrigues-Wanderlust]

Thank you 😊. I doubt my boss will let me have another 6wks off soon. I might have to do the Portuguese from Porto.

[@Chellebeller]

Thank you for sharing all your gear and tips. I'd love to see how all of that gets packed into the backpack ;)

[@ClaudiaRodrigues-Wanderlust]

Thank you 😊! Watch my 1st packing video (before the Camino) I go through unpacking my bag, which should give you an idea of what the bag looks like packed, and how I packed stuff.

[@rcgrizz]

Great gear review info! Jumped ahead of daily vids to watch this one. You seem to be a big “gadget” person like me, LOL. But everything you took you used and made the trip better for you. Congrats!!! Planning my Frances Camino walk in 2024.

[@ClaudiaRodrigues-Wanderlust]

🤣 I am. But I used every I took except the ear plugs. Would not change anything.

[@rcgrizz]

@@ClaudiaRodrigues-Wanderlust Couple more questions if you don’t mind responding whenever you get time. Did you have a pillow (for sleeping) and if so, your comments, please. And did you have a total carry weight? Would you consider carrying a second pair of walking shoes to change out halfway through a long walk day…weight trade-off. Might be good option, but not worth the extra weight and space in bag. Oh, and did you ever have an issue at albegueres finding outlets to keep all of your electronics charged? I’ll be carrying a power pack, but also considering bringing my solar panel (attaches to backpack) as an option, but don’t want to appear crazy geeky. LOL

[@ClaudiaRodrigues-Wanderlust]

Albergues will provide a pillow, you can see them in my video, not amazing pillows but they will do. They are mostly plastic and then you get a paper cover for them. Depending on what brand of shoes you have you can easily buy a new pair in the bigger cities and some smaller towns have really well stocked 'pilgrims' sports stores. So I would buy a new pair rather than carry a second pair. Hokas, Sportivas are everywhere, Altra are harder to find, I believe they had them in Pamplona. I bought a pair of insoles half way and that worked for me. I would not carry an extra pair. Plenty of outlets but might not be close to your bed, so I would make sure my power bank was charged and use that when I was in bed to charge my phone. I wouldn't bother with solar panels. With water my pack was 20lbs ... And the most water I carried was 1.5L and only on hot days

[@rcgrizz]

@@ClaudiaRodrigues-Wanderlust Thanks for reply and comments! Probably will take my own pillow, though, but just take one pair walking shoes after your suggestion. Have you tried ON Cloudtec shoes? I got a pair about two months ago and love ‘em; so light and comfortable…walk at least 6 miles every morning and couldnt be happier. For me, part of the experience is all the planning. I love to research everything! LOL I’ve probably messaged you too much here on TY. Thanks, again, for taking the time to respond. Peace be with you.

[@ClaudiaRodrigues-Wanderlust]

@@rcgrizz I have not tried the ON Cloudtec. I would wear whatever shoe works for you with good grip. The Altra Olympus really worked for me, I like the wide toe box and zero drop. OH make sure you have toe room, going down hills/mountains your foot tends to slide a bit and you keep hitting your toes at the front. A few people lost toe nails. I saw a few people with pillow, I was looking at the Nemo fillp elite and then ended up not getting it.

[@billkrueger9305]

great review!

[@ClaudiaRodrigues-Wanderlust]

Thank you 😊

[@michellej2232]

Ignore my comment on thr first video, lol. Found your post review!! 😊

[@ClaudiaRodrigues-Wanderlust]

Awesome 😎👍🏻! So excited for you

[@otimo8388]

Loved watching your journey! Did you check your bag? I'm planning for Camino Frances next September!

[@ClaudiaRodrigues-Wanderlust]

Thank you 😊. I did not check my bag. I was too worried about it not getting there. I had read in the FB groups about some people checking their backpacks and them getting lost, so I didn't want to chance it.

[@Julia-365]

Thank you, Claudia - excellent review!! How was it uploading every day? Can you share what software you used on your phone to do this?

[@ClaudiaRodrigues-Wanderlust]

Hi Julia, currently working on a video going over what I used. I just used CapCut on my phone.

[@onibioh]

Thanks for showing us your Camino gears. Can you please put a link to all your gears. Thanks

[@ClaudiaRodrigues-Wanderlust]

Hi, I've updated post Packing Videos with a LighterPack link with all my gear, hope that helps. Let me know if you have any question.

[@daphnederksen1460]

Loved all your videos. I'm preparing for my own Camino. Just curious about the rfid pouch you used. Couldn't find it on your packing list. Where did you purchase it?

[@ClaudiaRodrigues-Wanderlust]

Hi! The brand is Travelon and I got them off Amazon in Canada. "Travelon World Travel Essentials Set" it comes with two pouches.

[@daphnederksen1460]

Thanks for the response! I'll try to find them here in the Netherlands 😊

[@kaioso348]

Did your Altras take time to break in? I have the same pair as you and day 3 regular walking with them, I feel my calf tightening. Wondering if you had any issues with yours. Thank you for your videos, watched them all and greatly enjoyed them.

[@ClaudiaRodrigues-Wanderlust]

Yes it did take some time to get used to the zero drop in the Altras. I switched to Altras a year before I left on the Camino. Started with Altra Lone peak and then 3 months before I switched to the Altra Olympus. I used a new pair of Olympus for the Camino, didn't need to break those in.

[@shelleykukay]

You should frame that map from Burgos!

[@ClaudiaRodrigues-Wanderlust]

That's the plan! Along with with Compostela.

[@user-bn3gc1vg1d]

I much prefer shoes with a step heel. Gives a much better grip on descent. Shows my Mountain Rescue background n that most injuries are caused by simple slips on the down hill.

[@ClaudiaRodrigues-Wanderlust]

I had pretty good grip with my Altra Olympus. But I saw and heard of plenty of people slip on decents. All it takes is one second of not paying attention or simply a loose rock. My poles saved me lots of times.

[@cecillenadela3752]

Planning my first Camino Sept 2024 where did you stay / kind of accomadation that you mentioned bed bugs

[@ClaudiaRodrigues-Wanderlust]

I don't think the place matters ... because both places were VERY clean and VERY well maintained. And both were private rooms. I don't really blame the hostal/albergue, they do the best they can.

[@cecillenadela3752]

@@ClaudiaRodrigues-Wanderlust thank you for the response , just subscribe at what point did you realize you had the bedbugs / this makes me anxious , what are the precaution we can do

[@ClaudiaRodrigues-Wanderlust]

@@cecillenadela3752 I actually woke up when they bit me. Please don't be anxious, its really not a big issue. The bites did not bother me at all, I simply applied some Dr Bronner Magic Balm and they went away. It was more the time having to wash EVERYTHING including my bag that was a bit of a hassle. I have to say that both times I was sleeping on bed sheets and not in my sleeping bag. I also heard that using a Silk Liner can help with the keeping the bedbugs away.

[@whativelearnedsofar7181]

I would like to pop into cathedrals to take a few pictures then leave. How strict are they about pilgrims wearing shorts in a cathedral?

[@ClaudiaRodrigues-Wanderlust]

You can absolutely wear shorts into the cathedral, I think the only thing would be to cover your shoulders if they are bare.

[@smv67]

Hi Claudia, I’m following your lead on my packing list and the weight about the same. I leave in a week. How was weight for you? Would you have gone lighter? Did you ever have trouble with your clothes drying? Thanks for the great videos!!!

[@ClaudiaRodrigues-Wanderlust]

Oh my goodness! How exciting!! BUEN CAMINO!!! Glad you enjoyed my videos. Given that i went in the fall I don't think there is anything I could have left behind. My backpack felt good, not too heavy. I think the hipbelt on the backpack made the difference, I never felt the weight on my back or shoulders. My clothes dried quickly, it was sunny and warm most days so I didn't have any issues until I got to Galicia and it rained every day. Most of the times they were dry before I went to sleep.

[@smv67]

Really good to hear. Also, generally, what was the most comfortable Km per day for you.

[@ClaudiaRodrigues-Wanderlust]

@@smv67 between 24-26km, that usually got me into town around lunch time, which was nice to get laundry done, have lunch and walk around town a bit.

[@smv67]

So helpful!!! Many thanks “Coach Claudia”

[@ClaudiaRodrigues-Wanderlust]

@@smv67 🤣🤣 anytime! Make sure to let me know how your Camino was!

[@beatrizmendoza2679]

Where did you buy the towel? And what’s it called?

[@ClaudiaRodrigues-Wanderlust]

The brand is PackTowl, I have the ultra lite 'beach' size. I think you can find them on Amazon, I got mine from Altitude Sports.

[@christinelynd9253]

Did you get the BB from staying at a hostel?

[@ClaudiaRodrigues-Wanderlust]

yes BUT I was in a private room!!! not in the bunkbeds! both times it was private rooms, go figure.

[@joshubrook324]

Hi I was wondering if you put your backpack in anything to put in the flight hold ? To protect the buckles/ straps etc during transit Thanks

[@ClaudiaRodrigues-Wanderlust]

Hi! I carried it on to the plane as a 'carry on'. Personally I would not check my backpack, if it gets lost then it could ruin your whole Camino.

[@louiselessels117]

I'd put the backpack raincover on backwards, covering the arm straps , and with the hip straps clipped on backwards. That'll protect the straps in transit, its just one of the many tricks and techniques one learns along the way.

[@ClaudiaRodrigues-Wanderlust]

@louiselessels117 what a great idea!

[@joshubrook324]

@@ClaudiaRodrigues-Wanderlust I’m hoping I can do that too (am actually dreaming that my pack gets ruined in the plane hold) just needing a plan b in case they don’t let me

[@ClaudiaRodrigues-Wanderlust]

I've seen people put their backpack in an ikea bag.

[@pavanatanaya]

Did you find boot necessary? Or will trail runners work?

[@ClaudiaRodrigues-Wanderlust]

Personally, trail runners work perfectly. There is a LOT of road walking. I think boots are going to be too heavy.

[@kevinwatson4935]

What % of the stuff would I bring?

[@ClaudiaRodrigues-Wanderlust]

5%, toothbrush and 1 change if clothes

[@kevinwatson4935]

@@ClaudiaRodrigues-Wanderlust like Reacher!

[@ClaudiaRodrigues-Wanderlust]

@@kevinwatson4935 YES!