Best products from r/CaminoDeSantiago
We found 29 comments on r/CaminoDeSantiago discussing the most recommended products. We ran sentiment analysis on each of these comments to determine how redditors feel about different products. We found 29 products and ranked them based on the amount of positive reactions they received. Here are the top 20.
1. The Camino Ingles: 6 days to Santiago
- Professional Photo Studio Lighting Kit for Portrait Photography, Shooting Video, etc.
- (2) x 45W 5500K Energy Saving Daylight CFL – Continuous Light Bulb
- (2) x 33'' Diameter Translucent/White Photo Umbrella Reflector
- (2) x 83'' Photography Light Stand, height adjustable (Min 30'' – Max 83'')
- (2) x Single Head Photo Lighting Lamp Holder, E26/E27 Base
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2. A Pilgrim's Guide to the Camino de Santiago: St. Jean Roncesvalles Santiago (Camino Guides)
- Free Press
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3. Portable Charger Anker PowerCore 20100mAh - Ultra High Capacity Power Bank with 4.8A Output and PowerIQ Technology, External Battery Pack for iPhone, iPad & Samsung Galaxy & More (Black)
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- What You Get: Anker PowerCore 20100 Portable Charger, Micro USB cable, travel pouch, welcome guide, Lightning cable for iPhone / iPad sold separately.
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4. KT Tape Original Cotton Elastic Kinesiology Therapeutic Athletic Tape , Blue
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5. Badger - Foot Balm, Peppermint & Tea Tree, Heel Balm for Dry Cracked Feet, Certified Organic, Foot Balm with Essential Oils, Extra Virgin Olive and Jojoba Oils, 2 oz
- 2 ounce container of badger peppermint & tea tree foot balm
- Certified gluten-free by the gluten-free certification organization
- Cruelty-free
- Produced by a certified b corporation
- USDA certified organic
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6. A Village to Village Guide to Hiking the Camino de Santiago, Camino Francés: St. Jean - Santiago - Finisterre
7. Kelty Redwing 50 Backpack - Hiking, Backpacking, Travel & Everyday Carry Backpack with Laptop Sleeve, Hydration Compatible
- Take flight with the best-selling pack the Redwing. Whether your journey takes you to the streets of Chicago or the canyons of Colorado, the Redwing has you covered
- Hybrid-loading U-zipper design works as both a top loader and panel loader, allowing easy access to all your gear
- LightBeam single aluminum stay and Dynamic AirFlow back panel keep your load stable and comfortable
- Stay hydrated for any adventure with the hydration compatible design and the water bottle pockets on the side
- Dynamic Airflow back panel and Air Mesh on the shoulder straps, dual density foam waist belt, and lumbar pad will keep you cool when you are working hard
- Load lifters, stabilizers, removable hip belt stabilizer straps, sternum straps, and waist buckle will help customize the fit and keep the load close to your center of gravity
- Size Medium Hipbelt Fit Range 28in-46in
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8. Rothco GI Wool Fingerless Glove, Black
Comfort and Performance come hand in hand with RothcoQuality tested and ensured for maximum durabilityDesigned with only the toughest, roughest users in mind
9. Patagonia Torrentshell Jacket (Large, Red)
- Nylon
- Zipper closure
- H2No Performance Standard shell with waterproof/breathable 2.5-layer nylon ripstop
- 2-way-adjustable hood with a laminated visor rolls down and stows Microfleece-lined neck provides comfort and protects waterproof/breathable barrier Center-front zipper features minimal welt exterior and interior storm flaps that create a zipper-garage chin guard
- Two zippered handwarmer pockets and venting pit zips; all with welted exterior storm flaps and DWR (durable water repellent)-treated zippers
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10. A Pilgrim's Guide to the Camino de Santiago: St. Jean Roncesvalles Santiago (Camino Guides)
11. Camino de Santiago Maps - Mapas - Mappe - Mapy - Karten - Cartes: St. Jean Pied de Port Santiago de Compostela (Camino Guides)
12. A Pilgrim's Guide to the Camino de Santiago: Camino Francés – St. Jean • Roncesvalles • Santiago (Camino Guides)
- Bullet point 1
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13. Osprey Packs Poco AG Plus Child Carrier, Ivy Green
A lightweight aluminum frame fully supports the load and provides a stable platform to set the child carrier downWith 6 inch/15cm of torso adjustment, the poco ag Series can be quickly and easily custom Fitted to a variety of adult users while on the trailThe adjustable double halo harness and child...
14. Bucky Ultra Absorbent Lightweight Lint Free Quick Dry Twisted Chamois Microfiber (25x10"), Pink 2 Pound
- Better than microfiber decrease drying time with our extra-large hair towel that easily accommodates full heads of hair
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- Small and compact - easy to store or use for travel
- Preferred by professional hair stylists
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16. JASGOOD Travel Security Money Belt with Hidden Money Pocket - Cashsafe Anti-Theft Wallet Unisex Nickel free Nylon Belt(Suit for pant size 26-40Inch,11-Black)
▶KEEP YOUR CASH SAFE FROM PICKPOCKETS - Equipped with an easy-to-use hidden zippered security pocket. Safely conceals spare currency and some important travel documents from thieves.▶EASY ACCESS & STORAGE -Extra-wide hidden pouch help you access easier.Our belt is spacious enough to store bills ...
17. VBG VBIGER Drop Leg Bag Pouch Men's Thigh Bag Thigh Pack Canvas Outdoor Travel Waist Pack Sports Fanny Pack Bike Motorcycle Cycling Camping Hiking Hip Bag (Black)
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18. ENGYEN Fanny Pack Waist Bag for Women Men, Running Packs Gear with Phone Water Bottle Holder Adjustable Belt, for Travel Workout Hiking, Carrying iPhone Money, Multi Colors Black, red and More
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19. TETON Sports Oasis 1100 Hydration Pack; Free 2-Liter Hydration Bladder; For Backpacking, Hiking, Running, Cycling, and Climbing; Black, 18.5" x 10" x 7", Model Number: 1001B
- SATISFY YOUR THIRST FOR ADVENTURE: Lightweight and comfortable; This hydration pack is a terrific companion for all your day-long or overnight hydration needs
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Hi Mattoy,
Yea I would love to share.
First off, the trip was amazing and life changing. We found out about it from watching Martin Sheen pretend to do it in the "The Way". I remember watching this movie and turned to my girlfriend and said "We will be doing this within a year." She laughed at me, said I was crazy and that she had a PHD to finish and start a job.
Fast forward to August, she finished up her graduate school, I proposed, and off we went. We had done the research, gotten the guidebook and went off.
We started in St Jean and ended up in Santiago in 32 days.
Things we struggled with:
2. This is a little dirty and not a huge deal but there is shit everywhere. You are walking through rural spain with livestock all over the place. As a result, fecal matter is all over the place. As a result, people who weren't careful with washing their hands got gastro. Not the end of the world, but also not pleasant.
Things I Loved
2. Wine!!! Wine is super cheap and you have a bottle with every meal almost. My fiance' and I had Sangria or wine at every meal and it was really really nice. The beer is also super cheap and good.
3. The scenery. There are obviously some parts that aren't that great but over all WOW!!! The walk is amazing for the scenary and things you get to see.
4. I was able to get away and just focus on me, my relationship with God, and my future with my soon to be wife (June 7th!). I haven't been away that long without calling anyone from home or anything.
What I gained
I gained an immense understanding of myself. I also was able to relax, disconnect and focus intrisically on me and what I am doing. You have so much free time while you're walking to just reflect. A few times I just put on the headphones, blasted the music and started walking.....amazing time.
The Camino is what you make it and what you put in is what you get out of it. I met some people who were so determined to get to a certain place the quickest, or had to meet their planned out schedule and as a result, they didn't have time to focus on themselves they had to get their day done. An example, we stopped for lunch and were having a beer and some people we were friendly with came up. We asked them to join us but they were too far behind "their schedule" to stop. I feel like you're missing the point of the Camino if that is your thought.
tl;dr - buy a sim card and make your reservation in the morning for the Alburgue you plan to sleep in at night, bring ear plugs, and don't feel like you are chained to your schedule.
Hey!
I walked the French Way in November and a part of December. I walked from the 12 November til the 5 of December. I started in Leon however (had to be home by Christmas).
And I loved it. So few people on the road, it is amazing. You keep running/walking into the same people.
Clothing: I wore leggings together with a pair of pants, but in the end I just wore leggings with rain pants over them. They are also easier to clean when you get mud on them. Then I wore a merino wool long sleeve t-shirt and a fleece vest and also a waterproof coat (it was a coat for sailing so it was warm too). I bought all these things at Decathlon. My shoes turned out to be waterproof, but most Albergues have newspapers laying around to stuff in your shoes when they are wet. I didn't really have that many cold days, some days I just walked in my long sleeved shirt. The rain was something else. When it rained, it poured!
Paths: The paths were still safe (Keep in mind, that I can only talk about the French Way starting in Leon). The only thing that wasn't safe was going up to O'Cebreiro when it rained, it is a pretty steep climb. I was lucky that it was a sunny day when I walked, but I talked to some people who did it in the rain and slipped a few times. Sometimes, due to the rain, when you go downhill, the rocks can get slippery too, but if you go nice and slow, you'll be fine. I had the Brierley book with me, I checked it religiously, but thinking back now, I didn't really need it, except from when I was in a town to look for an Albergue.
Albergues: Like u/chookkyy said, a lot of the Albergues will be closed. But there is this awesome site, Gronze. Here you can look up the Albergues on the Way and check if they're open. Really a life-saver. I checked before I went and I didn't once stood in front of a closed Albergue.
I don't really know how much I spent, but not much. I tried to stay under 25 euro a day. I highly suggest to go for the Pilgrim's menu when you have to eat. You get a 3-course meal with a drink and you get a lot of food. Most of the times it was 10 euro. I did it really cheaply. I always chose the cheapest Albergues, except for when I was in Santiago.
You said you would like your own room at the end, but it you're lucky, it could happen on the Way too! One of my Camino friends slept all alone in some Albergues. She had the Albergue all for herself. She did, however, always stop in small towns, not in big cities. Sometimes she was even asked to close up in the morning.
I slept in one Albergue with donation and I paid 5 euro there.
Feel free to PM me when you have anymore questions! I'd love to help!
Buen Camino
You'll love it! I'd listen to the other advice about trying to start a bit later to avoid big crowds as you near Santiago. Save 4 or 5 days after your arrival in Santiago to go on to Finisterra and chill there for a bit; I thought that was one of the most beautiful parts of the Camino, there are far fewer people, and the beaches are beautiful to relax on after a long month of walking.
I walked this year in August; I'd advise you to pack light and consider bringing only a sleeping bag liner instead of a sleeping bag. Maybe a swimsuit too, a few towns have beautiful public pools which are wonderful on a hot day.
You don't necessarily need a guide book, others will have them and will share and the way itself is very well marked. However, if you want a great one, I suggest this version: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0984353348/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?qid=1394122278&sr=1-3
It had great info on basically every town, including where you'll find an ATM or pharmacy. Also interesting historical tidbits on the Camino itself. I brought it, and it quickly became the go-to guide for the group I met because of the useful stuff the authors thought to include.
Have a great walk! Buen Camino!
My family and I did it last May/June. It was a great time, but we didn’t see many pilgrims till the last couple days. We had our 2yo (~15kg in his backpack) with us, so we took it slow. I’d suggest breaking in the shoes you plan to walk in prior to the Camino. My wife and I both wore Altra Lone Peaks. They were very comfortable and pretty water repellant. I found soaking my feet in hot water at the end of each day helped me feel better for the next. The first couple km out of Pontedueme suuuuccckkkkssss. It’s a 140m elevation gain. I knew it was coming, but still was shocked at how steep some parts were. It felt like I was walking straight up. Also, there really isn’t much too eat for 14km after Betanzos. So pack a snack, plenty of water and some shade. I used the AllTrails app to track our progress. Have fun. Buen Camino! 👣
Edit:
I also used this book: The Camino Ingles: 6 days to Santiago as a reference. We took 5 days, by doing the first day, Ferrol to Pontedueme.
I carried a Kelty Redwing 50 in the fall of 2015. What matters is how it fits your body. Maybe order all 3, load em up and return the 2 that are less comfortable? If you have an experienced friend that can help you adjust your pack that will help a lot.
Your idea of not spending too much on gear is a great one.
Your boots/shoes and socks are more important than any other gear choice. Buen Camino! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009R6B7EG/ref=twister_B00AAU281Y?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I recommend a pack cover, that comes with most big backpacks.
Layers are yours friends, usually have 5 layers. (2 stay in the bag, unless it gets way cold or way rainy)
-shirt (cotton or wool)
-cheap thermal top (usually stays in bag)
-merino wool hoodie
-lightweight coat (wool, mini puff, fleece)
-breathable rain shell (usually stays in bag)
I highly highly recommend wool especially thin wool hoodies. Keeps you warm and it breathes. A cotton shirt is fine to wear underneath, but cotton kills. Don’t wear a big cotton sweater, it’s awful.
An example of a wool merino hoodie.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B074D4KYMR/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1521317080&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=wool+hoodie+men+merino&dpPl=1&dpID=31s8tYqdsbL&ref=plSrch
A good fleece jacket or tiny mini puff down or merino wool jacket(think something to protect for wind, but not rain.) wear all the time, but could double as a pillow(put a pillow cover over it, boom it’s your pillow)
Something that is warm, but breathable.
Remember breathable, and lightweight.
Icebreaker, KuHL, Patagonia, NAu, REI has good choices. Find what works for you.
I also highly recommend the Patagonia rain shell, very light weight and breathable. The worse is wearing a poncho and sweating.
The shell is spendy, north of $115, but worth it, and condensed into a quart size bag.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01N1NIY0Z/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1521317292&sr=8-6&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=patagonia+rain+jacket&dpPl=1&dpID=41Eksinb5XL&ref=plSrch
Extra: my hands get cold I recommend cheap wool fingerless gloves come in handy
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000OC0NW4/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1521318795&sr=8-6&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=wool+fingerless+gloves&dpPl=1&dpID=41MCwrKDvjL&ref=plSrch
Depends what your goals are. June is before the peak, so there's a lot of traffic but not to the point where you're racing for berths in albergues. Personally, I prefer solitude and quiet so I found the first week of March ideal - I'd leave at dawn walking quickly and rarely see more than two or three other peregrinos until I stopped for the day.
This past year, about 35,000 pilgrims arrived in Santiago in June, while there were almost 55,000 in August (not all of those on the Camino Frances). One thing I'd recommend if you're concerned about it being too crowded is to plan your pilgrimage to avoid the Brierley, Miam Miam Dodo, and Jakobsweg stages - most pilgrims will stick to those, so the "in between" towns will still have vacancies in the albergues even during busier seasons.
*Edit: I wanted to clarify my references to the various guides - they're all tremendously useful (I carried a stripped down version of the Brierley guide in March) but I'd recommend choosing different towns for your daily rest than they have.
If you feel more comfortable having a guidebook, I suggest taking one that is current. The Brierley guidebooks are updated regularly and available on Amazon for about $21. See link below. Some people also use Wise Pilgrim apps on their phones.
A Pilgrim's Guide to the Camino de Santiago: Camino Francés – St. Jean • Roncesvalles • Santiago (Camino Guides) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1912216000/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_cC1cBb14QN6D5
Whatever you decide to do I hope you have a Buen Camino!
Not Camino specific - but solar chargers are generally advised against for backpackers.
They are too heavy / bulky for the low power they provide. They are really optimized for 'base camp' type scenarios, not on-the-go activity.
You would be better off with a USB battery pack. They come in a wide variety of capacities. One that's relatively small/light/cheap can charge your phone 5+ times. You just need to refill it at the albergue's when it's convenient. Like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Charger-Anker-PowerCore-20100mAh/dp/B00X5RV14Y
these are the exact plugs I used You just smush them in until they form a seal. Super comfortable, never came out, and did their job!
I brought a small quick dry towel Not super sure how you would go about it otherwise, unless you dry with dirty clothes? Albergues don't provide towels.
You might not need a sleeping bag! I can't speak from experience, but it seems like it's hot enough in the summer that many people use sleeping bag liners just fine. I used a 50 degree sleeping bag in October and had it unzipped many nights. Don't rely on albergue blankets though... bleh
I cycled the Camino back in 2010. It was a great experience but I agree with what others here have said and that is you should avoid the walkers paths as much as possible. It is unfair to keep "running over" people and it messes with your rhythm having to keep stopping and starting to dodge other pilgrims.
I'd recommend this book as a guide. The author has plotted a route following the Camino Frances as closely as possible to the walking route, but on the roads. Often the road you cycle will run parallel to the walkers route anyway. Also the roads in Spain have been heavily invested in so most traffic uses new motorways, leaving the old main roads virtually empty. Spanish drivers are also very courteous to Camino cyclists - probably to avoid damnation by hitting a pilgrim with their car!
Didn't really use albergues as we wild camped a lot of the time but there is plenty of oppurtunity to meet others in the numerous cafes along the route, and in the cities etc.
best of luck with whatever you decide!
I have a pretty basic nylon hidden pocket money belt (amazon) that I actually bought for the Camino (my first big backpacking trip) and have worn ever since. It's simple, decent-looking, doesn't set off metal detectors, and is perfect for stashing that emergency cash (or occasional j).
I love mine to bits. I wouldn't go anywhere without it.
I'm planning on doing a very similar route this September/October. I'll be starting in Porto and following the Senda Litoral to Vila do Conde and then will be taking the regular Coastal Way to Caminha. I'll walk along the River Minho and join up the the Central Way at Valenca.
I ordered the John Brierly book called A Pilgrims Guide to the Camino Portuguese. I'm pleased with it because it has very nice maps that include the Senda Litoral (as well as the regular Coastal Way) and it lists all the relevant accommodations/albergues and their prices. However, it does not have much descriptive text about Coastal or Litoral routes if you want more in-depth information. IF the Senda Litoral is well way-marked, the maps in this book would probably be sufficient, but I've gotten mixed-messages on that front.
Have you tooled about on Google Earth? I've found TONS of GPS tracks for the various routes-- some seem more accurate than others.
The most help I feel I can give, as someone who is yet to take the journey, is to buy the camino guide book. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1912216000/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1526580361&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=camino+de+santiago
It is the Brierley guide and it is still in print and costs 20 dollars. if you spell his name wrong, people rip you off. https://www.amazon.com/Pilgrims-Guide-Camino-Santiago-Roncesvalles/dp/1912216000/