Heading out on my 4th Camino in May. Every year I pack lighter and lighter. This time my target was 6kg all in, including food & water. And then I watched your video! Totally game changing. Back to the drawing board! Many thanks, love your work.

@DaysWeSpend

Ай бұрын

Haha. Glad we could throw a wrench in your packing plans. 6kg is super light! Way to go. Buen Camino!

Inspiring to to see you hike with just a lumbar pack. I have cervical disk herniations so I want to see if I can do 4 day walk (staying in B&Bs) in the UK with a lumbar pack and thanks to your video I now think I can do this, thanks for a great vid.

@DaysWeSpend

Ай бұрын

Awesome! I'm so glad it was helpful. Sounds like a great solution for your walk.

Sierra Designs makes good stuff. I had their Flex Capacitor backpack for a number of years and loved it. I dont know why SD doesnt get the same love some of the larger gear mfgs get. BTW, thats a ballsy move to commit to a lumbar pack for that long of a hike! Thats awesome.

@DaysWeSpend

4 ай бұрын

Haha thanks. Yeah I’d never actually heard of sierra designs but the bag was the right size and it fit my hips and packing style so I gave it a go. I’m thrilled I did. It’s the best.

I'm working on cutting weight down on my lumbar pack - one hack I've found is to wear a great kilt. It's a four-yard long wool blanket, that doubles as rain protection, warmth layer, sitting pad, hammock under quilt, and emergency shelter. Plus, it's worn around your waist, so it technically isn't in the lumbar pack! Since I use the lumbar pack when backpacking, not on a Camino, I have to carry a tarp and hammock in it, too. I've been using the Mountainsmith Tour pack, which is a 9L pack. I'm still trying to figure out how to carry food for multiple days - at the moment, it's only enough for an overnight. But your dogtreat bag hack was great - I'm going to have to see if I can do something similar for on-the-go snacks.

@DaysWeSpend

2 ай бұрын

That's a really interesting solution. Good luck with the dog treat bag. It's a game changer.

I've used a Mountainsmith day lumbar pack for years now. I use its strapettes for heavier loads. It's my number one goto. Thanks for the lightweight packing tips. 👍

@DaysWeSpend

4 ай бұрын

I tried the Mountainsmith lumbar pack a while ago but for some reason it didn’t feel great. I’d love to give it another shot. What size/capacity are you rocking?

Amazing! I had a 30 litre back bag and I thought it was small 😀 thank you so much for inspiration!

@DaysWeSpend

3 ай бұрын

30L is a great bag size! Happy to help inspire more Caminos!

Just wow!!! Thanks for posting this link to my last comment. This is Next Level impressive

@DaysWeSpend

3 ай бұрын

Thanks so much!

Amazing!!

@DaysWeSpend

2 ай бұрын

Thanks!!

Your video inspired me a lot. Thank you very much!

@DaysWeSpend

4 ай бұрын

Awesome! Buen camino!

Shawn, you and Laney's clips (among others) have been super helpful in preparation for my first El Frances Camino this spring. Your lumbar pack clip changed me from carrying a full-on backpack to a lumbar pack. As to which one, after reviewing your Sierra Design and Mountainsmith 9l Touring, I'm going with the Mountainsmith (since you wanted to know). Your Columbia shirt and Decathlon shorts are a winner. Sure have appreciated your clips. I hope Laney is still part of the equation, since she doesn't appear in this clip. You're a great team! Love your playfulness and winning smiles! Buen Camino!

@DaysWeSpend

3 ай бұрын

Right on! Happy to hear that you're going to give the lumbar pack a go. If you can make it work, you'll never go back to big ol bag. Lainey is absolutely still part of the equation! (I just wanted to share my experience with the lumbar pack). And yes, the Decathlon shorts and Columbia shirt were amazing for my hike. Highly recommend (especially the shirt). Those vents will feel amazing without a bag on your back! Buen Camino!

Really interesting what you take. Over the years I’ve got lighter and lighter but your light is just amazing. You inspire me to go lighter again .

@DaysWeSpend

4 ай бұрын

Thanks! A lighter bag always makes my Camino more enjoyable.

Informative thx

@DaysWeSpend

4 ай бұрын

Glad it helped!

loved it so much - might have a go or go the total over way .....trailer with surfboards !!!

@DaysWeSpend

4 ай бұрын

Haha either way works as long as you keep going!

Wow - Outstanding! I found you via your Galicia beer video - fun! - though .. you must have super homeostasis to never get cold. I pack the opposite - also nothing on the back but I draw a home made trailer as I do first aid on Camino (since 2006) and the kit plus the back up supplies plus my own gear is just too much (and I am 76, unlike you guys). Does get a bit embarrassing sometimes as I walk past sweaty backpack laden struggling pilgrims - I kiss my hand at them and smile as I pass :) - the other virtue to your lumbar pack is posture .. you will have seen how with a heavy pack the pilgrim leans forward to balance, stressing all the muscles and tendons down the front of their legs, which leads to injuries. I love your channel and the spark between you two is wonderful. Buen Camino!

@DaysWeSpend

Ай бұрын

Thanks for finding your way here! I don't get cold very easily so it does help with the lumbar pack usability. The trailer is another great idea for airflow and posture. Glad it worked for you.

I thought you were probably the only person on the Camino with a lighter pack than me, but turns out it's about the same weight. I carry a heftier first aid kit, sleeping bag, foam pad, pillow, more rain gear, and sun umbrella, but I lighten up in other areas. I like having the opportunity to cowboy camp if I feel like it, and I do yoga before/after walking, which is an absolute game changer. I'm much more concerned with proper sun protection. I wear pants, sun hoody, neck gaiter, sun gloves, the same hat as your wife, and use a sun umbrella. I got the nickname "Snow White" on the Norte because of this, but I was also nice and cool while everyone else was suffering. For most people Lone Peaks are usually toast after 200-300 miles. The tread doesn't last very long and the toe box blows out. I worked at REI in footwear so I saw this a lot. I've done three Caminos on Topos and love them, I think the Topo Ultraventure is the perfect Camino shoe.

@thetrailneverends100

4 ай бұрын

I have the same experience with Altra, but it might have something to do with my bodyweight 😅 In my experience the TOPO Terraventures are great but I think it's a very individual choice and preference.

@Andy-Mesa

4 ай бұрын

@@thetrailneverends100 I hiked (some of) the PCT and my first two Caminos with Terraventures. I love the Terraventure and think it's the ideal shoe for trail hiking, however I don't think it works well on roads and there's a lot of road walking on the Camino which is why I prefer the Ultraventure for that. I think it's the perfect hybrid shoe for trail and road.

@thetrailneverends100

4 ай бұрын

@@Andy-Mesa Though I've tried a few different TOPOs I haven't tried the Ultraventure yet. Maybe I should ... Are they more responsive since you recommend them as a go to when the trail has some degree of road walking? The snug heel is what I love about TOPO vs. Altra. This is a major priority for me.

@Andy-Mesa

4 ай бұрын

@@thetrailneverends100 All Topos have the same fit. Ultraventures have more cushion and a less aggressive tread which works better on pavement.

@DaysWeSpend

4 ай бұрын

I’ll have to check out the TOPOs even though my Altras are still going strong after 1500+ miles. Most of the weight in my bag is the ereader. Without it, the bag is less than 5. What kind of sleeping back do you have to keep your bag so light?

i was waiting for this!!! hope y'all are doing well - we met on the camino this fall (with hans and laura(?)) in logrono. i'm the therapy student who introduced y'all to mosto, lol. def have to echo the sea to summit airlite... changed my life 😆thanks for the insight and looking forward to hiking updates here n there!

@DaysWeSpend

4 ай бұрын

Hahaha hey man. We totally remember our mosto hero. How are things? Gonna walk another Camino (or other route) soon?

Great video. Very informative. Seriously considering a lumbar pack

@DaysWeSpend

Ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

Thanks for yet another insight of your lumbar pack. As you know we were looking for a lumbar pack this size since our camino Portuguese (litoral) and we appreciate you heading us in the right direction buying the Sierra Designs. We're just done doing our own customisation a week ago and might be doing a video on our journey throughout packs and downsizing process even though the lumbar packs yet have to become testet for more than day trips (packed for the Camino Primitivo though).

@DaysWeSpend

4 ай бұрын

Can't wait to see how you've customized your packs. It's such an awesome and modular system. #lumbarpacksforlife

This is great. On the camino frances and the camino del norte, there are municipal albergues without blankets, and in mai/june it could be cold, it means wearing your lumbpack you should check albergues prior, adding some stress. it happened to me

@DaysWeSpend

3 ай бұрын

Absolutely. Packing in a lumbar pack is different than a backpack. You are more dependent on albergues to have blankets. But I also have to say that I've walked 7 Caminos, and I've never gone without a blanket. It can happen, of course - but I prefer not to plan my Camino around worst case scenarios. But that's just me. Like I said in the video, if you're someone who really needs a sleeping bag (or gets cold easily), a lumbar pack might not be the right bag for you. Thanks so much for watching and adding to the conversation. It's a super nuanced topic, and people need to bring what's right for them!

@lecarnute

3 ай бұрын

like in roncesvalles abbey, the dutch there don't give you blanket and it is freezing cold. but I managed to gather warm clothes from mates to put on. long life@@DaysWeSpend

@DaysWeSpend

3 ай бұрын

@@lecarnute Oh right! They don't have blankets there. We were luckily there on a warm day. It was the very beginning of September.

Wow, that is insanely small. I walked the camino with a small backpack (22L) and found towards the end that it was annoying me with how hard it was to fit everything in, and thought I would go with a 35L next time even if I wasn’t bringing more stuff.

@DaysWeSpend

4 ай бұрын

Yeah it took some doing, but shrinking my towel and using a sleep sack instead of a sleeping back made a huge difference. And the cookie pouch lets me keep all of my snacks/food outside of the bag which saves a ton of space.

Great inspiration for easy breezy hiking. The hat with no top is a young man's hat. One day you will want the top of your head covered. Enjoy it while you can.

@DaysWeSpend

3 ай бұрын

Hahaha exactly. I’ll keep using it as long as I can!

So I know I could not go that light. But definitely inspiring, good information for packing light in general. I'll work on it.

@DaysWeSpend

4 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching! Any type of light pack is a good pack.

@DaysWeSpend

4 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching! Any type of light pack is a good pack.

Don,t stop be happy 😄😄😄😄

6 is a perfect number. Wow.

@DaysWeSpend

4 ай бұрын

Thanks. For me it’s all about keeping it light so I can enjoy the walk.

Funny video, great info. Nice one.

@DaysWeSpend

3 ай бұрын

Thank you!

Very informative. I wish I knew all this information before walking El Camino in 2021, with that said, I already started using the links that you placed for the equipment (thank you). The quality of your videos is amazing, what camera did you use? Currently getting ready for the next Camino with my girlfriend. Maybe the Portugal way.

@DaysWeSpend

4 ай бұрын

Thanks so much. We shot all this with our old iPhones. Nothing special. I love all the gear I mentioned so you should be good if you pack anything from the list. Buen Camino!

I enjoyed your informative vid! I'm curious, at the end of the video, when you weighed your loaded pack, were the water bottles filled with water, or were they empty?

@DaysWeSpend

Ай бұрын

Thank you! The bottles were empty during the weight section. So add a kilo for snacks and water and that's the walking weight.

Long time lurker! Always enjoy your videos. I’m getting ready to do my 8th Camino… this time it’s going to be the French Way (again). But with my 14 year old daughter, before she starts high school. You almost had me sold on the Ombraz sunglasses. Why the change? I thought you really liked them. What was the drawback? Keep putting out the videos, and we will keep watching them! Buen Camino!

@DaysWeSpend

4 ай бұрын

Thanks so much for watching. Wow, 8th Camino! We've never used the Ombraz glasses. Lainey loves the Nooz sunglasses because they're small, light, and fit her face. I prefer the amount of sun blockage and comfort of the Valon sunglasses. Sunglasses fit everyone so differently. Buen Camino!

@jeremynachbar3205

3 ай бұрын

I don’t know how I came up with that one… 😂. I thought you had them on the walk through France. I think they do have side coverage. Looking forward to your next Camino!

Thanks so much for this video. I'm an ultralight backpacker, and was fretting about extra space in my smallest backpack. I had never heard of lumbar packs before seeing this. I tried the MountainSmith lumbar packs first because they're so prominently featured on Amazon, but they just didn't feel right. They're heavy (almost two pounds) and didn't ride all that well. So I tried the Sierra Designs pack you use, and I'm sold. Everything I need fits, and the pack fits snuggly to my lumbar. I'm using a Dyneema food bag for my clothes storage, and a Polartec alpha micro fleece hoody as my warm layer. Otherwise virtually everything you recommended which tracked nicely with my ultralight load-out. I have tickets booked for May 7, and looking forward to visiting Ourense. "Cada buena historia empiece con un vermouth."

@DaysWeSpend

2 ай бұрын

That’s amazing. Yeah, I had the exact same experience with the Mountainsmith lumbar pack - just too big and didn’t feel right. I loooove the Sierra Designs. So happy it’s the right fit for you. Look us up when you get to Ourense. Love to hear how it went! Buen Camino!

@frankmartin6332

2 ай бұрын

Will do. Just booked my AirBnB for the month of July.

@DaysWeSpend

2 ай бұрын

@@frankmartin6332 Amazing. Send us an email through our website and we'll meet up.

This video has actually inspired me to wear just alumbar pack for trekking. I just wonder though if there's anyway we can conveniently carry a tent and sleeping mat without having a backpack?

@DaysWeSpend

Ай бұрын

Happy you’ve got the lumbar pack fever! Honestly, I have no idea if this lumbar pack could carry a tent and everything you’d need to camp, but maybe if you used my weird bungee loop system. It’s not my specialty but a suuuuuper light tent might work. There are some other bigger lumbar packs that might work but at that point a backpack might be the way to go. Make sure you bring whatever you need to stay safe out there!

That’s a nice, tight list

@DaysWeSpend

4 ай бұрын

Thanks! It’s taken a while to get it down to the essentials.

Seems like you often hike in the dark in the mornings on Camino. Something reflective on roads. My New Balance shoes have some.

@DaysWeSpend

4 ай бұрын

Reflective shoes or straps are always a good idea.

Keep the knife in your pocket when boarding the trains in Spain. They only acreen the luggage. I managed to keep my Oponel knife until it was time to fly home.

@DaysWeSpend

3 ай бұрын

That’s a great tip for next time. Shame to lose such a great knife.

@Onechance2345

9 күн бұрын

Both a scary idea and a good idea..hehehe

Question about the lambswool: did you use it every day as a preventative? Or just for hot spots?

@DaysWeSpend

4 ай бұрын

Yup. I used it everyday as a preventative. Combined with the sock liners, it prevented 99% of blisters. I’d reuse the wool for a week or two then replace it with a fresh one. Worked great.

That was interesting, we had wondered where your pack was, we had assumed you sent it ahead😅

@Pellegrino809

4 ай бұрын

lol

@DaysWeSpend

4 ай бұрын

Haha yeah everyone thought I’d shipped it ahead but the lumbar was all I needed!

Intrigued by your lumbar pack. But my question is about video storage. Was your phone able to store all your daily videos until good wifi was available? If not, what system did you use?

@DaysWeSpend

4 ай бұрын

Good question. Oooph. We emptied our phones before the walk and, even then, almost ran out of space. Good wifi is available at most albergues and bars.

@joycedunnrogers8248

4 ай бұрын

@@DaysWeSpend Oh, sorry. Actually, I was referring to the Chemin du Puy where I heard wifi was "iffy".

@DaysWeSpend

3 ай бұрын

@@joycedunnrogers8248 oh yes, in France we had very little wifi. We just kept everything on our phones. We didn't back it up until we got home.

How long can you wear unbound merino shirts before you get a hole under the armpit? I’ve never tried that brand. I love merino but get holes in armpits eventually. And no, I don’t wear deodorant with merino shirts because the chemicals are bad for it (and I’d just get a hole faster). I only hand wash my merino clothes too.

@DaysWeSpend

3 ай бұрын

Shawn doesn't wear deodorant. The only holes in his merino shirts are after several years of wear.

You’re a badass. So many horrible videos on YT of people who got INJURED the first day, complained about blisters the whole time, used a slack packing service, and then have the audacity to give people backpack gear advice and say things like “bring whatever makes you comfortable “, as if getting injured is comfortable. And if you aren’t going to actually carry anything, then sure, take three suitcases of junk. YT is so full of horrible advice. But not this. This is a pro set up. But anybody can do it. Well done sir. Well done.

@DaysWeSpend

3 ай бұрын

Haha, thanks so much. It's always nice to be called a badass. Honestly, you nailed my main reason for packing in a lumbar pack. I don't want to have to lug a ton of stuff around because it hurts my back and shoulders, and increases my chances of injury. Less is more on the Camino, and committing to a smaller pack has radically improved my enjoyment on trail. It takes a little planning, but shrinking your bag can transform the way you walk.

Do you know of any vendor that ship the lumbar pack to Europe?

@DaysWeSpend

3 ай бұрын

It looks like Eko Sport carries it. Not sure if they deliver to your country, but they deliver to many places in the EU.

I used a 25L backpack on the Norte and everybody thought I was insane because I "didn't have anything"

@DaysWeSpend

2 ай бұрын

25 L is great!

Do they just confiscate the knife at the train station, and let you in without it?

@DaysWeSpend

13 күн бұрын

We bought it on trail and yeah, they took it away and then I was allowed to board.

@michaljambor7772

13 күн бұрын

@@DaysWeSpend Well, gonna ditch my bread-cutting specific Victorinox then. So sad:) Nevertheless, great gear list! These waist packs are so good for cycling too. I have just purchased the Columbia shirt for 200km on Sanabrés this comming June. Fits perfect. Thanks.

@DaysWeSpend

13 күн бұрын

@@michaljambor7772 Awesome. Buen Camino!

This is not for pilgrims but for Tourisgrinos. When you pay for your bags to be transported, it's easier.

@DaysWeSpend

3 ай бұрын

Hey Paul, thanks for watching. I never shipped anything ahead (this was all I carried). Hopefully I'll see you out on the Camino someday.

Okay, but how much did Lainie carry for you?! Bet she had the wine, the fresh fruit, the giant Brie round. Here honey, could you put this in your pack?

@DaysWeSpend

4 ай бұрын

Haha. Nailed it. Lainey always had to carry our Brie. And we eat a lot of Brie.

@wendybp2867

3 ай бұрын

@DaysWeSpend My son can carry the Brie. He’s young and I’m paying. I may be back here to ask about the bungie set up. I have my 18l pack down to 7.4 pounds, not full, so I definitely want to at least try to see if I could do this. I’m pretty low maintenance so maybe. 🤷🏻‍♀️

@DaysWeSpend

3 ай бұрын

@@wendybp2867 7.4 pounds is fantastic! Maybe I can make a quick video or short about how to attach a bungee system to a bag since it's cheap, easy, and super effective. All you really need is a piece of thin bungee string, and a slide clasp (I'm not sure what it's actually called) to adjust the tension. Then you just loop through whatever straps and attachment points you have, and voila - more external storage.

@christian-777

3 ай бұрын

⁠​⁠​⁠@@DaysWeSpendthat would be really appreciated if you could make a short video on this bungee system! I am very inspired by your video and am planning on using the sierra lumbar on my next Camino!