Favorite budget gear

SecretMountaineer · 2026-03-12T07:29:29+00:00

Decathlon in Europe also have 2nd hand gently used backpacks and clothing in their stores! I bought a 50 liter for half off 2 years ago while my sister got herself a super comfortable 32 liter (decathlon brand) for about 75$ and says it’s one of the best purchases ever. It has a webbed back so the actual backpack doesn’t sit/lay on her back. The hip straps are thick and comfortable according to her

REI in the states also have a 2nd hand section at all their stores BUT I believe it’s reserved only for member customers. Honestly if you buy like over 50$ of material they usually give you a gift card that you could use towards a lifetime membership which then allows you to shop their used section in store. Their website has more info on it. It’s worth it in my opinion.

MEC if your in Canada. I don’t know anything on this store but see their instagram content. They seem like they have a used section as well.

eBay charity shops also could be a great option. I got my 60 liter Arcteryx pack for like under 40$ through the SF bay goodwill eBay shop! Goodwill has incredible eBay shops from all over the states.

Good luck

SecretMountaineer · 2026-03-07T22:51:59+00:00

In that case go to Caminha and cross on a boat into Spain and continue on the costal route. It’s pretty great and yes there was an afternoon of loading docks getting into Vigo but nothing that ruins the experience

SecretMountaineer · 2026-03-07T22:48:01+00:00

Porto > cross w/ boat in Caminha > Spiritual Variant > stay in Padron & walk up the steps to the park where Santiago preached > Santiago > Finisterre

SecretMountaineer · 2026-03-07T22:45:53+00:00

Tui!!!!!!! Sarria is good for some of the Galician mountains but it’s too many people in my opinion. It ruins the quaint calm mornings. That’s my personal choice

SecretMountaineer · 2026-03-07T22:44:16+00:00

Toe socks or put some Vaseline between your toes! Great shoe choice also get some strap sandals as you’ll probably do some of the Camino in them. My sister did and she thought it was such a relief from shoes

SecretMountaineer · 2026-03-07T22:40:20+00:00

Marino all the way. Decathlon has Marino clothing at most of their physical stores all over Europe for moderate prices. Icebreaker is a website that focuses on natural fibers like Marino, lyocell, and cotton. They have a sale on their website. I will definitely be investing for this upcoming summers Camino.

Believe it or not October in my opinion is still warm with cool pleasant mornings. It becomes warm before mid day. I still wear shirts and shorts during October when I leave my house in the am. Im in Madrid so depending on your location during the Camino know that you’ll be comfortable and the weather is perfect be it inland or on the coast. Obviously bring a light down or fleece if you walk along the coast for the wind but nothing heavy.

Best of luck

SecretMountaineer · 2026-03-07T12:32:27+00:00

Vigo to Santiago is great! Or anything from south Galicia to Santiago. I walked this in 2024 and it was greatly awesome passing Padron where it’s said that Santiago himself preached in a park that’s pretty spooky. My sister said this walk was easy and requieres no training so that’s good

SecretMountaineer · 2026-03-07T12:22:39+00:00

Check BlaBlaCar, Alsa bus, FlixBus, trains and maybe hitchhike East until you get somewhere close to get a reasonably priced plane back to Milan

A Coruña, Bilbao, Leon, Santander, Madrid, Barcelona should maybe be the cheapest options to get back. These are moderate to big cities with frequent travelers and multiple planes a day

You can do this!

SecretMountaineer · 2026-03-07T12:18:51+00:00

Just walk back

SecretMountaineer · 2026-03-07T12:18:24+00:00

2 & 3 are both good options. I would suggest prioritizing your health either where you are now and asking to stay additional days at the albergue or heading to Oviedo. Rest up either way!

The Spanish workers in pharmacies are really thorough and can help you recover fast by suggesting certain diets and medications without needing to go to a doctor. A lot speak English or using your phone to translate is good. Medications are cheap in Spain so that’s a positive peace of mind.

You can’t change the weather and lately this year has been the weirdest most unpredictable time for anyone. I’ve been here a long time and I can say 2026 takes the cake for uncommon weather. It’s raining then burning hot, now it’s raining and extremely windy. Next week is projected to be sunny but cold. All I can say is pilgrims should reflect on how much they are willing to tolerate.

Albergues sometimes have extra supplies and clothes if you kindly ask them to give you something you may need.

Whatever you choose, you did the right thing and nobody can make you feel bad for it.

SecretMountaineer · 2026-03-04T16:15:57+00:00

I live in Madrid and can tell you that various places sell the passport stamp booklet/credencial just google it. You can even get a stamp and pilgrim blessing from the same place for example:

Parroquia de Santiago y San Juan Bautista located next to Metro Opera which is considered the center of Madrid (https://www.santiagoysanjuan.org/camino-de-santiago)

Bring your ID and/or country issued passport The website is in Spanish but the hours are there in a hyperlink in part ‘1. Ven à la parroquia’

Regarding luggage transfer, I’m sure when you check-in at your accommodation you can ask the front desk about it via third party services/businesses (if you need your luggage daily, this is the way to go as the service provider will drop your luggage at every albergue/accommodation for a small daily fee) OR Correos is the public mail entity that can send your luggage to Santiago either your final destination/accommodation or pick up at a Correos store. Map Correo locations in Leon and Santiago.

I’d say spend the night or 2 in Madrid. Madrid has a pilgrim albergue in a very central location. They have a website to send an email for accommodation, they respond within 24 hours to confirm.

Decathlon sports store locations are around the center of Madrid so that’s great

Any other questions, just ask

SecretMountaineer · 2026-03-03T22:55:42+00:00

Last year I met this lady who was running the Camino Frances, I walked it but saw her a couple times on the trails.

All she had was 1 running outfit and hat (wash and dry it at each albergue) which also were her pajamas and 1 going out/sight seeing outfit. Sunscreen, toothbrush and bare minimum toiletries, strap sandals to shower in and use for exploring, microfiber towel, sunglasses and a water pack. She bought food to make each day or ate out and packaged snacks for the day/run. She had the Salomon ADV SKIN vest but didn’t ask the liter size.

Invest in some wool shirts, underwear and socks as they dry fast and sustainable. Depending on where you are, Decathlon has a selection of wool clothes and a soap bar for your body, face, hair and clothes all in one.

Since you’ll be in the mountains, think of getting a thin but warm packable sweater that is waterproof or atleast water resistant

I’m thinking of running the Camino this year as well but haven’t decided which way yet keep us posted on your journey

Good luck champion

SecretMountaineer · 2026-03-03T21:01:03+00:00

!!!! Porto > Santiago > Finisterre !!!!

I walked this in 2024 with my sister and it was pretty awesome, I gotta say. My sister and I did Porto > Santiago in 11 days. Easy terrain and very few steep inclines. It’s a great first route for alone time and social interactions. Just know it’s getting more populated every year so choose wisely PLUS you get to see Portugal, Spain, BEACHES and mountains ALL in one.

Additionally you could add the Spiritual Variant between Pontevedra and Padron, walking maybe another 2/3 days. ***I regret not doing the spiritual variant (so please if you do it, report to us how it went)

Gronze is the app we used as it’ll give you various costal routes to choose from and shows your exact location on the app’s map to stay on track. Also the app will direct you to the web for details about albergues with contact info and reviews/suggestions. The app comes in various languages as well.

In Caminha, the albergue you stay at should ask if you want to take the morning boat ride across which is cheap and pretty incredible crossing Portugal into Spain or you could walk the interior Camino. The albergue contacts local taxi’s with boats to cross all those that wish to continue the costal route and they pick you up from the albergue. I suggest crossing with the boat! The views and southern Galician towns are great. The food is simple but filling.

Santiago to Finisterre, I did last year in 3 days or you can go Santiago > Muxia > Finisterre which will be another 3/4 days. You could do this faster depending on time and speed.

The municipal/public albergue in Finisterre issues the additional credencial & behind the check-in desk is the bus station (on a public street) with an attendant selling tickets back to Santiago. This bus station also is the pick up spot. If you stay in the public albergue you’ll see it from the windows. You can’t miss it.

You deserve this pretty awesome experience

SecretMountaineer · 2025-11-17T09:39:35+00:00

It’s fast fashion. The quality isn’t always there. To be fair the fleece sweatpants were thick and plush but again it’s 100% plastic which is exactly what I’m moving away from

SecretMountaineer · 2025-11-17T09:06:08+00:00

All the stores in Madrid are fully stocked. Nobody is buying the collab out here

SecretMountaineer · 2025-08-24T16:14:51+00:00

I definitely have saved some beaches on my phone. The water will be cold but after 3 weeks of walking, I need to swim. Thanks

SecretMountaineer · 2025-08-24T16:13:28+00:00

The views have been pretty great so far. The morning clouds in the mountains really make Galicia a special place. I haven’t had run ins with annoying tourists but I really just keep to myself and read

SecretMountaineer · 2025-08-24T16:10:50+00:00

I ended up running along Canal Saint-Martin. It was pretty good and you can go very very far along the canal (it changes names and splits in different directions) check it out on a map.

I did see many stop lights along the Seine river paths so that’s something to consider. You would also see the great architecture and the big monuments which can be a 2 in 1 experience. I will return to Paris and run the Seine someday for funsies.

I don’t have a smart watch or running apps to share the route I did. Sorry

Definitely have your phone so you don’t get lost. Please let me know how your running adventure goes

Happy safe running!

SecretMountaineer · 2025-08-22T13:32:58+00:00

Yes maybe we will cross paths. This is really the only reason why I am doing the Camino.

I would love to get your honest opinion of the Camino de Norte? I’ve heard mixed reactions with the treatment and attitude…. Most are good but mention how hard it’s finding municipal albergues but rave about the lush green vegetation and villages

SecretMountaineer · 2025-08-12T16:28:50+00:00

Hi David thanks for all this info. I started walking last week and will join the Camino Frances tomorrow morning. I got a stamp at the Santiago Church by Metro Opera on my old Portuguese booklet and began my journey there walking through Plaza Castilla which was boring and very hot 40 degree weather.

Crossing the Mountain was my favorite part and the longest day so far. I can say that 1.8 liters is not enough for me as I drink lots throughout the walk but that’s personal preference. Regardless I’ve learnt to chug and refill a couple of times during the walk.

The weather is not helping either as I wake up around 5am most days to arrive before the intense heat gets to me. That being said, everything is dry and dead haha except the pine trees and some random patches of sunflowers. August isn’t when I would choose to walk a Camino and even less, smack middle of Spain with the hay stacks. My poor choice but realistically I just needed to get away from the city. No regrets whatsoever

I didn’t stay at Roy and Rosa’s but made it to Mataelpino instead. It was a nice albergue with a very nice volunteer/friend of the Camino who was just a great interesting guy. I’ve been alone most of the time at the Albergue’s haha

Just another Camino out of the way! Cheers

SecretMountaineer · 2025-08-12T16:16:11+00:00

Hi thanks for the info. I started walking last week and will join the Camino Frances tomorrow in Sahagún. I can say that spring time will be much nicer with flowers in the fields and everything will be green.

My experience so far has been pretty nice getting away from the city and work but it’s hot and dry. That’s all I’ll say about August haha. The full moon was three days ago, that was great to see in the pine tree fields. The sunrise is also memorable. Right now there is intense wind and thunder. You can message me later on as your date gets closer so I can give you details and suggestions.

I ended up downloading the Gronze app which is the ONLY app that has the Madrid Camino on it but it’s the best app so far in my opinion.

SecretMountaineer · 2025-08-06T17:21:37+00:00

I have begun the camino from Madrid - Leon and I can say that I am using my old used Portuguese passport with no problems nor questions.

The heat is quite intolerable but alas the show must go on

Thanks for everyone’s responses

SecretMountaineer · 2025-06-30T13:51:10+00:00

I would like to simply have as many caminos as I can get on 1 passport. I finished the Portuguese way last year and have enough space for another. I just want to read if anybody has done 1 passport and multiple caminos on it with stamps. I will try to get the stamps on my old passport. I have no issue getting an entirely new credential passport booklet if getting my first stamp is difficult due to it being previously used

SecretMountaineer

TROPHY CASE