"St. James' Way in a Tuxedo" (or Jakobsweg im Smoking) is a famous packing guide and travel book. The title references a Danish pilgrim who packed a tuxedo on the Camino de Santiago because he feared Spanish restaurants would not let him inside.
The book uses the funny tuxedo story to highlight a very serious issue: pilgrims often pack far too many heavy, unnecessary items. In this book, you learn how to successfully walk the ancient pilgrimage route carrying a pack that weighs only about 3 kg (6.6 lb).
Enjoy some photos and impressions from the pilgrimage:
Pilgrim Sculptures on the Alto del Perdón - also called Puerto del Perdón - the mountain journey of Sierra del Perdón between Pamplona and Obanos
Hiking shoes and box: Hanwag Canyon II Terra Care
Hiking stick segments with plastic peg: Leki Retro hiking sticks
Porcelain in KaDeWe: Indian Rhinoceros manufactured by Meissen (9.7 kg)
Pilgrim-route marking for St. James' Way in Germany: Mecklenburger Straße in Münster
Spoon, fork and knife in one: Spork Original by Light My Fire
Trail Running Shoes: Brooks Cascadia 7 size 49.5 EU
The three layers of clothing: Base layer: Monster-T-Shirt; 2nd layer: Jack Wolfskin Performance Jacket Fleece Jacket (opened); 3rd layer: Patagonia Houdini Jacket (opened), Montane Minimus Jacket (opened)
Signal whistle with SOS Morse code on the strap of the Petzl Tikka XP² headlamp
Headlamp in Red-light Mode: "When I grow up, I want to be a Nerd." Article in Magazine "jetzt Schule&Job"
On the Soehnle Exacta Scale: Leki Retro Hiking sticks (514 g)
On the scale: Ortec Ultra Plugs with adapters from Sennheiser CX 400-II Earphones accessories (7 g)
On the scale: Floss (5 g)
In the cold chamber at Globetrotter in Berlin: Alarm button and buttons to operate the wind machine
Monitor showing heat-image, at Globetrotter in Berlin in the cold chamber
On the scale: Chanclas Mister*Lady To the Beach (182 g)
On the scale: Latex Leixure Gloves (46 g)
Berliner Dom with television tower in the background
Shop for devotional objects "Ave Maria" in Potsdamer Straße, not far from Potsdamer Platz
Miraculous medallion at work: The image of Maria weighs 0 g
Gear from left to right: Shoes, Backpack Liner, Backpack and Hiking Sticks
St. James' Shell with miraculous medallion, attached to Laufbursche huckePÄCKchen Spezial Backpack
Cutdown: A number of labels and tags which were removed from my gear
Equipment left to right and top to bottom: Shoes, Flip-Flops, Backpack Liner, Gloves, Aluminum Mat, Stone for the Cruz de Ferro, rolled-together Freezer Bags, Toiletry Bag, Technology Bag, PET Water Flask, Hiking Sticks, Clothing, Sleeping Bag, Document Bag, Backpack with Shell, Clothing, Towel
Toiletry bag on the scale (358 g)
Document bag on the scale (70 g)
Pilgrim agency in St. Jean Pied de Port
Road-map of the closed Route de Napoleon with drawn-in alternative route via Valcarlos
St. Jean Pied de Port
St. Jean Pied de Port: On this bridge, the pilgrim's road to Santiago begins
Starting photo from right to left: Steffi, Norman and me on the bridge at St. James' gate in St. Jean Pied de Port
Steffi and Norman on the way to Valcarlos
Snow and Slush: On a forest route between Valcarlos and Roncesvalles
The snow-covered Pyrenees: View from the Roland-monument on top of the Ibañeta-Pass
Run-over Road-sign just behind Roncesvalles
Steffi on the way to Zubiri
Electrolytes: Flectomin-Package, Containing 10 Sachets
Puente la Reina
St. James' Way between Puente la Reina and Estella
Faucet of the free vine fountain
Shell and yellow arrow: road markings on the stage to Torres del Rio
Completion of Road Markings: arrow made out of rocks on St. James' Way in the direction of Najera
Australian with self-made washing line: shoes and socks are drying in the sun
Najera
Behind Najera: St. James' Way in the sunshine
The Cathedral at Burgos
Stork nest on top of the church next to "En el Camino" hostel in Boadilla del Camino
Behind Boadilla del Camino: secluded alley
El Camino: St. James' Way
Slowly but surely: A snail on St. James' Way
Road Signs: Carrión de los Condes/Camino de Santiago
Perhaps the happiest traffic sign in the world: a smiling "no overtaking" sign
Business-improving extra arrows
The first merino sock has been worn through at the heel
Cathedral in León
Arrow
David's Paradise on the road to Astorga
Cathedral in Astorga
Cruz de Ferro
Cruz de Ferro
Immensely Beautiful: descent towards Ponferrada
Los Templarios Castle in Ponferrada
St. James' Way, a few kilometers before Santiago
Pilgrimage-Destination: The Apostle's Grave
Compostela: certificate confirming pilgrimage
In front of the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela
Back in Berlin: cheerleaders at Brandenburger Tor
Cutdown along the way: Montane Minimus Pants Velcro-strips cut off with beard scissors
Complete gear from left to right and from top to bottom: shoes, flip-flops, PET water flask, toiletry bag, technology bag, hiking sticks, fleece, rain jacket, pants, rain pants, shorts, wind jacket, rolled-together freezer bags, rolled-together backpack liner, folded aluminum mat, sleeping bag, money belt, document bag, backpack with shell, gloves, underwear, t-shirts, towel, socks
Toiletry Bag on the Scale (267 g)
On the scale: Ortec Multi-Clips (9 g)
On the scale: DM Dontodent (10 g)
Hiking Guides: Rother & Outdoor
In a store in St. Jean Pied de Port: St. James' shell with "Cruz da Espada"
Golden Kangaroo-Pin
Stamps in Pilgrim Passport
Core Lessons for Packing
Here are a few key rules to save your back and feet: The 10% Rule: Your fully packed backpack should never weigh more than 10% of your body weight. For a 70 kg (155 lb) person, that is 7 kg (15.5 lb). Leave the Tuxedo: You
will only wear comfortable, breathable clothing while walking. A tuxedo
or dress suit is too heavy and will just take up space. Less is More: Many
pilgrims start with 20 kg (44 lb) bags, damage their knees or feet early on,
and pay to ship their heavy gear back home. If you want to pack like a
pro, focus on ultralight, multi-use items and take a look at the book for more.
The book "St. James' Way in a Tuxedo" is available on Amazon in German, Spanish, French and English.
