I’m not above motivating myself with YouTube. Photography, cameras, travel. Laptops, iPads, phones. Mediterranean diet, exercise, health. People are really good at YouTube, and I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt that they’ve likely done some research, personally used the thing, and at the very least, are passionate enough about it to have immersed themselves and arrived at a decently-formed conclusion that they are sharing with the world. Which saves the rest of us countless hours and money, thanks to the relentlessly competitive landscape in which YouTubers exist and ply their craft.

When it comes to Camino prep, what kind of person are you? Are you after the camaraderie? The spiritual? The physical? The foreign? Did you see a movie or read a book or article that nudged you into seeking out more info? Is it the shoes, the poles, the backpacks? The escape? Because it seems to hold something for everyone, no doubt a large chunk of its appeal.

The thing is, pilgrims have been making the journey to Santiago de Compostela for over a thousand years. They did it with their own versions of footwear, packs, walking sticks; their own motivations, including religious obligation as a far bigger player than it is for today’s pilgrims, but also with many of the same ancillary benefits of camaraderie and the excitement of traveling to foreign lands. There would have been more dangers to the journey, more hardships, far less ease and convenience. Still, they came. Month after month, year after year, century after century.

As I watch videos, talk to people at REI, order shoes, and endlessly ponder such life-altering questions as Hokas or Brooks, hiking boots or trail runners, is a 30 liter backpack enough for the 7–9 day trek, and all of the other things that probably don’t really matter all that much, I don’t regret any of it. I’m also getting myself in shape with what I’m eating and drinking and have dramatically increased the physical conditioning routine, and would absolutely not be doing that to this extent if not for the continuous contemplation / obsession with all things Camino. To each their own.

Should the gear matter? Not really. The pilgrimage can be done regardless, as it has since long before any of our present versions of shoes and packs existed. But for me, it all serves as motivation, for the mindset as well as the physical prep. And if you must know, despite the mix of negative and positive reviews on the Goat Speed 6, that’s what I believe I have settled on. And fortunately, the color that I love is apparently not loved by all, hence marked down substantially at REI. Can’t wait to break them in on a local Audubon trail about 20 minutes away.

Buen Camino!