Welcome, fellow pilgrims and adventure seekers! If you are considering hiking the Camino, I am certain you have pondered what you should pack for your journey. Well, we have some suggestions which you may find helpful.
Rex and I embarked on the incredible experience of hiking the Camino de Santiago in September of 2022 via the Camino Frances. Our journey took us from the charming town of Saint Jean Pied de Port to the sacred destination of Santiago de Compostela. In this post, we’ll share the list of items we packed for our journey. So, strap on your backpacks, lace up your boots, and let’s dig into what we packed and what we would change if we had to pack for it again!
What We Packed
Sturdy backpacks – Next to our shoes, our backpacks were the most important piece of gear we carried on the Camino. Choosing the right pack is critical. We recommend stopping by a store such as REI and trying on every pack they have in stock. What worked for us may not work for
you, but you want to get this right since it will be with you for your entire trip, and you want it to be as comfortable as possible. Here is what worked for us. Of course, your mileage may vary. Rex carried the Gregory Mountain Products Paragon 48. I carried the Gregory Mountain Products Jade 38.
Waist pack – We both also used a waist pack for things we needed quick access to like our wallets, Camino credentials, and passports. These are smaller items, so make sure you don’t forget them when packing up to move on each day. We know this from personal experience, and unfortunately, we did it more than once.
Comfortable hiking boots or shoes – The right footwear can be the difference between you completing your Camino or not. Just like your pack, we would recommend trying on and testing multiple styles of footwear to see what works for you. Do not be brand loyal. Every foot is different, so you need to see what works best for you. Just because brand X worked for us doesn’t mean it will work for you. However, always buy your shoes at least half a size too big for your feet. Your feet will expand with the pounding they will take day after day on the Camino. Trust us, you’ll appreciate the extra room. Use lacing techniques to adjust the fit for up or downhills. For our Camino, Rex started the journey with Merrell Nova 2 trail running shoes, and he loved them. I started with a pair of Oboz Sawtooth hiking shoes, which I loved when training at home but because they were waterproof, my feet got too hot resulting in blisters. I recommend not getting waterproof shoes if you can help it. I ended up switching my Oboz for a pair of Boreal trail runners along the Camino in Astorga. Best thing I did. No more blisters.
Recovery Shoes – These are important for two reasons. When you arrive at your albergue for the evening, you will be asked to remove your hiking shoes. Most albergues do not allow you to bring your boots into the sleeping area. Also (and maybe more importantly), your feet will desperately want out of the shoes you walked miles in that day. My recovery shoes were Crocs sandals and Rex’s were generic “Teva” style sandals.
Good socks and liners – We are faithful Darn Tough customers. They have a warranty that can’t be beat, and they are rugged. They’re made of Marino wool which wicks moisture and keeps your feet dry. I also used a sock liner with toes and a light layer of Vaseline on my feet. This worked for me especially after I got new shoes that fit better and didn’t overheat my feet. Rex never used the liners, preferring just the socks themselves.
Cell phone screen protector – Trust us, this is worth it. Rex dropped his 2-week-old iPhone 13 on the trail between Uterga to Cirauqui and cracked his screen and was forced to deal with a cracked screen for the remainder of our Camino.
Lightweight clothing (quick-drying and moisture-wicking)
Shirts, tanks, sleepwear, leggings – we swear by WoolX You can wear their clothing for up to 7 days without washing and it never smells. Yes, it is a bit pricey, but it is extremely quick to dry, soft and comfortable.
Pants – We recommend convertible hiking pants. This way they vent, turn into shorts, and are made to stretch. Rex wore Columbia Silver Ridge pants, and I liked the Little Donkey Andy ones because they zipped off in both shorts and capris.
Belt (lightweight and travel friendly) – If you do not need one, great. We found after a couple of weeks on the trail our pants started to sag a bit. It is a great problem to have. This belt is travel friendly and adjustable. The plastic buckle also means you do not have to remove it when traveling through airports!
Protective arm covers – These are awesome. Lighter weight and cooler than adding a long sleeve layer. These are keepers in our hiking gear. You can keep them in your waist pack and get to them easily. They also provide full sun block SPF protection.
Rain gear (jacket and pants) – You will inevitably encounter rain on your Camino. As we made our final cuts to our gear list, we knew we’d need our rain jackets, but decided we would not bring
rain pants. It did rain a couple of times quite hard, and it would have been nice to have rain pants, but the 2 days of wet legs out of our entire Camino was worth not carrying the extra weight for most of the trip. Our rain jackets were crucial pieces of our gear as they doubled as our “warm” layers when needed to block the wind or on cold mornings when we started before the sun came up. We would advise buying one that has vents under the arms to help regulate your temperature. You would be amazed at how soaked you get on the inside from your own sweat if you do not have vents. Rex’s wore the Marmot Men’s Minimalist Jacket, and mine was the KÜHL Klash Trench.
Headlamp – Important if you like to start early in the morning to beat the crowds to the next town. You will also use it frequently in the albergues after the lights go out. Be kind to your fellow pilgrims and get one with a red-light option. This is a milder light in the dark, but still allows you to see what you are doing. Rex and I both love this one from Black Diamond.
Sleeping bag (or blanket) and lightweight travel pillow – Most albergues will provide pillows and blankets now that the COVID concerns have mostly subsided. To keep our pack weight down, we brought lightweight blankets and bag liners instead of sleeping bags. Rex brought an inflatable pillow, and I used my puffy jacket stuffed into an infant-sized zip closed pillowcase. After carrying them for a few weeks, we shipped them home because we found we did not need them. The albergues provided pillows and blankets and these items were simply extra weight in our packs. There were a couple of nights where it got cold after we shipped the blanket home, but again, a few chilly nights were tolerable vs carrying the extra weight each day. When this occurred, we put on all our clothes within our pack and found it to be just fine.
Hat and sunglasses for sun protection – Rex and I both used a baseball cap and neck drape (he used a bandana) and never got burned. My ball cap was styled so a ponytail could be placed anywhere and still exit the hat. Sunglasses are very personal. I have trifocal prescriptions and find Maui Jims great for me. Just don’t forget to bring a protective case for them so they do not get crushed in your pack when not in use.
Trekking poles (and pole tips) – Yes, you should bring hiking poles. Your back and knees will thank you. Rex and I both prefer the lightweight telescoping style poles with quick release. Also, the locals hate the click, click, click of hiking poles at 6 am on the cobblestone streets. Be kind and get yourself a set of pole tips.
Water bottle and hydration system – We chose not to bring a water bladder. In our shakedown hikes, we found these to be difficult to refill in a full pack along the trail. We used a 1-liter Smart water bottle with this tube system for easy refilling along the way.
Snacks and energy bars for sustenance on the trail – We got caught a couple times with only emergency rations, so learn from our mistakes. You can buy snacks at every town store. Always have reserves. You never know when you will have to pull lunch or dinner out of your pack when nothing else is available. Be sure to stock up before leaving Burgos when entering the Meseta as your options will be limited. Do not be without.
Basic first aid and blister kit – You will get blisters. Compeed is a Godsend. We also used lamb’s wool to wrap our toes. It is lightweight and extremely helpful in preventing toes from rubbing together. Also, we did not know it at the time, but the set of foldable scissors we carried were worth their weight in gold! Oh, and don’t forget the Vitamin I.
Medications – You know what you need here. This is just a reminder to not forget them.
Travel towel – These are not plush bath towels, but they get the job done. They are lightweight and compact. We used ours after our showers, but also to wring out our clothes before hanging them out to dry.
Toiletry bag – Once you have found all your travel sized toiletries, you will want to have a bag to keep them in. One of these bags is perfect for the job. It will keep your toiletries contained and dry. They come in all sizes and colors.
Earplugs – I used my wired headphones and set up a playlist on Spotify that lasted 7 hours starting with a one-hour mediation then moving into 6 hours of white noise. I was never bothered by snoring or folks coming in late at night. Rex used regular foam earplugs. Both Rex and I used our Bluetooth AirPods during the day on the trail.
Eye mask – You will get better sleep in crowded albergues with an eye mask on. Some pilgrims will get up earlier than you and flick the lights on or blind you with their head lamps while you are trying to sleep. An eye mask will keep your eyes covered and prevent you from being blinded in the wee hours of the morning.
Portable phone charger and adapter – You already have the chargers you prefer, but do not forget to bring at least one outlet adapter with you.
Personal poop pack – There comes a time when everyone needs to “go” when on the trail. Always come prepared. We carried the following in a gallon-sized zip-top bag:
Toilet paper
Sandwich sized zip top bags (5 or so) – these will be used to pack out your toilet paper when you must go on the trail.
Please leave no trace.
Wipes container – refillable travel size for moist towelettes.
Trowel – I kindly implore you to engage in the noble art of hole digging before embarking on your second, less glamorous endeavor. It is a universally accepted truth that no one, absolutely no one, should be subjected to the unenviable task of navigating through someone else’s precious “gifts” in order to conduct their own business. Believe me, my friends, when you cunningly stumble upon what you believe to be the epitome of a secluded lavatory location, rest assured that every other person in the vicinity has shared this remarkably insightful idea as well. So, in the spirit of camaraderie and communal hygiene, let us all unite in the sacred act of pre-poo excavation. Together, we can create a world free from the harrowing trials of stepping in the unsavory remnants of our fellow beings.
And DO NOT FORGET YOUR PASSPORT!
Nice To Have Items We Brought
Large white trash compactor bag to line your pack. It will provide further rain protection. You can also use it to sit on if the ground is wet. Pro tip: A white liner makes it easier to see your stuff inside your backpack.
Electrolytes – You can bring a few of these for your emergency kit to help replenish yourself on hot days. However, at any shop you can pick up Aquarius, which is a drink like Gatorade to replenish lost electrolytes.
Wrist covers – If you are one who forgets to reapply sunscreen (like me), then these wrist covers will help keep your hands from getting sunburned.
Gloves – These came in handy several times for varied reasons. You will appreciate them on cold mornings. Even better, get waterproof gloves to protect your hands from the rain.
Massage ball – You could bring a lacrosse ball instead, but we found the massage ability in this ball to be a Godsend after long days on the trail.
Neck Gaiter – A neck gaiter doubles as sun protection and an added layer to keep you warm on cold mornings. We liked Mission brand.
Maps – We found our phone apps worked great and the Camino Frances trail was well marked, most of the time. However, if you are a paper map, just-in-case-kind-of-person, then here is a paper map we would recommend.
Cinch sacks for sleeping bags, blankets, etc. – These bags help shrink your stuff as small as possible which allows you to carry a smaller pack. We used these for our largest items.
Knee support straps – I had had a previous knee surgery many years before our Camino. If I walked downhill for extended periods of time, occasionally I needed added support. These support straps worked great. They are small and I could keep them in my waist pack for easy access.
Knife – This is a great knife if you are planning to check your bags on the plane. Otherwise, pick one up once you get to Spain at the SJPP, Astorga, or Sarria hiker stores. A knife comes in handy should you decide to pick up food items from the store along the way and make lunch on the trail. It makes it easier to open packages, spread condiments, etc.
What We Wished We Had
A GoPro, with case and backpack strap mount – This would have made shooting the POV shots while hiking more enjoyable. The iPhone worked fine for our purposes as newbies, but if we were to do it again, we would use our GoPro.
The Camino de Santiago tested our physical strength, but it also nourished our souls. We encountered diverse cultures, forged lifelong friendships, and discovered inner resilience we did not know we possessed. The simplicity of life on the trail allowed us to appreciate the beauty of the present moment and find solace in the power of human connection.
Hiking the Camino de Santiago is a transformative experience that stays with you long after the journey ends. It challenges your limits, rewards your efforts, and connects you with a diverse community of fellow pilgrims from all walks of life. So, lace up your boots, pack your backpack, and let the spirit of the Camino guide you on your own unique and unforgettable adventure.
We hope this list helps you prepare for your own adventure. Please comment below if you have any questions we have not answered or if there is anything we may have missed. Please follow us on social media and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Ultreia et suseia – onward and upward, always! Buen Camino!
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