Packing for your Camino walk 

From reading the Camino forums or hearing questions at the talks that I give, I know that many people want to know what to pack for a pilgrimage walk. There is no answer that will work for everyone because we have different needs and desires. However, reading others suggestions can be helpful. You’ll find my list below.

Having walked thousands of miles on Camino routes, and on backpacking trips in the U.S., South America, and Africa, I pretty much know what works for me. What I pack is based on several things including climate and anticipated weather, personal preferences, ease of washing and drying gear, weight, reliability, and our accommodations along the way.  

Anticipated weather means that I bring good rain gear, including an umbrella, because I have experienced drenching rain (particularly in the spring)  and don’t like hiking in soaking wet hiking pants.

Personal preference means, for example, that I bring my (very light-weight) down sleeping quilt instead of a sleep sheet or similar because I like having my own bedding.

Accommodations includes not only rooms, but also places to find food and drink such as bars and restaurants. These are generally easy to find on the Francés (depending on the season), and harder to find on other Camino routes. When you won’t have places to stop during a day’s walk, you need to be self-sufficient and be mindful of where you can find shelter or get help. This is the second reason I bring my sleeping quilt. 

Likewise, we carry all of our own gear — not only because of personal preference, but also because transport services are not available on many of the alternate Camino trails. 

We have always taken our Camino hikes in spring or fall — April, May, early June, or September and October. We have encountered snow, rain, and hail on some trips during April and May. We avoid mid-summer — late June through late August — because that’s when more Europeans are on vacation, and to avoid the heat. We’ve not gone during the winter because the usual weather makes it harder, and because fewer accommodations are open. 

However, different people have different comfort levels, or are hiking under different conditions, so they may make other choices. Keep in mind, however, that for every person who thinks they brought too few items, there are probably a hundred who find they brought too much and look for a way to reduce pack weight.

Don’t pack based on your fears — have confidence that you can rise to meet the challenges. Also keep in mind that the Camino Francés (and most of the other pilgrim routes) travel through first-world countries — essentials are readily available.

First up, photos of my most recent Camino walk — on the Camino Ingles in September 2024.

My starting pack weight was 15 pounds; it was 13.6 pounds when we returned home. The major difference was that I finished the book I started with and I threw away the crummy shower sandals I had taken.  

I had never tried packing pods before. I packed my Osprey backpack with the sleeping bag in the bottom (in a plastic turkey baster bag), the toiletries and extra clothes the rest of the way up. Everything was in a Hefty garbage bag in case of rain.

However, I found the packing pods from Six Moon Designs made it easy to stay organized. One held my extra clothes, one my sleeping quilt, the third my cold weather gear. The compression straps squeezed out extra air and reduced volume. I had a few items that weren’t needed for the Camino walk, but were packed for our two weeks in Norway before we traveled to Spain. 

 

 

My extra clothes: 1 pair hiking pants, two short-sleeved tee shirts, 1 long-sleeved shirt, 2 pair hiking socks, 2 pair underwear, 1 full-slip (sleepwear). 

 

 

 

 

Cold-weather layers: fleece cap, silk bottoms, heavy fleece bottoms*, silk top, Smartwool knit top. My Smartwool knit top has been on every Camino trip I have taken. No stink, always looks good, can double as a pullover sweater when going out for dinner.

*an optional item. fleece bottoms were unnecessary (they were used on our visit to Norway).

Down jacket, medium weight, for me is perfect from chilly mornings and evenings. It can double as a pillow if needed. 

 

Rain wear: Goretex jacket (with pit zips) !and rainpants with zippers. Gloves (still searching for the perfect pair!). Bandana usually in a pocket.  Carried raingear stuffed into front mesh pocket of the pack for quick access. Hiking umbrella shown below. (We’ve tried ponchos, but don’t like how they fly around and allow your legs to get wet.) 

I often wear the rain jacket (sometimes the rain pants) as an extra layer on cool mornings or evenings.  

A hiking umbrella is useful for both rainy days and sunny ones. 

 

 

 

 

Assorted health care items, etc: Some containers shown here are larger than needed, but I was carrying some items for two. Toothbrushes and toothpaste Various creams for insect bites/rashes/scratches. Headlamp has white and red beams — red is less obtrusive to others. Pill is baggies —some people prefer to carry a pill box.

My blister prevention is wrapping any sensitive areas with tape: Omnifix (2-inch wide) around the ball of my foot because of the bunions. Omnipore (1-inch wide ) around any toes giving a problem. I haven’t had any blisters since starting this system (tape stays in place several days) and getting rid of boots 20+ years ago. Needle, thread, tiny safety pin and button (one of the tiny packets from some motel from the past), Never fails something needs a stich or two. Most of the items can be purchased or replenished supplied from pharmacias along the way!  
Optional item shown: Because we did carry-on only for our flights, we didn’t take the Swiss Army knife we usually do. Instead we purchased the inexpensive kindergarten scissors for opening packages — such things as my tea bags (not every place provides it like they do coffee).   

My typical hiking wear

What I wear on a typical hiking day: hiking pants, a short-sleeved tee-shirt, and a long-sleeved shirt. Underwear, money-belt (under clothes with passport, currency, credit card, etc.). My Sunday Afternoons hat with wide brim offers  protection from the sun, is handy to sit on, and waterproof during a drizzle. 

Sunglasses, bandana, lipstick and comb,  cell-phone, a small amount of TP in plastic bag in pocket.  Most packs have compartments for these items, but I am fine with having these items in a pocket and find that  even more convenient.   

Shoes: I find Altra Trail Runners — with their wide toe box, quite comfortable. I have bunions and need a shoe that accommodates them. I like the “zero drop”  (no raised heel) feature. For extra padding on paved surfaces (and some Camino routes have a lot of pavement!), I add Spenco inserts — no arch, closed foam. For greater support, I often replace the Altra’s insoles with my podiatrist’s recommended insert — (over-the-counter) Powerstep.  

Just be sure you try your shoes ahead of time with any changed insoles/inserts to be sure there is enough room and comfort for your feet. Plantar fasciitis can take you off the trail. 

Trekking poles: We normally check our baggage, but this time we did not and needed another way to get hiking poles. Instead of purchasing new ones — and because we were in Santiago before our hike on the Ingles, we went to the Pilgrim center and asked if anyone had left any behind. We were shown the room where things previous hikers have left there. We and came up with two pair of poles that served the purpose. When we ended our hike, we returned them to the center. 

I have heard that people sometimes leave poles elsewhere including the Pilgrim House on Rua Nova in Santiago, and an albergue in Pamplona.  

Updating below underway!  

Packing Lists: Condensed version (details and explanations follow). 
I make slight modifications each time. 
Shoes: Altra Lone Peak, 1 lb. 7 oz.
Socks: Tilley 1 oz. x 3 = 3 oz.
Backpack: All Day Carry, 35 liter. approx. 3 lb.
Rain gear: Goretex rain jacket 11.5 oz.,
Marmot Precip, full-zip rain pants, 11 oz.,
Hiker Umbrella: 6.5 oz,;
Pack cover: 3 oz;
Sleeping gear: Sleeping bag. Z Pack. 12.5 oz.
Trekking poles: Black Diamond. Carbon fiber 10.2 oz.
Hydration equipment: Water Bladder, 3 oz.
Toiletries: (Comb, lipstick, Glide (mini), sunscreen, chapstick, razor, toothpaste and floss. Shampoo, hair conditioner, hand lotion, and soap (hotel size), sunglasses and prescription eye glasses). Details vary, but I allow 8 oz.
First aid kit:  I allow 1 lb.
Writing paper and pen, 1.75 oz.
Book (paperback): 7 oz.
Headlamp: 3 oz.
Campsuds/or hotels soaps, large safety pins and/or clothespins, 1.3 oz.

Clothing includes what I am wearing (“skin out”)
Hiking pants (synthetic) 7.75 oz.
Tee shirts, short sleeved. (2) 9.5 oz
Shirts, long-sleeve with UPF protection (2) 11 oz.
Smartwool, quarter zip, long sleeved top, 7.5 oz
Sunday Afternoons sun hat, 3 oz
Skirt, 6.4 oz.
Neck scarf .5 oz;
Bra (1), Panties (3) total: 4 oz.
Full slip, nylon, black, 3 oz.
Down jacket 12.5 oz.
Gloves, fleece (or wool), 1.5 oz.
Hat, fleece,  2 oz.
Subtotal: 240.4 oz/15 lb.

Optional items:
Smartwool bottoms 5 oz.
Sandals (Mephisto) 1 lb., 1.5 oz
Subtotal: 1 lb. 2 oz.

Total regular and optional: 19 lb. 9 oz.
What and Why 
Footwear: Trail runners. An item to wear, not pack. One of the most controversial gear questions out there! For many years, I have favored Altra Lone Peak, 1 lb. 7 oz. I have sometimes chosen men’s hiking shoes because of the greater width. Altras offer adequate cushioning, support, good grip, and wear.

I stopped wearing boots after suffering for weeks with pain because of my bunions while on the Camino Frances in 2001. It’s generally advisable to buy shoes 1/2-1 size larger than you normally wear because your feet will probably swell from the day-after-day walking on hard surfaces, the heat, and friction. Some boots need a break-in period and the Altra’s zero-drop style (no raised heel) sometimes takes a bit of time to get used to. Just be sure that your shoes are comfortable before you start your trip.  

I also bring sandals. Fancier and heavier than they need to be, but I love my black suede Mephistos for going out. They are definitely in the “Luxury” category (see below).