Camino de Santiago - Pack List
I recently had a friend of a friend reach out with a list of questions about the Camino. Before she embarked on her journey she wanted to know, among other things, what I packed (surprisingly it all fit into my small pack and weighed 15lbs +/-.
So here it is…
What I packed
A day pack – Gregory 25L I had one of the smallest packs on the Camino that I saw. It definitely fit everything, but my stuff just fit. Which means it was an effort to pack it perfectly every morning. I suggest something slightly larger so you can pack quickly and rearrange to shift weight based on what part of your body may be hurting that day.
Two quick dry moisture wicking t-shirts Of the many I tried on, I liked Nike and The North Face best
Two pair of inexpensive running shorts from Target I didn’t find it necessary to spend a lot of money on my shorts, rather I optimized comfort
One non-walking outfit Not everyone brought this, but I got to say I really enjoyed changing into something “else” after a long walk and a shower. I opted for a simple slip on cotton dress. I actually found it in the pajama section of Target, and it had a built in bra, which was perfect!
One pair of pajamas Also noticed a lot of people didn’t bring these, but I enjoyed sleeping in something clean.
Three pairs of hiking socks I opted for Smartwool and Darn Tuff
One sports bra and three pair of quick dry undies I opted for Ex-Oficio underwear
A pair of trail runners I decided not to go full hiking boot. A pair of Brookes Trail Runners was sufficient.
A pair of sandals At the end of a long day of walking, one of the BEST feelings is taking off your hiking shoes. And trust me, you don’t want to put them back on again until the next day. A saw a lot of flip flops, but was happy with my pair of Tevas. They allowed me to air my feet out with providing much needed support while exploring the towns and cities I passed through.
A raincoat or Poncho It only rained 1 or 2 days out of 32, but it was also the only “warm” thing I carried with me, so it got some use on brisk windy days in the mountains.
One quick dry towel I only brought a medium sized towel and it worked great.
One sleeping bag I brought a very lightweight bag, because I knew it was going to be hot. It was important for me to be able to unzip the bag down, because I like to sleep with my feet out… that’s just me.
A head lamp You may, as I did, find yourself walking in the dark. Especially as you go further West and the sun rises later. Also useful for finding your way to the bathroom in the middle of the night.
A hat Visor, baseball cap, Fedora, whatever you fancy
A 2L Camel Pack It added weight, but it was totally worth it. I never ran low on water.
A small Nalgene I brought this to use electrolyte tabs in (I used FIZZ)
Toiletries a. Soap: I brought 3oz bottles of conditioning shampoo and body wash that lasted me almost the entire trip. b. A small first aid kit: Bandaids, Compede, Neosporin, Benedryl, a needle in thread for draining blisters c. A big ole bottle of sunscreen: The sun is strong in Spain… d. Chapstick e. Sanitary items, for the ladies: I thought I would save space and bring a Menstrual Cup… it was okay, but I don’t recommend it. All of the bathrooms are shared and you have to find a quiet moment to clean it in a public space.
Technology a. A phone: I kept my phone on airplane mode but used it as a camera. b. Euro phone charger c. A fit bit: Not necessary, but I liked having a watch, especially one with a vibrating alarm to wake me up in the morning when my phone was charging across the room and I didn’t want to wake anyone else up.
Other a. A good guide book! b. A journal and pen: I brought a very small notebook and it was perfect c. A plastic zip-lock bag: to keep your Camino Passport and Journal dry/safe d. A swiss army knife: That I never used e. A deck of cards f. A Plastic Sfork/knife: for eating on the go g. Electrolyte tablets: I was the only one I met on the Camino who had these, but I was so grateful for them! h. A whistle (the guy at REI wouldn’t let me leave without buying one)
What I bought along the way
Walking sticks At ten euro a pop, these things saved me. I had never used sticks before, but after I climbed my first hill with them, I gave each one of them a kiss. They made things a lot easier, especially on my back and knees!
Other: A knee brace, muscle cream, and lightweight pants
What I wish I had brought
A bathing suit! There were lots of pools and swimming holes along the way to swim in. It’s nice to not have to go in your underwear, especially when you need your underwear dry the next day.