Packing List & What to Wear on the Camino de Santiago

If you are reading this article is because you have already made up your mind, and there is no turning back now! And we are glad, because doing the Camino de Santiago is a remarkable experience.

But the time comes to start preparing your rucksack, which for many people is stressful because you have to put everything you need for several days or weeks in a relatively small space.

If you have booked your luggage transport with a specialised agency, this is much less of a problem. During the routes, you will only carry a small rucksack with water, something to eat and other small items, and when you arrive at the next accommodation, the rest of your luggage will be waiting for you.

We hope the packing list below will guide you to prepare your rucksack for the Camino de Santiago.  

 

1. Choose a good backpack

First things first, to prepare your backpack you need a backpack. It is logical, but you have to choose it well. About 35-40 litres allows you to carry what you need to do the Camino in summer, and for spring or autumn, you can choose to enlarge it up to 45 litres to add an extra piece of clothing in case of consecutive rains.

Another point to take into account is that it is anatomical and that the size fits well to your body. Make sure it fits snugly around your waist as this will take a lot of weight off your shoulders.

 
2. The most important rule: do not carry too much

You pack this just in case, that just in case ... and you will probably end up not using it. The golden rule for preparing your backpack for the Camino is not to exceed 10% of your weight.  And you will pass towns and villages where you will find shops, in case you are short of something at a given moment, or you will receive help from other pilgrims.

 

3. What to wear

You will be walking and most days you will have to wash your clothes by hand, so you should pack comfortable, sporty and quick-drying clothes. And how many clothes?

• 2-3 T-shirts, preferably seamless and moisture wicking
• 2 Trousers: long, short or convertible
• 1 Comfortable change of clothes for the afternoons, after a shower
• 1 Zipped sweatshirt or similar that does not take up too much space, on cool mornings
• 1 Waterproof poncho, to cover both you and the backpack on rainy days
• 1 Fleece if you are travelling in cooler weather. They are light and keep out the cold
• 3 Pairs of socks. You can opt for ergonomic socks that adjust to the shape of your foot to avoid chafing. Try them on a few days before the Camino
• 3 Changes of underwear
• 1 Cap, hat or something to cover your head on sunny days

4. Footwear

The most important thing, and here is the second golden rule: do not buy new shoes and use them for the first time on the Camino. Your hiking boots or shoes need to be broken in to adapt to your foot and avoid chafing or blisters.

When selecting your boots, check that the sole is not too slippery and that they fit well around the ankle. For the afternoons, a comfortable open shoe will allow your feet to breathe after each hike. Hiking sandals are a good choice.

 

5. Sleeping

Most hostels provide sheets and/or blankets, but you should still bring a sleeping bag to keep you warm on cooler nights. If you are not travelling in winter, you could choose between a comfort-grade sleeping bag or even an inner sleeping bag liner will suffice, especially as it packs down into a small bag. Check the size so that you do not carry more weight than necessary. The material and quality (and price) will also influence its weight.

 

6. Toiletries

The basics: And remember you'll find shops if you ever need anything else:

• Toothpaste and toothbrush.
• A small bottle of shampoo and shower gel. A bar of soap is also a good option, and lighter
• Lightweight, quick-drying towel, the kind that takes up very little space
• Bar of soap for everyday laundry (in a zip-lock bag)
• Comb/brush
• Deodorant (if you use it regularly)
• Sun cream
• Tissues
• A mini first aid kit with nail scissors, plasters and/or blister dressings, medication if needed, and needle and thread, to treat blisters

7. Documentation and useful paperwork

• Identity card/passport
• Health card
• Pilgrim's credential or passport, to accredit you as a pilgrim and be able to collect stamps wherever you go
• Small guide on the Camino. It is useful to know what to expect each day and where the next albergue is. You can also consult it online
• Credit card and some cash. Do not stock up on coins, it means more weight!

8. Food and drink

It is common to stop after 3 or 4 hours of walking to rest and recover energy. In every village you pass through you can buy fruit, sweets, bread, sausages, dried fruit and nuts, etc. In some Caminos you will also find strategically placed bars, like an oasis with hot coffee. But before you leave home, pack the following in your rucksack:

• 1 Water bottle, to fill up with water at the accommodation or at fountains along the Camino.
• 1 Pocket knife, handy for cutting bread, fruit, etc. for a picnic.

¡And do your best not to leave any litter wherever you go!

 

9. Other

Less important, but a couple of useful recommendations:

• Earplugs. If you are a light sleeper, they will be your best ally when sleeping in hostels.
• Power bank. If you are going to follow the route from your mobile phone, consider carrying a power bank so you do not run out of battery. Bear in mind that it also increases your weight.
• Walking poles. Optional, you can also get a walking stick on the Camino.
• Blank notebook if you want to write down your experiences or thoughts.

 

When deciding what to take with you, place each item into one of 3 piles:

Essential: must take this with you (boots, T-shirts, fleece, Mobile, etc.).
Luxury: you do not necessarily need this, but one or two luxury items can be acceptable (a tablet to watch movies, makeup, umbrella, etc.).
Unnecessary: you can live without this for a few weeks (can opener, cups, stoves, tent, etc.).

A week or two before you set off on your Camino adventure, pack everything you need for your journey. Take your bag on a training walk to really see if what you have packed is too heavy or if you need more items. Finding out you have brought too much on your Camino can be a frustrating experience.

After a few 'test routes', you might move some of your Luxury items to the Unnecessary pile in order to ensure that your rucksack only carries the bare essentials, and your back, shoulders and legs do not feel so tired at the end of the day.

 

Once on the Camino, take time to pack your rucksack every morning, and do not worry, you will get faster and faster at it. Place the heaviest items close to your back and in a centred position, so that they do not affect the balance of your body and you do not get into awkward postures. Store frequently used items in an easy to access section of your rucksack, such as a water bottle, something to eat, and a sweatshirt. 

And remember, less is more, the lighter your rucksack is, the more comfortable you will walk and enjoy the Camino.

 

Feeling a bit overwhelmed by this article or worried it might still be too much weight for you? You always have the option of using a specialised agency to transport your luggage. Ask us how it works or find your organised Camino de Santiago. We’ll take care of all the logistics so you can focus on enjoying the Camino.