Camino de Santiago is a life-changing experience. The success of the walk depends on several factors. One of them is choosing the right gear for your Camino packing list. We know many people who planned this pilgrimage for years, preparing, reading, and training. Packing light for the Camino is important. It’ll help to make your walk easier and more enjoyable. We’ve learned it the hard way after walking several Caminos de Santiago.
As of April 2024, we’ve completed many Caminos de Santiago routes. Altogether, we walked over 4500 km across Spain, Portugal, and a little bit of France following different Camino routes.
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8 Essential items to pack for the Camino
1. Backpack
It’s important to choose the right backpack for the Camino de Santiago. I walked with a 36-40L backpack it was more than enough especially if you’re not planning on carrying a laptop as I did. Remember, the bigger backpack you get the more unnecessary stuff you’ll fit in. If you walk in summer you can get away with a smaller 30-35L backpack.
For hiking in winter or late fall/early spring when you need warmer clothes a 40-45L backpack for men and women will be big enough. Make sure your backpack has a rain cover or buy a separate one it’s always great, especially if you walk in winter months.
If you use a backpack delivery service on the Camino you can bring a big backpack or even a suitcase and walk with a day pack carrying only valuables, water, and snacks. Make sure your daypack is comfortable for long walking and has padded straps, and pockets to fit a water bottle. Osprey Talon 22 Men’s Hiking Backpack or even smaller Osprey Daylite 13L Daypack are great options for a day pack.
Suggested Camino backpacks for women
Suggested Camino backpacks for men
2. Shoes
Don’t underestimate the importance of packing a good pair of shoes for the Camino. You’ll spend most of the time walking in them. We recommend walking the Camino, especially longer routes, in proper shoes and not sneakers. We tried on the Portuguese Camino to walk in our running shoes. At first, they were very comfortable but after a couple of days of walking on cobblestones and hard surfaces, our feet were destroyed.
For hot weather hiking sandals can be a good alternative to shoes. Modern hiking shoes usually have good ventilation but sometimes it gets too hot and it’s nice to put on sandals for a while.
If you buy a new pair wear them before you start the pilgrimage even good new shoes might cause blisters. If you’re planning to do some Camino training the best is to train in the same shoes you’re going to wear on the Camino.
Read our recommendation for the best shoes for the Camino de Santiago.
Suggested walking shoes for women
I walked five Camino routes and a couple of treks in Nepal in Salomon Ellipse 2. They’re comfortable and light. My feet got wet a couple of times when we got pouring rain with strong wind on the Northern Camino and the Camino Finisterre. I didn’t get any blisters even though the shoes were new and I hadn’t worn them before. This model is a bit narrow if you have wide feet they might be too tight.
For walking the Camino in the winter when it rains a lot and on some routes, you can even get snow I can recommend Salomon X Ultra 3 GTX boots. These shoes are amazing for more challenging hiking routes and walking in bad weather conditions. I’ve done Everest Base Camp Trek and Annapurna Base Camp trek in them and for hours walked in deep snow and my feet stayed warm and dry.
I did a comparison on the Central Route of the Portuguese Camino last year. I wore three different pairs of shoes: waterproof hiking boots, hiking shoes, and running shoes to see which pair was the most comfortable. My hiking shoes worked the best.
You can see my comparison and conclusion in our YouTube video.
Suggested Camino shoes for men
Campbell has walked several Camino and hiking routes in Canada in his Salomon X Ultra hiking shoes. These shoes are a great option; light, durable, relatively waterproof, comfortable, and have a good grip. For walking off-season when you can get a lot of rain and occasional snow a high-cut model might be a better option.
Campbell just like I bought a new pair of waterproof hiking boots Salomon Ultra 3 Mid GTX for trekking in the mountains. He hasn’t done any Camino in them yet but for hiking in heavy rain and snow and mud, these boots are amazing. They are very comfortable and light, stay dry for hours, and keep your feet warm especially if you wear merino wool socks.
3. Socks
We’re big fans of Merino wool socks. We wear them always when we walk the Camino. I did a test run last year on the Spiritual Camino. I walked one day in Merino wool socks and one in synthetic hiking socks. I didn’t get any blisters wearing the Merino socks and my feet didn’t sweat though it was a hot and long walking day. I changed my synthetic hiking socks after 2 hours because my feet started chafing. I have 3 pairs of Danish Endurance socks that I’ve been using for the last 2 years.
We like the Merino wool socks so much that we even wrote a separate article on them.
4. Sleeping bag
In our experience, most albergues provide blankets but usually, without covers, I prefer to use my sleeping bag, and if it’s cold I use a blanket over it. A light sleeping bag with a comfort temperature limit of +12°C/55°F will be good enough.
If you walk the Camino in summer (July, August) when it gets hot, you can pack a silk liner instead. We walked a couple of Caminos in June and sometimes it was too hot at night to use a sleeping bag. If you get cold you can always use a blanket over your liner.
If you’re staying at hotels (private rooms) instead of albergues you don’t need to carry a sleeping bag, all hotels and guesthouses provide blankets and bedding.
5. Trekking poles
We use trekking poles a lot when going trekking in the mountains. For walking the Camino we don’t take poles but I know many pilgrims use them. Trekking poles are great if you have knee or hip problems, shin splint, etc. They help a lot to reduce stress on joints. For some Caminos with many ascents and descents e.g. the Camino Primitivo or some parts of the French Camino (walking over the Pyrenees), the poles will be helpful.
6. Quick-dry towel
We always take it when we go traveling. A quick-dry towel is an item to add to your Camino packing list. They are very light, pack small, dry quickly (as you can guess from the name), durable, and come in many different colors. Try to choose one with a unique pattern to recognize easily on washing lines in albergues.
7. Water bottle
We prefer carrying a water bottle over a hydration pack bladder. A bottle fits in a side pocket, so it’s easy to take it out and refill it, even if it leaks it won’t make everything inside your backpack wet. We like using water bladders on day hikes though. Tap water in Spain and Portugal is drinkable we usually don’t use filters. I didn’t drink tap water in the Meseta part of the Camino Frances as I’d heard from other pilgrims that they had stomach problems there from drinking tap water.
8. Headlamp
Having a headlamp on the Camino is quite useful. In albergues lights are usually turned off quite early if you want to read or find something in your backpack you can use a lamp. In the morning if you want to leave early while others are still asleep it is helpful.
8 essential items to pack for the Camino walk
Women’s clothing for the Camino packing list
Rain jacket
We’d suggest having one. In northern Spain (especially in Galicia), it rains quite a lot throughout the year. If you walk in July or August the chances of rain are smaller you can get away with a rain poncho, it’s small, light, and will protect you and your backpack from any rain. For the rest of the year, a rain jacket is a useful thing to have.
We walked the Portuguese Camino in May and didn’t have a lot of rain but on the Coastal Route, it was quite windy we were glad we had our jackets. I used my rain jacket and a poncho a lot on the Camino Primitivo in June and on the Camino del Norte in October.
Trekking pants
I prefer hiking in yoga pants, they are comfortable and light, stretch a lot, dry quickly, and pack small. I always pack two pairs of pants: one pair of stretchy pants and one pair of normal hiking pants. For summer you can pack one pair of long pants and a pair of hiking shorts or knee pants though I prefer walking in long pants even in summer for sun protection.
Hiking shirt
Depending on what you prefer to wear for hiking it can be a hiking shirt or a running T-shirt. I don’t like shirts for the Camino I usually pack two running T-shirts; one with long sleeves and one short-sleeve. For walking in summer you probably won’t need a long-sleeve one, rather pack two short-sleeve T-shirts. I wouldn’t recommend walking in a top even if it’s hot. Always make sure your shoulders and neck are covered or put sun cream otherwise you’ll get bad sunburns.
Fleece
It’s always nice to have a soft and warm fleece. Even in summer if you start walking early in the morning it might be a bit chilly. We usually wear fleece after hiking when we go out for dinner or drinks in the evening.
Cap/hat
For the summer season, it’s a must-pack item. Most of the Camino routes go through open areas without any shade, so you will have to protect your head from the sun. I don’t like hats and prefer wearing a cap it’s more comfortable for me.
Sunglasses
For walking the Camino in summer you’ll definitely need sunglasses. You can wear your casual sunglasses or buy a pair of sunglasses for outdoor activities.
Women’s hiking clothes for the Camino
Underwear and changing clothing
I’d recommend sports bras over normal bras – they are more comfortable for hiking. I usually pack two pairs of running bras and three or four pairs of underwear. I wash my underwear and socks every day, it doesn’t take long and it dries quickly.
I always pack a cotton T-shirt and shorts for sleeping and changing after a shower. For summer shorts are one for sleeping but for the off-season, I’d recommend packing long sleeping pants.
Highly recommended to take a pair of flip-flops to wear in albergues, your feet have to rest from wearing hiking boots all day. In summer you can wear them outside as well it’s too hot to walk around in shoes.
Extra clothes for women to pack for the Camino
Men’s clothing for the Camino de Santiago
Rain jacket
Campbell usually packs his rain jacket for the Camino. In the hot summer months, you can get away without it but I’d still recommend bringing a rain poncho and a rain cover for your backpack.
Trekking pants
I’d recommend packing trekking pants for the Camino. A pair of quick-dry light pants will work great. For summer you can bring a pair of long trekking pants and a pair of hiking shorts or as an option buy a pair of convertible pants with zip-off legs.
Hiking shirts
Campbell usually wears Columbia hiking shirts or running T-shirts on the Camino. hiking. They’re great; light, comfortable, breathing, dry very quickly, and easy to wash. Pack two shirts or you’ll have to do laundry every day.
Fleece jacket
It’s nice to have a soft fleece to wear in albergues or if you go out in the evening. We usually pack our fleece for the Camino. For summer, Campbell brings a fleece vest for off-season a long-sleeve one.
Hiking socks
Just like me, Campbell wears merino wool socks for long-distance walking and hiking. There are many great things about them; they last long, prevent blisters, keep your feet warm and dry, and don’t get smelly even after two full days of walking.
Headwear
For walking in summer a cap or a hat is a must-have item on the Camino. Wearing a hat works better for sun protection as it covers your neck as well. Sunglasses are another important thing to add to your Camino packing list.
Men’s clothes for the Camino
Underwear
Pack 2-3 pairs of underwear for the Camino. Most albergues have washing basins and washing lines you can wash your underwear and socks every day if it’s necessary.
Clothes for sleeping
If you’re planning to stay in albergues with many other people I’d suggest bringing a comfortable sleeping outfit. A pair of light cotton shorts and a T-shirt will work just fine.
Flip-flops are a great thing to pack for the Camino. It’s an amazing feeling when after a long day of walking you take off your hiking shoes and put on flip-flops. They’re great to have for wearing in albergues, on the beach, and outside in summer.
Men’s clothing items for the Camino packing list
Our top extras to pack for the Camino
GPS watch
I got my first Garmin Fenix watch as a present from Campbell 5 years ago and since then I’ve been using them a lot when we go hiking, walking, running, or just training in the gym. It’s amazing how much information you can get from it: distances, speed, elevations, calories, heart rate, recovery time, maps, etc. They are great if you want to keep track of your Camino walk e.g. daily distance, heart rate, calories burned, etc. You can connect them to your phone or laptop and have easy access to information about your past walks and other activities.
Neck bag
We advise having a neck bag or a waterproof pouch where you can keep your documents, phone, money, and credit cards. Always take it with you when you leave an albergue, most albergues don’t have lockers. We have never had any issues but always try to look after our valuable items.
Kindle
Campbell always packs his Kindle when we go traveling or hiking. It’s a great thing to have on the Camino especially if you’re walking alone. In the evenings you’ll have plenty of time to read.
With the Kindle, you can download as many books as you want. I’d suggest buying a Kindle Paperwhite in this case you won’t need extra light for reading in the dark. If you read a lot it might be worth joining the Amazon Kindle unlimited program to get free access to hundreds of thousands of e-books and audiobooks.
Travel lock
Some albergues have lockers but don’t have locks if you want to store your valuables in there bring a travel lock with you.
Toiletries
| Essentials |
|---|
| Deodorant |
| Body wash |
| Shampoo |
| Toothpaste |
| Toothbrush |
| Hand sanitizer |
| Sunscreen |
| Razor (men’s razor) |
| Hairbrush |
First aid kit
You walk past several pharmacies every day and can buy some medicine or plasters on the way. If you need to buy something with a prescription you can ask your doctor back home to send it to you via e-mail and print it somewhere.
First Aid kit – you can buy a ready-made kit, take out some unnecessary stuff, and add whatever extra you need. This kit has plasters, bandages, a safety pin, scissors, even a mini sewing kit, and many other useful items.
Good plasters (toe plasters) are something you’ll need on the Camino. Tip! If you have spots on your feet where you usually get blisters, try to prevent them by putting in some Vaseline and a plaster. If you already have blisters you can use Compeed blister plasters, special plasters that you can put on your blisters. It reduces the pain and protects against rubbing. There are special blister prevention patches for shoes as well. We’ve never used them our merino wool socks work great for us but the reviews are quite good.
- Alcohol pads for disinfection.
- Imodium – in case you have some stomach problems.
- Anti-inflammatory – to reduce muscular pain and swelling, e.g. Ibuprofen.
- Aspirin – in case you get a cold or flu.
Documents to pack for the Camino de Santiago
A passport or an ID for European citizens – you’ll need it for traveling and checking in to albergues and hotels.
The Credential (Camino passport) is a small paper book with your name where you collect stamps from albergues, hotels, churches, restaurants, etc. along the way. You can get a Credential in one of the Camino associations in your country or on arrival in some albergues, information offices, or churches on the Camino. You need it to stay at public albergues (where only pilgrims are allowed to stay) and to get your Compostela certificate in Santiago.
The Compostela is a certificate that pilgrims get for completing any route of the Camino de Santiago. To get it, you have to walk at least the last 100 km to Santiago.
If you need practical information for planning the pilgrimage check out our post that contains useful tips for planning and walking the Camino.
Best Camino guidebooks
Here is a list of the best guidebooks (in my opinion) for different Camino de Santiago routes.
- A Pilgrim’s Guide to the Camino de Santiago (Camino Francés): St. Jean Pied de Port • Santiago de Compostela, John Brierley, 2022
- A Pilgrim’s Guide to the Camino Portugués Lisbon – Porto – Santiago: including Camino Central, Variente Espiritual, Camino da Costa, & Senda Litoral, John Brierley, 2022
- A Pilgrim’s Guide to the Camino Finisterre: Including Muxía Circuit: Santiago ― Finisterre ― Muxía ― Santiago, John Brierley, 2022
- A Pilgrim’s Guide to the Camino Inglés: The English Way also known as the Celtic Camino: Ferrol & Coruña — Santiago, John Brierley, 2021
- A Pilgrim’s Guide to the Camino Sanabrés & Camino Invierno: Ourense or Ponferrada ― Lalín ― Santiago, John Brierley, 2021
- Camino del Norte: Irún to Santiago along Spain’s Northern Coast (Village to Village Map Guide), 2019
- The Vía de la Plata and the Camino Sanabrés – A Guide to the Camino from Sevilla to Santiago [2022 Edition
Camino de Santiago planning resources
- Learn more about the Camino | A detailed guide to the Camino de Santiago |
- Calculate your estimated Camino budget | The cost of walking the Camino de Santiago |
- More packing tips for the Camino de Santiago | Camino de Santiago: To Walk Far, Carry Less |
- What are the origins of the Way of St.James? | History of the Camino |
Questions or Comments?
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The pretty half of Stingy Nomads, responsible for all our land adventures (hiking, climbing, walking the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves walking since she was a child, she prefers to walk 1000 km with a backpack rather than to do a 10 000 km road trip (actually any road trip). Alya is a big fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Every time we go away she desperately misses our dog Chile.
Azaria
Wednesday 11th of September 2024
I have used your posts to plan my Camino Primitivo trip. Thank you so much for all the effort you have put into these. You have helped me so much ❤️ 🙏
Vanny
Tuesday 2nd of July 2024
Thanks for the detailed information. I appreciate you!
Stingy Nomads
Thursday 4th of July 2024
Hello Vanny. Thank you for the comment. Buen Camino
Aster
Tuesday 28th of May 2024
Hello! I'm looking to do el camino del norte in late august/early september. Do you think I'll be okay with a sleeping bag liner and a camping blanket? I'm trying to save by using things I already have from backpacking, but I think my regular sleeping bag would be a bit too warm!
Stingy Nomads
Friday 31st of May 2024
Hello Aster. Most places (definitely private albergues and hostels) have blankets even if they don't have it's warm that time of the year you should be find with a liner or a camping blanket (no need to bring both) if you're planning to stay indoors. If you want to camp (which is difficult as in most places on the Camino wild camping is illegal) then you might need both to stay warm at night. Buen Camino
Logan
Wednesday 17th of April 2024
Thank you so very much for your very detailed and informative website. Do you have any posts on the Camino in October/November? We are trying to condense the last “100km” down to 4 days either by the French or Old English way. Thank you!
Stingy Nomads
Friday 19th of April 2024
Hello Logan. Thank you for the comment. We don't have a specific post on walking the Camino in October/November. We did a couple of Camino routes in these months and I can say that the weather is usually good till mid-October and then in one day it gets cold and rainy. If you walk any route in the first half of October you'll likely to have good sunny weather. Later it'll be rainy and cold. The Camino route Sarria has better infrastructure and more places to stay but it's a lot busier than the English Way. I'd say it you walk in the first part of October then the English Way is better. If you walk in the second half of October/November then rather do the French route from Sarria. Buen Camino
Jo
Thursday 11th of April 2024
Thank you for this info. Great site! Thinking about doing the Camino del Norte in September of this year. Do you have any experience with bed bugs? Wondering how to avoid getting them and passing them along.
Stingy Nomads
Thursday 18th of April 2024
Hello Jo. Thank you for the comment. Yes, we had bedbugs on the Camino a couple of times. Once in a donation albergue and once in a private one. Never had them in hotels. We never put our backpacks on the bed, keep them always closed with a raincover on. Bedbugs are not that fast. You can check your bed by lifting a sheet and looking at the mattress. They prefer wooden surfaces, metal beds are better. We didn't have any begbugs on the Camino del Norte and we stayed only in albergues. If you use your sleeping bag always check it before packing away. You can carry a bed bug spray with you. We had bedbugs many times backpacking but never carried them with us to the next place. Just remember to keep your backpack closed. Buen Camino