Camino packing list - 13 essential items
Planning your first pilgrimage walk and wandering what to pack for the Camino de Santiago? Choosing the right gear and not packing too heavy is important for the successful walk. We've walked 10 Camino de Santiago routes and learnt from our experience what to bring with and what to leave out. I've created this Camino packing list to make packing easier for fellow pilgrims. Hope it helps you to choose the right items.
Camino de Santiago packing checklist
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3 most important Camino items to pack
1. Backpack
It's important to choose the right backpack for the Camino de Santiago. I usually walk with a 30-40L (depending on the season) backpack. It is more than enough especially if you're not planning on carrying a laptop/mirror camera, etc. as I did. Remember, the bigger backpack the more unnecessary stuff you’ll fit in. If you walk in summer you can get away with a 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.
If you use a luggage transfer service you can bring a big backpack/suitcase and walk with a day pack carrying only valuables, water, and snacks. Make sure your daypack is comfortable for walking. Osprey Talon 22 Hiking Backpack or smaller Osprey Daylite 15L Daypack are great options.
Read more on the best backpacks for the Camino.
2. Shoes
It's importance to bring a good pair of shoes for the Camino. You’ll spend 5-8 hours a day walking in them. We recommend walking the Camino, especially longer routes, in hiking shoes, not in sneakers. We walked a part of the Portuguese Camino from Lisbon in our running shoes. At first, they were very comfortable but after a couple of days of walking on cobblestones, our feet were destroyed.
If you buy a new pair of shoes wear them for a while before you start the pilgrimage. Even very good shoes might cause blisters when new. If you're planning to do some Camino training the best is to train in the same shoes you're going to walk the Camino.
Read our recommendation for the best shoes for the Camino de Santiago.
Suggested shoes for women
In the last 2 years I've walked five Camino routes in my current Merrell Moab hiking shoes. They're comfortable and light. I got light rain a couple of time and my feet didn't get wet but in heavy rain they wouldn't work. I never had any blisters but I always wear them with Merino wool socks.
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 GTX boots. These shoes are amazing for more challenging hiking routes and walking in bad weather conditions e.g. heavy rain or snow.
I compare different shoes on the Camino in this YouTube video.
Suggested shoes for men
Campbell currently has Merrell Moas shoes (men's version). He's done a couple of Camino routes and several coastal hikes in them. These shoes are a great; light, durable, relatively waterproof, comfortable, and have a good grip.
For off-season when you can get a lot of rain and occasional snow Campbell wears waterproof hiking boots Salomon Ultra 3 Mid GTX. 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 Variant. 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 4 years.
Just like me Campbell always hikes and walks the Camino in Merino woold socks.
We like the Merino wool socks so much that we even wrote a separate article on them.
10 essential items for your Camino packing list
These are the standard items that we usually pack for the Camino de Santiago. Some of them might be not necessary depending on the Camino route and your accommodation type. E.g. if you walk the Coastal Route or Litoral Way of the Portuguese Camino you won't need hiking poles when for the Camino Frances and Camino Primitivo they will be very helpful. If you stay in hotels you won't need a sleeping bag but if you stay in public albergues you'll need one.
1. Trekking pants
I usually walk in stretchy leggings the same I use for running and exercising. They are comfortable and light, stretch a lot, dry quickly, and take up little space. I always pack two pairs of pants. Some people prefer walking in hiking pants. I wear long pants/leggings even in summer for extra sum protection.
Campbell always walks in quick-dry hiking pants. 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.
2. Hiking shirt
Depending on what you prefer to wear for hiking it can be a long-sleeve top or a running T-shirt. I usually pack two running tops; one long sleeves and one short-sleeve. Even for walking in summer wearing a thin long-sleeve top is good for extra sun protection.
Campbell usually wears a hiking shirt or running T-shirt on the Camino. They’re great; light, comfortable, breathing, dry very quickly, and easy to wash. Pack two shirts.
Walking in summer always apply sunscreen on open areas of your body.
3. Rain jacket or poncho
I suggest packing either one. In Northern Spain, it rains quite a lot throughout the year. If you walk in July or August the chances of rain are smaller. We walked some shorter routes without having any rain. For spring/early fall you can get away with a rain poncho. For the rest of the year, a good waterproof jacket is a must-have.
Campbell usually packs his rain jacket for the Camino. In the peak summer months, you can get away without it but I still recommend bringing a rain poncho and a rain cover for your backpack.
4. Flip-flops
Flip-flops or any other comfortable footwear are a great item to pack for the Camino. It's an amazing feeling when after a long walking day 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.
5. Headwear
For the summer months, it’s a must-have item. Most of the Camino routes go through open areas without any shade, so you will have to protect your head. I don't like hats and prefer walking in a cap.
A hat works better for sun protection as it covers your neck as well. Sunglasses are another useful item to add to your Camino packing list.
6. Quick-dry towel
A quick-dry towel is a useful item to add to your Camino packing list. It is very light, packs small, dries quickly (as you can guess from the name), durable, and come in many different colors. If you stay in hotels you get towels but most albergues don't provide them or you have to pay extra.
7. 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 it with a blanket. A light sleeping bag with a comfort temperature limit of +12°C/55°F will be good for sleeping indoors even in winter.
If you walk the Camino in summer, you can pack a silk liner instead. We walked a couple of Camino routes in July and often it was too hot at night to use a sleeping bag.
If you plan to stay in hotels you don't need to carry a sleeping bag or liner, all hotels and guesthouses provide blankets and bedding.
8. Water bottle
We prefer carrying a reusable water bottle over buying plastic bottles every day. Tap water in Spain and Portugal is usually fine to drink. I didn't drink tap water in the Meseta part of the Camino Frances as I heard from other pilgrims that they had stomach issues after drinking tap water there.
9. Headlamp
Having a headlamp on the Camino is very useful if you're planning to stay in albergues. The lights are usually turned off quite early so if you want to read or find something in your backpack you can use a headlamp. You'll need it in the mornings if you start walking very early in the dark.
10. Trekking poles
We use trekking poles a lot for hiking in the mountains. For walking the Camino we don't usually take them but I know many pilgrims do. Trekking poles are great if you have knee or hip problems, shin splint, etc. They help a lot to reduce stress on joints. We used them on some routes with many ascents and descents e.g. the Camino Primitivo, Camino de San Salvador, or Camino de Gran Canaria.
Other useful items to pack for the Camino
2-3 of pairs of underwear.
A change of clothes (for sleeping/wearing in albergues).
A fleece. It's always nice to have a soft and warm fleece. Even in summer if you start walking early it might be a bit chilly.
A neck bag. You can carry your documents and valuables in a neck bag.
A travel lock. Some albergues have lockers but don’t have locks if you want to lock your valuables pack a travel lock.
Toiletries. Your normal stuff that you usually take traveling but in smaller containers.
First aid kit. You can buy a ready-made kit, take out some unnecessary stuff, and add whatever extra you need.
A 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 need it to stay at public albergues and to get your Compostela certificate in Santiago.
A book or Kindle. You usually have time for reading in the evening.
Do you want to read something fun or interesting about the Camino? Campbell just finished reading a whole bunch of novels that playoff on the Camino. See our reviews of some of the Top Novels on the Camino de Santiago. Some of them are fun, some of them are interesting and some of them are strange.
If you need practical information for planning the pilgrimage check out our post that contains useful tips for planning and walking the Camino.
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.
injinji toe socks are by far the best item to bring.
strongly recommend against poles if you arent accustomed to using them aswell.
Hello, Thank you for all the information on your website, It is so helpful. Three of us are planning to walk the Camino Ingles in early May. Do you recommend this route in terms of nice scenery? Also do you think there are likely to be many other pilgrims. I like the fact that it is quieter than the Frances, but hope we get to meet some other pilgrims too.
Thank you so much for all the information in here! I know I'm crazy but I want to run the route once a weekend each month this year. I will use your route guide, thank you! Will I be able to find any accommodation or should I take a poncho? Also are busses or trains available to get me to an airport each Sunday evening? Thanks
Hello Alex. Thank you for the comment. It's not clear which Camino route you want to run? Could you specify please, so I can give your a better advice.
Thank you
Thanks so much for your SUPER informative website. I am starting the Camino Portugues on April 8 and will walk the Litoral-Central route. I have until April 24 to get to Madrid for a flight on April 25. I am wondering if I am budgeting enough time as I don't want to rush and have the option of adding in the Spiritual Route. Any thoughts? I can adjust my departure from Madrid to later than 4/25 if that is recommeded.
Also: I have a 30-litre backpack and plan to mainly stay in guest houses and hotels. April weather has me a bit worried about staying warm and dry. A lightweight puffer jacket, merino base layers, and waterproof shoes, pants and jacket are on my list.
Would greatly appreciate any recommendations on muy schedule and gear.
Thank you!
Hello David. Thank you for the comment. You can use our free planning tool https://stingynomads.com/portuguese-camino-planner/ where you can choose a route (including combined routes), choose desired daily distance and see how many days you will need to complete it. You can increase your daily distance if you don't have enough time or you can start closer to Santiago e.g. Viana do Castelo to make sure you will finish in time.
E.g. To walk the Litoral + Central + Spiritual Variant from Porto to Santiago you will need 14 days if you walk 20-25 km per day on average. If you walk 16-20 km per day you will need 16 days for the same route.
As for the packing I suggest taking a light puffer jacket, waterproof shoes, rain poncho/rain jacket, 2 fleeces or thermal tops, waterproof pants might be useful too or normal hiking pants if you have a longer rain poncho. I shouldn't be really cold, above 10C during the day, it's very likely to be rainy.
Buen Camino
Thanks for this! Great advice and I think I got some good buys on Amazon for you!
Glad that the post was helpful, thanks for your support. Buen Camino!
Planning the Portuguese coastal for March 2026
Hi, I chance upon your blog, and i told my daughter that yours are the more informative!
i have a question to your "You need it to stay at public albergues and to get your Compostela certificate in Santiago." Which means i won't get stamps if i choose not to stay in a albergue?
Hello Jess, thanks for reading! You need to get two stamps per day on the route. Most accommodation (all types), bars and cafe's can give you a stamp so you do not need to stay in public albergues, or get stamps from them to qualify for the Compostela. Buen Camino
Hello
Thank you for your time and amazing informative guide. I am planning on doing the camino Frances in first week of April and wondered about the whether during this time and being able to pass the pyranees during that time- seems like its dependant on the authorities? Im planning on taking a light sleeping bag and also not sure about jackets that I need? Do you think light waterproof with fleece would suffice? not keen on carrying too much. Thank you and hope this route would be suitable for then?
Hello Natasha. Thank you for the comment. If they pass is open or not depends on how much snow is in the mountains. It's difficult to walk over the pass if the trail is covered in snow. I don't think anybody can say now if and when the pass will be reopen.
A waterproof jacket with a fleece should be fine for walking. I would pack a long-sleeve thermal top to wear underneath if case it gets chilly. In April it shouldn't be very cold but you might be some rain so make sure you have a rain cover for your backpack or rain poncho.
Buen Camino
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 ❤️ 🙏
Thanks for the detailed information. I appreciate you!
Hello Vanny. Thank you for the comment.
Buen Camino
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!
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
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!
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
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.
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
Backpack? You ONLY need a backpack if YOU are going to put it on YOUR back. After 6 Caminos, my experience is that the lighter and the more expensive the pack, the more likelihood it will ride a taxi to Santiago!
As the monks on the Camino say, "Jesus carried a cross for you. You can carry a pack for HIM". it is a pilgrimage , not just another hike in spain!
Hello,
Is it possible in the potuguese way to sleep in your own light sleeping bag in the albergues?
Hello Norman. Yes, it's possible. We allays carry light sleeping bags and use them in public and private albergues.
Buen Camino
I would like info for elderly persons
Hello Gert. What kind of info are you talking about? What to pack? How to walk? We don't do customized itineraries or planning for people we're not a tour company.
Regards
Love your website and videos. Thanks for all the wonderful information. I am planning to walk the Portuguese Way, combining the coastal, central and spiritual variant beginning April 20,2024. I plan to stay in private albergues and/or hotels. Do you recommend a sleeping bag or liner this time of year?
Hello Jane. Thank you for the comment. We always take a thin sleeping bag or a liner on the Camino but we usually use them in public albergues. As far as I remember most private albergues and all hotels have blankets and bedding. If you don't take a sleeping bag/liner bring long sleeve clothes for sleeping in case you get cold at night. You can always ask for an extra blanket as well.
Buen Camino
great info, I am planning early 2015 to walk the French way. I am so excited
Excellent guide. I'm still in the early planning stages but am very excited to take on the Northern Way
Hello Judy. Thank you for your comment. The Northern Way is a spectacular route. We're sure you'll enjoy it.
Buen Camino
Planning the Portuguese Camino in May 2024