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
Download our free Camino packing check-list PDF to ensure you don't forget anything!
We have created the Camino de Santiago resource page where you can find all our Camino posts divided into different topic groups so you can easily find the information you're looking for.
Disclosure: Stingy Nomads take part in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and several other affiliate programs. We earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and other affiliate partners. If you click on the link and purchase the item or make a booking, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost for you. Thank You!
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?
Got any questions or comments? We would love to help! All questions and comments will be answered by us personally in Buy Me a Coffee. Click below and ask away.
Feel free to support our site by buying us a coffee!
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.
Thanks for the great info regarding what to pack. Planning on Camino Ingles the end of October. What, light weight, sleeping bag would you recommend as the albergues no longer supply blankets.
Hello, Mariette! Thank you for the comment! We recommend a light sleeping bag in this post, it's small and works for 13-15°C which is fine if you sleep indoors even without a blanket. We always use similar sleeping bags on the Camino and don't use blankets. I'm not sure what country you're from. If the recommended sleeping bag is not available in the Amazon store in your country you can buy a similar sleeping bag in Decathlon (if there is one) e.g. Forclaz TREK500, 15°C. Otherwise, any small sleeping bag with the comfort of 15°C should work.
Buen Camino!
I start the Camino Norte 1st May thanks very much for all the great information much appreciated,I have a small hotel in Ghent Belgium ye are always welcome for a free stay.Best Regards Patrick
Hello, Patrick! Thank you very much for the feedback! I'm sure you'll have a great time walking the Camino!
Buen Camino!
Hoping to do the French Way in autumn of 2022. Thanks for all the very helpful information!
Fantastic!! Thank you for this amazing information, and packing list suggestions. I’m very grateful.
I've really found your posts helpful. I'm delaying my 1st Camino (Northern) to 2022 due to COVID issues, but can't wait! I do all my hiking in Salomon Speedcross trail runners and hoped to use those for the Camino. You advise a hiking shoe vs a runner. If I've trained in these, including lots of pavement, should I worry about this plan? (also, I bought my guides via Amazon using your link, rather than my local bookseller!)
Hello, Susan! Thank you for the comment! We had to cancel our planned Camino walks last year and this year like you and many others. Hopefully next year we'll be finally able to walk again! Thank you for using our Amazon links!
We prefer walking the Camino in light hiking shoes but I've seen many people walking it in their running shoes. If you're comfortable with walking long distances on hard surfaces in your runners you'll be fine on the Camino. I love Salomon trail runners! We had a tough time in our runners on the Portuguese Camino because there was a lot of walking on cobblestone and pavement. From what I remember on del Norte we had more footpaths and gravel roads than on the Portuguese. Del Norte is a stunning route I'm sure you'll enjoy it!
Buen Camino!
Great information, planning a trip next year.
This is a great site, packed with good information. Do you have any knowledge about cycling the camino trail from Porto?
regards
Hello, Toni! Thank you for the comment! We have never cycled the Camino but did see quite a few cyclists on the Portuguese Way. It's a nice route for cycling without steep hills, quite straightforward. Cyclists can stay at albergues though in the peak season some public albergues give preferences to pilgrims on foot.
Buen Camino!
Terrific info on your site! I’m planning to do the Camino de Santiago in may.
Wonderful site. So much useful information.
Hey Guys
I am planning to start my Camino in Lisbon and following your advice to a a T... This is my first Camino and I'll be starting on the 13th of September. Do you think the weather will still be nice to do it?
I'm travelling alone and also just wondering about mobile phone reception on the route incase there is an emergency etc.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us as I am finding it so informative... Go Bokke 😉
Hello, Terence! Thank you for the comment! In September it's usually still quite hot in the south of Portugal, in Galicia it'll be warm but might start raining the end of September. We usually buy a local SIM card and get reception and the Internet pretty much everywhere. The part of the Portuguese Camino from Lisbon to Porto is more challenging than the Porto to Santiago part. There are fewer albergues, not many pilgrims and towns are quite far apart we had to walk longer days there. From Porto the Camino is easier; more albergues and hotels, more people, and no need to walk long days.
Buen Camino!
Good list except I would add a tarp or light tent and sleep pad. Some ponchos can be used as tarps. Post covid you might want to wild camp occasional nights.
Hello, Maurice! Thank you for the comment! The problem with carrying a tent is that there are not many campsites along the route and wild camping in most places in Spain is not allowed. We met people walking with camping gear but most of them ended up staying at public albergues because it's cheap and much more comfortable than wild camping. I understand your concern about the current situation albergues are usually very crowded. We'll see how albergues and hostels on the Camino will adjust to the new reality maybe they'll limit the number of people that can stay at once.
Keep well!
Dear Stingy Nomads,
I want to do the Camino Light with friends in the summer. Because I suffer of scoliosis I need to find a backpack that is the lightest of the lightest. Can you please give me some advice on this. I have allready spend so much time on the internet looking for one but I find over 1 kilo to heavy for a backpack! Thank you, love and greetings.
Hello, Sireen! Thank you for the comment! Have you considered using a backpack delivery service? It's quite popular on the Camino, they deliver your backpack from albergue to albergue every day and you walk with a small day pack. If you don't want to use it I can recommend checking Quechua backpacks, I have a 40l Quechua backpack, it's light and comfortable, I saw a lot of people walking the Camino with this backpack last year.
Buen Camino!
Hello both, thanks for the excellent website. I am walking the Camino France finally in March 2020. My first Camino and my first ever hike anyway. Would this be a good time to walk?
I expect a lot of rain and cold mornings but hopefully my gear is in top shape. Thank you for all the tips you provided here, it really came in handy when I planned for my own Camino.
Hello, Andreas! Thank you for the comment! March might be a bit cold and wet especially the parts over the mountains there might be still snow in some places. We've never walked the Camino in March I can't tell you for sure about the weather but I believe it'll be better than in November.
Buen Camino!
Hi! I am doing the Portugal Camino trail in April. Could you recommend any backpack or luggage services?
Hello, Tamika! We've never used luggage transfer service we can't recommend which one is the best, there are several you'll find them if you google.
Cheers!
Hello.
Thanks a lot for such a detailed info)
Just one more question - do you know where I can get Credential in Ukraine?
Thanks in advance)
Hello, Nazar! Thank you for the comment! Unfortunately, we don't know where to get the Credential in Ukraine. I'm not sure which Camino route you're planning to walk and from where but at all main starting points you can get the Credential. Usually, pilgrim's offices, private albergues, and churches at the beginning of the Camino have Credentials.
Buen Camino!
Thanks for the response.
I'm planning to walk Camino Portuguese from Porto)
HI guys brilliant website. I have done the Littorale Porto to A Guarda/Baiona/ Vigo/Redondela/Pontevedra /CdR/Padron/Sdc (Setp/Oct 2016) and also Camino Ingles to Sdc then Finisterres /Muxia. (first1/2 Oct 2018).
Travelling with mates and stuck to arriving Spain about11/12 October..we can only do 2 weeks.. ww were thinking CdNorte but my only concern is weather.. sounds tougher but amazing. is another possibility Portugal again..inland from Porto to Tui etc and then the Spiritual route so we can get some coastal time? or weather wise is it all a gamble then.. I am not silly I am expecting some rain having been to Galicia twice 🙂
thanks a lot Shane
Hello, Shane! Thank you for the comment! We walked the Camino del Norte in October, the first half was very nice, great weather, no rain but somewhere Mid-October it started raining and got cold, at the end of the month we even had snow in Galicia. I guess in October you might be lucky and had great weather or very unlucky and walk under pouring rain every day. I'm not sure if you're open to other walking routes that are not part of the Camino de Santiago network. If so I can recommend the Rota Vicentina, it's a great coastal route in the south of Portugal, weatherwise it'll be much better than the north of Spain and the scenery there is stunning. You'll need 9 days to walk the route from Porto Covo to Cabo de S.Vicente, the entire trail goes along the coast. The only thing it's more expensive than the Camino there are no albergues along the route only hostels and hotels. We walked the Rota in May and absolutely loved it! You can check our detailed guide here https://stingynomads.com/rota-vicentina-trail-portugal/
Cheers!
how is it to begin in April starting weather wise ?
Hi, Arun! What route do you mean? There are many different Caminos it depends on which one you want to walk in April e.g. for the Via de la Plata April is the best time for walking, for the Camino Primitivo it's too early there might be still snow in the mountains. And when in April, beginning or end?
Hi Alya & Campbell..... what a wonderful blog, you have certainly covered everything one needs to know. However I do have one question - which route has been your most favourite and why. I just don't know which one to do, and I will be going solo. I'm 55 yrs old.
Thank you kindly
Chrissie
Hello, Christine! Thank you for the comment! We liked every Camino route for different reasons but for as a combination of weather, sea scenery, prices and distance I think the Portuguese Camino Coastal route is the best option for a first-timer. It's not very long, there are many albergues along the route, in the season there are many people you won't be lonely, you walk next to the ocean and get to see two countries Sain and Portugal. We really liked the Camino Primitivo and the Camino del Norte but these two are a bit tougher than the Portuguese Camino.
Buen Camino!
I am planning on the Portuguese Camino beginning in Lisbon in September 2021.
Any suggestions would be welcome and appreciated.
Hello! If you click on Camino de Santiago menu you'll find three blog posts on the Portuguese Camino including one on walking the Camino from Lisbon. There you can find all our suggestions and tips.
Cheers!
Greetings Campbell and Alya! You both are such an inspiration! y name is Samantha and my husband is Mike. We both would like to spend much more of our time travelling and blogging about our experiences. Mike and I are planning to leave at the end of September to hike the Portuguese Camino. Last year I hiked part of it with my daughter and then the Finisterre/Muxia Way by myself. We planning to start in Santiago and head south to at least to Porto, then rent a car and visit the Picos de Europa to hike there. We have a total of 5 weeks. It seems as if very few people hike away from Santiago southward towards Porto. Everything I've seen so far is in the opposite direction, northward. Do you know of a reason why we should not travel southbound? Are the arrows another color instead of yellow heading north? Thanks for your help!
Hello, Samantha! Thank you for the comment! The main reason people walk the Camino to Santiago to Santiago and not the other way around is that it's a pilgrimage route people are heading from whatever they are towards the sacred place. You can walk it from north to south we saw some people doing, I'm not sure about the route marking but I guess there will be some arrows they might be blue, not yellow color, blue arrows are used to mark the Camino de Fatima some people walk from Santiago de Compostela to Fatima a small town in Portugal. I'd recommend checking the weather forecast before going to the Picos de Europa it might rain quite a lot in October.
Buen Camino!