Camino Pack List!

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For those of you lucky enough to have the time and resources to hike the Camino de Santiago, I know you are excited and anxious to start, but first, you must prepare.  I know when I was prepping for my trip, I scanned the internet for any information I could find on what to bring and what not to.  Well, here is my preparation list.  This is what I packed, and perhaps what I didn't, but should have.  Keep in mind, I went from early April to May, and it was unseasonably rainy and cold for that time of year.  So adjust accordingly for the time of year that you go.  Hope this helps.  Buen Camino!!

As far as packing goes, think versatility, think light-weight, small capacity, sun and rain protection, and quick-dry.

Key, Key, KEY Items

Excellent hiking boots/shoes: Your feet are going to be doing a heck of a lot of work on the Camino, so do them a favor and get some quality hiking boots.  I could not have been more pleased with mine, by Lowa (German made, from R.E.I.).  Everyone has their ailments with their feet on the Camino, blisters seeming to be the most common.  I can proudly announce that in my Lowa's, I did not get a single blister!  Whoo-hoo!  Loved my boots!!  In addition, although NOT advisable, I ended up purchasing these the day before I flew to Europe- WHAT?!- not smart, but just saying how amazing these boots are!

Well-fitting backpack: Get a quality backpack as it will house your everything on this trip.  Make sure it fits you properly.  Go to a sporting good store and have them help you if you are not sure how to do so, it’s worth it!  Mine was 50 liters and I would NOT go any bigger than that.  I thought 50 was fine because I didn’t have it filled all the way, but many others had 30 liters, so that is another good option.  Mine was a women’s Gregory, the Jade50.  Fit me like a glove.  LOVED it!  Also, very important!  Make sure your pack does not weigh more than 12% of your body weight once you've got everything in it.  Yes, 12% is just a guideline, so stick as close to it as you can, because believe me, if you overpack, you will regret it.  Remember, that you also need to carry water and food for in-between meals, so your bag will end up weighing even more than whatever you put in your pack now, while at home.  I think just about everyone I knew on the Camino ended up ditching something they had brought with them that they eventually found unnecessary.  Stick to the essentials that I have listed below and you will be fine.  A light pack equals a happy back! (and feet and legs and, and, and...)

TREKKING POLES!: One pair, or just one if you prefer.  I thanked my lucky stars everyday for having brought these poles.  They saved me from trips and stumbles and secured my step through slippery, wet, muddy, rocky, and steep terrain.  Also, they really helped when climbing and descending stairs in the cities and villages- no joke!  Your legs and back get so tired and sore from the distance and the additional 20 pounds you carry, that stairs can be more daunting than scaling a mountain!  HA!  I had the R.E.I. women’s trekking poles with cork handles.  LOVED them too!

Attire For Hiking

A faithful pair of pants: I had one pair of quick dry, roll-up leg, NorthFace brand.  I wasn't planning on it, but I wore them EVERYday but one.  Oh, and the key to selecting pants, they must have a drawstring waist or belt-loops for a belt, because your waistline WILL dwindle.  Yes, even though you are starting every day with a huge café con leche and a fatty fat croissant, your pants will somehow magically get looser.  Oh, the magic of the Camino!

Lycra yoga/workout capris: Cute and comfy, but I only wore them once, on the one warm day we had.

Cargo shorts: One pair, quick-dry, and I never even got to wear them.

Short-sleeve tops: Packed 3, really only needed 2, that I rotated as a layering piece each day under my l/s top.

Long-sleeve top: I had a Smartwool top.  Another new love of mine.  It's breathable, wicks away moisture, assists body temp in hot and cold, and resists odor- a miracle shirt!  I wore this EVERYday, over my s/s tee, and under my vest and/or jacket.

Tank top: Was too cold to wear on its own, so I ended up only wearing it a few times as a layering piece at night.

Outerwear

Fleece vest: A great layering piece during the day or in evenings, loved it.

Rain jacket: Indispensable.

Stocking cap: Threw it in my bag last minute and am oh-so-glad I did.

Gloves: I had a cheapy pair of black stretchy gloves that did the trick, but I kept losing one every time I sent them through the wash, so I had to buy a pair while there, and they were literally thread-bare by the end, but they did the job.

Scarf: I wore day and evening, everyday.  But I am a scarf person. ;)

Sunhat: Get a sporty one- that can roll up small, and has a chin strap, or that fits your head well enough to not blow away in the wind.  I initially had a cute, larger brimmed straw hat, and ended up ditching it.  It was lightweight, but was too bulky and a hassle to have in my bag.  Plus, the weather hardly ever called for it.  I ended up buying one there that was much more appropriate.

Sunglasses: Yes, for sure.

Underwear

Sports bras: Definitely do two rather than one, as you will need to hang it to dry each night if you either wash it, or if it has gotten sweaty or wet from rain.  

A ‘normal’ bra: A small luxury item I am glad I brought.  It's nice to have a few things that make you feel normal and feminine after a day of tromping through mud and dirt.  Besides, who wants to sport a "uni-boob" for an entire month?

Undies: Keep in mind that sometimes you won’t see a washing machine for 4 days or more, and even with hand-washing, sometimes your clothes do not fully dry overnight (a lot of the albergues didn’t have dryers, or were damp, and cold- often no heat), so often, I’d have to re-pack wet clothes in my bag in the morning.  Boo.  So having a few pair is a good idea.  Three or four pair is perfect.  I had two wool pair-Smartwool and Icebreaker-LOVED these, and two skimpy, prettier, ‘quick-dry’ pair.  Both styles were great for different reasons.  This was my first experience with Smartwool and Icebreaker undies and I liked them so much I am going to get some more for ‘normal’ non-trekking life!

Socks: SO important!!!  Pack quality socks.  I packed 3 pair of Smartwool.  LOVED them.  Again, moisture wicking and odor resistant!  And 3 pair was the perfect amount.  If your socks get wet while hiking, you may want to change them mid-day, or I had several occasions where one sock would get lost in the wash-OH NO!- but thankfully only to be found again!  Phew!

For Evenings/Sleeping

Some people totally forgot to pack for this part of the trip, and yes, they were fine, but I am glad I packed what I did.  And everything listed below could be worn day or night.  Versatility.

Leggings: I had one pair of leggings that I changed into every evening after showering for dinner and to sleep in.  Leggings also come in handy for layering under your pants on a chilly day.  I know of some ladies who wore just leggings day and night.  

A 2^nd Long-sleeved top: This I purchased along the way, as I hadn’t anticipated it being so cold.  I was wearing my one l/s top everyday hiking, so it was often wet from the rain or from washing it, so I needed a 2^nd l/s for the evenings and to sleep in.

Romper/dress:  Yes it might seem as if this were a splurge, but it really was quite practical.  It was sleeveless, so I could wear it with a tank, s/s, or l/s underneath, depending on the weather.  I often wore it with my l/s tee, fleece vest, leggings, and scarf.  And it worked with my boots or my flip-flops.  And I looked cute. ;)  Worth it.

Sandals:  For showering in and to wear in the evenings to give your feet a break and to let your boots air out.  I had flip-flops, which I normally live in, but the only problem I ran into, was again due to the cold weather.  I CANNOT wear flip-flops and socks, feels too icky.  So my feet would freeze at night while running from the albergue to the nearest restaurant.  So if the weather is going to be chilly for you, here are two possible solutions.  One, instead of flip-flops, bring sandals that you CAN wear socks with, such as a pair of Teva’s or similar.  Many people did this.  OR, as my ingenious friend did, and I copied, we found legwarmers to wear, and we pulled them down over our heels and over the tops of our feet, so our feet were totally covered except for our toes.  Made a huge difference!  So, just a fair warning.  If the weather is warm on your Camino, then no worries, flip-flop it up!

Ear Plugs!!!:  Did you hear me?  Earplugs.  You cannot imagine how noisy an albergue filled with dozens of sleeping peregrinos can be. Wow.  You’ll hear noises you’ve never heard before.  Earplugs.

Miscellaneous Gear

Waterproof pack cover: Absolutely necessary!  The last thing you want is wet clothes and a wet sleeping bag!

Sleeping bag: Think small and compact. Forty-five degree Fahrenheit is plenty warm, since you can/will always be sleeping indoors.  Of course, you always have the option to sleep outside, but if you do choose to, I would assume the temp would be at least 45 anyhow.  I had the R.E.I. Travel Down.

A teeny, tiny flashlight: Used at bedtime, or early a.m. to not disturb others.  Some people had headlamps and believe me I am a HUGE fan of headlamps - seriously - but I’d say they aren’t necessary.  Unless you can get one that has a very dim setting.  I thought the headlamps some people had were way too bright for albergue use.

Water reservoir: I had a Platypus bladder bag and was pleased with that, except the fact that my mouthpiece had no cover on it.  Whenever I set my pack down, the mouthpiece landed on whatever was there.  So I have had my fair share of Spanish germs along the way.  I had a 3-liter, but never filled it more than 1.5 liters.  There are plenty of opportunities to refill along the way.  Some pilgrims had one or two water bottles - any will do - fancy hiking ones to plain old plastic ones you get at the convenience store.  Personal preference.

Pairing knife: So glad I brought this.  I had a Zyliss knife with a blade cover that I picked up at a grocery store here at home.  So sharp, came in handy on many occasions.

Travel belt/money pouch: You’ll need a place to keep your passport, your peregrino credentials, and your cash and credit/debit card.  No need for an actual purse, ladies.  And as far as a “travel belt” goes, I had one, but I never “wore” it.  Peregrinos are warned of the dangers of theft, but for the most part, this is probably the safest travel environment you could possibly be in.

Miscellaneous Hygiene/Cosmetic/First Aid

Truly, most anything on this list, you CAN find in any pharmacy or grocery store in Spain.  Granted, you will probably have to buy a brand you have never heard of before, but if you are ok with that, then you will be fine.  Pack travel-sized everything, and you can replenish there.

Toothpaste: Travel-sized – Tom’s!- did have to buy an additional toothpaste along the way.

Toothbrush: First item I have nothing additional to say.  It’s a toothbrush.

Comb/hair brush: Although, I did have a friend with equally long hair as mine, and she chose to not pack a brush, so she didn’t brush her hair the entire month.

Make-up: Yesss, I know.  I said make-up, get over it.  I packed a mascara and concealer.  So shoot me.  I did, however, only wear it on ‘special’ occasions.

Shampoo: Travel-sized, I did have to replenish while there.  I skipped conditioner for the month.

Deodorant: No explanation needed.  Just please pack it, and use it.

Razor: True, this is the Camino, and some women chose to not shave their legs the entire time.  So razor…optional.  As for men, duh, this is your chance to release your inner Grizzly Adams.

Body wash/bar soap: I had both, which was not necessary.  I brought a half of a Bronner’s bar soap, and two 2-oz Bronners liquid soap.  I could have skipped either the bar or one of the liquid soaps in hindsight.  But the liquid was versatile, as I used it for my laundry detergent as well- when hand-washing AND machine-washing.  My clothes came out so great, I am going to use it at home now as well!  These 2 liquid soaps and half a bar lasted the entire trip, with some to spare.

Travel towel: I loved mine, from R.E.I.- go figure- the MultiTowel Lite.  Some people had a normal towel, but they take longer to dry and are bulkier in your bag.  A travel towel is the way to go.

First-Aid/Misc. – Band-Aids, self-stick medical tape/wrap, anti-bacterial cream, small scissors, tweezers, safety pins, needle and thread, etc.: Again, all of this can be purchased there easily, but I think it is good to have a few items on hand if the need arises.  And as far as Band-Aids go, pilgrims near and far swore by Compeed, which is prevalent in Spain.  It’s a heavy-duty type Band-Aid, great for blisters and other foot ailments.  I tried them once or twice, when I thought I might be getting a blister- but thankfully was a false alarm- and I personally wasn’t a huge fan of them because they kept getting stuck to my socks, like permanently stuck. So now one pair of my Smartwools have little chunks of Compeed stuck to them.  Ha!  But other pilgrims seemed to love the Compeed. :)

Lotion/Sunblock: Yes, you definitely need to apply sunblock everyday, and a thick lotion to apply to your feet every night.  Again, you can find these at a store in any village.

Bug spray/lotion/allergy meds, etc.:  I will save this story for later, or stories actually, but bed bugs are a reality on the Camino.  I am sorry to have to say it, but it is true.  Be prepared.  Try to prevent getting them by spraying your bag and/or yourself before you settle in for bed.  And bring meds if you have any allergies to insects, or you can easily buy it there too.  You have been warned.

Things I Didn’t Pack But Should Have

Nail clippers!: I didn’t realize how fast my nails grew, and I swear my toe nails grew faster than normal.  Yes, you can buy this at a store, but who wants to spend money on something we all already have 5 of at home?

Poncho: Yes, you already have a rain jacket, but in a really heavy rain, a jacket just doesn’t cut it.  One huge downpour is all it takes to soak you to the skin, and unless the sun comes out, you’ll stay wet all day.  I, for some silly reason, held out, then bought a poncho once I got to Santiago.  But even then, it came in handy several times- especially in Finisterre.

Guidebook: I put this under this list tentatively.  I arrived without a guidebook, and left with one only because the grace and kindness of a South African friend I made gave me hers when she left, as she was only doing the first portion of the Camino.  I saw many different guidebooks along the way, but I really think the best was the one she left me.  It was by John Brierley.  Could I have made it without a guidebook?  Yes.  Did I NEED it?  No.  Was it helpful?  Yes.  So, having a guidebook is entirely up to you, but I do now (still a bit reluctantly) lean towards having one.

Things You Don’t Need

Pillow: I brought one to start, and ended up ditching it.  Every albergue will have pillows, most have blankets too.  And in the off chance if they don’t have one, a few rolled up clothing items will suffice for one night.

Umbrella: Just don’t.  And if you suddenly decide you can’t live without one, buy one there.  I saw some people with them but I think they’re more of a hindrance than a help on the Camino.

Jeans: Jeans, too heavy and not versatile.  If it rains, good luck with your wet jeans.  There were several people on the Camino with jeans, and even nice sweaters, and they all were German men, oh and one Austrian man.  No one else had jeans.  Leave them at home.  Once when my Slovakian friend asked a German guy why he had jeans his response was “We’re not in the jungle.”  Alright then.  True, we are not.

Books: Not necessary, unless you prefer your book to nature and to meeting international travelers.  Lol, wow, ok, sorry, that was a bit harsh.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE books, just not on the Camino.  I know, some people like to read before bed, alright, of course that is fine.  I did see a few Kindles on the Camino.  It’s personal preference.  I guess I can’t smack talk bringing books too much, as I did bring my journal.  Writing is how I like to process, and it was an intimate way to remember my journey.  So, I do, however, recommend a journal. ;)

Fancy packing tubes/bags: I was tempted by these and did not purchase them solely because I didn’t want to spend the extra money.  I ended up using gallon-sized Ziploc bags to separate my clothes and keep my pack organized.  Shirts in one, bottoms in another, socks and undies in another, etc.  I highly recommend doing this.  Especially if you have a top-loading backpack where you need to pull everything out in order to find one item, having everything compartmentalized is a lifesaver.

Laptop/iPad: If you do not HAVE to have it for your work, and if you are not a paid writer, or whatever, leave it at home.  Some people used this time on the Camino as an Internet cleanse.  As far as writing goes, what’s the matter with a good, old-fashioned journal?  Believe me, it’s not worth the extra weight to lug it around for how much you are going to use it.

That brings me to…

Technology: To Bring or Not to Bring

As I just mentioned above, some people took this time on the Camino to CLEANSE from whatever it may be.  Some peregrinos chose to not use the Internet at all.  I, however, was not one of those people, and I loved to get the Internet when I could.  I used my trusty iPhone, as so many others did as well (any smartphone of course).  So, so grateful to have it with me.  Yes, some albergues will have computers to use for a Euro or two, and true, not everywhere has Wi-Fi, but I was able to connect online with the outside world at least a few times a week, and that was plenty enough for me.  So, as I mentioned above in the Things You Don’t Need list, do NOT bring your iPad or laptop.  I know of several people who did who wished they hadn’t.  But then, I think I knew of 2 people who did bring notepads who seemed to be glad they did, but I don’t understand why.  The last thing you want is to be glued to a computer, you’re on the Camino for heaven’s sakes.  There is so much beauty to see and so many wonderful people to meet.  :)  Enjoy it.

ALSO my iPhone came in handy, more than handy, it was actually amazing for taking photos!  I do have the 4S, so I imagine its camera technology is up there, but so much so, that I ended up taking probably 98% of my photos on my iPhone rather than my small Panasonic camera I had brought with me!  I was especially amazed by its ability to take scenic landscape shots (which were most of my shots).  I took - get this - over 2,000 photos.  Yes, over 2,000.  And every single one is more beautiful than the last.  Next trip I take, I am leaving the camera at home. 

As far as an actual phone goes, I went without.  Yes, I had my iPhone, but that will be another story for another time, about U.S. phones and travelling.  Ug.  So, no I did not have a local phone, or any working phone as far as texting or calling go, and I was perfectly fine without.  Don’t forget, if you have Wi-Fi, you can always Skype!

As for music, bringing your iPod is up to you.  I have my music on my iPhone, so I did bring headphones to listen to music, which I did on the planes travelling there and back, and I listened to music some nights to fall asleep.  But my advise to you is to not use it while walking.  Try it if you like.  I did.  I walked maybe two days with music when I realized the sounds of nature were far superior.  On the Camino, you will find the extra distractions of technology to be just that, a distraction.

Buen Camino!

Again, all of this is based simply on my own experience, from my Camino.  Yours will be your Camino, so it is sure to be a unique experience from mine.  No matter what you decide to take or leave behind, as long as you bring the Camino spirit with you, all will be well.  And all will be exactly as it should be.  Enjoy the journey.  Buen Camino, my friend!

Check out my Camino Photos and other posts about the Camino:
Camino Photos,  What the Camino Gave Me,  Homesick