Camino Packing Guide: What I Would Carry Again
I walked the Camino Francés from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago de Compostela, and let me tell you, a backpack will tell the truth fast. Every extra ounce becomes a conversation with your shoulders, hips, knees, and attitude.
This Camino packing guide comes from experience, not fantasy. I bought my gear in Spain, which meant I did not fully test everything before I started. That was not ideal. However, it taught me quickly what mattered, what did not, and what I would do differently next time.
So this is not a minimalist contest. It is a practical, woman-over-50, real-body, real-Camino packing guide. Bring what supports you. Leave what only feeds your anxiety.
Start With the Backpack
Your backpack should fit your body, not your fantasy self. I recommend keeping it as light as possible, but I do not believe in suffering just to impress people. A comfortable pack with good hip support matters more than a trendy one.
Before buying anything, try it loaded. Walk stairs. Walk hills. Move in it. If it hurts around your neighborhood, it will not become magical in the Pyrenees.
For gear ideas, you can browse my Amazon Storefront. Still, choose fit over hype every single time.
Shoes Matter More Than Almost Everything
Please break in your shoes before the Camino. I did not have enough time to do that properly, and I do not recommend following my example. Your feet are the whole operation. They deserve respect before they start making demands.
Some pilgrims love trail runners. Others prefer hiking shoes or boots. The best option is the one that works for your feet, your route, your season, and your walking style.
Bring good socks too. Cheap socks can become expensive in blisters.
Clothing: Think Layers, Not Outfits
The Camino is not the place for a giant wardrobe. Still, I believe in looking and feeling like yourself. Bring simple layers that dry quickly, mix easily, and handle changing weather.
- Two to three walking tops
- Two bottoms, such as hiking pants, leggings, or shorts
- One warm layer
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Sleepwear
- Enough underwear and socks to rotate comfortably
- A lightweight scarf or buff
Do not pack for every possible personality you might have in Spain. Pack for the actual walking life.
Bring a Real Sleeping Bag if You Run Cold
This is one of my strongest Camino opinions. Many people said a sleep sheet would be enough. For me, it was not. I was cold too many nights before accepting that I needed more warmth.
If you run cold, bring a lightweight sleeping bag. Albergues can be chilly, especially when windows are open and the room is full of tired pilgrims. Sleep changes your whole Camino mood.
Health and Comfort Items
- Blister care
- Basic pain relief
- Electrolytes
- Sunscreen
- Hat or visor
- Small quick-dry towel
- Soap sheets or travel soap
- Laundry clips or safety pins
- Headlamp or small flashlight
- Earplugs and eye mask
Earplugs are not optional in my book. Albergue snoring is a whole international orchestra.
Documents and Digital Essentials
- Passport
- Pilgrim credential
- Travel insurance information
- Backup bank card
- Phone charger and power bank
- Offline maps or Camino app
Before you leave, check travel requirements through official sources. For visa questions, iVisa can help simplify research. For travel medical coverage, I recommend reviewing SafetyWing.
What I Would Skip
I would skip heavy toiletries, too many clothes, extra shoes that do not earn their space, bulky books, and anything packed only because of fear. The Camino has stores. Spain has pharmacies. You do not need to carry your whole house.
That said, know your own needs. If a small comfort item helps you sleep, recover, or stay emotionally steady, it may be worth the weight.
My Best Packing Advice
Pack light, but do not pack cruelly. Choose gear that supports your real body. Test everything you can. Leave space for snacks. Respect the weather. Most importantly, remember that the goal is not to win a packing competition.
The goal is to arrive each day with enough energy to keep becoming the person the Camino is helping you meet.
For the full Camino collection, start with my Camino de Santiago hub.
