Camino Packing List,  Camino Travel

Camino Packing list

January 2, 2021 /

Any long distance travel, trek or hike require items which is comfortable for each individual. Clothes, shoes, backpacks, technical equipment is unique to each individual. There is no one size fits all as each person may have different needs. Try not to judge what is in another person’s backpack because you may not know the circumstances behind their choice of equipment. Here are a few packing tips.

  1. Pack light. Carry no more than 10% of your body weight, if possible try to keep under 10kg in your backpack with water and food item so 6-8kg is ideal. Added weight overtime on long distance hikes will wear on your feet, muscles and joints. The lighter the weight the better for your body over time. Make a list of items you may need then refine your choices into wants, needs and fears. Decide if your wants are justified and if your fears out weigh your actual need. These three categories will help you to lighten your packing weather using a suitcase or a long distance backpack. Some people utilize camino guides or bag carry service and hike with a light weight daypack.
  2. Consider how much you will spend on equipment, some more technical professional items may come at a higher cost. Some ultra light items cost more but make up for the cost with lighter weights and better quality. Will the number of times you will use the item justify the cost in the long run? Consider quality over cost.
  3. Make a packing list and a travel checklist. Will I need a good lightweight tent? Where will I stay ? albergues,hotels B&B? If weight of items is a consideration, list the items and weight in columns. Most long distance hikers may go lightweight, ultralight weight or uber-light weight. Pack and re pack continuously lightening the load.
  4. Consider finding help on the web to decide on technical equipment, and travel insurance. There are many websites available who compare,review and test hiking and trekking equipment, I use outgearlab.com. I use squaremouth.com for travel insurance comparisons. Consider joining a camino web forum where you can ask questions and connect with other camino travelers. I use caminodeSantiago.me for all camino related questions, concerns and commoraderie.
  5. Do your homework. Do you need a guidebook? SantiagoDeCompostela.me, the Camino de Santiago forum store ships items all over the world. I purchase my guidebooks, camino passport and camino specific maps here. Prepare by downloading apps and gps tracks from home, obtain cellular SIM cards online of in the local start point and or review your travel phone plans thru your cellphone provider on specifics on use during overseas travel
  6. Do you need to store any items in the overseas location while on camino? Research, research, research.
  7. Take pictures of any paperwork and save it in a secure location thus saving space in your bag.
  8. Below is a sample camino packing list. Listed weight is suggested and some items may not be needed while some items are worn and will not add to weight inside your backpack

Paperwork: International driving license and travel insurance. Passport, pilgrim passport and guidebook/app, printed or digital airplane train/bus tickets

300g  Medical Items :  medical rescriptions, glasses, medical equipment (cpap,tens unit) Lukotape, moleskin, vitamins, first aid kit, hand sanitizer, medical mask

500g   Electronics Phone…charger (European ), small tablet, camera and or cellphone,Ear      buds/Earplugs, 1 Battery power bank…,GPS (watch)
MiFi/SIM card -buy local or purchase before leaving home, headlamp/flashlight (batteries)

Suggested Equipment :

1-2 kg  Backpack with liner 
             pack cover- not needed w/ rain poncho jacket)
             hiking sticks/extra tips
             hiking umbrella handsfree or ultra lightweight traveler umbrella

500-900g Hiking shoe worn w/inserts or sneakers/trail runners/hiking sandal,  recovery after walk sandals/shower shoes

600-900g    Sleeping quilt, bag liner and or sleeping bag treated with premethin

2kg.       Light weight tent/sleeping pad if needed or emergency Mylar liner, 

             Sleeping quilt or sleeping bag cold weather

200g    Rain jacket/jacket, rain kilt or Poncho or poncho coat

500g     2 running/hiking pants(leggings)

300g    2 long sleeve shirts (wool or other) 1 on body 1 in bag 3 in winter  300g     2-3 Marino wool or other technical T-shirt 

100g     1 compression or other shorts 
100g     4 Wool Or sport socks (I use Injinji or Wright socks double lined) 
100g     3-4 underwear 

100g     2-3 regular or sport bra  

66g       2 Merino wool or sport material Buff (Neckwarmer/bandana)….
              Gloves (winter),scarf

400g    After walk/after camino clothes-if needed for touring/tourist activity
200g    Lightweight camp towel (bath and hand)

600g   Toiletries and must haves:

100g    Multitool/knife, eating utensils, cups, plates, water boiler  

200g    Soap, shampoo, conditioner bar/liquid, hairbrush, deodorant
         
  150g    Sun or hiking hat, chapstick, Sunscreen
               .5g    Safety whistle,sewing kit  
              50g.   Fanny pack or money pouch
            100g    2 Water bottles or folding bottle, water purifer
               50g Wipes/ toilet paper