Camino de Santiago Packing List: The Do’s and the Don’ts

Hey there! This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Please see my legal page for more details.

This Camino de Santiago packing list may just be the best one around. Bold statement, I know. But when you get really familiar with what you should not pack on a 500-mile pilgrimage across Spain, you can speak with confidence about what you should pack.

And let me tell you, I made some serious mistakes when I packed my backpack for my first pilgrimage.

Let’s just say that I learned the hard way so that you don’t have to.

When I set out to walk across Spain (the first time), I was completely unprepared. Comically so. But my walking partner, Lizz, was very prepared. Then we joined up with another woman who was, perhaps, overly prepared (if that’s possible), and yet another woman who was less prepared than even I was (if that’s possible).

The end result of our combined experiences is one seriously awesome Camino de Santiago packing list. Plus, I refined this packing list after walking the Camino de Santiago again. Lizzie and I have walked both the Camino del Norte to Santiago and the Camino Frances all the way to Muxia and Finisterre.

Let’s dive in!

Camino de Santiago backpacks: the do’s and don’ts

Let’s start with one of the most important packing decisions you can make on the Camino: your choice of backpack.

The best Camino de Santiago backpack…

We saw all kinds of bags on the Camino, and Lizz and I both became very attached to the bags that we lived out of for 35 days. But, hands down, we are awarding Lizz’s bag the blue ribbon when walking the Camino de Santiago. She walked with a Deuter Futura hiking backpack.

More on her bag below, but first, here’s what I loved and hated about my bag.

I walked with the CamelBak H.A.W.G Hydration Pack with 100oz (3.0L) Mil-Spec Crux Reservoir.

Lizz walked with a Deuter Futura hiking backpack. She chose the 28-liter pack in an SL fit for women.

Lizz swears by this bag and, after walking 500 miles with Lizz and that backpack, I completely agree. Here’s what she loved:

A note on water reservoirs or hydration packs: Do you really need three liters? On the Camino del Norte, I did need the full three liters of water twice. And one day I did run out of water. On some stretches of the Norte, there were not that many places to fill up, so I was grateful for the large water reservoir. Most days, I did not fill the reservoir all the way.

On the Camino Frances, I could have easily gotten away with a two-liter hydration pack.

So, it really comes down to which route you are walking. The Frances is well populated with tons of places to refuel. The Norte has less in the way of provisions (but lots of silence and beauty!) No matter what, though, I highly recommend the reservoir system rather than a water bottle in a side pocket. It’s a pain to reach for the water bottle.

To summarize backpacks:

Again, it’s super important to get fitted for the right backpack! I was so much happier on my second pilgrimage because I walked with the Deuter Futura Hiking Backpack.

Tip: Bring in a printed copy of my Camino de Santiago packing list when you go to look at bags. The packing list includes the key elements to look for when choosing a backpack.

Do the same when choosing your shoes! Which brings me to…

What kind of shoes should make your Camino de Santiago packing list?

Ohhhhh, the great shoe debate!

Many meals are spent on the Camino de Santiago debating shoe and foot-care strategies with other pilgrims. By the time we walked into Santiago, we had definite ideas of what shoes would make our Camino de Santiago packing list for our next pilgrimage. (Spoiler alert: They were not the shoes we packed.)

I’ll be honest, even after two pilgrimages across Spain, I’m still looking for the right shoe solution for my feet. I’ll tell you everything that I know in the hopes that you don’t suffer from blisters the way that I did (twice).

My feet were a particular issue for me on both the Camino del Norte and the Camino Frances. I spent hundreds of euros at pharmacies along The Way:

The shoes we packed on our first Camino pilgrimage (the don’ts):

Lizz did her research and purchased trail runners because the Camino de Santiago often winds through wooded areas, which are perfect conditions for trail shoes. As per usual, I did no research at all but felt pretty confident in my trusty, old waterproof hiking boots.

Here’s why we were wrong:

The shoes we will pack on our next Camino pilgrimage (the do’s) 

Note: Every foot has a different need. It’s super important to test your shoes! I skipped the important “step” of testing my shoes on my first pilgrimage, and I really regretted it. Check it out:

It’s also important to consider the time of year that you are walking. Is the risk of rain going to be high? Consider waterproof. Is it going to be hot? Consider opting for something that is more breathable. It’s also important to consider the route that you are walking. Lizz was perfectly comfortable in trail runners during our second pilgrimage on the Camino Frances because there weren’t a lot of days spent on pavement.

Pros and Cons of Waterproof Boots:

When I returned from my first pilgrimage on the Camino del Norte, I went straight to REI and tested a number of different shoes before deciding on the Oboz Mid BDry Hiking Boots.

These are the shoes that I used when I walked my second pilgrimage on the Camino Frances. I love them for day hikes, and I’ll link to the boots here for that reason. (Here are the men’s boots at REI and the day-hiking boots on Amazon for men and on Amazon for women.)

What I loved about the Oboz: The insoles provide great arch support, and the shoes provide great ankle support. They aren’t SO waterproof that ALL moisture (read: sweat) is trapped in your boots and on your feet. They are beautifully breathable but still waterproof. I waded through small streams, and my feet stayed perfectly dry.

What I didn’t love about the Oboz: The same ankle support that I loved meant that the rigid shoes wore on my ankles after many days of walking. I had a bruise and a bit of swelling. Also, the aforementioned blisters started after four days of walking. I can’t blame the shoes for this. It’s my feet. I need to switch shoes every other day or so, or I will get blisters. But that’s the long and short of the Oboz.

Would I wear them again? Yes, but not on the Camino. Shoes that are great for a day hike are not necessarily great for day after day walking. (I learned that lesson the hard way, so that you don’t have to!)

I would try a low hiking shoe from Oboz, like the Sawtooth X Low Waterproof Hiking Shoes:

The advantage here is that the shoe is waterproof and relatively low-weight. The low rise of the shoe should allow you to avoid any uncomfortable pinch around the upper ankle/lower leg after numerous days of walking.

Personally, I like having a waterproof shoe for rainy days because I find walking with wet feet just miserable. The more heavy-duty shoe with ankle and arch support is also good on the Camino del Norte where there are more rocky paths and more stretches of pavement. (The path on the Camino Frances is a bit smoother and there is less pavement, so many people opt for trail runners rather than hiking shoes/boots.)

Here is the Oboz low hiking shoe for men at REI and on Amazon for women and on Amazon for men.

Because I am blister-prone, I will also carry a pair of hiking sandals on my next pilgrimage. This way, I can switch back and forth between the hiking shoes and the sandals, relieving any hot spots that are starting to form. I will try something like the Teva Terra Universal Sandal. This sandal gets rave reviews, has excellent arch support, and its lightweight means that it won’t add that much to your pack. The velcro straps make the sandal easy to attach to the back of your backpack. Teva Terra for men. And from Amazon for women and for men.

Since the Teva Terra sandals dry quickly, these would double as my shower shoes when needed. (Occasionally, you will find a communal shower that needs a good cleaning.) If you choose to walk with just one pair of shoes (as you should do if you are not blister-prone like me), then consider a pair of cheap, foldable flip-flops for shower shoes.

Pros and Cons of trail runners

Over dinner at the end of your day on the Camino, you will read ahead about the next day’s Camino stage. That’s when you’ll find out whether you’re in for a day of pavement or trails. If you’ve got a trail day ahead of you, you’ll be happy if you have a pair of Altra Trail Running shoes like the ones Lizz wore. Here they are at Amazon.

Here’s the men’s version of the Altra Trail Running Shoes at REI. And at Amazon.

Lizz loved her Altras on the Camino, and she never got a blister, but she needed something with more arch support for pavement days. (There are more pavement days on the Norte than on the Frances.) She also had a couple of rough days when it rained and her feet were soaking wet.

On the other hand, while my boots protected my feet on pavement and in the rain, I needed a pair of more lightweight, breathable shoes for trail days and for hot days when my feet were throbbing from their numerous sweat-induced blisters.

That’s why they call it the great shoe debate! The right answer for my feet might be completely different than the right answer for your feet. So weigh the pros and cons, consider the route and the likely weather, test the shoes at an outdoor store, break them in before you go, and don’t be afraid to go back to the store and try again if you feel hot spots or any discomfort as you are breaking your shoes in. Trust me, it’s better than buying new shoes when you’re on the trail (I did that on my second pilgrimage and, guess what, I just got blisters in different places from wearing new shoes!)

In summary, the shoe solution for me on my next pilgrimage will be a pair of low-rise, waterproof hiking shoes AND a pair of hiking sandals strapped to the back of my backpack. I will switch shoes when my feet start to hurt and wear waterproof shoes in the rain. Lizzie will stick with her trail runners as long as she isn’t walking a route with a lot of pavement. She isn’t blister-prone, so she doesn’t need to switch shoes, and she isn’t that bothered by walking with wet feet if it rains. She does carry a pair of shoes for evenings and showers (keep reading to see her second pair of shoes).

Here are some other shoes that I will consider:

I am currently testing the Salomon X Ultra Gore-Tex Low Hiking Shoes. The low-rise style still gives me the ankle support that I like, so I don’t need to the mid-rise style that I wore on my second pilgrimage (and that caused the area above my ankles to swell). I am very comfortable in the shoes, though it is taking a while to fully break them in. My fear is that they would be too hot for day-after-day hiking in the summer months.

I really like Salomon’s “quicklace” shoe lace solution, so that I’m not bothered with shoes that untie while I’m walking. This was a huge hassle for me on my first pilgrimage. On the second pilgrimage, I replaced the standard shoe laces that came with my shoes with a quicklace system like this:

I’m also trying the Vivobarefoot Tracker Low. So far, so good. These shoes are “barefoot shoes,” so they are minimalist and meant to mimic a barefoot experience. For this reason, they don’t supply the same support as a hiking shoe/boot, but they do provide some support and a lot of traction. They are lightweight and they breathe well, even though they are water-resistant. They take a while to break in and it takes a while to adjust to the barefoot-style, so I’ll keep you posted!

Do consider a pair of shower shoes

If you are squeamish about communal showers, then you’ll probably want a pair of shower shoes. On the Norte, I bought a cheap pair of flip-flops and strapped them to whatever shoes I wasn’t wearing.

I didn’t carry shower shoes on the Frances, where I found bathroom conditions to be a bit better (or maybe I just got less squeamish the more I walked!)

When selecting your shower shoes, remember that you might end up wearing these at night. Your feet will want a break from any kind of “real” shoes, and they’ll love the time spent without socks/shoes while you’re relaxing with a glass of wine after a day of walking.

Lizz wore the Skechers sandals below both at night and in the shower. They dried quickly and gave her feet both the break they needed and the arch support they required. (Skechers sandals for women/Skechers sandals for men.)

These shoes are a little heavier and require more space than a throwaway pair of flip-flops, so keep that in mind.

On my third pilgrimage, I will wear low-rise, waterproof hiking shoes and carry hiking sandals that will double as my shower shoes.

If I were carrying only one pair of shoes, then I would bring a pair of “recovery sandals” that would double as my shower shoes. These are slip-on sandals that are designed to bring comfort to your feet after running or hiking. The Olukai Ohana flip-flops are my go-to recovery sandals:

Here are the men’s Ohana sandals from REI and the women’s Ohana sandals from REI.

SOCKS! A crucial item on your Camino de Santiago packing list

I believe socks belong right at the top of your Camino de Santiago packing list.

To avoid blisters, it’s crucial to have dry socks on your feet. This is one of those lessons that I learned the hard way. By the end of our pilgrimage, I would swap my socks nearly every time we took a rest, putting them on the back of my bag to dry while I walked.

Seriously, socks were so important to me on the Camino that I started hoarding them! When we would go into a big town, I would stop at the outdoor store and stock up, sticking them into every available inch of space in my bag and pockets.

The good news is that I tested SO MANY pairs of socks that I now know the exact socks that you should carry so that you don’t have to become a sock hoarder like me. (I earned the nickname the Queen of Socks for a reason!)

How many pairs of socks and what kind to pack?

After trying ALL the socks, the Wrightsock brand is the winner for me. The Wrightsock anti-blister system works because of the double layer. The two layers of the sock rub against each other instead of your skin! And, though there are two layers, I found the cool mesh to be breathable and lightweight, and I did not suffer any slipping or bunching.

I swear by the Wrightsock! Get your Wrightsocks here from Amazon or here from REI. I preferred the cool mesh quarter-length socks, but they do have shorter socks and longer crew socks as well.

The one disadvantage that I found with the Wrightsock is that they aren’t as durable as other socks. I finally found these socks halfway through my second pilgrimage, and I had worn holes into the upper layer of the sock by the time I reached Galicia. So you might need to buy new pairs of Wrightsocks at an outdoor store along the route. (For me, it was well worth the stop to avoid the blisters!)

Here is the exact Wrightsock that I wore (with Camino shells!):

Do you really need three pairs? You might be able to get away with two. I will walk with three pairs on my next Camino because I like to switch my socks every time I stop to keep my blister-prone feet dry and happy. Walking with three pairs means that I always have at least one pair that is dry and (relatively) clean.

Round out your sock supply with one pair of Merino Wool Hiking Socks (long) for cooler days and for the evenings. I carried the same pair of Merino socks on both of my pilgrimages, so these are super durable socks. You won’t need to replace these socks along the route! They are also really nice on cool evenings.

Other socks to consider on the Camino

If you aren’t sold on the Wrightsocks or you just have your favorite brand, then wear what works for you. But do consider silk sock liners. This will provide that double layer that you get with the Wrightsocks.

I found silk sock liners halfway through my first pilgrimage when a sympathetic pilgrim gifted me one of her pairs. At that point, the blisters on my toes finally began to heal because my socks rubbed against the liners instead of my skin. I paid it forward once I found the Wrightsocks on my second pilgrimage, and I gave away my precious silk liners to another pilgrim who was suffering from blisters.

Because I had so much trouble with blisters in between my toes, I may also bring toe socks with me in case I need to relieve my toes from blisters.

But with two to three pairs of Wrightsocks and one pair of Merino Wool Socks, you should be able to avoid turning into a sock hoarder like I was on my first two pilgrimages:

The Camino clothing do’s and don’ts

First things first, throw fashion right out the window. One day Lizz took a picture of me so we could laugh later at how I went from fashionista to, well, not even close. This is what she got:

In my defense, all of my clothes were in the wash, and that glow-in-the-dark hip bag was one of the most important things I packed since it served as my wallet. I needed to keep my feet dry at all times, hence the socks and sandals.

But, yeah. Fashion. Out. The. Window.

The essential clothing items for your Camino de Santiago packing list

One lightweight rain shell with hood

You want this to be lightweight so that it will roll up really small, and you want it to have zips in the armpits (pit zips!) because it’s super warm in that shell even when it’s raining.

Being from the rainy Pacific Northwest, I got the jacket thing right on the Camino. This is the Marmot rain shell I wore and loved. Here is the Marmot men’s rain shell. And here is the Marmot women’s rain shell from Amazon, and here is the men’s version from Amazon.

Here’s that rain shell in action:

I opted to take a cooler rain shell on my second pilgrimage because I was walking the warmer Frances route (rather than the cooler coastal route), and I walked in August. Here’s The North Face rain shell that I carried from Amazon and from REI. Here is the rain jacket available directly from The North Face. This rain shell worked beautifully! It was super lightweight, and I loved that it rolled up nice and small into a pocket.

Here’s that lightweight rain shell for men from The North Face, and here is the men’s rain jacket on Amazon and from REI.

One warm, packable fleece or puffy jacket for cool days & nights

We walked our first Camino in August and September, so we were prepared for extreme heat. But on the coastal route, most of the time, we needed our jackets in the mornings and the evenings. I didn’t use my jacket as much on the Camino Frances in August, but on the occasions when I needed it, I was sure glad to have it.

The puffy jacket that I wore is no longer in production, but that’s because there are way better jackets on the market now. Like the Patagonia Nano Puff® jackets. Warm, windproof, and water-resistant, this jacket is made from post-consumer recycled polyester, it’s fair-trade certified, AND it packs into a tiny pouch. Here is the Nano Puff for men.

One long-sleeved, lightweight pullover or zip-up hoodie

Most mornings, I wore a super lightweight pullover that dried really fast. Much like this moisture-wicking, sun-shielding hoodie. Here is the men’s moisture-wicking hoodie.

Two pairs of quick-dry pants (and possibly one pair of shorts)

On my first Camino, I packed one pair quick-drying hiking pants and one pair of long yoga pants. I lived in the quick-dry hiking pants because the yoga pants took too long to dry after washing. I also packed a pair of shorts, but I preferred walking in lightweight long pants for sun protection and for branch/thorn protection on wooded trails.

On my second pilgrimage, I packed the same quick-dry hiking pants that I loved from the first pilgrimage (and I still loved them). I ditched the slow-to-dry yoga pants and brought a second pair of calf-length, quick-dry pants, prioritizing pockets because the lack of quality pockets was the one thing I disliked about my favorite pants.

Here’s the plan for the third pilgrimage:

Two quick-dry, moisture-wicking shirts for hiking

I brought two tank tops for hiking and I wish I would have brought one tank top and one t-shirt. (I ended up wearing my nighttime t-shirt quite a bit out on the trail.)

For women

Here’s what I would bring now: One Patagonia Capilene Cool Trail Tank Top and one Patagonia Capilene Cool Trail Shirt.

The base layer is pretty important. You want it to be moisture-wicking and soft. The Capilene Cool Trail shirts are made to feel like cotton, but they are made with moisture-wicking, odor-controlling polyester. There are no itchy tags at the neck and they have a locker loop for easy drying. (This is actually key because it can be hard to find places to hang your drying clothes at some of the albergues (pilgrim hostels) where you will stay on the trail.

I’m also going to bring this lightweight crop top from Beyond Yoga. Quick-dry with a built-in bra, I think it will be a good addition to my Camino wardrobe. Here it is from REI.

For men:

I would bring two different colors of the Patagonia Capilene Cool Trail Shirt.

This moisture-wicking base layer is odor-controlling with underarm gussets that allow for breathability. The soft fabric reduces chafing and there are no itchy tags inside the shirt. The locker loop allows you to easily hang the shirt when it’s drying. This will come in handy in the albergues and pilgrim hostels where drying space can be hard to find.

One pair of nighttime shorts/pants

If you’re hiking in warmer months, consider shorts for sleeping and lounging in dormitory-style albergues. If you’re hiking in cooler months, bring long pants that will keep you warm but will roll up small for packing.

Just keep in mind that you will probably end up wearing your sleeping clothes more than you expect. You will often wear them to dinner both in the albergues and out in restaurants. And there will be days when everything is dirty, so you wear your nighttime pants and t-shirt on the trail. For this reason, I recommend quick-dry clothes even for bedtime. That being said, comfort is the number one priority in this particular item on your Camino do Santiago packing list.

One nighttime/sleeping shirt

The same advice applies here for your evening tee. Think comfort but also quick drying. Consider something fun that reminds you of home. I brought my “Wander with Love” shirt, which is my signature sign-off on all emails. I ended up wearing it quite a bit out on the trail, too.

Because it wasn’t quick-dry, I won’t bring it on the next pilgrimage. This time I have three, quick-dry shirts for hiking and I’ll simply wear whichever one is clean for sleeping.

Underwear for your Camino de Santiago packing list

For men:

The key is to find quick-drying, moisture-wicking underwear that is also close in style to what you are used to wearing. If you are comfortable hiking in boxer briefs, don’t suddenly switch to briefs for the Camino.

Here are a few pairs of men’s underwear with the right quick-drying, moisture-wicking, chafe-resisting qualities that you want. You’ll want to pack two to three pairs:

For women:

Two to three pairs of quick-dry, hiking underwear. I brought two pairs and this worked just fine because we did laundry nearly every day. On a day when we didn’t do laundry, I hand-washed my underwear.

In your daily life, if you usually wear thongs, then I recommend bringing thongs for the Camino, too. I usually wear thongs and switched to a bikini-style on the Camino and this drove me insane.

The Smartwool Merino 140 lace thong underwear is what I would walk in (also here from Amazon). Soft, lightweight, and built to manage moisture and odor. Plus with less fabric, the thong is going to dry faster and be a bit less obvious hanging from the back of your backpack!

On the flip side, if you usually wear bikini-style underwear then don’t switch to a thong for the Camino. The Smartwool Merino Bikini Underwear will still dry fast and this underwear is made with smooth stitching to reduce the risk of chafing.

The same logic holds true for the two sports bras you should put on your Camino de Santiago packing list. If you usually wear a certain kind of sports bra, this isn’t the time to switch it up.

I brought two sports bras, one with thin straps, one with thick straps, and one tank-top with a built-in bra. The tank with a built-in bra took too long to dry. The bra with the thick straps competed for space on my shoulders with my backpack straps. The winner was the thin-strapped sports bra.

I recommend the Janji Groundwork Pace Sports Bra. There are no adjusting clips on the straps that will promote chafing and it’s a moisture-wicking fabric with breathable mesh lining.

A hat or buff are a must for your Camino de Santiago packing list

I say they are a must, but I admit that I didn’t wear either. A hat is a really good way to protect yourself from the sun and, if I wore one, I may have been able to skip the extra face lotion with sunblock that I had to carry. Hats just drive me nuts. But most people do wear one.

Lizz likes the REI packable cap. You can pack it up small, it’s moisture-wicking with ventilation and a sweatband.

I also did not walk with a buff and I do regret that. Lizz wore hers almost every day either around her neck or on her head to protect against sun and dripping sweat.

I like the Buff Original Multifunctional Headwear, made with a quick-drying polyester that shields against sun rays. (It’s also made out of single-use plastic bottles, which helps me with my crusade against plastic water bottles!)

Should you add a swimsuit to your Camino de Santiago packing list?

If you are walking a route that traces the coastline as I did (the Camino del Norte route), then absolutely yes. We loved jumping into the water after a long day of hiking, especially after day one on the Camino:

Just grab a swimsuit that folds up really small. Guys, you might be able to double your board shorts as your evening wear. This brings me to:

Should you bring something special to wear in the evenings on the Camino?

It’s a luxury and definitely optional. You can always just wear whatever is clean in your backpack. But I loved the sporty dress that I brought for dinners and for walking around town. For the next pilgrimage, I’m bringing this nighttime dress from Beyond Yoga. And Lizz loved her sporty skirt (she was devastated when someone stole it while it was drying on a clothesline at a public campground).

It was so nice to get out of hiking clothes sometimes.

Just make sure that whatever you bring for evenings will roll up really small for packing at the bottom of your bag.

Essential documents for your Camino de Santiago packing list

• Passport
• Credentials
  • You must have Camino de Santiago credentials – also called Camino passport – to stay in the albergues (pilgrim hostels) along the route. Only pilgrims can stay in these hostels and the credential is your proof that you are a pilgrim. You collect stamps in your credentials at the albergues (or at cafes, hotels, and churches) along the route. The stamped passport is what you present in Santiago to earn your Compostella, which is the certificate that proclaims that you walked all the way to Santiago de Compostella.
  • Purchase your credentials at a pilgrims’ office when you get to Spain. Sometimes they are also available at the tourist office and even at some albergues. You can order in advance from your country’s Camino association as well. But it’s not really necessary. (Americans visit here to order in advance.)

Essential items for your Camino de Santiago packing list

• Hiking sticks/trekking poles:
  • Some people don’t like walking with hiking sticks, but this was not an option for Lizz or for me. We walked the first day without sticks and then immediately visited an outdoor store that very evening to buy sticks. This took so much pressure off our backs and legs and allowed us to walk much faster. In fact, there was almost an international incident on the Camino when someone stole our sticks!
• Fast-drying towel:
  • You will use your own towel in the albergues (pilgrim hostels) on the Camino, so you must have one that folds up small and drys fast.
• Water purification tablets
  • Super light and perfect for cleaning tap water. We put these in our backpack water filtration system every time we filled them up in the sink (which was most days).
• Packing Cubes
  • It’s super important to keep everything organized in your bag. Packing cubes will do that while maximizing space.
• Anti Monkey Butt Powder (for men) & Anti Monkey Butt Power (for women)
  • Chafing didn’t end up being a problem for Lizz or for me, but maybe that’s because we started our Camino completely covered in anti-chafing powder!
• Sunscreen
  • The link above is lightweight sun cream in recyclable, renewable sugarcane packaging. The reality is that you’ll probably buy your sunscreen after you travel to your first stage. Keep an eye out for sustainable sunscreen, but the priority on the Camino is that your sunscreen will fit in an accessible pocket for easy grabbing.
• Sunglasses (or prescription sunglasses, perhaps?)
  • The link above is for bamboo sunglasses so that if (when) you lose them, no plastic will end up in Spanish landfills.
  • I carried prescription sunglasses (don’t lose those!) and glasses for the evening. I did not carry contacts on the Camino. Too much hassle and too much space in my backpack since I wear daily disposable lenses.
• Silk Sleep Sack
  • I didn’t have this when I first set out and that was a huge mistake. Especially since we ended up in a freezing-cold hostel on our second night on the Camino. I wore every item of clothing in my bag and snagged a table cloth for a blanket! The sleep liner is a must at hostels and albergues where blankets and sheets are not guaranteed. It protects against bed bugs as well as dirty sheets, blankets, and pillowcases. (Choose “traveller with pillow insert” for the pillow protection.)
• Headlamp
  • This is always good to have in your backpack. On the Camino, you will mostly use it to see inside when all the lights are out at the albergue and you need to get into your bag or bunk without waking everyone up.
• Trek and Travel Laundry Wash
  • This tiny bottle of biodegradable cleaner goes a long way. Two caps for a full load. For my next pilgrimage, I’m bringing this tiny, lightweight trek-and-travel laundry wash.
• Travel cable and lock
  • There will be times when you need to lock your bag to your bed in an albergue. Pilgrims don’t usually steal, but better safe than sorry when you’re traveling anywhere.
• Earplugs
  • I used earplugs more for the constant parties that seem to throb all night throughout Spain than for the snoring in the communal sleeping spaces of albergues, but both can get loud!
• Tweezers
• Nail Clippers
• Fork and knife multi-tool device (fork, knife, spoon, bottle opener, can opener, wrench)
  • We used this all of the time. It was lightweight and came in a bag that attached to the outside of our backpacks. I was so sad when I had to leave it behind in Spain because I couldn’t carry it on the airplane.
• Emergency whistle
  • Keep this on a carabiner in a very easy-to-reach place on your backpack strap. I started out with one of those emergency alert alarms with a button, but I switched to a whistle after I accidentally set it off in a crowded train car on our way to our Camino starting point. You’ll actually hear those wearable alarms going off all the time on the Camino and, unfortunately, they get ignored because my experience on the train is pretty common. Carry a whistle instead.
• Carabiners
  • You can’t have enough of these! Hook them onto your bag before you go. You’ll be amazed at how many different items hang off of them by the end of your pilgrimage.
• Hip bag/waist pack
  • Or, as they say in America, a fanny pack. We wore these every day to store our passport, Camino credentials, ATM card, and cash. It was our wallet. We also stored a credit card in our backpacks with a small amount of cash.
• Guide book
  • Carry one specific to your route. Tear out just the pages you will need or download it to your Kindle/e-reader. Also, make sure to download the Buen Camino App to help plan your next stage and find accommodations. I am taking this guide for the Camino Frances in 2022.
• Wine opener
  • OK, fine, maybe this isn’t essential for you. But it sure was for Lizz and me!

Essentials for women

• Diva Cup
  • Super lightweight and sustainable solution for your menstrual cycle.
• Kula Cloth (for anyone who squats when they pee)
  • This is an antimicrobial, absorbent, anti-odor pee cloth. Think of it like your sustainable toilet paper so that you can leave no trace out there on the trail. You will be popping a squat out there. You may as well do it sustainably. This means that you don’t have to carry toilet paper. And since the Kula Cloth snaps to the outside of your bag (don’t worry, it folds up for privacy reasons and sanitary concerns), it takes up no space in your bag. Throw it in the washing machine or hand wash. Good for multiple uses. This is a game-changer.

And Kula Cloth now has a Camino design!

Essential foot care items on the Camino de Santiago

I detail my blister kit in the video below. Watching this makes my feet hurt all over again!

• Hike Goo
  • This is an essential item to avoid blisters. Rub it all over your feet to reduce friction. See above video.
• Moleskin
  • This really helps when you have a hot spot forming. Put the Moleskin around the blister, cutting a hole in the middle so that it isn’t covering the actual hot spot. If you do this you may avoid needing the next item to cover an active blister.
• Compeed blister mixed pack (or Second Skin) and Compeed anti-blister stick
  • This covers your active blisters. Use the same technique as above with the moleskin, but now press Compeed over the top of the area.
• Mini rolls of duct tape
  • I used duct tape to hold the Compeed and Moleskin in place.
• Sports tape
  • Sometimes used on my feet to protect large areas of skin that were at risk of forming blisters. Mostly used on our hands to protect against blisters forming from our walking sticks. I also used sports tape to cover an itchy area after I ran into stinging nettle on the trail.
• Small foldable scissors
  • Used for cutting sports tape and duct tape as well as Moleskin.
• Foot powder
  • I put on foot powder before walking, when I changed my socks while walking, and before bed at night. I really needed to keep my feet dry to prevent blisters. On the other hand, Lizz rarely needed to use foot powder.
• Bandaids
  • I rarely used bandaids on my feet, preferring Compeed and Moleskin. But we did use bandaids when we ran into sticker bushes and thorns on the trail. Always good to have.
• Needle and thread
  • Used for threading blisters. Clean the needle, thread it through the blister, leave the thread in the blister. This way the blister won’t refill. This is a last-resort technique if your feet are in agony. It is gross, I know. But it’s also very effective.

Toiletries for your Camino de Santiago packing list

Keep your essential toiletries super simple. As you can see with all of the above necessities, your backpack is filling up quickly. I have some optional items considered “luxury” items that I also brought along with me, but if you can get away with just this minimalist list, then you are winning the Camino!

• Face lotion with SPF
  • If you can use the sunscreen you are already carrying to double as your face lotion, then that’s ideal. Personally, a separate, softer face lotion was necessary for me. I carried a small bottle of Kiehl’s. Link included above.
• Chapstick with SPF
• Shampoo bar and tin container
  • There are better shampoo bars than the Lush one that I link to here, but it’s the smallest shampoo bar that I’ve found (it perfectly packs in the tiny tin container built for it), and it will last a really long time.
• Bar of soap with a soap-saver bag
  • The soap-saver bag doubles as your washcloth. I kept the soap in this bag and hung it up to dry when I had the chance.
• Cotton swabs + dental floss
  • Bring small amounts of each and consider sharing if you have a walking partner. The links above are sustainable swabs and floss with no plastic.
• Toothpaste tablets
  • Of course, a mini toothpaste tube is an option as well. But the tablets are a more sustainable option.
• Bamboo toothbrush
  • Break off the handle to conserve space
• Natural deodorant cream
  • Use the link above for 10 percent off. Consider pairing with a bamboo applicator.
• Small, waterproof toiletry bag with a hanging loop
  • Hanging all your shower needs in the stall with you helps you to take quick showers in a shared bathroom at the pilgrim hostel.

Electronics for your Camino de Santiago packing list

• European Travel Plug Adaptor
  • Pro Tip: Bring one with multiple USB ports since there is a fight at every overnight stay for outlets! Look for a lightweight adaptor. (The link above is an adaptor for Americans.)
• Portable battery charger
  • It seems like something always needs charging on the Camino! Your phone, your kindle, your GoPro, etc. Check out the CHAMP Portable Charger from Nimble. It’s smaller than a deck of cards and gives you up to three days of power. Bonus: it’s made from post-consumer plastic, ships with no plastic, and Nimble will recycle your old battery for free.
  • Tip: Use the link above for $10 off your portable battery charger. Then search for the CHAMP.
• Headphones
  • I love my Bose wireless earbuds, but on the Camino, I wore headphones with a cord. I just didn’t need anything else that required charging. Admittedly, I did get tangled up in cords occasionally. For my next pilgrimage, I’m bringing my Airpods Pro, hoping the charging case will help me keep them charged.
• GoPro
  • I got all of my footage using a GoPro. Even most of my photos.
• Foldable Bluetooth keyboard
  • If you intend to write blog posts or emails from the road, the foldable Bluetooth keyboard will save you so much time. Of course, it’s best to unplug when you are out there but, if you can’t unplug, carry this traveler’s companion.
• Kindle
  • I didn’t do as much reading as I thought I would on the Camino, but I did carry my Camino guide book on my Kindle. If you don’t intend to read, you can carry just the ripped-out pages from the relevant route guides or bookmark a blog that details your route stage-by-stage. (Like this blog for the Camino del Norte!)

Optional items for your Camino de Santiago packing list

Just consider weight and space carefully when weighing whether you need these items. We did carry all of these items in our backpacks, though we split them up between us to distribute weight. The last item was especially crucial for our pilgrimage.

• Conditioner bar and tin container
• Scrubbie shower bar from Lush + tin container
  • Once you try this lotion that is applied like soap in the shower, you will never go back to regular lotion. (I’ve even started making my own lotion and shower bars!) The bar allows you to travel without carrying additional body lotion. Especially when paired with:
• Vitality Extracts Skin Envy oil
  • This served as our lotion. We just rolled it on dry spots and it saved us a ton of space!
• Face serum
  • Applied at night, this oil took care of the dry skin I was dealing with from so much sun exposure.
• Butterstick lip treatment
  • This is definitely a luxury. But you’ll see there is no makeup on this list. This is the one touch of color we enjoyed. Plus the butterstick offers sun protection.
• Razor and backup blades
  • I did shave my legs and armpits on the Camino because that just made me feel more comfortable. But many women did not shave and most men did not shave.
• Journal and pen
  • I use a refillable traveler’s journal. On the Camino, I carried one refillable insert to save space and reduce weight.
• Massage roller
  • I was torn on where to put this. I almost put it in essential items. Lizz and I used our roller every day. Me for my sore back and Lizz for her sore feet. One time, I misplaced the roller and there was this horrible five-minute period when we couldn’t find it. Oh, the look on Lizz’s face. I thought we were going to have a murder on the Camino!
• Wilderness Wipes
  • When a shower isn’t possible, wilderness wipes will do the trick. Plus they are compostable.
• Collapsible plate and collapsible cup
  • I try not to use any single-use plates or cups and my foldable plate and cup helped me to reduce my impact in Spain. I paired it with the knife, spoon, and fork on my multi-tool (listed in essential items) for all on-the-go meals.
• Sleeping bag
  • The great sleeping bag debate! I have had a number of comments and emails stating that every Camino packing list should include a sleeping bag. I didn’t bring one on my first pilgrimage, but that’s because I knew that I would splurge on a hotel if albergues were too full. Also, I walked in the summertime. The silk sleep sack on the above must-have list kept me warm and clean. If you are walking in cooler months and/or if a hotel is out of budget if the albergues are full, then a sleeping bag might be necessary for you.
• A rock
  • There is a Camino tradition to leave a carry a rock from home and then leave it on the trail. It is symbolic of carrying a burden and then leaving that burden behind.
• Stickers
  • When our friend joined us halfway through our pilgrimage, she brought stickers that read: “no vino…no Camino”. We gave these stickers to people we met. It was fun. And we were sharing a part of our pilgrimage with others. I recommend bringing stickers or something to give out that will share a piece of you with your fellow pilgrims.
• Mustard
  • I thought Lizz was crazy to bring mustard with her, but I was so wrong. SO wrong. You will eat many, many dry sandwiches on the Camino and mustard really jazzes them up! In fact, right after socks, I might call this my most important Camino item! We even ran out and had to get more mustard about halfway through our pilgrimage.

Camino costs and how to save

If you are thinking: “My goodness! I need to buy a whole lot of gear!” I sympathize. Your gear is the most expensive part of the Camino except, perhaps, any international travel to get to Spain.

Consider browsing used-gear sites. This could save you some cash and it’s a sustainable way to shop, too.

I love GearTrade where you can buy gently used gear. Or even sell your gently used items!

REI also has a used gear catalog and members can trade in gently used gear for REI gift cards!

This post will help you find affordable hiking clothes and gear.

I’ve also created a Camino Cost Calculator so that you can determine your costs depending on your route and walking style.

All of the above resources are included in these printable Camino de Santiago packing lists:

Did I forget something? Was there a crucial item that you couldn’t live without on the Camino or another trekking adventure? Did something on my list surprise you? Comment below and let me know!