Lists of Things To Pack For the Camino

[martinstuart]

What to bring? What to leave? From having been on the Camino a total of four times (5 days; 9 days; 32 days to walk the whole Camino Frances; and 18 days of the Camino del Norte), I can say that nobody agrees completely.

Here is most of MY list of things to pack. Hopefully others who have been on the Camino will add their list so that we can all learn from each other.

(Note: See Anna's entry under 'Camera' as well--great detail).

• A backpack of 35-40kg. No more: bigger bags weigh substantially more and you'll be cursing yourself.
• As lightweight a sleeping bag as you can afford.
• Digital camera
• Digital camera recharger (twice I regretted not bringing it).
• Case for digital camera (it's amazing how easily water, sand, or dirt gets in to and ruins expensive cameras).
• Mobile phone.
• Mobile phone recharger.
• (Note: to receive calls free of charge from his wife in Canada a friend bought a pay-as-you-go phone in Spain for just ?25 in June 2008 and bought ?10 worth of credit, discovering that texts are dirt cheap in Spain).
• Ear plugs (foam ones; they cost only one or two euro in Spain)
• Towel--a lightweight, quick-dry one is a must.
• Shoes--comfortable ones are the key: in July and August it is dry enough NOT to need hiking boots, just good comfortable walking shoes (I used Asics shoes, a friend used Quechua shoes, both without problems).
• Sandals
• Water bottle--If you drink a litre or so before you set out each morning, and if you stop at each village's fuente (water pump) and drink some more, you do NOT need one of those trendy in-your-backsack water containers that contain up to 2 litres of water. I notice that some people love these and keep them filled up without fully realising that they're carrying 2kg more than they need to. My motto about carrying water is "better in ya than on ya".
• Sunglasses (if you're walking for more than a week, these are vital to protect you from the sometimes piercing sun).
• A money belt, a credit card, a passport, your Camino "credencial".
• Compeed plasters/band-aids for blisters (expensive but worth it)
• Vaseline tube--to massage into your feet and especially your toes each morning before putting on your 'wicking' socks.
• 'Wicking socks'--I think that's what they're called: socks that seem to be effective in reducing sweating/moisture build-up. Bring two pairs--ideally at your lunch break you take off your first pair, let your feet breathe and dry, massage some more Vaseline into your feet, and put on your second pair.
• A pen and a few blank sheets of paper (perhaps to jot down memories or ideas or answers to questions that come to you while walking).
• A light-weight radio with headphones or MP3 player (a little bit of music every few days can be so wonderful).
• A mini-torch of some description.
• A hat (sun protection)
• Sun-block.
• Lightweight raincoat (for me this doubled as my sweater if it was ever cold)
• A lightweight mini-compass (not a necessity but handy sometimes to make sure you're going the right direction).
• A few clothes pegs.
• A strong (less noisy) plastic bag for your wash-gear (soap, toothbrush, half tube of toothpaste).
• An adaptor for your phone and/or camera rechargers.
• Some sort of guide book (a Spanish friend saves weight by taking digital photos of each page of her book and then leaving the book at home. When she needs to refer to her guide, she just zooms in on the text or map.)
• Immodium tablets! In case your stoumach reacts to some of the food or drink.
• Some sort of pain-killer (paracetomol)
• Small tube of anti-septic cream.
• Your regular medicines (if any)
• If I do a trip on one of the Caminos again, I'm tempted to see if I can use Google Earth images from high up to get a better idea of the relationships between local features (e.g. on the Camino del Norte, one image to bring that shows the coast all the way from Bilbao to Santander).
• Anna's Idea: I like the idea Anna posted of bringing one laminated page with minutely-printed text of songs to learn, addresses, key numbers, etc.
• Tempting luxury: an old packet of cards (great and fun way to get people to mingle)
• Something you may like to have when you're on the Camino: a copy of your favourite prayer(s), e.g. St. Francis's peace prayer. It's amazing how you are drawn to thinking about, reflecting on your relationship with God.
• ATTITUDE: Some people don't "get" the Camiino. Or, better put, they come with the wrong attitude and it takes them a while to "get" it. They come with the idea of cheap tourism, of competing with other walkers, of racing. Most people DO get it. They realise it's an opportunity to journey with others and by yourself, to have fresh experiences, sometimes joyful, sometimes testing. Life on the Camino is slow but it's full and rewarding. The whole thing is refreshing and, if you ask questions of yourself or of God, it will give you answers to bring back into your normal day-to-day life.

[millerjmc]

thanks for the list of things to bring. I leave for the Camino in just under a week. I'm geared up and ready. I believe the most important thing I'll be bringing is my good attitude. I think your energy attracts 'same' so I plan on meeting some other good energies out there

[ken huocj]

What to bring? What to leave?

sure appreciate the earthy tips,
planning for Sept/Oct 2009

[Dan Elliott]

I think you meant 35-40 liters on the backpack--not kilos. Also I am big proponent of the in-pack water systems with the hose and spigot. I find gently sipping while walking keeps me far from dehydration and that I drink more.

[shirley]

I planned to bring a therma-rest-type sleeping pad just in case albergues are full and I need to spend some nights on the floor - BUT - I just did a trial pack and I will be carrying more weight than I want to and my back-pack is over-stuffed. So now the challenge of pruning down. As the bulkiest item I'm bringing, I'm wondering if the sleeping pad is really worth it.
I will be walking St.Jean to Santiago in April/May, and I know the traffic is much lighter than summer. Is there much likelihood that I won't be beds available every night?
Shirley

[millerjmc]

hi Shirley

I was in the same situation as you- I decided to leave the thermal mat/pad behind because of bulk and weight...I am so glad I did-I never had the reason to use it-other than perhaps a picnic in a dry wheat field. I went mid-Aug to mid-Sept. and I never went without a bed.

what I packed for rain and regretted big time:
I brought a zip-up athletic jacket which was great- but could have used my lightweight rain jacket (which is fantastic and I left it at home). Instead I brought a good rubber poncho to cover myself and all my gear. I used it twice but it was a pain because when it was windy it blew around a lot. I would have been better off with my rain jacket for me-and a cover for my pack. Later in the trip the evenings and mornings got cold and the rain jacket would have kept me so much warmer---big regret. the jacket and pack cover would have been same weight or lighter than my rubber poncho.

so there's my advice---oh, the other BIG regret: left my hiking boots at home because someone who did the camino twice advised runners were best. They didn't warn me about all of the rocks along almost all routes and they killed the bottom of my feet-you can feel the rocks through the soles of the runners. So I advise good hiking boots with a firm bottom.

good luck! buen camino!!!

[rekkapix]

Shirley/millerjmc,

I too am going to walk the full way in April/May and was worried about beds being available since i'm on my own, so thanks for this.

[John Hussey]

The advice you heard for shoes for the Camino as "runners" above should have specified some type of trail runners. There is a huge difference between thin, lightweight running shoes designed for running along asphalt or manicured dirt track and trail runners designed to be used going up and down the sides of mountains. For one, the trail runners are slightly heavier with some of the extra weight in a plastic shank built into the shoe's sole so as to protect the feet from rocks. The sole of the trail runners are much more aggressive too, so that they will bite more into the sides of steep trails. There is a side bonus, too, in that, instead of getting around 300 miles or so(depending on runner's weight and gait) on the asphalt runners, the trail runners often last almost twice as long.

So, I suspect that you might have had the incorrect pair of "runners" on your Camino. But all feet are as different as our comfort levels. So, we should go with what we feel most comfortable with. Many go the whole way in sandals even-but trail sandals and not thin shower clogs.

[dexter]

I'm doing the last 100+ km in Sept. Is it possible to get by without a sleeping bag? It might be worth it to me if there are cheap hotels along the way ....

[dexter]

It is absolutely necessary to bring a sleeping bag or at least a lightweight blanket if you are doing only the last 100 km or so. I got by with a Walmart acrylic pile mini-blanket this September, but it was quite warm. Some albergues have blankets and provide disposable sheets and pillow covers. Bedbugs are not unheard of. There is always the possibility that you will have to sleep outside if albergues are full. The weather was perfect for me. It was a wonderful experience. Bring unbleached fast biodegradable toilet paper! If all you have is a napkin from a cafe, at least bury it! The stinking lilies of used white toilet paper were more reliable than the yellow arrows to show the Pilgrim Way!

[Oak Hill Walkers]

OK, the little lady wants me to pack a lightweight notebook computer on the Camino. She's looking at something that weighs less than 3 pounds. She wants it so that we can download our digital photos each night and for her to write her journal. Of course, I'll be carrying it.

Question for previous Camino walkers: Has anyone packed a notebook computer and regretted it?

[dexter]

I would not think of taking a 3lb computer. If you insist you will have to take a solar charger or other paraphenalia for recharging. A small paper note book and a short pencil would be better. I speak as an old, lightweight hiker. I did not even hear of anyone having stuff stolen, but there is also that possibility.
Enjoy your hike! I'd love to do another section one day ....

[Covey]

As an IT Consultant I often wonder about taking my HP OneNote mini laptop with me, but rapidly come to my senses and think about the additional weight (people only carry half a tube of toothpaste to save weight!!).

Also, there are very few places where you can get a free wi-fi connection to send your data anywhere.

[renegade_pilgrim]

Netbooks hardly weigh anything....Also, I allow myself one luxury item per trip. I am still deciding what that is going to be for me. Looking into a netbook, but only because the camino is just the beginning of an around the world trip for me.

Just remember, you will have to carry it for the whole trip, it could get stolen, it could get damaged. If that's a risk you are willing to take, then go for it. It's your camino, no one else's, so do what you wish and be willing to accept the consequences.

[Covey]

My HP One Note weighs 1.2kgs PLUS another 700g for the power supply. I would suggest that carrying an extra 2kgs for a netbook/notebook is a substantial addition to ones burden, especially when there are very few free wi-fi hot spots you can use along the way.

I have a 3G USB dongle which costs ?10 a month in the UK for unlimited internet access, but if I take it outside the UK it costs ?8 per MB in Spain and ?12 per MB in Switzerland.

My luxury on the Camino is my iPod and charger (minimal weight penalty), and drinking Gin & Tonic after a hard days walking.

[ctlou]

To the experienced ones---
Two quick questions:
There are frequent references to the hostels having laundry facilities.
Do they provide laundry detergent or is that something to bring?

Also, one of the guide books suggests bringing a small plastic container with lid and eating utensil to bring along fruit, etc. Is this necessary?

To the rookies, like me---
I went to by items today that I have read it is suggested to bring, anti-diarrhea medication, antihistamine for the bed bugs and indigestion medicine. I usually do not need these items so I did not know that most of them come in a dissolvable strip to put in your mouth. Both the product and packaging weigh significantly less than pills. Just thought you might like to look for them if you are unfamiliar as I was.

Best regards,
Ctlou

[Covey]

Most albergues will provide the soap powder you need, but I always carry a couple of the big round soap tablets "just in case" I have usually needed them somewhere along the trail.

On the catering front, I always carry a very sharp small kitchen knife which I can use for preparing food and eating, and a decent sized plastic spoon.

Kuhn Rikon Colori Paring Knife - Lime Green

I found the knife a couple of years ago in a cook shop and they are brilliant, mainly because they come with a very strong plastic sheath for the blade which removes the danger of a sharp knife shredding your kit in the pack!!

Last month I found a combination plastic knife fork & spoon called a SPORK and bought one to take this year.

Light My Fire Spork 4 Pack - Red-Yellow-Blue -Green: Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Leisure

The anti-diarrhoea pills are essential and the anti-histamine cream is very useful for those who react badly to insect bites. You do not need to carry vast quantities so 6 anti-dihorrea tablets and a fairly small tube of cream are all thats needed because you are never more than a couple of hours away from a pharmacy. The Spanish pharmacies along the way are very well used to the needs of the Pilgrim and normally have everything one might need, even though the prices on occasions make your eyes water!!

They normally charge €2 for 48 x 600mg Ibuprofen, but can charge €4 for a tiny tube of Vaseline and €50 for a fancy elasticated knee support bandage.

[Covey]

Worth pointing out that if you are flying towards your Camino start point, you have to make a decision about taking your pack as hand luggage in the aircraft, or putting it in the hold.

With security checks being tightened around the world, and in some places different regulations being imposed about what you can carry in the cabin, I find it easier to put the pack in the hold and just carry a small plastic bag with my camera, ipod etc in to the cabin.

I normally carry one telescopic walking pole which I pack inside the pack and remove the sharp point so it does not put holes in my clothes!

With my pack in the hold I do not have to worry about carrying liquids and the ever changing regulations.

I can leave my cooking knife in the pack + mobile chargers + liquids etc and just carry my valuables.

Some travellers will worry about their pack being lost, but I suspect that the chances of packs going astray are higher when you check luggage through to an end destination where you are changing carriers, so if you are flying from say the States to Paris and going to Bairritz, then don't check your pack all the way through but collect it yourself in Paris and then check it on to the Bairritz flight.

[Covey]

For the Pilgrim who does not quite have everything

Sudoku Toilet Roll: Amazon.co.uk: Toys & Games

A roll of a less exotic variety of loo paper is an essential item in your pack

You can tell it is a very wet and cold London this morning

[Covey]

Gaffer tape - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A very useful product for the aspiring Camonist! Sticks to virtually anything and is very strong. Useful to have some with you on the trail, and many an experienced walker will tell you to use it to cover a blister on your feet.

I carry about 2-3m of it by winding it around my walking pole just underneath the handle.

Brilliant for repairing tears in your pack or sleeping bag.

When packing your kit prior to leaving home, use a length of the tape to seal down the pop up tops on toothpaste and sun lotion/shower gel bottles. This saves getting to St Jean and discovering your clothes soaked in sun tan oil!!!

Also use it for taping down loose straps which can catch on the baggage conveyors at airports.

[Muesli]

Some ear plugs if you are a light sleeper..

[dchapa]

I saw no one mention a Swiss Army knife. I was considering taking one "just in case." Would one be necessary?

[Covey]

You need some form of knife especially if you want to buy fruit bread etc for lunch. A penknife/Swiss Army Knife will do, but you are better off with something a little bigger.

I carry: Kuhn Rikon Colori Paring Knife - Lime Green which has the great advantage in having a strong built in plastic sheath which removes the danger of your kit getting damaged in your pack.

If you are going to carry your pack on to the aircraft, then you either do not carry a knife / scissors or you have the hassle of checking them in and transported separately.

[HuskyNerd]

Martin, thanks for your helpful list. I'd amend it ever so slightly to look like this:

*A backpack of 35-40kg. (Size is right, but make certain you're not carrying more than 20 lbs)
*Digital camera, Digital camera recharger, case for digital camera to keep it dry
*Mobile phone and charger (left this at home and didn't miss it at all)
*Ear plugs (foam ones; they cost only one or two euro in Spain)
*Towel--a lightweight, quick-dry one is a must.
*Hiking Boots -- yes, they're hot in summer, but the thick soles are a blessing over rocky paths
*Sandals -- for after walking. As lightweight as you can find
*Water bottle--I disagree on plastic water bottles and am totally sold on Camelbak water reservoirs. They carry much more water, are handier, and in long stretches you're not thirstily looking for the next fuente to fill your bottle. The Camino is littered with used plastic water bottles along the road. Our world needs fewer of those.
*Sunglasses - left these at home, too, in place of 2 hats with brims - one for warmth, one for sun
*A money belt, a credit card, a passport, your Camino "credencial". Would add a debit card for the cash machine and would add a waterproof pouch to put all these in. The last thing you want is a wet passport and credentiale.
*Compeed plasters/band-aids for blisters (expensive but worth it), plus either a needle and thread (if that's how you treat your blisters) or a tiny pair of scissors to puncture blisters (if that's your technique)
*Vaseline tube--to massage into your feet and especially your toes each morning before putting on your 'wicking' socks.
*'Wicking socks'--yep. Would add that SmartWool sock are the best outside the wickers
*A pen and a few blank sheets of paper (perhaps to jot down memories or ideas or answers to questions that come to you while walking).
*A light-weight radio with headphones or MP3 player -- totally would leave this at home as a distraction from Camino life and unnecessary weight. Never missed my tunes and filled my life instead with Camino chat with new friends.
*A mini-torch of some description. (Would also leave this at home but understand that some people need one)
*Sun-block.
*Lightweight raincoat -- am a fan of the new, more expensive "breathable" fabrics since life inside a raincoat can become a humid jungle
*A lightweight mini-compass -- (can't hurt, but never found the need)
*A few clothes pegs - absolutely
*A strong (less noisy) plastic bag for your wash-gear (soap, toothbrush, half tube of toothpaste). (There are great bags out there made out of mesh. This allows stuff inside to dry out instead of get moldy.)
*An adaptor for your phone and/or camera rechargers.
*Some sort of guide book
*Immodium tablets! In case your stoumach reacts to some of the food or drink.
*Some sort of pain-killer (paracetomol)
*Small tube of anti-septic cream.
*Your regular medicines (if any)

Martin, I'd also suggest some, well, clothing. 1 pair long pants, 2 pairs shorts, 3 lightweight shirts, 1 light fleece, 3 prs socks, 3 pairs underwear. Clothing is best in threes: 1 to wear, 1 backup, 1 drying.

Everyone is different . . . just thought it might be good to hear a slightly different version of your great list.

Buen camino!

[Tanya Yaksich]

Do i need to re think my packing??
I leave for Leon next week. Their weather forecast,: sat. 7/21 sun. 5/20 mon 5/21. This is beginning of summer!
Here at home it was cold last night, 8.1 ! Weather forecast .sat. 8/19 sun.10/23 mon. 12/23. This is the beginning of my winter!!
I have a lot less packed than on your list Huskynerd. I'm in a good paddock here, and if i were to carry 10% of my body weight maximum i would keel over. My
pack is 10kgs. and i'm happy with that. I have thermals with me. Any other suggestions??
CXheers Tanya

[HuskyNerd]

I'll bet you're excited! Say, when do you plan to arrive in SDC? Will I see you there?

I'd leave the thermals at home. I was there in May/June and some August and never wished I'd brought more clothes along. True, there's a cold snap at current, but I notice the 15 day forecast in Sahagun is for 13/24. I truly think you'll regret thermals. But I'm from the USA North Country where we still haven't gotten above 20C in 2010.

[InOrlando]

Tanya,
I'm in the same situation: I'm leaving June 21 for SJPP, and I have a packing list that reflects warmer temperatures than I see they're having right now at the Camino's beginning stages. I live in Florida, so any heat's not a problem. But I'm pretty uncomfortable when the temps dip too low. I was raised "up North," so I know about "layers." I have performance-fabric t-shirts, and a long-sleeve camping shirt. And I broke down and bought a super-lightweight sleeping bag (along with the silk liner advised by others for summer travel). I'll also have one fleece jacket (doubles as my pillow). But my pack is getting very heavy. I'll ship the sleeping bag home, if I have to. Still can't decide if I need a tent--I hear it's crowded these days. But I agree with Husky: no thermals. I figure I'll warm up by walking a bit faster; at night I'll have my sleeping bag/liner.

[Tanya Yaksich]

Hi Huskynerd,
My Sister reckons we'll be there by saturday 17th july. So give or take a day around that time. I am very excited. It's the first time in 43 years i'll be in Europe in summer.I'll forget the thermals, but still undecided about my hoochie. I can always mail it home if i don't need it. I've been living in Newman where the summer temp is often high 40ies. That's celsius. That's why i'm feeling the cold now.
I need to work out my lbs. and kgs. my pack is abvout 20lbs., so i suppose that is less than 10% of my body weight. I just can't count haha.
When do you plan to be there???

[Tanya Yaksich]

Hi, thanks for your note. I also have a lightweight sleeping bag and silk liner, and they're coming with me. You can only go as fast as the slowest person you're with, (probably me). I love walking and can walk for miles, but it's a long time since i walked up or downhill. Everywhere here is flat.But, who's in a hurry??
Cheers Tanya

[Covey]

The trick with clothing is to layer and to make sure what you take has multiple uses.

I have a set of Long Johns in cotton which I sleep in at night in my silk sleeping bag liner. If I feel cold, then I put on my Craghopper micro fleece and a pair of socks. If it turns out cold (the top of Cebreiro can be cold in October) then I can wear my Long Johns as a base layer underneath my trousers and Berghaus technical tee shirts of which I carry two short sleeve and one long sleeve. If your hands get cold for whatever reason, use socks instead of gloves.

I carry two Craghopper fleeces, one is a normal long sleeve for the evenings and the other is a sleeveless gilet which I carry on a September start to wear first thing in the morning when it can be a little chilly. I can sleep in either (or both if really chilly).

On the Meseta in July-Sept it is usually very hot during the day, yet in the evenings when the temperature has dropped a few degrees it will feel cold and you will be wrapped up warm looking as though you are dressing for the arctic. It is not actually cold, but last year we were walking in 35c heat during the day and it was 25c in the evenings, but that 10c drop made us feel cold. The locals look amused (they are acclimatised!) as they walk around in shirtsleeves and the pilgrims are wearing everything they have!

Last year I started from St Jean on 4th July and apart from the first day to Roncesvalles which was 5m visibility, chilly and wet going over the top, it was hot all the way to Ponferrada.

Ladies do not need hair driers because you can always borrow one from the French or French Canadian ladies. Unless you have French ancestry which seems to make hair driers, makeup and jewellery mandatory, prepare yourself for non stop bad hair days!