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Go the Distance.
And enjoy the journey.
Dedicated to your feet, knees, hips and back 😘
The Best Hiking Gear for the Camino de Santiago
A Shopping List — A Packing List
Consider the links below as “trailheads.”
Even if a gear item is not exactly what you want,
the link places you on a “trail”
that leads to similar options.
Camino Backpack - Women
Osprey is one of the most reputable brands, and has quality features and materials that won’t disappoint you on the trail (also comes in black).
Camino Backpack - Men
Osprey is one of the most reputable brands, and has quality features and materials that won’t disappoint you on the trail (also comes in red).
Camino Patch for Your Backpack
People recognize each other as pilgrims on the way to Santiago de Compostela by displaying a shell symbol. You’ll notice other pilgrims in airports, bus or rail stations — sometimes far from the trail. The camaraderie of other pilgrims, and help from the locals, makes the Camino a unique and special experience. So identifying yourself as a pilgrim becomes a part of that experience.
Many attach a scallop shell to their backpack instead of, or along with, a Camino patch.
Backpack Rain Cover
Sometimes these are built into your backpack as a feature. If it’s not, I highly recommend getting one. Most backpacks are water-resistant, but not water-repellant. When walking for hours in the rain (it can happen!), you’ll be happy to know your pack will stay dry.
If you wear a poncho large enough to cover your backpack — that will also work.
Camino Footwear
In general, mid-weight boots are the best choice for many (although not all) people.
Look here for more hiking boots. My recommendations are below:
Mid-Weight Boots for the Camino- Women
Choice 1: Lowa Women’s Renegade GTX Mid Hiking Boot
I’ve worn these for over a thousand miles of hiking in Spain and France.
Pro: Tried and true, waterproof-breathable GTX, well-made. Con: they’re expensive.
Choice 2: Merrell Women’s Moab 2 Mid-Waterproof Hiking Boot
I’ve also worn these for hundreds of miles on Camino routes in Spain.
Pro: Less expensive than the Lowas. Con: the lacing on the boots not as versatile.
Still: a fine boot.
Mid-Weight Boots for the Camino - Men
(see the women’s descriptions above for both boots below)
Choice 1: Lowa Men’s Renegade GTX Mid-Hiking Boot
GTX = Waterproof - Breathable
INJINJI 5-TOE SOCKS
A lot of folks wear 5-toe liner socks underneath a heavier sock — like the Darn Tough Socks above — to prevent blisters.
Alternate Footwear for the Camino - Women
Teva Women’s Original Universal Sandal - Quick Drying (wear them in public showers)
Tried & true Tevas. I’ve had two pair in 30 years — durable and long-lasting!
Alternate Footwear for the Camino - Men
Teva Men's Original Universal Sandal - Quick Drying (wear them in public showers)
Tevas are tough, comfortable, and lightweight.
Hiking Pants - Women
Water-resistant, quick-dry, cargo pants (outside pockets). Convertible, so legs zip-off leaving shorts — at a length just above the knee.
Hiking Pants - Men
Convertible, so the legs zip-off leaving shorts - at a length just above the knee. Available in a wide variety of colors!
Hiking Shirts - Women
Long sleeves; various colors available.
Hiking Shirts - Men
Long sleeves; various colors available.
Bucket Hat
Frogg Toggs Waterproof Breathable Bucket Hat - simple and practical for men and women.
Waterproof Hat - Option 1 - Might be a better fit for medium or small head sizes
Gore M Gortex Hat - Available in black or neon yellow/green. I wear the neon yellow/green because on dark, rainy days I want to be highly visible in urban areas — or when on the back roads or highways that are sometimes the Camino “trails.”
Tilly Hats
Famous for their quality and design and guarantees and… simply fantastic outdoor hats. These come in a variety of colors.
Poncho
Will cover your backpack too. Available in different colors, including safety-orange for visibility.
Rain Jacket - Women
Marmot - a quality outdoor gear brand. Lightweight shell. Get a size larger, at least, if hiking during cold weather — so you can wear layers underneath (like a fleece jacket). Gore-Tex waterproof-breathable. Comes in a variety of colors.
Rain Jacket - Men
Marmot - a quality outdoor gear brand. Lightweight shell. Get a size larger, at least, if hiking during cold weather — so you can wear layers underneath (like a fleece jacket). Gore-Tex waterproof-breathable. Comes in a variety of colors.
Rain Pants - Women
Marmot - a quality outdoor gear brand. Full length side zips, means easier on and off.
Rain Pants - Men
Marmot - a quality outdoor gear brand. Full length side zips, means easier on and off.
Gaiters
If you’re wearing a poncho, but not rain pants — consider gaiters to keep your socks dry! Wet socks can cause blisters.
For men and women.
The Highest Rated Sleeping Bags
The weight of your sleeping bag, and it’s temperature rating, depends on your personal preference and the time of year you’ll be hiking on the Camino. And some may prefer sleeping sheets instead (see below).
The “Learn More” link will take you to the highest rated sleeping bags on Amazon. Read customer reviews for quality, durability, and comfort.
Feather down is usually the lightest material. Try to find a bag that weighs around 2 pounds (about 907 grams). Less is even better.
Sleeping Sheet - Silk-like Material (hand-washable)
Comes in different colors, orange to blue to grey…
Sleeping Sheet - Cotton
Comes in different colors and sizes, from white to red to blue.
(I’ve had blankets slide off my silk-like sleeping sheet during the night — so I now prefer cotton sleeping sheets.)
Sleeping Pad
Foam mat: weighs only 9 ounces (about 255 grams).
For an even smaller pad, and to make it lighter-in-weight too: cut it to a size that fits between your shoulder blades and knees. These foam pads are easily cut with scissors or a box-cutter.
Perfect for hot-afternoon siestas or picnic lunches along the Camino trail, or for sleeping on hard floors if accommodations are full.
Toiletries - J.R. Liggett’s All-Uses Soap
I love J.R. Liggett’s soap —it’s good for your body and hair; for hand-wash laundry, and it’s good for the environment too!
This link goes to the traveler’s size (a small bar, with an “EZ pouch” that’s convenient for backpacking).
I use this soap for all kinds of travel, not just for backpacking. The bar says “Shampoo”, but in fact it’s a multi-purpose soap. That means it’s great for hand, body, and hair washing — and also for doing some light laundry — like socks and “undies.”
Not Just Shampoo - It’s an All-in-One Soap
For soap at home, I get the larger bar of J.R. Liggett’s soap.
From the packaging: “An Old New England - Bygone Era Recipe.”
It comes in old-fashioned packaging too: a small bit of paper wrapping — so no plastic shampoo or soap bottle to throw away.
Microfiber Towel
Nearly all experienced backpackers use these. They dry quickly, and are lighter-in-weight than ordinary cotton towels. Notice there are different sizes to choose from…
First Aid Kit
You only need the basics. Pharmacies are frequently found along the most popular Camino routes. Nicely packaged. Compact and lightweight.
Small Folding Scissors
For general use, like cutting food wrappers, etc. — and also for your first aid kit (cutting bandages to size, for example). These are small, and have a protective cap. Perfect for backpackers.
Blister Prevention and Care
Start your hike with something to treat blisters — it’s not uncommon to get blisters on the Camino —especially on day one of your journey.
There are a lot of opinions on what works best…
These are my favorites:
TOE GEL CAPS HERE
GENTLE PAPER TAPE HERE
COMPEED HERE
Money Belt
Alas: for over a thousand years there have been stories of thieves on the Camino.
TIP: Keep your money belt in sight when not wearing. If it’s in your backpack while hiking, be sure to take it with you when you stop for meals or restroom breaks. I’ve heard about people leaving their backpacks “for just a second”, only to have a thief grab the backpack. In the Camino’s group accommodations, put it in a zip-lock plastic bag — and take it into the shower with you. While sleeping, put it at the bottom of your sleeping bag or sleeping sheet — by your feet. These are things I’ve done, and have never had a problem.
Last tip: be particularly mindful at train stations and bus stations. If you’re sleeping while in transit, wear the money belt or neck pouch.
Some people prefer wearing a money belt on their waist:
Bandanas for Hiking
Quality bandanas that shouldn’t bleed their colors…a problem I’ve had with less expensive bandanas. A green bandana ruined my white hiking-shirt after I wet the bandana, then wrapped it around my neck on a hot day. I had previously washed the bandana, but apparently the color had not finished bleeding. I’ve never had that happen with higher-quality bandanas…
Other colors are available too… they say they’re “mens” bandanas, but certainly women can use them too!
Pocket Pack
To carry valuables when sightseeing or eating out; or to use when shopping for picnic lunches and snacks. This durable pocket pack only weighs 4 oz / about 113 grams!
Stuff Sacks
To organize gear inside your backpack. Stuff Sacks are also known as “Ditty Bags”
I use one for snack foods, another for first-aid and blister care, another for my Kindle reader and all charging cords. The colors help you to easily remember what’s inside.
Mesh Sacks
Small to XXLarge - Ultralight Nylon Mesh Bags for Hiking, Set of 5 Mesh bags make it easy to see what’s inside — and can help to air clothing too.
Power Adapter (for European plug outlets)
Take a power adapter with you, so that when you charge your devices, they fit into European electrical outlets.
Power Charger — for your mobile devices
It’s better to leave this to charge, rather than your mobile phone, in group accommodations. I have a few Anker products (including a portable charger): it’s a quality brand. (I’ve had my power charger for years! I’ve used it in countless settings.)
Lightweight Mini-Shovel
Be respectful on the trails — bury your human “stuff.” You know what I mean…and yes, that means all toilet paper too. Thousands of people walk these Camino trails each year. It’s a problem when people don’t do the right thing. This weighs hardly anything, and is easily attached to the outside of your backpack. Or, keep it in an outside pocket wrapped in a small plastic bag.
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