First Aid Kits & Toiletries for the Camino

recommendations & links below

Just so you know: I use affiliate links below, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The commissions earned help to support this website. Thank you!

toothpaste tube for camino.jpg

It’s the Small Things…

That can quickly add-up to pounds / kilograms…

Yes, this is obvious—but important as a reminder!
Get sample sizes or take partially used toiletries.

Weigh everything!
This is what all experienced backpackers do.

Pro Tip
Q: the lightest toiletry bag?
A: gallon-sized, zip-lock storage bag.

Blisters on the Camino

Those who’ve read my book
know that I’ve researched how to prevent blisters.
And I’ve experimented with countless approaches over the years.

And I still can get them. 😡

My Conclusion:
Many different situations can cause blisters,
and there isn’t one magical method for treating blisters that works for everyone.

Therefore, we need to experiment to find out what works best for us.

What I’ve listed below is what works best for me to prevent—or to alleviate the pain of —blisters.

Toe Gel Caps - Blister Prevention

These are excellent to protect the toes and prevent blisters when you feel a hot-spot!

A “hot-spot” is the heat you feel on your skin, just before a blister forms.
Don’t ignore it!

The best time to prevent a blister is when there’s a hint you might get one.
The “hint” is the hot-spot.

When that hot-spot is on your toes, toe gel caps work quite well (in my experience).

Moleskin - Blister Prevention

This can be cut to fit the hot-spot on your foot.
However, some folks apply the moleskin directly inside the shoe to a problem area, like the heel.
Again: experiment when you train for the Camino.

Here are some lightweight and small folding travel-scissors to cut the tape.

Compeed or Band-Aid Brands of Blister Cushions

I’ve used Compeed many, many times on already developed blisters.
(After I didn’t notice, or ignored, hot-spots!)

You can easily find Compeed in French and Spanish pharmacies along the Camino too.

The Band-Aid brand works the same.

Downside to Compeed or Band-Aid blister cushions:
The bandage can turn gooey, and stick to your socks, making them difficult to hand-wash.
Upsides:
For me, they’ve protected the blister, provided relief from blister pain, and have allowed me to keep walking.
Another benefit: they’ll stay on my foot for at least a few days (including after showering).
So the blister has time to heal, without ripping off a bandage every day.

An Off Topic Tip — Eliminate White Toe Fungi

You can Eliminate ugly white toe fungi with this.

I had a patch of it for years & years on one big toenail.
Nothing made it go away.

Then I applied this decolorized iodine daily,
and the nail started to grow out — without the ugly white toe fungi!
And it’s never returned.

Trimmed toenails keep feet happy on the Camino.

Be sure to add to your toiletries list toenail clippers.

These are the best.

The Best Backpacker or Travel Towel to use on the Camino

This type of towel weighs less, is less bulky, and will dry faster than a typical bath towel.

The Best Multi-Purpose All-in-One Bar
for Body Soap, Shampoo,
and Hand-washing Your Laundry

J.R.Liggett

One of my favorite multi-purpose items!
Wash you, your hair, your socks and undies with one small bar of soap.
An old New England recipe. Natural ingredients. Good for you, good for the environment too.

And this comes with a nice little pouch to hold the wet soap bar too.

Here’s a pack of 3 bars.

Here’s a larger bar that I buy to use at home (even though it says “shampoo”, it’s an old-fashioned mild-soap recipe for body and hair.

Other Toiletries for the Camino

A couple of other things you may like to pack…

”Tissue Coins”
Biodegradable multi-purpose tissues that are compressed into “coins” — round discs.
No chemicals.
Perfect for backpackers — and the environment.

And…
Here’s a nicely designed travel toothbrush.

Unless you prefer travel Bamboo toothbrushes.
(Nice tube carrier)

If you’ve not yet walked the Camino, this book is for you.

Tips. Advice.
A complete packing-list checklist.

★★★★★ 
Essential information to prepare a Camino backpack.