Camino Clothing
recommendations & links below,
including cold-weather clothing for the Camino
Quick Links
Index (for everything)
Lightweight Camino Backpacks — Camino Footwear — Camino Clothing — Camino Rain Gear — Camino Sleeping Gear
Hiking Trekking Poles — Camino Hats — First Aid & Toiletries — Useful Things for the Camino
Mobile Phones & Other Technology — Camino Books & Films — Packing Checklist
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Essential—Use Clothing Layers…
That helps you to stay warm when it’s cold,
and cool when it’s hot on the Camino de Santiago.
Consider Four Layers of Clothing for a Camino Pilgrimage Journey
Some folks say only three layers are necessary for backpackers…
1. base layer
2. mid-layer
3. shell
note: undergarments don’t count as a layer
But after walking over 2,000 miles on Camino routes in Europe, I’ve found that wearing four layers of clothing works best for me on the Camino…
inner layer
mid-layer
insulation layer
shell (rain gear)
A Quick Note for Women…
You’ll find separate clothing options below for men & women. But I’ve often purchased men’s clothing for the Camino—and other outdoor activities.
That’s because men’s clothing usually has more pockets, larger pockets, and deeper pockets.
Yes: I love pockets…because they’re the purse, the handbag, the carriers of many things.
So, women: check out the men’s gear too!
Inner Layer
The “inner layer” is the clothing closest to your skin, not including undergarments—worn for extra warmth or for sleeping.
Be sure this layer is made of fabric that easily wicks away moisture from your body.
Mid-Layer
The “mid-layer” is the clothing worn every day on the Camino
Hiking Pants
The most versatile hiking pants are “convertible pants.”
(the lower legs on the pants zip-off to become a pair of shorts)
Classic-style Hiking Shirts
I recommend a “classic style” shirt for both men and women because it has useful features for Camino backpackers…
Long Shirt-Tail: hides a money belt worn outside the pants (more comfortable when hiking)
Long Sleeves: protection from the sun or a small bit of warmth on the forearms
Chest Pockets: for an “office”… where you can have quick access to eyeglasses, torn out pages from guidebooks, and other frequently used things while walking (and some women may like chest pockets to cover the fact they’re not wearing a bra while backpacking).
Insulation Layer
The “insulation layer” is for added warmth, both day and night.
Fleece
One of the most popular insulation layers you’ll see on the Camino is a fleece jacket.
Fleece jackets come in a variety of weights.
I’ve recommended a moderate weight in these examples…
Down Vest
Personally, I like keeping my core warm with a down vest.
It fits snugly into a little stuff sack, taking up less room than a fleece jacket in my backpack.
The Best Down Vest for Men & Women
This is an example where women should also look at men’s gear: this exact vest for women has the same price, same features — except for women there are no inside pockets! The men’s version has 2 inside pockets (both have outside hand pockets). If women want to see the women’s version of this down vest, go here.
This vest has a great price; it’s also lightweight — and comes with a small stuff sack too!
A long-sleeve, down, puff-jacket might work best for you…
if you’re walking the Camino in early spring or into late autumn — when you might experience snow, sleet, cold winds, etc.
The Best Puff Jacket for Men
Called a “down sweater”, but it’s a jacket. Pricey, but quality ensures it will last for years.
Best Bargain Puff Jacket for Men
If budget is a concern. Not down-fill.
The Best Puff Jacket for Women
Called a “down sweater”, but it’s a jacket. Pricey, but quality ensures it will last for years.
Less expensive options may not actually use a down-fill…
Best Bargain Puff Jacket for Women
If budget is a concern. Not down-fill.
A Shell Layer
A “shell layer” is waterproof and breathable rain gear.
You can jump ahead to this page for information on rain jackets, ponchos, rain pants, and gaiters for the Camino.
Then come back here to look at recommended cold weather clothing…if you’ll be walking in the early spring or in late autumn.
Cold-Weather Clothing for the Camino in Early Spring or Late Fall
I’ve encountered sleet, snow and extreme winds — not to mention serious rainfall, sometimes for days at a time—when hiking in March and April on the Camino.
I’m sure the late autumn months can also feature the same awful weather.
If you’ll be walking the Camino during these “shoulder” seasons, consider getting a Camino backpack that has a little extra room for some cold-weather clothing.
I use the following items for extra warmth.
They work well without adding a lot of weight to my Camino backpack.
The Best Earmuffs — it’s amazing how just covering your ears can help you to feel warmer, especially if worn over a knit hat when it’s super-cold. I have these, and often do wear them over a knit hat for extra warmth!
The Best Fleece Ear Band — I use this one a lot. Even when it’s cold, you can feel overheated—like when climbing uphills, for example. It weighs almost nothing and fits into a pocket.
The Best Fleece Beanie — designed to fit under another hat for warmth.
Wear under a baseball-style hat when it’s rainy and cold, by adjusting the baseball hat.
(Wearing a baseball-style hat helps to keep a poncho or rain-jacket hood from collapsing over your eyes.)
Balaclava for Extra Warmth if you’re hiking in early spring, or into late fall or winter.
The Best Lightweight Water-Proof gloves — If you’re using hiking poles, you’ll especially want water-proof gloves to keep your exposed hands dry.
Recommended
Wear a waterproof-breathable, high-visibility hat on the Camino.
Stay safe on roads, highways, and in the urban centers.
Being visible is the easiest thing to do to stay safe!
I wear this one.
Unisex. One size fits all. Excellent quality.
The Best Cotton Bandana
If you weigh your favorite winter scarf, you’ll see that it’s probably not a good choice for a lightweight Camino backpack.
I’ve used a multi-purpose cotton scarf for many things, including as a bandit-style covering for my nose, cheeks, and chin during some bitter-cold days on the Camino.
Beware: I once ordered a dozen colored bandanas at a great price. Soaked them, then washed them…but even then: a green one got slightly wet and bled onto a white shirt. Darn! From now on I’ll get quality bandanas, like these, that won’t bleed.
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Go the Distance.
And enjoy the journey.
Dedicated to your feet, knees, hips and back 😘