Camino Rain Gear
Ponchos, Rain Jackets, Rain Pants, Gaiters

recommendations & links below

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Here’s a Rain Poncho for the Camino Summer & Fall Heat!

An Excellent Rain Poncho for the Camino de Santiago Journey

Great ratings + excellent price. Lightweight.

Over a dozen colors available, including a higher-visibility colors (the best way to be safe when walking on dark rainy days).

Get this poncho with the waterproof-breathable, high-visibility hat
(see “Highly Recommended” below)…

You Want:
Waterproof & Breathable

- Not water resistant
- Not water repellent
For the Camino, you want Waterproof & Breathable rain gear (examples below)

Highly Recommended
Wear a waterproof-breathable, high-visibility hat on the Camino.

Stay safe on roads, highways, and in the urban centers.
Being seen is the easiest thing you can do.
____

I wear this one.

Unisex. One size fits all. Excellent quality.
Waterproof & breathable, so comfortable and practical to wear.

This type of hat also gives “structure” to a poncho’s hood or a jacket’s hood…so you can see your surroundings in a downpour.

(Consider the structure for a hood another safety feature!)

Consider This…

Rain Gear is the 4th Layer of Clothing for the Camino

This layer is to provide protection primarily from wind and rain,
but also from snow and sleet,
which is also possible on early-spring or late-autumn pilgrimages.

One of the great debates is whether to carry a poncho,
or a rain jacket, on the Camino.

Naturally, there are pros and cons—and also personal preferences.
I discuss all of this, at length, in To Walk Far, Carry Less.

Above, you’ve seen the rain poncho recommendation.
Below, I’ve listed recommendations for rain jackets—and also for the best rain pants and gaiters to use when hiking on the Camino.

Rain Jackets for the Camino

Important: lightweight + waterproof and breathable.
Be sure to get a fit slightly larger than usual: then you have room to layer underneath to stay warm—or have space to create a natural flow of air when it’s raining but hot.

I like the Marmot brand; long-lasting, high-quality jackets. Years ago I bought a rain jacket in Pamplona, Spain (on the Camino Francés) after my cheap one didn’t work well in the Pyrenees. I still have it, and it still looks new.

Other colors available for both men & women:

The Best Rain Jacket for Men

The Best Rain Jacket for Women

The women’s Marmot version doesn’t have the wonderful chest pocket (perfect for mobile phone or map or torn-out guidebook pages, etc).

So women may want to compare the women’s version with the men’s. Personally, I frequently buy men’s outdoor gear because, mysteriously, pockets are often larger — not to mention more numerous! Plus, I like the less tapered designs - baggy and loose is more comfortable for hiking.

However, the women’s version does come in other lovely colors, and other than that chest pocket, has the same quality and features of the men’s.

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Recommendation
Because finding a secure place to leave your phone to charge in a pilgrim accommodation is often difficult…

I use this portable charger when I’m uncomfortable leaving my iPhone alone.

You can charge your phone anytime, even while walking.
Then, when you find a safe situation, leave this portable charger to recharge.

You’ll get at least three or more charges from this little guy.
(works for tablets too)

You’ll also need this European wall charger on the Camino if you’re not European.
(To recharge the portable charger; but also to charge your mobile phone directly from an outlet).

For the UK, and Ireland (different outlets from the European ones) you’ll need this wall charger.

#Ad

 

Camino Packing List Guidebook

For experienced backpackers who just want to know what they should wear and carry when hiking the Camino.

Continue scrolling to find a book for novice backpackers.

 

Includes tips and advice specifically for a Camino journey.

And of course!… You get an everything-included, packing-list.

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

Rain Pants for the Camino

Whether you wear a rain poncho or a rain jacket: you’ll need rain pants.

The best rain pants are full-zip, so they zip on the sides from top to bottom. Then it’s easy-on over hiking footwear, and easy off.
These are waterproof and breathable too.

The Best Rain Pants for Men

Again, one of my favorite quality outdoor gear brands: Marmot.

The Best Rain Pants for Women

Like the Marmot jackets above, if the women’s rain pants don’t seem to fit correctly, try the men’s sizes. The features are identical for both: like the important full-zip legs from hip to ankles (so quick & easy on & off).

Recommended

Blister Prevention: did you know that natural sheep’s wool can prevent blisters?
Sometimes you can get it along wire fences on the Camino — the sharp edges of the wire can grab bits of wool from the sheep as they pass by.

You can also get it here, gathered by folks in New Zealand.

 
 

Oops - too late, got the blisters?
Use Compeed.

I’ve used these “blister-bandages” since 2001.

They’ll stop a blister from getting worse,
and they’ll cushion the pain caused by blisters — even while hiking.

Disadvantage: they can stick to your socks if they turn gooey after a long, hot shower.
So, let them dry. Shower at night, sleep without socks.

—Jean Christie

 
 
 
 

Gaiters for the Camino

These are not as common as a poncho or rain jacket and rain pants, but they can be practical…

Gaiters protect the top of your footwear and lower legs.

  • They’re useful if you’re wearing a poncho and shorts (to keep your socks dry when it rains).

  • Gaiters can keep small stones out of your footwear if you’re not wearing ankle-high boots.

  • They’ll keep your pants dry when walking through tall weeds or grasses wet from a morning dew.

  • Gaiters can also protect pant-legs from muddy trails (it’s easier to wash gaiters than a pair of pants).

Click here: The Best Pair of Gaiters for men & women.

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To Walk Far, Carry Less

“The perfect book for someone with limited or no backpacking experience.”

 
 

(For Cold Weather Clothing return to Camino Clothing, and scroll to the bottom of the page.)
———

Next, let’s look at the best sleeping gear options for the Camino… 

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