Camino Santiago de Compostela: The ultimate packing list!
When leaving for the Camino Santiago de Compostela, you know you will walk more than 800 km. Depending on how many miles a day, you will be travelling for about five weeks. So, what do you take with you?
In 2018, I walked myself from Vezelay to Santiago de Compostela in 3 months and a pilgrim ‘travels light’. After all, you carry everything yourself on your back (or you choose to have your luggage transported).
I used everything I had with me, some things I send home halfway and I didn’t miss anything. This is the ultimate Camino Santiago de Compostela packing list!
The base for your Camino Santiago de Compostela packing list
The ‘rule’ for baggage you have to carry with you during your Camino Santiago de Compostela is that it can be up to 10% of your body weight. Don’t let this rule influence you too much. Your bag can feel light, but if you have walked 30 kilometers through the mountains you will soon think differently about it. And don’t be mistaken for the weight of food and drinks that will add to the weight during your trip.
Your backpack during the Camino Santiago de Compostela
Things to consider when buying a good backpack for the Camino Santiago de Compostela: lightweight, breathable at the back, a rain cover and soft back- and waist straps.
Walking shoes for the Camino Santiago de Compostela
What do you feel like wearing during the Camino Santiago de Compostela?
You’ve probably heard about the most important rule: layers. It keeps your temperature and humidity in balance, which adds a lot of comfort to your walk on the Camino Santiago de Compostela. I myself chose shirts from the Icebreaker brand. That is a brand that has structured its collection according to this layer method.
I chose 2 quick dry t-shirts with short sleeves, 1 tight sport vest, fleece sweater, 1 quick dry leggings and 1 zip-off pants by Fjallraven.
Which socks?
You can still have such good shoes during your Camino Santiago de Compostela, but if you don’t wear the right socks you can still get a lot of problems. I took 3 pairs of Falke socks with me. Low, for women. That was enough.
Your personal care during the Camino Santiago de Compostela
At home you probably have all kinds of different creams. For your face, for the day or night, shampoo, bodycream, etc. Well, if you want to take all this with you, it is a lot of weight together. A strong recommendation are small refillable bottles, bought at Bever. With a large bottle of shampoo traveling is not recommended and mini packaging are very hard to be found along the way. Furthermore, 2-in-1 shampoo is a great solution. Although I sometimes bought some creams to spoil myself during the Camino Santiago de Compostela.
Oops, a blister. Now what?
What do you use to sleep during the Camino Santiago de Compostela?
You can choose between a liner or a sleeping bag. I had both with me, and I used both. It is also dependant on when you decide to walk the Camino Santiago de Compostela. In summer a liner is warm enough.
Hiking poles or not?
Good hiking poles help you a lot because your weight (and that of your luggage!) will feel more divided. It is for everyone a lot more comfortable, especially when climbing and descending. I used them every day during my Camino Santiago de Compostela and would recommend them to anyone. Don’t choose Nordic Walking sticks because they have a cap on the tip, which is not ideal for nature trails. Oh yes, please note that you are not officially allowed to take hiking poles in your hand baggage during your flight. Read more about walking with hiking poles and receive the 10 most important tips.
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