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The Ultimate Camino Packing List does not exist. Bummer! The fact is, your packing list will keep evolving through time. We’ll literally search until we drop to find the smallest, lightest and prettiest products for pilgrims. You are able to purchase them in our Pilgrim Shop we are so proud of. If there’s anything you miss on the list, give us a heads-up; we are always happy to built upon other pilgrim’s experience!

There are many different needs, maybe as many as there are pilgrims. You won’t be the perfect match with the categories we crafted. Take our case: Joyce is a hybrid between ‘Standard’ and ‘Comfy’ when it comes to eating, sleeping, and personal accessories. Luisa concurs with the eating and sleeping part but will deal with only having 1 extra set of hiking pants to carry less weight (which will mean doing more often the laundry).

If you can make it to be around 8 kg including water (excluding the cloths you wear) you’re already doing a great job!

Check out the differences between ‘Basic’, ‘Standard’ and ‘Comfy’ needs and discover your own hybrid comfy level. It’s all up to you really; it’s your Camino!

You’ll need a bed in non-private albergues or seek shelter in donativos or churches.
Alternatively, you might want to camp out.

For your food you will depend on supermarkets and cook your own dinner.

All these needs dictate the gear you will need to carry with you. Check out your Ultimate Camino Packing List below: Basic.

The famous 10% rule…

Every kilo weighs double or triple once you are walking.  When you go ‘basic’ you won’t be carrying any luxury with you. On the other hand, you’ll be taking stuff with you to make you completely self-sufficient. Just remember this ground rule: at the end of your walking day, your 12 kg pack will feel like 24 kg. Even the most experienced walkers advice to take not more than 10% of your weight. Luisa, the small Spanish one of the team is not totally agreeing with this. “I mean think of it: if you are rather small and you’re BMI is higher than generally advised you would be allowed to take quite a lot of stuff according to this rule. Not a good idea; don’t take the 10% rule, use 10% of your ideal weight and you’re good to go”. On the other hand, if you’re small like I am you might not want to take the rule too literal: I am 1.59 m. I weigh 58 kg (working on it) – my ‘ideal’ weight is 55 kg. I would only be allowed 5.5 kg including water. I’m at 6.4 including water. That’s already very light-weight. Don’t think about it too much.

Pack only the things you will need, leave luxury at home and take about 10 kg if you are a guy and about 8 kg max if you are a woman. Take into account that food and water you bring along weighs a total of 2 kg (take or leave). That means that you’re looking at 8 kg and 6 kg gear for men and woman respectively. Your feet, knees and hips will thank you for it. If you think I’m forgetting about the ‘shoulders’, don’t forget to check the ‘Pilgrim’s backpack’ page, where we explain why a good backpack is well fitted when the weight is actually almost completely on your hips and your shoulders are free of any friction or weight.

The big difference with going basic is that you will sleep in your own private room, you will not always depend on cooking your own meals since you like to go out eating at least once a day, preferably dinner.

You do want a decent and clean standard level of living while walking, so you won’t hesitate to take a few extra accessories to make your walking adventure more comfortable.

All these needs dictate the gear you will need to carry with you. Check out your Ultimate Camino Packing List below: Standard

Every kilo weighs double or triple once you are walking.  When you go ‘standard’ you won’t be carrying a lot of luxury with you. A bit more than the basic die-hard pilgrim, but hey, you want to be able to shave, you want to enjoy the food, and you don’t want to be doing the laundry every day, so an extra set of clothes is your standard. On the other hand, you’ll be taking stuff with you that need to be very low in weight because you do insist on carrying your own backpack. Check out the Basic Level tab to see more details and advice.

The big difference with going basic or standard is that you won’t be carrying your own backpack.

Your standard is to go as comfortable as possible, period. You plan and book ahead because you want to have your luggage transferred every day. You need a restaurant nearby your hostel, since you are never going to cook your own meals.

All these needs dictate the gear you will need to carry with you. Check out your Ultimate Camino Packing List below: Comfy

No ‘weight’ talking for you. Your day pack is all you will be carrying and it will contain a rain coat, some food, a camera and maybe even your tablet to be able to blog comfortably about all your adventures. Still, we urge you to prepare well. Even a day backpack with a weight of say 2 or 3 kg can become a real pain after walking for a few hours. It doesn’t hurt to get a good one and avoid this annoyance!

When you go ‘comfy’, in our vocabulary, you will have your luggage transferred to your next destination each day. This means you can pack as much luxury as you want. Hey, you don’t even need a backpack; your regular suit case will work just fine.

We at Camino Comfort are light-weight freaks, but we also like luxury. One of our goals is to combine the two. We like to leave home with luggage that has some ‘room’ for improvement; think ‘Shoppping’…

You carry your own pack, you don’t or you like both options. The truth is, in case of emergency you might need it. So let’s go through how to use the transport services:

Once you arrive at the albergue you tell the receptionist or owner that you wish to send your pack ahead to a certain location (for which you made reservations).
They will contact the luggage transfer service of your choice (they usually have a list from which you can pick from). Make sure you write down the telephone number of the provider you pick.
The receptionist will give you an enveloped form or a ticket form and you’ll need to fill in your name and your destination of choice. Pay the fee (~5 Euros usually) by putting it in the envelope and attach it to your pack. You can leave the pack in a designated area when you leave in the morning. It will be picked up during the day and dropped off at your destination of choice (probably sooner than your estimated arrival time). Once you arrive, you pick it up and check in at your new accommodation for that night.

Hi! Wally here. I’m not particularly happy today. Look at my backpack, looks heavy right?Backpacker Packing List Basic

I’m here to warn you: most pilgrims throw a lot of stuff away (or sent it back home) when they are a few days into their travel adventures. They simply come to realize that they are carrying a lot of items that they are not going to be using.

We provide information based on your needs and daily budget level. The truth is that a lot of pilgrims pack items with the background idea of ‘just in case’. And all the items ‘just in case’ might just be the unneccesary weight you don’t want to carry…

Backpacker packing list basic

For a better view of the table on mobile: rotate your phone to view the complete table.

The Ultimate Camino Packing List

Basic

Standard

Comfy

General Gear

   
Backpack with rain cover
Even if you won’t be carrying all your luggage, consider carrying a good backpack that carries weight on your hips, because you will be carrying water, rain gear, emergency kit etc…
30 – 45L30-45L24L
Walking poles
A wise choice for everyone. They reduce the pressure on your joints up to 30%, correct your posture, prevent lower backpain and keep dogs and bad persons away ;-).
XXX
Water bottles 2 x 0.6 LXXX
Festival/Concert mat
To be able to sit down where you like and when you need it.
XXX
Reflective items to be visible and safeXXX
Small aluminum karabiner clasps
To hang stuff from your backpack.
XXX
Waist pouch / valuables carry-on
Perfect to keep your valuables close to you wherever you go.
XXX
Several small water resistent pouches XXX
Clothesline
Handy when you are in a hostal or when it rains and you need your clothing to be dry the next morning.
XXX
Flash light / Head light
For use in albergues (not before 7 am please). For use in dark rest rooms that have a light timer. To walk in the dark (not advised).
XX 
Duct TapeX  
Tent / Lighter / Pot / Stove (when camping)X  

Clothing

   
Hiking boots/shoes
Fit them well, make wise choices, try them out, train in them. And yes, generally speaking you don’t need tough mountain boots on the Camino. A pair of mid-crew trail runners will do the perfect and lightweight trick!
11You
Hiking pants long / zip-off / Outdoor sports legging22 or 3can
Belt if neededXXtake
Sandals / rest footwear
It can be cold in the evenings. Toe-slippers can be comfy but don’t forget you won’t be able to wear normal socks in them. You might want to check-out Oofos brand. Good for walking, shower, leisure and light-weight.
11as
Undies (I take 3 since I went full-merino on my outfit (no frequent laundry)23 or 4many
Long sleeve shirt or thermo underwear
A long sleeve can be very pleasant at night and can act as an additional layer during the day if it gets really cold.
11 or 2as
(Sport) Bra’s(if you’re a woman)12you
Hiking socks  I use 3 to be able to switch half way a stage.23 or 4want
Hiking/swimming shorts 1since
Hiking T-shirts23you
Fleece / Warm layer
Differences between max en low temps can be huge. There will always be a moment when you appreciate a warm fleece, trust me. If you invest in Merino from Icebreaker or Smartwool you’re in for a treat!
11won’t
Water resistent coat, or11be
Rainponcho11carrying
Hat (we recommend the Tilley Hat)
Essential item to avoid serious health complications from walking too long in the sun.
11the
Buff
Soak it in cold water and cover your head and neck. Lovely. The Original Buff, unlike the face ones, provides UV-protection and lasts.
11load
Sleep / Evening clothing/shirt/legging11yourself

Eating

   
Knife/Fork/Spoon (or Spork)XXYou will
CupX be
PlateX served

Sleeping

   
Sleeping sheet (mid jun ~ mid sep) optionally with Anti-bedbug treatment (~160 g)XXX
Sleeping bag / compression bag (colder seasons)X  
Ultralight Down Sleeping Bag (all seasons, 600 g)X  
Earplugs
In dorms you’ll need them because of the snoring.
X  
Sleeping mask if you turn in early, or start lateX  
Sleeping-mat if you’ll sleep anywhereX  

Grooming

   
Sanitary paper
Half a role should be enough for that emergency in the middle of nowhere. Leave no trace!
XXX
Liberpee urinary device for womenXXX
Microfiber towels
Our microfiber towels are revolutionary comfortable!
XXX
Sunglasses
Protects your eyes from the sun and prevents early exhaustion.
XXX
CombXXX
Toothpaste or the Eco Tab versionXXX
Tampons / sanitary napkins (if you’re a woman)
We plan accordingly, but some things just hit you in the face anyway.
XXX
Travel Toiletry BottlesXXX
Wash bagXXX
Toothbrush + capXXX
All-in one soap or Eco-Living Soap
We wash everything with the Eco soap, so we can leave shower gels and shampoos at home.
XXX
Sonic lightweight Electric Toothbrush XX
Shampoo / Showering gel / Laundry soap XX
Hair styling cream/gel XX
Disposable Razor, or XX
Personal Shaving gear XX
Shaving leaves, shaving oilshaving foam XX
Facial skin care product XX
Eau de toilette XX
Deodorant
Use deodorant. You don’t have to smell like a pilgrim to be one.
XXX

Any extra’s you might want to pamper yourself

Who’s counting grams?

  X

Health

   
Personal medication / Pain meds
Pain killers: half a blister should be enough. There are pharmacies everywhere. Cut down your daily mileage and stop chronic intake will ya?!
XXX
Emergency kit
Take just enough for a couple of days. If you need more, there are plenty of pharmacies around.
XXX
Anti-septic solution or Alcohol swapsXXX
Tick-remover, Afterbite / Anti-mosquitoXXX
Nail clippers
For your toe nails in particular. But since you have it with you it won’t hurt to groom your finger nails as well. Take care of your feet well before you leave en don’t clip your nails too short.
XXX
Sun protection cream / After sun
Your backpack and clothing can cause you serious torture if you have a sun burn.
XXX
NUUN electrolytesXXX
Feet care products / Muscle ache creams
Take good care of your feet. Your Camino adventure depends on it.
XXX
Antibacterial Hand Gel
If you like hygiene: there is not always water and soap around when you most desperately need it.
XXX

Documents

   
Pilgrim Credential
De pilgrim passport to gather your stamps to get your Compostela ánd to be able to stay in the official pilgrim albergues.
XXX
Addresses/phone numbers/Money/CC/InsuranceXXX
Travel guide / maps (apps on your phone)XXX
Passport / Travel ID
Else you won’t get out of your country nor into Spain.
XXX
Document pouchesXXX
Reading materialXXX

Other

   
Phone + charger
Maybe a small power bank if you think you’ll run out of juice before getting to an electric outlet.
XXX
Scallop shell
This one needs to be on your backpack or around your neck – no question about that. You can cut down on the weight with a smaller shell. I’m kidding, nothing is a must on the Camino.
XXX
Saint James pendantXXX
Pilgrim pinsXXX
Camino PatchesXXX
Camera, preferably the one in your phoneXXX
Paper/PenXXX

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