Gear
Top 10 Must-Have Items for the Camino (And What to Skip)
The ten things I'd never walk a Camino without — and the popular gear I now leave at home.
February 22, 2026 · 7 min read
After three Caminos, here's the gear I always pack — and what I now skip.
1. Silk sleeping liner. Light, washable, and the difference between a good and a terrible night.
2. Compeed blister patches. The European kind. Accept no substitute.
3. Real earplugs. Bring spares.
4. A proper headlamp. You will leave albergues before sunrise.
5. Merino wool socks (3 pairs). Drying time matters more than thread count.
6. A lightweight poncho that covers your pack.
7. A small power bank. Outlets in albergues are scarce.
8. A microfibre towel.
9. A pilgrim credential (the credencial). Get one before you leave or at the first albergue.
10. A paper journal. You will want it years later.
What to skip: A second pair of shoes (bring sandals, not shoes). Trekking poles (optional — many do without). A heavy guidebook (use Buen Camino app). Cotton anything. A camera if you have a phone. More than three of any clothing item.
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Next stops & related posts
Towns, stages, and stories connected to this article — your jumping-off points to plan the next stretch of the Camino.
Pilgrim guides
Suggested stages
Camino Francés · Stage 1
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port → Roncesvalles
25 km · 1390 m · Challenging
Camino Francés · Stage 2
Roncesvalles → Zubiri
22 km · 220 m · Moderate
Camino Francés · Stage 3
Zubiri → Pamplona
21 km · 80 m · Easy
Camino Portugués · Stage 1
Porto → Vilarinho
27 km · 320 m · Moderate
Camino Portugués · Stage 2
Vilarinho → Barcelos
30 km · 250 m · Moderate
Camino Portugués · Stage 3
Barcelos → Ponte de Lima
33 km · 300 m · Challenging
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