Gear
Ultimate Camino Packing List (What I Brought vs What I Needed)
An honest, weighed-out packing list from someone who has walked three Caminos — what made the cut, what got mailed home, and what I'll never carry again.
March 15, 2026 · 12 min read
The golden rule: your pack should weigh no more than 10% of your body weight. For most people that's 6–8 kg, including water. Here's what fits.
Backpack: 35–40L. Anything bigger and you'll fill it. Osprey Kyte/Kestrel 38 or Deuter Aircontact 45 are the workhorses.
Footwear: trail runners or low hiking shoes. Most pilgrims now skip heavy boots. Bring camp sandals (Crocs work) for the evenings.
Clothing (the rule of three): 3 pairs of merino socks, 2 walking shirts, 2 underwear, 1 walking shorts/trousers, 1 evening outfit, 1 fleece, 1 lightweight rain jacket.
Sleeping: silk liner (mandatory in summer), lightweight sleeping bag or quilt for spring/autumn.
Toiletries: a small bar of soap doubles as laundry and shower. Quick-dry towel. Sunscreen. Earplugs and an eye mask.
First aid: Compeed blister patches, ibuprofen, paper tape, needle and thread (for blisters — see the dedicated post).
Tech: phone, charger, small power bank, headlamp.
What I mailed home after week one: a second pair of shoes, a heavy guidebook, a Kindle, three extra t-shirts, a hairbrush.
What I'll never leave behind again: the silk liner, real earplugs, a paper journal.
Keep exploring
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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