As you begin to pile things into your bag just before setting out to walk the Camino de Santiago, you’ll no doubt start to wonder if you’ve gone too far – or, heaven forbid, not far enough.
How do you know what you’ll need when walking for between 20 and 30 km each day? Should you bring two pairs of socks or five? And what painkillers or medicine do people typically require along the Camino?
There are no doubt a million and one questions going through your mind as you prepare your bag to walk the Camino de Santiago, so here’s a checklist of the essentials.
Best Shoes to Walk the Camino
Your feet will carry you every step of the way, so choosing the best shoes for the Camino de Santiago is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Here’s how to keep your feet happy and blister-free throughout the journey.
Hiking Boots
Good quality and already worn-in is highly advisable. Trainers are fine for many parts of the Camino when completely dry but can make things difficult in bad weather.
Trainers/Flip Flops
At the end of the day, you really need some lightweight footwear to use that is comfortable but also gives your feet a chance to breathe and recuperate after the long walk.
Essential Bags for the Camino Walk
Your bag is much more than just storage – it’s your lifeline for each day’s walk. Here’s how to choose the perfect day bag to carry your essentials while keeping the load light for the long Camino days.
Day bag
Your day bag is going to become your best friend, so try to choose something light and comfortable, while giving you enough space to carry water, snacks, extra clothing, etc. We recommend something in the 20 litres region.
Clothing Essentials for the Camino de Santiago Walk
Dressing for the Camino means thinking ahead and packing light. From breathable layers to reliable merino wool socks, here’s what to wear to stay comfortable in all weather along the Camino trail.
Socks
You will probably have never thought about socks as much as when you’re walking the Camino. Wet socks are an express ticket to blister city, so having at least one pair of dry socks is an absolute must.
If you do only have two, and you find that they’re not entirely dry in the morning, you can use two pegs to clip your socks to the back of your bag. A few hours walking in the sun will dry them in no time.
Also, bring good quality hiking socks, preferably with a bit of extra padding, as they make a big difference compared to your run-of-the-mill day socks.
Waterproof
Never underestimate the weather on the Camino. Just because you’re in Spain or Portugal doesn’t mean the rain can’t be torrential at times, especially in the northern regions. A lightweight poncho that you can put over you and your backpack is a perfect choice and can usually roll up into a really small size to fit in any bag.
General clothing
Many people debate the merits of trousers vs shorts, but it really comes down to personal preference and how cold you generally get. A pair of shorts and a t-shirt are usually fine for most stretches of the Camino but bear in mind that some of the mountainous areas can get very cold in the evening, so remember to bring at least one jumper.
Hats & gloves
A baseball cap or something that gives you a little sunshade will almost certainly be most welcome at certain points along the Camino. If you’re walking in autumn or early spring, a warm hat and gloves are also recommended.
Must-Have Accessories for Walking the Camino Trail
It’s often the little things that make the biggest difference. From staying hydrated to drying socks on the go, these must-have accessories will keep you prepared, comfortable, and ready for anything along the Camino walk.
Water bottle
Whether you choose to carry a camel pack or simply a traditional water bottle is completely up to you, but we would seriously advise against walking without any water.
All of that walking can be a thirsty job, and it’s imperative to stay well hydrated along the way. For more advice, check out our guide on How to Stay Hydrated on the Camino de Santiago.
Epsom Salts
Most of the hotels we use have a bath and we find that soaking in the tub with some Epsom Salts at the end of the day is a wonderful way to ease those weary bones and aching muscles.
Sunglasses
Walking outside in the blistering sun all day can leave you squinting for long periods, so a pair of sunglasses are a real must – even if you consider yourself not to be a sunglasses kind of person.
Camera
Whether it’s using your phone or something more substantial, you’re going to want to take a few pictures along the way. If you think you’ll be using it quite a lot, then consider bringing an extra power source with you that can be recharged each night.
Books
Whether you bring a book or not will most likely depend on whether you actually like reading, but for those that do, that little bit of extra weight is absolutely worth it. Reading a few chapters after finishing a delicious lunch in a quaint Spanish town square is one of the Camino’s hidden delights.
Spanish Phrasebook
Of course, you’re not expected to have a firm understanding of the Spanish language, but knowing a few phrases can make a huge difference, both with your understanding, but also to the people you meet and interact with along the way.
Pegs, pins & bags
Pegs are a great way to clip wet socks to your bag, while safety pins are useful for so many different reasons. Bringing a few plastic bags is also a good idea, as they can be stuffed with wet clothing to keep everything else dry.
Documents
Not all of these you’ll bring from home, but it is worth highlighting what kind of documentation you should be carrying along the Camino. The Pilgrim Passport is probably the most important and needs to be stamped at every stop at the end of the day.
It’s also a good idea to have our emergency phone number (on travel documents) as well as your hotel voucher and directions to the hotel with you in your day bag.
Medical Essentials for Your Santiago de Compostela Pilgrimage
Blisters, sunburn, and aching muscles can dampen your spirits if you’re not careful. Be prepared for the highs and lows of the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage with these simple but essential items to keep you healthy on the trail.
- Sunscreen – The sun can be roasting during the summer, so make sure you bring sunscreen that provides your skin with adequate protection.
- Plasters – Blisters, cuts, and bruises are all part of the Camino experience. While you don’t really need a full first aid kit, we’d advise bringing a selection of plasters with you, and in particular, some Compeed plasters.
- Lip Balm – People don’t often think about their lips when they’re out in the sun, and shops along the Camino selling lip balm sell huge amounts of it.
- Painkillers – While we don’t want to tempt fate, it’s highly likely that, at some point, you will be in some pain. The nature of walking such distances day after day puts a real strain on the body, so it’s always a good idea to have a few packs of painkillers with you to help you through those difficult times.
- Kinesiology Tape – This kind of tape is great for strapping minor leg injuries and is small and easy to carry.
Looking for advice tailored to older walkers? Don’t miss our 10 Tips for Tackling the Camino for Over 60s.
Pack Smart and Enjoy a Successful Camino de Santiago Walk
With the right preparation, walking the Camino is an experience you’ll treasure forever. To make your journey seamless, explore our Camino walking tours, and let us take care of the details so you can enjoy every step. Buen Camino!
