I walked the Camino Frances from May to June 2013 and it was an unseasonably cold spring with rain, snow and hail. This list reflects that time of the year, but if you’re going in warmer months, please see my Camino Portuguese packing list.

Starting from the bottom up…

CLOTHES

• Shoes – I wore Salomon GTX XA Ultra 3D shoes (not boots) and they were fine for me on the Camino Frances. If I did it again I would wear non-waterproof shoes for better breathability.

• Sandals – for shower and evening – I wore TEVA Tirra sandals

• Socks x 3 – combination of lightweight and midweight merino socks depending on the weather

• Hiking pants – Kiwi Pro-Stretch Craghoppers – quick dry, lightweight, stretchy and comfortable

• Knee brace – For my dodgy knee

• Base layers – merino long pants and long sleeve shirt – to sleep in / and for extra warmth

• Underpants x 2 – I wore Icebreaker hipkini. Merino is great for breathability and quick dry

• Shirts x 2 short-sleeve quick-dry t-shirts (I would take one long sleeve top to walk in and one short sleeve for evenings if I was to do this again)

• Sports bra

• Icebreaker sleeves – these are one of my favourite items. I wear them with short sleeve t-shirts and it saves me from constantly taking off and putting on a fleece, I can simply roll them down my arm if I get hot. (I wouldn’t take these again as I would use a long-sleeve top to walk in instead, better for sun protection and warmth)

• Buff – to keep your neck warm, but can also be used as a hat, headband etc

• Fleece

• Rain gear – I took waterproof pants and my Macpack Event rain jacket. If I was to do it again I would probably just take a good poncho instead

• Hat – I use a sports cap that fits under my rain jacket hood and helps to keep the rain off my face

• Sunglasses

• Bathers – not a necessity

 BACKPACK & ACCESSORIES

• Backpack – I used a Lowe Airzone Trek ND33-40, it’s lightweight and small

• Backpack raincover (not necessary if using a poncho)

• Backpack liner – I recommend using a dry bag inside your backpack for extra protection against rain, I have a 40 litre dry bag inside mine.

• Dry bags inside pack to compartmentalise clothes

• Guidebook 

• Ziplock bags – for keeping things like passport/guidebook/pilgrim’s passport etc dry and also good for storing leftover food if you cook. Pack as many as you can.

• Water Container – 1 x 1 litre Platypus container

• Walking poles – I used and love my PACER POLES

• Utensils – spork & cup

• Headlamp – recommend one that has a red light for using inside albergue dorm rooms

• Alarm Clock – use phone/watch

• Clothes Line – I have the lifeventure pegless clothes line and it is the most used item I own!

• Towel: Ultralight Packtowel

• Ear plugs – definitely a necessity in the albergues

• Eye mask – good to use in albergues when headlamps are shining your way

• Foldable daypack – Sea to summit Ultra Sil 20l pack

• Sleeping Bag – I used a Western Mountaineering Summerlite – 525grams

• S hook – I took one from my dad’s garden and use it for hanging things up in showers when there are no hooks

• Safety pins – for hanging wet clothes on your pack to dry

ELECTRONICS

• Camera – I used a Sony RX 100 compact digital camera

• Phone with headphones – I used my iPhone as a second camera and to listen to music

• Chargers for camera and phone

• Spare AAA batteries for my headlamp

• Adaptor plug for Europe

TOILETRIES & FIRST AID

• Shampoo – I used a LUSH shampoo bar for hair and body and it lasts more than a month

• Soap – multi-purpose soap for washing clothes, body, hair etc

• Toothbrush – Kathmandu does small, folding and lightweight toothbrushes

• Toothpaste – bring a small tube and you can always buy more

• Toilet paper / tissues – inevitably you’ll have to go somewhere along the trail but please take your rubbish with you (easy to pack it out in a ziplock bag)

• FirstAid Kit– bandaids, needle and thread, antiseptic cream, betadyne, ibuprofen, painkillers, sunscreen, lip balm, scissors, tweezers, Imodium, anti-histamine, antibacterial hand gel