Camino de Santiago: What You Actually Need to Pack — Honest Lessons From My First Camino

Key Takeaways

• Backpack (35–38L) and broken-in shoes matter most — get these right first
• Never wear new shoes on the trail; size up slightly for foot swelling
• Earplugs + sleep mask = small items, big impact for shared-room sleep
• Sleeping bag/travel towel often go unused — a liner is a lighter alternative
• A second pair of shoes (sandals) helps with recovery and evenings
• Bring 2+ pairs of quality hiking socks
• Compeed blister patches are a top recovery essential
• Compression calf sleeves help with descents
• Poncho covering pack + body > separate rain gear
• Quick-dry clothing is essential — laundry is a daily routine
• Trekking poles only worth it if you already know how to use them
• Skip carrying food — it's not remote wilderness
• Mental preparation matters as much as physical packing
• Consider carrying a personal memento throughout the journey, not leaving one behind

 

Packing for your first Camino can feel overwhelming. Every guide seems to recommend something different, and it’s difficult to know what you’ll genuinely need. My goal isn’t to help you pack more. It’s to help you pack smarter. Recovery matters just as much as the kilometers you walk. Waterproof gear is often more valuable than carrying extra clothes. Looking after your feet is more important than carrying “just in case” gadgets. Quick-dry clothing makes everyday life on the Camino much easier. Preparing your mind is just as important as preparing your backpack.

Why Most First-Time Pilgrims Overpack

Before your first Camino, it’s easy to believe that success depends on packing the perfect backpack. Then the Camino begins. Within a few days, you realise that preparation was never about carrying more. On my first Camino, I walked between 25 and 35 kilometres each day. Some things became absolute lifesavers. And a few things I wish I’d packed weren’t gear at all—they were simple tools that could have helped me stay connected to why I started walking in the first place. If you’re preparing for your first Camino, here’s what genuinely made a difference—and what I’d do differently next time. If I had to reduce my entire packing list to just two priorities, they would be surprisingly simple:

• your backpack
• your shoes

These two items will influence almost every kilometre you walk. A poorly fitting backpack can leave your shoulders aching before lunchtime. Get these right, and you’ve already solved a large part of the Camino. 

How Should a Camino Backpack Fit?

For most pilgrims, a capacity of 35–38 litres offers the best balance. It’s large enough to carry everything you need without tempting you to pack everything you own. A good hiking backpack transfers most of its weight through the hip belt into your pelvis rather than hanging from your shoulders. It may not sound like a big difference—until you’ve walked 25 kilometres with a poorly fitted pack. It’s not a strict rule, but it’s a useful target that can make long walking days noticeably more comfortable. A lighter, well-balanced backpack doesn’t just reduce fatigue—it allows you to enjoy the walk instead of constantly thinking about your shoulders. The Camino is far more demanding than an ordinary walk in the park. Even on relatively easy routes, your feet absorb thousands of repetitive impacts every day while walking on:

• asphalt
• gravel
• rocky paths
• steep descents
• wet ground
• uneven surfaces

Your shoes should provide:

• reliable cushioning
• lasting comfort over long distances
• enough room for your feet to swell, both in length and across the toe box
• good grip
• preferably waterproof protection

Never wear brand-new shoes on the Camino. Any small discomfort you notice at home will become much more obvious after walking for hours every day. Many experienced pilgrims recommend buying Camino shoes half a size to one full size larger than their everyday footwear. One thing I deeply regretted not bringing was a pair of waterproof gaiters or lightweight shoe covers. During heavy rain, they help prevent water from running into your shoes from above—something waterproof footwear alone can’t always stop. 

Do You Really Need Trekking Poles?

Many people treat trekking poles as essential Camino equipment. I walked roughly 30 kilometres a day without them and never regretted leaving them at home. That doesn’t mean trekking poles aren’t useful. Whether they’re worth carrying depends on your route, your fitness and, perhaps most importantly, whether you’re already comfortable using them. If you’ve never walked with trekking poles before, the Camino probably isn’t the best place to learn. Even a few hundred extra grams become surprisingly noticeable after several days of walking. My advice is simple: don’t buy trekking poles just because everyone says you should. Learn how to use them properly. Then decide whether they genuinely improve your walking experience. 

Why Is Good Sleep One of the Most Important Things on the Camino?

Walking is only half of the journey. The other half happens while you sleep. Some of the lightest items in my backpack turned out to be two of the most valuable:

• earplugs
• a sleep mask

If you spend even one night in an albergue or shared room, you’ll quickly understand why. People arrive late. People repack noisy backpacks before sunrise. Lights switch on. Doors open and close. Sleeping somewhere new almost every night isn’t always easy, either. Researchers even describe something known as the first-night effect, where part of the brain remains slightly more alert in unfamiliar surroundings. I found that having a simple evening routine made a real difference. A shower, clean clothes, earplugs and a sleep mask became a signal that the walking day was over and it was time to rest. One room had a blinking green light all night. Another overlooked a lively bar where the noise continued well into the evening. But they made many nights dramatically better. 

Do You Need a Sleeping Bag and a Travel Towel?

That’s why I packed both a sleeping bag and a quick-dry travel towel. Ironically, I didn’t use either of them once. I imagined uncomfortable nights, limited facilities and a constant need to rely entirely on my own equipment. The reality was very different.

The only time my sleeping bag proved useful was when a friend felt cold one night and used it as an extra blanket. Modern Camino routes are designed with pilgrims in mind. That said, packing isn’t always about logic. Sometimes it’s about peace of mind. Looking back, though, there are two things I’d probably do differently. I’d still bring a lightweight quick-dry towel. Instead of a traditional sleeping bag, however, I’m now researching lightweight sleeping bag liners. They take up far less space, weigh considerably less and still provide a little extra warmth and hygiene when needed. 

Why Is a Second Pair of Shoes Worth the Space?

Many first-time pilgrims assume that one good pair of shoes is all they’ll ever need. I packed a pair of lightweight hiking sandals simply for evenings and short walks around town after finishing each day’s stage. On the second day, they became essential. Switching to sandals allowed me to continue walking another 10 to 15 kilometres comfortably. That experience also taught me why so many experienced pilgrims recommend buying Camino footwear slightly larger than your everyday shoes. Yes, carrying a second pair of shoes takes up valuable backpack space. But the Camino quickly teaches you that some items aren’t extra weight. They’re comfort. Sometimes, they’re the reason you can keep walking. I found an ultralight pair of swim slippers at Decathlon, and they turned out to be one of the best purchases I made for the Camino.

What Socks and Recovery Gear Should You Bring?

The difference between ordinary everyday socks and proper hiking socks becomes obvious after only a day or two on the Camino. Quality hiking socks help to:

• reduce friction
• manage moisture
• improve comfort
• support your feet
• reduce the risk of blisters

Bring at least two pairs so you always have a dry option available. In The Camino Companion, we explore footwear, socks and blister prevention in much greater depth, bringing together practical advice gathered from experienced pilgrims and long-distance hikers. Compression calf sleeves also surprised me. By the end of my Camino, I was glad I’d packed them. Repeated descents place constant stress on your calves, knees and lower legs. My basic recovery kit included:

• blister plasters
• regular bandages
• ibuprofen gel
• sunscreen
• pain relief medication

If I had to recommend just one item from that list, it would be Compeed blister patches. A single blister can completely change your Camino. Although you can usually buy Compeed along the route, it’s normally more expensive than buying it before you leave home. For readers who prefer preparing everything in advance, we’ve also included a detailed first-aid packing guide in The Camino Companion, explaining what experienced pilgrims actually carry, which items are easy to buy along the Camino and which “essentials” often stay untouched in the bottom of your backpack. The best Camino wardrobe isn’t the most fashionable one. It’s the one you’ll barely notice wearing. For most pilgrims, that means:

• lightweight technical shirts
• leggings or hiking trousers
• hiking shorts
• extremely comfortable underwear
• one warm layer

One of my best decisions was leaving ordinary bras at home and wearing sports tops with wide shoulder straps instead. Backpacks apply constant pressure to your shoulders, and thin straps quickly become uncomfortable after several hours of walking. Even during warmer months, Camino mornings can be cold, damp and windy. My fleece became one of the hardest-working items in my backpack. It’s about choosing versatile layers that work together. The lighter your backpack, the more you’ll appreciate every item that genuinely earns its place. Laundry quickly becomes part of your daily routine on the Camino. Almost every evening follows the same pattern:

• wash your clothes
• hang them to dry
• hope they’re ready by morning
• repeat

That’s why quick-dry fabrics make such a difference. Hiking socks, in particular, often remain slightly damp by morning. That’s completely normal. Once you accept that laundry is part of everyday Camino life, choosing quick-dry clothing becomes an easy decision. 

Are Running Arm Sleeves Worth Packing?

I almost left them at home. Instead, they became one of the most useful pieces of clothing I packed. On sunny days, they also double as lightweight sun protection. They’re small, almost weightless and surprisingly versatile—exactly the kind of item that earns its place in a Camino backpack. If you’re walking the Camino, rain isn’t something that might happen. At some point, it almost certainly will. Personally, I preferred a poncho that covered both me and my backpack. It kept everything dry without needing to stop and wrestle with separate rain covers every time the weather changed. To be honest, I could probably have managed without it. What really caught my attention later on were hiking ponchos specifically designed for pilgrims. That’s the option I’ll choose next time. I’d also add waterproof gaiters to my packing list. 

Why Is a Small Foldable Bag Surprisingly Useful? 

Some of the most useful Camino items aren’t the obvious ones. Every day I used it to carry things between my bed and the showers, including:

• toiletries
• clean clothes
• sandals
• cosmetics

After returning home, I upgraded to an ultralight foldable backpack, and I realised how much more useful it was. Instead of carrying my main backpack everywhere, I had something small and comfortable for evening walks, cafés, sightseeing and exploring towns after finishing each day’s stage. 

Why Should You Bring Evening Clothes?

The journey isn’t only about walking. People meet in cafés. They wander through small streets. Conversations begin. Friendships grow. A simple dress, a comfortable T-shirt and shorts, or any lightweight casual clothes are more than enough. For a little while, you stop feeling like someone completing a long-distance hike. That small psychological shift can be surprisingly restorative after a demanding day on the trail. I also preferred having separate sleepwear. 

What Small Items Are Easy to Forget?

Most businesses along the Camino now accept card payments. It was a simple way to double-check everything before leaving home. It’s surprisingly easy to forget something small but important when you’re focused on the bigger items. I recommend an AI-powered packing analyser that reviews your packing list before your Camino begins and helps identify potential gaps, unnecessary items and common mistakes based on real pilgrim experience. Sometimes, avoiding one forgotten item is worth far more than buying another new one. This was one of the biggest surprises for me. I expected to carry far more food than I actually needed. The main exceptions are pilgrims with dietary restrictions, medical conditions or very specific meal requirements. Otherwise, the Camino isn’t remote wilderness hiking. Keeping your backpack lighter is usually a much better strategy than carrying meals you’ll never eat.

What Did the Camino Actually Teach Me?

I spent weeks comparing backpacks, researching shoes and wondering whether I’d forgotten something important. Somewhere along the trail, though, my priorities quietly changed. Instead, I started paying attention to things that couldn’t be packed:

• adapting to unexpected situations
• listening to my body
• slowing down
• appreciating simple routines
• staying connected to why I had chosen to walk in the first place

The Camino has a way of stripping life back to its essentials. After enough early mornings, tired legs, shared meals and long conversations with strangers, you begin to realise how little you actually need to feel content. 

What I Wish I’d Packed (But Couldn’t Buy at the Time)

Looking back, the biggest thing I wish I’d prepared wasn’t physical at all. It was mental. I spent much less time preparing for the experience itself. I knew why I wanted to walk. I wish I’d had something simple to bring my attention back. A reminder of why I had started. A way to notice the moments that mattered instead of assuming I’d remember them later. Because the truth is… many of those moments fade much faster than you expect. You remember a few conversations. You remember certain landscapes.

Why I’ll Carry a Companion Stone Next Time

One of the Camino’s best-known traditions is leaving a stone at Cruz de Ferro. For many pilgrims, it’s one of the most meaningful moments of their entire journey. During my first Camino, I also picked up a small stone along the route and left it beside one of the Camino markers. Looking back, I don’t think I’ll do that again. In many places, volunteers now regularly remove growing piles of stones and other items to help preserve the landscape and follow the Leave No Trace principles that encourage us to protect the places we visit. Next time, instead of leaving a stone behind, I’ll carry my own Companion Stone throughout the journey—a quiet reminder of why I started walking and of everything I hope to bring home with me. It’s found in carrying the experience with me. The stone will represent my intention before the Camino, accompany me throughout the journey and remain with me afterwards as a reminder of everything I learned along the way. It gives that meaning somewhere to continue living after I return home.

The Camino Doesn’t End in Santiago

When I came home after my first Camino, I expected life to continue exactly as before. The hardest part wasn’t completing the walk. It was holding on to everything the Camino had taught me once everyday routines returned. The slower pace. The conversations. Without meaning to, I slowly began forgetting many of those moments. That experience eventually inspired us to create The Camino Companion Journal. But as a structured place to prepare before your Camino, reflect during the journey and, perhaps most importantly, integrate those experiences after you return home. Because preparation doesn’t begin on your first walking day. The journey continues in the way you carry its lessons into ordinary life.

Final Thoughts

If I could give one piece of advice to every first-time pilgrim, it would be this:

Don’t try to pack for every possible situation. Choose a backpack that fits your body. Wear shoes you’ve already learned to trust. Prioritise good sleep. Keep your gear simple. Those are often the things you’ll remember most. Looking back, I realised something that no packing list had ever told me. It’s about discovering how little you actually need. Some of those essentials fit inside your backpack.