Essential Gear for the Camino de Santiago: Pack Smart, Walk Far

The Perfect Backpack for the Camino de Santiago

Let's start with the backpack itself.

The first thing to understand is that backpacks are NOT all the same. Like any other product, there are expensive backpacks and more affordable ones, excellent quality or poor craftsmanship, with features suited more to a day hike or multi-day trekking, not to mention the distinction now adopted by all manufacturers between men's and women's models.

The backpack will stay with you throughout the entire day; you'll carry it on your shoulders, and above all, it needs to feel comfortable and reliable. The choice you make will determine the quality of your walking experience.

Here are the characteristics that, in our opinion, the perfect backpack for the Camino de Santiago should have:

• Capacity 38/40 L (dimensions suitable to pass as carry-on luggage)
• Vertical structure, extending upwards
• Breathable ergonomic back panel
• Adjustable shoulder straps
• Adjustable back panel
• Adjustable hip belt
• Rain cover
• Water pocket
• Bottom compartment

Now let's look at each element of this list in detail.

Capacity 38/40 L

The unit of measurement that calculates backpack volume and capacity is the Litre (L): the higher the capacity, the more space inside your backpack.

A 40-litre backpack allows you to pack everything you need for the Camino de Santiago in spring, summer and autumn. For winter, ideally you'd carry a slightly larger backpack: not only do you need more changes of clothes, but winter garments take up considerably more space than summer and shoulder-season clothes.

Breathable Ergonomic Back Panel

Since you'll be carrying the backpack on your shoulders for several hours daily, it's important to have an ergonomic back panel with excellent ventilation: this not only allows air to circulate on your back and reduces perspiration, but also helps you maintain perfect posture throughout the day.

Adjustable Shoulder Straps and Back Panel

A quality backpack must have easily adjustable shoulder straps with as many adjustment options as possible; it should also feature back panel adjustment.

We're not all the same height. Depending on your stature, you need a back panel that's more or less long, maintaining the correct distance between your hips and shoulders.

How do you adjust it? It's simple: once you've properly fastened the hip belt at hip height, check that the shoulder strap attachment doesn't go above your shoulder height. If it does, shorten the back panel; if the attachment is too low, raise the back panel.

Then you can adjust the shoulder straps and fine-tune the position of the hip belt and the straps between the back panel and shoulder straps—called load-lifter straps.

Adjustable Hip Belt

Often underestimated by those new to hiking, trekking and pilgrimage trails, the hip belt of your backpack is the most important component of all.

Many people don't realise that to wear a backpack correctly, the weight must be transferred to your hips. The adjustable, supportive hip belt does exactly this. Once properly tightened, you won't feel the backpack's weight on your shoulders anymore, but rather on your hips and buttocks.

Rain Cover

If you want to prevent rain from soaking your backpack and everything inside it, you need a truly essential accessory: the rain cover. It's essentially an impermeable material sheet that wraps around your backpack, protecting it from rain, even the heaviest downpours.

Water Pocket

We know that proper hydration is crucial to avoid pain and possible discomfort while walking, so carrying a good water supply is essential.

Beyond the side pocket for a water bottle, modern backpacks come equipped with a deep pocket that runs along the back panel, where you can insert a hydration bladder. This is a water bag fitted with a long tube that comes out through the top of the backpack, allowing you to drink while you walk. Besides the convenience of not having to pull out your water bottle every time you're thirsty, a hydration bladder is also great for summer walking because, being inside the backpack, it keeps your water cooler.

More Pockets, the Better

Pockets are truly useful, not just in everyday life but also for those traveling with a backpack. They make it easier to find small items, help you distribute weight more effectively, and keep what you use most frequently within easy reach. One of the most convenient pockets is the bottom compartment: situated in the main body of the backpack, it lets you place heavier items, as well as those you pack last in daily life, such as your sleeping bag.

The top pocket, on the other hand, is where you'd put anything—sunglasses, energy bars, plasters, your travel journal—basically, the perfect spot for everything you want immediately at hand.

The Perfect Hiking Shoe for the Camino de Santiago

First and foremost, let me clarify: there's no THE perfect shoe, only YOUR perfect shoe. Every foot has unique characteristics that suit certain shoes better than others, and it's important to keep this in mind when receiving advice on which shoes to buy.

Those who already know us, have read our articles or watched our YouTube videos know we've tested various shoe types before figuring out what would be our ideal shoe: we've gone from Salomon Speedcross to Salomon 3D Ultra, to La Sportiva, even trying some high-cut boots.

After thousands of kilometres walked on various treks and pilgrim routes around the world, we've identified the four characteristics that, in our opinion, the perfect shoe for the Camino de Santiago should have:

• Low-cut
• Wide toe box
• Grippy sole
• Gore-Tex

Apart from a few more technical and challenging sections, the Camino de Santiago is a relatively straightforward route, manageable even for those without mountain experience. The terrain is almost always regular and presents no particular grip difficulties. This is why we prefer low-cut shoes: although your ankle remains somewhat exposed, they allow you to be considerably more agile. It's different if you're walking the Camino in winter, when mud and snow make a high-cut boot necessary.

A wide toe box, combined with a good grippy sole, prevents slipping and gives you a more regular, grounded stride. Considering you'll be walking with weight on your shoulders, it's important to have solid, stable ground contact.

Another characteristic we look for in our shoes is Gore-Tex, an impermeable, breathable membrane that keeps your feet dry even in rain or wet grass. Step in a puddle? No problem, as long as the shoe doesn't get wet at the collar or water doesn't get inside: if it does, the shoe gets wet, and compared to a non-Gore-Tex model, it takes longer to dry completely. Despite many criticising Gore-Tex, we use it even in summer and our feet stay dry; the secret is a good blister-prevention sock.

That said, our perfect shoe for the Camino de Santiago remains La Sportiva's Ultra Raptor GTX; although we receive no compensation for promoting it, we continue recommending it to everyone who asks because we believe it's truly an exceptional shoe. It's, quite frankly, an essential component of our Camino de Santiago equipment.

Read the complete article on how to choose the right shoe

The Perfect Socks for the Camino de Santiago

"Socks are socks, one's as good as another," you might think—but that's not quite right. If there are socks for every occasion, there must be a reason, don't you think?!

The perfect socks for the Camino de Santiago are blister-prevention socks: although they look normal at first glance, they have light padding in areas most prone to friction and blister formation.

We prefer low-cut socks that just peek above the shoe, covering the ankle enough to prevent direct contact and rubbing, but you can also choose higher socks that wrap around your calf—the important thing is that the elastic isn't too tight, as it could harm your muscles and tendons.

We don't have a preferred sock in this case; what matters is that it's paired with good shoes and anti-friction cream like petroleum jelly, which when applied to your foot before putting on your socks reduces friction and therefore prevents blisters.

Try it to believe it!

The Perfect Clothing for the Camino de Santiago!

Shirts, t-shirts, trousers, shorts, socks and liners. Our wardrobes are full of all kinds of clothes, probably fashionable or never worn, but what we actually need during our Camino de Santiago is really minimal.

What do you really need? First, we must understand, as with shoes, that we're not all the same, so choosing the perfect clothing for the Camino de Santiago is very personal.

Many internet "experts" who might have already done a few pilgrim routes will tell you: "Pack two shirts and two pairs of trousers and three pairs of underwear and go—don't make a fuss," and that might actually be true, but…

There are three variables to consider:

• What time of year do you want to leave,
• How willing are you to adapt,
• Are you sure you want to carry all that stuff?

Setting out on the Camino de Santiago in summer has many advantages: summer clothes are light, dry quickly and take up little space. This doesn't mean you can pack more, but rather that you can travel with a considerably smaller and lighter backpack.

In summer you can pack:

• 3 technical fabric t-shirts
• 3 trousers – shorts
• 3 pairs of underwear
• 3 pairs of socks
• 1 long-sleeve shirt for evenings / fleece
• 1 windproof/waterproof jacket

That's all?

Yes!!! The beauty of walking in summer is being able to hand-wash your clothes every day and see them dry within a couple of hours max. This lets you eliminate considerable weight from your backpack, achieving a complete perfect Camino de Santiago setup weighing just 5.5 kg – 6 kg.

In spring and autumn, I recommend adding something slightly heavier to this list, like a double-layer thermal shirt and a fleece.

Winter is a different story. You'll need a few more changes to keep on hand in case you can't do laundry for several days due to rain. Obviously, the three summer t-shirts become 3 double-layer thermal shirts, the shorts become heavy trousers, and the windproof jacket becomes a lightweight 100g down jacket.

I could give you a complete list of every clothing item to pack in your backpack for the Camino, but I think it's up to you to choose what's most suitable for your needs and budget.

Remember: pack only what you absolutely need. If you find you need something you didn't bring, you can always buy it along the Camino. Spain has all kinds of shops, markets and supermarkets where you can get what you need.

What If It Rains?

The Perfect Waterproof Clothing for the Camino de Santiago

Earlier we discussed the rain cover for your backpack in case of rain, and also waterproof Gore-Tex shoes, but we overlooked a very important aspect: how can we dress and avoid getting soaked to our underwear during our Camino?

There are several systems to avoid getting wet during the Camino de Santiago. Here are a few:

• Stay at home
• Umbrella
• Rain poncho
• Waterproof jacket + waterproof trousers

Let's start with the first option—staying home—but is that really what you want?!

I don't think you're reading this long and interesting article just to stay within your four walls to avoid getting wet, especially in the beautiful and rainy Galicia.

In fact, in Galicia it's easy to encounter rainy days even in summer, so if you don't let this scare you too much, some useful advice on the perfect waterproof clothing will help during your Camino.

Umbrella

The most economical solution is definitely the classic umbrella. They come in various types, including small and foldable ones, but would you really be willing to walk, say, 20km with an umbrella in your hand?

You'd probably arrive dry, but with arm paralysis (Obviously joking, but...)

Let's say it could be an effective solution if it rains for just a few minutes, but…

Rain Poncho

Another option could be one of those waterproof ponchos, also called Ponchos, that you slip on and which cover you almost completely down to your knees.

There are really different types:

• The kind you slip on that covers you down to your knees, also covering your backpack;
• The more ergonomic version with a backpack-shaped back to maintain the same length front and back;
• The kind you wear like a raincoat but that doesn't cover your backpack.

Which one to choose?

In our experience, none of them—especially if you encounter those rainy-then-not-rainy days where it rains for 5 minutes then the sun comes out (typical for the Galician coast). You'd spend all day putting on and taking off the poncho, stopping or slowing your pace each time. Their biggest flaw is that, being waterproof, it's true they keep water out, but equally true is that inside you risk creating a sauna.

Another flaw with these ponchos is that being short to the knee, when it rains heavily the water running off the waterproof material flows down your legs and straight into your shoes—a perfect way to arrive at the end of the day soaked and with blistered feet.

These are the reasons we abandoned these solutions and chose what we consider the perfect waterproof clothing for the Camino de Santiago:

Waterproof Jacket and Trousers

"It can't rain forever," Brandon Lee said in the film "The Crow," true, but when it rains...it rains!

So what do we do in case of rain?

We said umbrella, poncho, or...waterproof jacket plus trousers.

There's an endless variety of wind and waterproof-resistant jackets, the classic, timeless Kway, available in multiple variants and brands. But we need something that really protects us in rain, and nothing beats a good—albeit costly—Gore-Tex jacket.

We mentioned Gore-Tex earlier for shoes: an impermeable and breathable membrane. Obviously these jackets won't withstand extremely heavy, continuous rain for hours, but depending on quality, they can resist hundreds of millimetres of rain, keeping you truly dry.

What's convenient about the jacket? You put it on and don't need to remove it if it stops raining; it protects you from water and wind, and once you're indoors it dries instantly.

The same goes for trousers: once we see the day is rainy, we put them on and stay dry until we arrive.

If you look at our photos or videos on rainy days, we're always wearing waterproof jacket and trousers.

If you don't believe us, try it and let us know!

In our opinion, the perfect waterproof clothing combination for the Camino de Santiago remains a Gore-Tex jacket paired with waterproof trousers.

Sleeping Bag or Sleeping Sheet for the Camino de Santiago??

One of the most frequent questions from those who follow us on our website or social pages is exactly this: "Sleeping bag or sleeping sheet for the Camino de Santiago?" The answer is:

It depends.

As we've explained many times, most people, media and news outlets confuse the Camino de Santiago with the French Way, but the Santiago routes are many and varied.

Each route crosses different Spanish regions and has particular characteristics, much like in Italy, varying depending on the time of year and therefore local temperatures.

So how do we decide whether to carry a sleeping bag or a sleeping sheet?

The time of year is certainly a fundamental factor. In late autumn, winter and early spring months, temperatures on the French Way vary greatly, ranging from below zero to 14-15 degrees. It follows that a sleeping bag is preferable during this period, even though most albergues now have heating and blankets. This choice is even more appropriate when you reach Galicia: here the Xunta de Galicia albergues don't have blankets for sanitary reasons, so at night, even with heating on, you need to stay well covered.

In summer, a sleeping sheet might suffice. But be careful—not always. As I said earlier, temperatures aren't constant throughout the Camino, and it can happen that at higher altitudes you'll need a sleeping bag's warmth at night.

So what's the solution?

It depends a lot on you too. If you're someone who gets cold easily like me, I recommend always carrying a sleeping bag on longer Camino routes. Alternatively, you could decide to stay in private hostels every night, leave both sleeping bag and sheet at home, and sleep in clean sheets every evening.

The choice is yours and depends on what type of Camino you choose to do.

We decide what to carry each time, because after all, there isn't just one perfect setup for the Camino de Santiago. It changes and varies depending on factors like which Camino, the season, the number of days, and weather forecasts. And when it comes to choosing between a sleeping sheet and sleeping bag, we've sometimes gotten it wrong too.

The Toiletries Kit for the Camino de Santiago

This toiletries topic is, I'd say, a very pe