Camino de Santiago: The Complete Gear List

Controversial opinion: most Camino walkers do better in trail runners than heavy trekking boots. The Camino Francés is largely on well-maintained paths and tracks — you don't need the ankle support or waterproofing of a mountain boot, and the lighter weight significantly reduces fatigue over 30+ days. Exceptions: the Pyrenees crossing on day one if conditions are wintry, and the Galician mud in spring. For Camino del Norte (coastal, rough terrain), boots are more appropriate.

Essential. After a long day walking, your feet need to breathe. Also used in albergue showers (athlete's foot is common in communal bathrooms). Crocs Classic are the Camino default — lightweight, durable, rinse clean, and fine for town evenings.

More pairs than for a normal trek because you'll hand wash every 1–2 days and need dry pairs while others are drying. Merino resists odour far better than synthetic — significant over 30 days. Darn Tough Vermont socks carry a lifetime guarantee; if they wear through, the company replaces them.

Most experienced Camino walkers recommend 30–35L. Anything bigger gives you permission to carry things you don't need. You're not camping, so you need no tent or cooking gear. Prioritise hip belt load transfer and back ventilation — you'll be wearing this 6–8 hours a day for a month.

Galicia (the last 100km) is genuinely rainy. You'll need it. Many packs include one; if not, buy separately or use a pack liner (a heavy-duty bag inside the pack) which is lighter but less convenient.

Merino is the fabric of the Camino. It regulates temperature in both heat and cold, resists odour dramatically better than synthetic or cotton, and dries fast. You can wear a merino t-shirt for 3–4 days without it becoming unpleasant — a real advantage when laundry access varies. Icebreaker and Smartwool are the leading brands; budget options from Decathlon are surprisingly good.

Lightweight, quick-drying, non-cotton. Many pilgrims use convertible zip-off trousers, which doubles as shorts in the heat. Avoid denim entirely — it's heavy, slow-drying, and chafes on long days.

You will get rained on, particularly in the Pyrenees and Galicia. A packable waterproof shell that fits in your pack's lid pocket is essential. You don't need Gore-Tex Pro — a Paclite or similar 2.5-layer construction is sufficient for the Camino's conditions.

For cool mornings and evenings, especially on the Meseta and in the mountains. A 100-weight fleece is enough for spring/autumn. In summer, this can be left out.

Merino underwear is worth every penny on a month-long walk. ExOfficio and Icebreaker are the standard recommendations. Avoid cotton — it causes chafing when wet and slow-dries.

Critical for summer and important in spring/autumn. The Meseta (the high plateau between Burgos and León) is exposed with minimal shade for hours at a time. A wide-brimmed hat, not a baseball cap.

Albergues provide beds but not always blankets, and the blankets they do provide are used by many people. A sleeping bag liner is the standard solution. Most pilgrims use a silk liner — lightweight, packs to almost nothing, and adds 3–5°C of warmth. No need to bring a full sleeping bag for the Camino Francés in spring or summer.

Non-negotiable. Albergues have dormitory sleeping — 6 to 100+ pilgrims per room, varying degrees of snoring, early departures at 5am. Good earplugs are the difference between sleeping well and not sleeping at all. Bring 10+ pairs and share them freely.

Some albergues provide towels, many don't. A medium microfibre towel (50x100cm) dries in 20 minutes and weighs under 100g. Pack one always.

Wear in communal showers to avoid foot infections. Your camp sandals work for this if they have a back strap; otherwise bring a separate lightweight pair.

The number one Camino killer is blisters. Treat hot spots before they become blisters. The standard Camino blister kit: Compeed blister plasters, Leukotape athletic tape, a sterile needle, Betadine antiseptic. The Camino has many pilgrim nurses and pharmacy-based blister services, but having your own kit means treating problems immediately rather than walking a further 5km to the next town.

More pilgrims use poles than don't. They distribute load to your arms on climbs, protect your knees significantly on descents, and provide stability on the uneven sections. Traditional pilgrim staffs (bordon) are available on the Camino but are single poles — modern telescoping poles are more practical. Fold-up carbon poles pack efficiently in luggage.

UV exposure on the Meseta in July is brutal. Even in spring and autumn, you'll be outdoors for 6–8 hours daily. Reapply every 2 hours. You can buy sunscreen along the route but it's more expensive than home. Start with 2 tubes and resupply as needed.