THE SUPREME CAMINO PACKING LIST AND PDF.
A successful pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago starts with packing. It may not sound important, but it is vital. We call this the supreme Camino packing list, because it really is.
Our Camino packing list has been tried, tested and refined over the course of multiple Caminos and long-distance hikes. We’ve made packing blunders in the past and we want to make sure you don’t do the same.
We hope this Camino packing list answers all your questions.
So, whats our Camino packing list ethos?
There are many Camino packing lists out there. What’s different about ours? Our Camino Packing List is designed to balance the requirement for a lightweight backpack with the needs of a modern pilgrim.
Yes, it’s important that you’re backpack is light. But, you don’t want to leave anything that’s really essential for you at home. We believe that it’s possible to walk the Camino with a light backpack and still feel good!
We always stick to the principle of “one to wear and one to wash” but with the added “extra undies and socks for luck,” when it comes to our Camino packing list clothing choices. More on that in the section below on laundry!
This packing list offers guidance for both men and women, because between John and I, we represent both of these genders.
Emma’s packing list (female)
Here’s a summary of the ultimate women’s Camino packing list for summer 2025. You can find more detailed information below in the FAQs section. We also include our recommendations for hiking apparel below.
| Item | Optional (O) or Required (R) | Quantity |
| Backpack | R | 1 |
| Quick Dry Shorts | R | 2 |
| Quick Dry T-Shirts or sleeveless gym tops | R | 2 |
| Underwear | R | 3 |
| Sports Bra | R | 2 |
| Evening Bra | O | 1 |
| Socks | R | 3 |
| Swimsuit or bikini (If walking the Norte, Finisterre or Portuguese Coastal)* a bikini top can double up as an evening bra if needed | O | 1 |
| Trail shoes, trainers or hiking shoes | R | 1 |
| Pajama or something to sleep in | R | 1 |
| A change of clothing and shoes for the evening | O (but recommended) | 1 |
| Hat | R | 1 |
| Sunglasses | R | 1 |
| A windproof/rainproof layer – I like to pack a lightweight sweater and a rainproof jacket or a poncho. | R | 1 |
| A rainproof bag cover | R | 1 |
| Sunscreen | R | 1 |
| Insect repellent | O | 1 |
| First aid kit including painkillers, required medication and blister plasters | O | 1 |
| Water bottle or reservoir | R | 1 |
| Trekking Poles | O | 1 |
| Toiletries – deodorant, razor, shampoo/ soap bar, dental care (pick travel sized bottles and lightweight items) | R | 1 |
| Something to wash laundry with (see note on laundry below) | R | 1 |
| Phone charger with adaptor (for Europe) and ideally a long cable | R | 1 |
| Power Bank/ Battery Pack | O | 1 |
| Trek Towel | R | 1 |
| Sleeping Bag Liner or Sleeping Bag | O | 1 |
| Face Mask and Ear Plugs | O | 1 |
| Other miscellaneous items (deck of cards, travel journal, kindle, sandwich bags, wet wipes, clothing pegs.) Think about small items that might make your experience better or things that come in handy. | O | 1 |
| A fanny pack or canvas bag to keep your belongings in on evenings out | O | 1 |
| Plastic bag (to keep soiled clothing separate)/ Packing cubes are also helpful | O | 1 |
| Passport | R | 1 |
| Mobile phone and headphones | R | 1 |
| Cash and ATM Card | R | 1 |
| Pilgrim Passport/ Credential | R | 1 |
This packing list is based on walking during the peak summer period from June to September inclusive. You can find a guide to extra items to pack outside of summer below.
PDF DOWNLOAD – find your printable PDF packing list here
Toiletries for women – my tips
There’s more detail below in this article on laundry, hair styling and cosmetics. But I wanted to share a bit more detail on the toiletries that I pack on every long-distance hike, including the Camino.
Here are the essential toiletries on my Camino Packing List.
- All in one soap – an excellent thing. You can get it on Amazon. Soap that washes you, your hair and your clothing. It’s marvellous. Pack it in a plastic zip lock bag (not a heavy soap dish!)
- Sachets of Conditioner OR a leave in conditioner – a bottle of conditioner may be too heavy, but a few sachets of conditioner or an intensive hair mask are easier to carry. Next time, I’m going for a leave in conditioner spray that I can also use as a serum.
- Mooncup – carrying tampax or sanitary towels is heavy, a mooncup is not. I’d also recommend this for ease as sometimes the toilets on the trail are infrequent. (Find out more about bathrooms on the Camino here.)
- Moisturiser for body and face – an all in one moisturiser will save space and weight in your bag, for me this as non-negotiable especially to moisturise my feet. (Find out more about foot care on the Camino here).
- Sunscreen – goes without saying. I find a spray easier to use on the trails and lighter to carry too. In addition to a large bottle of sunscreen, which I normally buy in Spain, love this Le Roche Posay sun stick for my face as it’s lightweight, easy to put in your bag and is a solid stick (meaning it doesn’t count towards your liquid allowance on the plane.)
- Bug Spray – during the night in hostels, you may not be control of whether windows or doors are open. If you don’t want to get bitten then I’d suggest taking a small spray. Mosquitos in Italy can be mean!
- A trek towel – this will come in super handy along the way. A quick dry towel is a necessity. (see more on that below)
- A small medical kit – allergy tablets, Ibuprofen, rehydration sachets and blister plasters.
- A little makeup for the evening – mascara and a lip balm that also acts as a cheek tint
- Cleansing wipes – a lightweight packet of cleansing wipes
- Deodorant – something under 100ml and lightweight
- Toothpaste and toothbrush/ dental care
John’s packing list (male)
Here’s a summary of the definitive men’s Camino packing list for summer 2025. You can find more detailed information below in the FAQs section. We also include our recommendations for hiking apparel below.
| Item | Optional (O) or Required (R) | Quantity |
| Quick Dry Shorts | R | 2 |
| Quick Dry T-Shirts | R | 2 |
| Underwear | R | 3 |
| Socks | R | 3 |
| Swimming shorts (If walking the Norte, Finisterre or Portuguese Coastal) | O | 1 |
| Trail shoes, trainers or hiking shoes | R | 1 |
| Pajama or something to sleep in | R | 1 |
| A change of clothing and shoes for the evening | O (but recommended) | 1 |
| Hat | R | 1 |
| Sunglasses | R | 1 |
| A windproof/rainproof layer – I like to pack a light rain coat or poncho plus a lightweight sweater | R | 1 |
| A rainproof bag cover | R | 1 |
| Sunscreen | R | 1 |
| Insect repellent | O | 1 |
| First aid kit including painkillers, required medication and blister plasters | O | 1 |
| Water bottle or reservoir | R | 1 |
| Trekking Poles | O | 1 |
| Toiletries – deodorant, razor, shampoo/ soap bar, dental care (pick travel sized bottles and lightweight items) | R | 1 |
| Something to wash laundry with (see note on laundry below) | R | 1 |
| Phone charger with adaptor (for Europe) and ideally a long cable | R | 1 |
| Power Bank/ Battery Pack | O | 1 |
| Trek Towel | R | 1 |
| Sleeping Bag Liner or Sleeping Bag | O | 1 |
| Face Mask and Ear Plugs | O | 1 |
| Other miscellaneous items (deck of cards, travel journal, kindle, sandwich bags, wet wipes, clothing pegs.) | O | 1 |
| Plastic bag (to keep soiled clothing separate)/ Packing cubes are also helpful | O | 1 |
| Mobile phone and head phones | R | 1 |
| Passport | R | 1 |
| Cash and ATM Card | R | 1 |
| Pilgrim Passport/ Credential | R | 1 |
This packing list is based on walking during the peak summer period from June to September inclusive.
Downloadable PDF – mens packing list
Spring and Autumn require different items
The packing list we have created is for summer months. If travelling in spring or autumn, there are a few things to consider.
Firstly, temperatures will be cooler, particularly in the morning and evening. Secondly, you’re likely to get more rain. Finally, it can be more difficult to wash and dry clothing quickly.
With this in mind, these are the items that I always include when walking the Camino in spring or autumn:
- A woollen beanie hat;
- Lightweight gloves – this is a personal choice, but I get very cold hands!
- Thicker socks to wear at night in albergues;
- A thicker sweater or fleece – something I can wear by day and at night;
- Raincoat/ poncho;
- A good waterproof bag cover;
- Leggings or hiking trousers (as well as shorts).
Finally, I would also tailor my evening outfits to the weather. A lightweight pair of shoes, like TOMS or converse would replace sandals. And I might pack lightweight jeans or a pair of trousers instead of a dress or shorts.
You can find out more about preparing for walking in the rain here.
Camino Packing List FAQs
Camino Backpack
Your Camino packing list has to start with the backpack. It’s very important to pick the right one for you and to ensure that it does not weigh too much. But how much should your backpack weigh for the Camino de Santiago and how big should it be?
We recommend a 30 or 40 litre backpack
Most people walking a long distance hike such as the Camino de Santiago will carry a backpack of between 30 and 40 litres. This should be sufficient to carry all of your essentials on the Camino, including a sleeping bag or sleep sheet.
If you are planning to camp on the Camino de Santiago, you may need a larger bag. Perhaps 40 to 70 litres, depending on the size of your tent and weather you are travelling alone. Side note, we don’t recommend camping on the Camino.
However, for most people, anything bigger than 40 litres would be too much. The risk of carrying a larger bag, is that you will star to fill it with non-essential items.
Your backpack should not weigh more than 10% of your body weight
As a guide, your backpack for walking on the Camino de Santiago should not weigh more than 10% of your body weight. So, if you weigh 80kg, the backpack should weigh no more than 8kg.
There may be exceptions, if for example you are very strong or used to carrying weight whilst exercising.
However, it’s important to remember that you are likely to be walking long distances every day on the Camino de Santiago. Any extra weight on your back is likely to put unnecessary strain on your body and could lead to injury, or at least discomfort.
Choosing the right backpack
There are a few important things to look for when you are trying to find your backpack for the Camino de Santiago:
- Correct fit – backpacks come in different sizes to suit different heights, pick the correct one and find a backpack with adjustable straps
- Backpack weight – check the weight of your pack when it is empty
- Backpack size – look for something between 30 and 40 litres that you can also carry onto an airplane
- Pockets and sections – look for a bag with hip compartments, side pockets and other zipped sections
- Hip and chest straps – ensure that your backpack has hip and chest straps to take the weight off your shoulders
Finally, don’t forget to try it before you walk the Camino de Santiago and return it if it doesn’t feel right. And of course, don’t forget to train with the backpack on. Here are six of our favourite backpacks for the Camino de Santiago in 2025.
1/ Best for women – Osprey Sirrus 34 Women’s Hiking Backpack
Available in the US (as a 36 litre version) for $240 here and the UK here for £141.
2/ Best for petite women – Osprey Tempest 30 – available in Small Size to suit a petite frame. This is the backpack that I have been using for over two years and I rate it.
3/ Best if you’re using luggage transfer and want to pack more items – Osprey 65litre backpack
This larger backpack is available in the US here for $190 and in the UK for £149.
4/ Most stylish backpack – Fjällräven Kaipak 38 Backpack 55 cm
Available in the UK here for £179.95 and the US here.
5/ Best for men – Osprey Talon 33 litre requiring different sizes
Available here in the UK for £109 or the US for $185. This bag also comes in different colours.
6/ Best unisex option – Deuter Unisex Futura Pro 36 Backpack
Available in the UK here for £145 and $195 in the US here.
If you’re looking for a more budget option, you can find our guide to budget hiking here.
Packing your bag well is key
It may sound silly, but packing your backpack efficiently can make your trip much easier. Here are our top tips:
Firstly, it is extremely helpful to separate the items in your backpack so that you can get quick access to anything you need when you arrive at your albergue.
This would include your toiletries, your power cables, trek towel, and anything you need for sleeping. You can use a carrier bag to separate everything or use packing cubes. Having a separate toiletries bag can also speed things up when you need to get access to your toiletries and jump in the shower.
Secondly, try to keep your dirty clothes and walking clothes separate to your fresh evening clothes. When walking every day, especially in the summer, your walking clothes can get quite pungent!
Next, think about what you might need to get access to during your walk. Look for a backpack with handy pockets for these items. You may want somewhere to stash your phone, sunscreen, lip balm and anything else you want during the walk.
Finally, I love using a water platypus which slots into a pocket at the back of my bag. This means I can access my water as I walk. In the summer, this is so helpful to make sure I stay hydrate without taking too many breaks. But if this doesn’t suit you – a bottle works just fine!
Our tips on hiking clothing
There are far more important things about walking the Camino de Santiago than what you wear. But, I do think I always enjoy hiking more if I’m comfortable in my choice of outfit.
Here are my ideas for the best hiking outfits for women on the Camino.
Best hiking clothing for men
You can find our detailed guide to the best hiking clothing for men on the Camino here.
We like to have a change of clothing for the evening
We suggest packing a clean change of clothing to wear on the Camino in the evening. Our preference is to wear “civilian” rather than “hiking” clothing in the evening, but that is a personal choice. Some people do choose to wear clean hiking clothing in the evening.
You can find our guide to what to wear in the evening on the Camino here.
You don’t need hiking boots for the Camino – trainers are fine
You can walk the Camino de Santiago in trainers. We would recommend trainers as the best choice for walking the Camino de Santiago. Many people also choose walking sandals in the summer. But rarely are walking boots the best solution.
Find out more about wearing trainers on the Camino and which ones to pick here.
Packing FAQs
If you still have questions about packing – for example, should you pack hiking poles? What about laundry? And cosmetics?
You can find more information on our detailed packing and FAQs pages.
A bit about us and our pilgrim experience
This Camino packing list has been tried and tested by us on our pilgrimages:
- Camino del Norte 2022
- Camino Portuguese 2022
- Camino Finisterre 2022
- Via Francigena 2023
- Camino Ingles in England 2023
- St Olav’s Way 2023
- Camino Frances 2023
- Camino Frances 2024
- Camino Portuguese Coastal 2024
- Magna Via Francigena 2024
Find more Camino resources
You can find our full Camino resources here including route plans and further advice.
Would you like us to plan your walk for you?
Embark on a journey of a lifetime with Lotus Eaters Travel Planning, where we turn your dream of long-distance walking into a meticulously planned reality.
Our passion for exploration, love for diverse cultures, and commitment to providing an unparalleled experience drive us to offer personalized consultation services for some of the world’s most iconic walking trails
Written by Emma
Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.
British travel writer and long-distance hiker, native to Kent. Emma has walked the Camino de Santiago more than ten times, completed trails across Europe from the Corfu Trail to the Fisherman’s Trail, and covered thousands of kilometres on foot. She always writes from first-hand experience. Her goal? Inspire just one person to go on their first long-distance hike.
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