Camino de Santiago landscape

26 Top Camino de Santiago Packing List Items for 2025 + What to Wear & NOT to Bring

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The Camino is a journey like no other, and its deeply-entrenched spiritual history is remarkable. Many pilgrims follow the Camino each year hoping to deepen their own religious or spiritual connections.

Because this is usually a trip that involves backpacking, it can be quite hard to know how to pack if you’ve never done it before. I’ve put together a guide to help you decide what to wear on the Camino de Santiago, what NOT to bring, and many other FAQs to make your pilgrimage safe and enjoyable.

26 Top Camino de Santiago Packing List Items for 2025 + What to Wear & NOT to Bring
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What to Pack for Camino de Santiago – 26 Essentials

  • 1. Small Backpack

    Small Backpack

    While big bags can obviously hold a ton of gear, it’s best to get a small backpack and use the space wisely to avoid toting around a heavy pack. It’s also a good idea to get one with hip straps that help you maintain your balance. Other good things to have on hand include a rain cover and a hydration pack, which can be bought separately if you already have a backpack.

    View on Amazon.com

  • 2. Packing Cubes

    packing cubes

    Stay organized and make packing for the trip a breeze. These top-quality packing cubes will make it easy to arrange your belongings at your destination so you’ll always be able to easily find what you’re looking for. Once you start using packing cubes you’ll never want to go back!

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  • 3. Virtual Private Network (VPN)

    how a vpn works

    Camino de Santiago spans across the countries of Spain, France, and Portugal (two of which frequently fall in the world’s highest rates of cybercrime and malicious attacks). Last year, France suffered from nearly 14 million cybersecurity attacks and Spain, nearly 4 million.

    Don’t leave your private data vulnerable to public Wi-Fi networks that are constantly being preyed upon at cafes, hotels, airports, and more. A VPN is super affordable and one of the best things you can do to protect your connection while at home and abroad. NordVPN is our go-to for unlimited bandwidth, less regional censorship, and an anonymous IP address. It offers a safer experience that will pay for itself in discounted flight tickets (since they can’t track your location and you can surf the web from 160+ countries!)

    View options at NordVPN.com

  • 4. Hanging Toiletry Bag

    hanging toiletry bag

    While some pilgrims may swear by their boots or walking stick, I swear by this humble hanging toiletry bag! It makes every trip easier by consolidating all liquids to one case and creates a shelf-like system since the bag unfolds to keep everything at eye level.

    This is particularly important since Europe is known for it’s teeny tiny bathrooms and sometimes your hostel has the shelf space of a thumbtack. Or you’re roughing it in the wild and really need a way to stay organized while keeping thingsoff the ground! Instead of balancing your toothbrush on the sink’s edge or dropping bottles everywhere, organize things into these gorgeous compartments and escape the chaos. Frankly, it’s a way of life!

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  • 5. Travel Toiletries

    Travel Toiletries

    Just because you’re going to be hiking in all weather doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take along what you need to stay moderately clean and presentable on your travels. Of course, what that entails varies depending on your own personal needs, but your list might include things like soap, shampoo, deodorant, ponytail holders, chapstick, and other hygiene products.

    Consider purchasing a pre-stocked set of mini-toiletries for the occasion – it can really save you a lot fo trouble. Another thing you may want to bring with you is rolls of travel toilet paper or a small pack of tissues. Yes, really! These come in handy when you find yourself miles from the nearest bathroom.

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  • 6. Neck Wallet

    Neck-Wallet

    Petty theft is alive and well. We highly recommend storing your valuables, e.g. passport, credit cards, important documents, in a neck wallet. They are safer and more convenient than a regular wallet when traveling and keeps everything organized on busy travel days when the jet lag can feel heavy!

    Available on HeroTravelSupply.com with an exclusive 15% discount using the coupon code “HERO”.

    Or View on Amazon.com

  • 7. Travel Insurance for Camino de Santiago

    Travel Insurance for Camino de Santiago

    Don’t hike to remote places outside of the country without travel insurance. Period! It’s highly advised before embarking on your journey to protect yourself in case of emergency, particularly since most domestic providers do not have coverage that translates overseas.

    We use Faye because they are the first 100% digital provider, allowing you to handle everything from reimbursements to flight routes all from their mobile app. They have great add-ons like trip cancellation ‘for any reason’ and ‘adventure & extreme sport,’ which may be perfect for this kind of quest! It’s wildly affordable, about 3-5% of your trip cost, and will cover you for flight delays, cancellations, international medical coverage, and 24/7 support for any travel-related questions you may have along the way.

    Get a quote in less than 60 seconds with Faye

  • 8. Water-Resistant Shoe Bag

    Water-Resistant Shoe Bag

    The unsung hero of our Camino backpack is these shoe bags. Because your muddy boots deserve better than a crappy grocery sack. These are water-resistant and perfect for confining the grime to one back after a long day of hiking. These keep all of the dust, mud, grit, (and questionable puddle water) away from your clean clothes or sanitary items. They’re super lightweight and ensure your pack doesn’t smell like a gym locker.

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  • 9. Convertible Hiking Pants

    Hiking Pants

    These are the ultimate multitaskers! Keep the full-length pants on when it’s a bit chillier and by noon when the sun is fully blaring down, unzip them at the knee to lose the extra weight. These are temperature-regulating with a silver fiber lining (which is super cool and sounds kind of scientific) but the real perk is being able to remove your pant leg if it gets muddy or wet. Not all pants are this talented!

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  • 10. Collapsible Trekking Poles

    Collapsible Trekking Poles

    Your knees will thank you on descents if you bring these foldable hiking poles. They’re easily adjustable in height and help you to keep your balance along the way. With adjustments for mud or snow, you can save these for all future hikes and it will really take a load off of your joints.

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  • 11. Waterproof Hiking Boots and/or Walking Shoes

    Hiking shoes waterproof camino

    Durable shoes with good traction are a must for the trail. You’re going to be walking for a long time each day so make sure the shoes that you’re bringing along for the ride are comfortable and well broken-in before you leave home.

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  • 12. Rain Gear

    Rain Gear

    You’ll want something to protect you from the weather while you’re outdoors. A lightweight, well-made rain jacket is always a good idea. However, ponchos are also good because they can be folded up into a tiny ball if they’re not in use. You might also want to look at purchasing a windproof travel umbrella. If you can find waterproof hiking pants, that’s a bonus.

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  • 13. TSA-Approved Luggage Locks

    TSA-Approved Luggage Locks

    On the Camino, you quickly learn that your backpack is your home, closet, and kitchen all in one. Most pilgrims are trustworthy, but it will still offer you peace of mind to secure your bag with these luggage locks. When staying in the albergues (hostels) you may need to leave your bag unattended in busy places and crowded dorms. You don’t need Fort Knox; this TSA-friendly lock will do the trick for all of your bags and even lockers.

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  • 14. Water Bottle With Filter

    Water Bottle With Filter

    You’re going to be drinking a lot of water on your journey. While the tap water in France and Spain is generally safe to drink, it might not always be to your personal tastes since Europe often uses high amounts of chlorine to purify the water. There are a lot of fountains along the trail but the best way to ensure any problems is to take a water bottle with its own filter. If you need a higher-quality one (that you literally could dip in river water and survive), the Grayl is our go-to since it eliminates harmful bacteria, viruses, sediment, chlorine, and more.

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  • 15. Lightweight Sleeping Bag

    Lightweight Sleeping Bag

    The lighter, the better. You might even want to make your own sleeping sack since traditional sleeping bags are often really heavy. Some folks that go on the trail during the summer might even get by with either a single sheet or a single comforter. You may also want to bring a small travel pillow to use or at least bring along a pillow case to keep from having to put your head down on ones that might not be clean.

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  • 16. Flip-flops

    Flip-flops

    For grungy hostel showers, these can’t be beat! They’re also great for cooling your tired feet in the afternoons after a long day of hiking.

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  • 17. Quick-Dry Towel

    travel towel

    One of our top essential items in your hiking artillery! These towels are kind of amazing – they’re light as a feather yet the high-quality microfiber material is super absorbent (actually, 10x more absorbent than cotton). This also means they’re quick to dry so things in your satchel aren’t getting soggy.

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  • 18. Universal Adapter

    Universal Adapter

    Between the various countries in Camino de Santiago, you’ll require a Type C and Type F plug adapter to charge your electronics. Even though you’re in the wild, you’ll still want a phone for emergencies or adventures you may have off the trail. This universal adapter is the best quality that we’ve found and I love having multiple USB ports to work with. It’s compatible with 100+ countries so you can use it all over Europe and switch settings as quickly as you hop borders!

    View on Amazon.com

  • 19. Compact Portable Charger

    Lipstick-Sized Charger

    Since you’re not going to be spending much of your time at places with actual electric outlets, having a portable power bank is a good way to keep your cellphone functioning at peak levels while you’re on the trail.

    View on Amazon.com

  • 20. Laundry Soap

    Laundry Soap

    With only a few outfits to choose from, you’re probably going to be doing laundry on a regular basis. I personally like Dr. Brommer’s because it’s good at getting tough stains out of clothes and it comes in a wide variety of scents.

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  • 21. Noise Canceling Headphones and/or Earplugs

    Noise Canceling Headphones and/or Earplugs

    If you’re bothered by the snores of other people and plan on staying in pilgrims' hostels along the way, either one of these items is a trip essential. A sleep mask might also bea  good item to have on hand if you’re the sort of person who wakes up every time someone in your room turns on an overhead light.

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  • 22. Windproof Travel Umbrella

    Umbrella

    It’s best to arrive prepared for whatever weather you will encounter on your journey. This is a great umbrella that’s well constructed to withstand even strong winds. It’s compact and comes with a carrying case that allows you to store your wet umbrella without getting surrounding items wet.

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  • 23. Cooling Towel

    Cooling Towel

    The trails can get hot, particularly mid-day with temperatures in this region reaching a peak of 95°F (35°C). Beat the heat with these magical towels that you simply add water to. Upon activation, they will drop 20-30 degrees colder than the outside temperature and feel like a refreshing Kool-Aid on a warm summer day. We bring them on hikes, workouts, to concerts, and more since they make the outdoors so much more comfortable.

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  • 24. Jet Lag Relief

    Jet Lag Relief

    If you’re coming from abroad, the journey to start your trek can take 10-20+ hours. No one wants to begin a rigorous hike when running on fumes, so start your trip off right with these homeopathic jet lag relief supplements. They’re way more gentle than others that have caffeine, and they give you the perfect boost that is actually noticeable (I regretted not having these on my last international flight and won’t forget them again!)

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  • 25. Packable "Just in Case" Bag

    Packable

    We’ve all experienced the traveler’s conundrum of not having enough bags. This one is the perfect option to stow away since it’s made of a lightweight duffel material that won’t slow you down. Use it to stash things for day-trips or excursions, souvenirs that you pick up along the way, or as a carry-on bag for the flight home.

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  • 26. Scallop Shell (optional)

    Scallop Shell (optional)

    Placing a seashell on your bag is an age-old tradition that marks you as a pilgrim who’s en route to Santiago. The locals recognize this symbol and are usually willing to help travelers on their way. However, if you prefer to go incognito, that’s perfectly okay too.

    View on Amazon.com

What to wear on the Camino de Santiago

1) Sturdy, practical clothes that work well in all weathers and will stand up to repeated washings. They get bonus points for being rainproof or at least water-resistant.

2) Even in the summer months, bringing along some cold-weather items is a good idea because the temperature can drop suddenly and unexpectedly in mountainous regions.

3) Something that perks up your appearance in the evenings so that you’re not stuck wearing grungy hiking gear the entire trip. This item could be earrings, lipstick, a second pair of shoes, or even a fresh shirt.

4) You’ll obviously want to pack warmer clothes when the forecast calls for cold weather and lighter garments in hot weather. Good winter options may also include thick scarves, fleece hats, and gloves.

What NOT to take on the Camino de Santiago

  • 1. Extra Items of Any Kind

    Jettison anything you aren’t going to use on a regular basis. After all, you have to carry almost everything that you plan on taking with you, and it’s a long walk.

  • 2. Valuables

    You really don’t need them and they’ll probably get lost or stolen en route so it’s best to leave them at home.

  • 3. Uncomfortable Footwear

    You’ll be doing a lot of walking so leave any uncomfortable footwear behind. It should go without saying that this caveat also covers high heels because they’re certainly not suitable for all the hiking you’ll be doing along the way.

  • 4. Large Electronic Devices

    Items like computers or overly large cameras that aren’t worth the additional weight they add to your pack. You can instead use your phone to take pictures and post a humble brag on socials if you feel you must.

FAQs about Hiking the Camino

  • 1. How long is Camino de Santiago and how difficult is it to hike?

    As Santiago has been a popular pilgrimage site for centuries, there are many different routes to the town’s cathedral. The most popular route is called the French Way, which goes over the border from France into Spain. It lasts 790 kilometers (about 500 miles). For the most part, the trail is of average difficulty, but it’s still doable for active people who are in good health. There are also some routes that are more strenuous than others, so be sure to research more carefully the path you plan on taking before setting out. It’s also a good idea to build up your strength by taking long walks that increase in duration for a while before you leave for your trip.

  • 2. How long will I need to complete the route?

    The French Way takes a little over a month to complete if you are on foot. Other methods of conquering the trail might involve bicycles, horses, and possibly hopping on a bus for a bit. Any of these tactics can easily reduce the time it will take to get from point A to point B. Other routes may take longer or shorter amounts of time to complete. Just keep in mind that you must do the last portion of the path either on foot for 100 kilometers (62.14 miles) or by bicycle for 200 kilometers (124.28 miles) in order to receive your completion certificate.

  • 3. What’s a good basic daily budget for hiking the Camino de Santiago?

    $40 to $60 per person is a good base rate for this trip. However, this estimate does depend on where you plan on spending the night and how much you typically need for food on a daily basis. While donation-based accommodation can be found in some spots, pilgrims’ hostels(called albergues or refugios)normally charge around €8 ($9.55 USD) per night. Meanwhile, staying in a private hostel or hotel could easily cost you anywhere from $30 to $60 or more on a daily basis. Your trip cost calculations should also include the price of transport from your home to your starting point as well as any additional activities or services that you plan on using. For instance, you can pay to have your bags transported from point to point on a daily basis so you don’t have to carry them around

  • 4. When is the best time of year to hike the trail?

    As is the case with many European destinations, the Camino de Santiago can be quite crowded and warm during the summer months. It can also be icy cold and totally devoid of people in the wintertime. Therefore, the months of May, June, September, and October are generally considered the best times to go for milder weather and fewer crowds.

  • 5. What pack size is best?

    For this trek, the recommended average is under 20 pounds for men and under 15 pounds for women. However, the amount you are able to successfully carry might end up being more or less than that. Just keep in mind that the less you pack, the less you’ll end up carrying and the road is long.

  • 6. What are some space-saving tips for hikers?

    Use items that have dual functionality. If your phone has a camera and a book reader feature on it, you may want to simply use them to avoid taking along extra items. Likewise, it’s a good idea to bring things like sarongs that can double as a shower cover-up, towels, dresses, picnic blankets, privacy curtains, and so on. The more purpose that your gear serves, the less ultimately you have to bring with you. Leave behind anything you don’t need. Your back and feet will thank you.

  • 7. Are there any additional safety issues that need to be addressed?

    Not aside from the usual ones that go along with hiking and staying in hostels. Just be cautious and you should be perfectly fine.

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