After completing the Camino Frances in 2012, I put together a list of the “10 Most Important Gear Items to Bring On Camino De Santiago“. That post has turned out to be one of the most popular gear lists that I’ve published on Trail to Peak. As much as readers seem to love that post, I get a lot of follow-up questions about what my complete Camino gear list looks like. I just completed a hike of the Camino Portuguese this summer, and decided the time was right to answer those questions with a comprehensive look at all the gear I brought along with me.

The key theme to think about when putting together your Camino kit is “lightweight and functional”. I recommend aiming for a base-weight that is less than 10% of your body weight. ‘Base-weight’ is the total weight of your gear, minus worn items and consumables like food and water. It has been reported that every 1% of your body weight that you carry in your pack will make you six seconds slower on each mile. That adds up quickly!

Don’t bring along anything that you don’t really need for your trip, but don’t leave behind necessities just to cut ounces. You’ll want to start with a lightweight backpack, and then fill it with the essentials only. I’m going to break down the things I find to be essentials below, and will start with a category table to help you organize things.

Packing List Overview:

Category	Items	Weight
Backpack	Backpack, rain cover, dry bags	2.45 lbs
Footwear	Shoes and socks	2.02 lbs
Worn Clothing	Tops, bottoms, hats, sunglasses, etc.	2.59 lbs
Packed Clothing	Jacket and evening wear	2.98 lbs
Sleep System	Sleep sack and pillow	1.73 lbs
Camera Gear	Camera, lens, batteries, etc.	5.16 lbs
Electronics	Chargers, cables, and apps	1.03 lbs
Miscellaneous Items	Clothes pins, toiletries, and more	2.01 lbs
Total		19.97 lbs

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Backpack and Stuff Sacks:

For the Camino Portuguese this summer, I hiked with the Osprey Levity 45L (My Review). This pack comes in at an ultralight 1lb 12oz and pretty much disappears when it’s on my back.

You’ll see in the list below that I also brought along a waterproof pack cover to keep my bag dry in the rain. I also brought waterproof stuff sacks for organization and a second layer of water protection. Trash bags work well, too! Finally, you’ll see I have a fanny pack for walking around Camino towns after a long day along The Way. This is a safe way to store cash, cards, and passports while leaving my pack in the albergue.

Item	Weight	Price Check
Osprey Levity 45L (My Review)	1.75 lbs	REI
Osprey Ultralight Dry Sacks 30L, 20L, 12L	0.29 lbs	REI | Amazon
Osprey Ultralight Pack Raincover	0.19 lbs	REI | Amazon
Patagonia Travel Hip Pack	0.22 lbs	REI | Patagonia
Total	2.45 lbs

Also consider: Osprey Exos 48 | Gregory Optic 48 | HMG 2400 Southwest

Your choice of backpack will be one of the most important gear decisions you make when putting together your Camino kit. Keep in mind that you’ll be living out of this bag for a few weeks and will be required to carry it, and all of your belongings, for 10+ miles each day. Here are four key things to focus on when purchasing a pack:

• Weight: Find a pack that is lightweight. Try not to exceed 3lbs for a backpack.
• Volume: You probably won’t need more than a 35L pack for the Camino, but it can be nice to have a larger pack if you plan on using it for backpacking trips once you return home. There are a lot of really like ~45L packs on the market right now, but don’t get more space than you need, you might be tempted to fill it!
• Comfort: This is the most important factor when buying a backpack. Only buy a pack if it fits YOU. Make sure to take a month before the Camino to test things out and get everything dialed in.
• Features: Lightweight packs tend to have fewer features than heavy packs. Make sure your bag has enough pockets, adjustment points, and storage options to fit your needs.

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Footwear:

I wore the Salomon SLAB Ultra (My Review) for the Camino Portuguese and paired them with Smartwool and Darn Tough Merino wool socks. The SLAB Ultra comes in at a little over 12oz per shoe, provides phenomenal comfort and protection, and has outsoles that will stick to anything.

Item	Weight	Price Check
Salomon SLAB Ultra (My Review)	1.55 lbs	Zappos | Amazon
Smartwool PhD Socks x2	0.32 lbs	REI | Amazon
Darn Tough Socks x1	0.15 lbs	REI | Amazon
Total	2.02 lbs

See my top 14 trail shoes for 2018!

When picking a shoe, keep in mind that one pound on your feet is equal to five pounds on your back. That extra pound will result in a 5% increase in energy expended. Your choice of footwear will be the most important gear decision you make. Just like tires, your shoes are the only piece of gear that will always be in contact with the trail.

Here are seven key things to focus on when purchasing a pack:

• Lightweight: try to stay under 14 oz. per shoe
• Breathable: must let feet breathe in hot weather, then drain and dry quickly when wet
• Forefoot Protection: The Camino has a lot of rocky trail and cobblestone. Make sure your shoes have enough underfoot protection.
• Fit: I prefer shoes with an anatomically foot shaped toe box. Also look for a precise fit in the midfoot and heel. Any mild slipping can turn into big blisters.
• Durable: Shoe must be able to handle 500+ miles per pair or more
• Comfortable: No hot spots or rubbing points, with a nearly seamless interior upper. If it causes you issues in the store or on short hikes, it will be much worse on The Way.
• Stable: Not necessarily with inserts or built in support, but you’ll want shoes that can handle a pack

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Daily Worn Clothing:

For my daily clothing, I always try to focus on breathable and light materials that provide maximum sun protection. Keep in mind that you only need one or two of each item, as you can wash your clothes each day to be ready for you in the morning. This is another reason to get light and breathable items, as they will dry faster. I’m a big fan of Patagonia, as their clothes fit me well, always perform well, and have a lifetime warranty.

You’ll also want to pack a rain jacket for backpacking poncho. It rained on our first three days, and I was very happy to have adequate rain protection. I hiked in the summer and didn’t need warm pants. If you’re doing a winter Camino, warmer pants and/or rain pants are something you’ll want to consider.

Item	Weight	Price Check
Nike Golf Hat	0.12 lbs	Amazon
Julbo Aero Sunglasses (My Review)	0.06 lbs	Backcountry | Amazon
Patagonia Capilene Lightweight LS	0.14 lbs	REI | Patagonia
Patagonia Nine Trails Shorts	0.60 lbs	REI | Patagonia
ExOfficio Give-n-Go Sport Brief  x 3	0.47 lbs	REI | Amazon
My Trail Co Storm UL Rain Jacket (My Review)	0.63 lbs	My Trail Co.
Salomon S-LAB Light Jacket	0.21 lbs	Amazon
Garmin Fenix 5X	0.22 lbs	REI | Amazon
Outdoor Research Chroma Sun Gloves	0.06 lbs	Amazon
BUFF Scarf	0.08 lbs	REI | Amazon
Total	2.59 lbs

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Daily Packed Clothing:

After washing my daily worn clothing in the evening, I like to have a pair of semi-clean dry clothes that I can wear to dinner, around town, and to bed. I also like to have a light weight jacket for the nights it gets cold. Keep in mind that most albergues are not heated in the summer months. I also like to have a pair of sandals or camp shoes to wear around town and to dinner. This allows my trail shoes to dry out and my feet to breathe. I wore my Vivobarefoot Ultra 3 on the Camino Portuguese, and can’t recommend them highly enough.

Item	Weight	Price Check
Patagonia Nine Trail T Shirt	0.25 lbs	REI | Patagonia
Patagonia Terrabone Jogger Pants	0.38 lbs	REI
Patagonia Technical Stretch Shorts	0.41 lbs	Patagonia
Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody	0.94 lbs	REI | Patagonia
Vivobarefoot Ultra 3 Camp Shoes (My Review)	1.00 lbs	Zappos | Amazon
Total	2.98 lbs

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Sleep System:

This is one of the most variable gear sections on this post. For the Camino Portuguese this summer, I hiked with my wife and son, which meant we had private rooms with blankets every night. For this reason, I brought along a lightweight sleep sack and a small pillow. Had we been hiking in colder months and/or staying in larger albergues, I would have considered bringing one of my lightweight sleeping quilts. My Enlightened Equipment quilt is the one I would recommend for all pilgrims.

Item	Weight	Price
Envelope Sleeping Sack	1.60 lbs	Amazon
Sea to Summit Aeros Pillow	0.13 lbs	REI | Amazon
Total	1.73 lbs

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Camera:

This is the gear section that blows my weight budget, and tends to be heavier than most pilgrims. As a blogger and photographer, I bring a lot more gear than the average person. Still, my gear is optimized and light for what it is. I have a mirrorless full frame camera, and limit myself to one lens. My two pound gimbal was a new gear item for me this year, but worthwhile, as I was able to shoot much more cinematic video.

For the casual pilgrim, your smartphone will be good enough. If you’re a little more serious, an APS-C camera like the Sony a6300/a6500 would be a worthwhile purchase. You can pair that camera with the lightweight Sony 10-18mm lens for some incredible photo and video. If you want profession photos in a lightweight camera, you’ll want to go full frame. I recommend the new Sony a7riii or a7iii.

Item	Weight	Price
Sony A7rii	1.38 lbs	BH Photo | Amazon
Zeiss Batis 18mm f/2.8	0.73 lbs	BH Photo | Amazon
Extra Battery x2	0.20 lbs	Amazon
64GB SDHC Cards x2	0.02 lbs	Amazon
Zhiyun-Tech Crane v2 Gimbal	2.01 lbs	Amazon
Camera bag w/ Cleaning Kit	0.82 lbs	Amazon
Total	5.16 lbs

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Electronics:

For my electronics, I try to go light. I have one multi-outlet power adapter, and all of the cables to charge my phone and camera. I also downloaded the Wise Pilgrim app this summer to help with choosing places to eat and rest. The app needs a lot of technical work as it crashes and freezes often. When it works though, it is very valuable.

Item	Weight	Price Check
Power Adapter	0.24	Amazon
Chargers/Cables	0.37
iPhone 7 w/ case	0.42
Wise Pilgrim App	0.00	Download
Total	1.03 lbs

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Miscellaneous Items:

Rounding out my pack are a list of miscellaneous items. The only noteworthy additions most people don’t bring are the clothes pins and sink plug. Some albergues have these, but not all will. I like to have these to ensure I can wash my clothes in the sink and hang them to dry each night.

Item	Weight	Price Check
Sunscreen Stick	0.09 lbs	Amazon
Arnica Salve	0.16 lbs	Amazon
Toiletries	0.52 lbs
Clothes Pins	0.18 lbs	Amazon
Burts Bees Chapstick	0.02 lbs	Amazon
Brierley Guide Book	0.35 lbs	Amazon
Microfiber Towel	0.25 lbs	Amazon
Washcloth	0.11 lbs	Amazon
Black Diamond Storm Headlamp	0.24 lbs	REI | Amazon
Sink Plug	0.08 lbs	Amazon
Ear Plugs	0.01 lbs	Amazon
Total	2.01 lbs

Food and Hydration:

Food and hydration aren’t counted in your base weight since consumables disappear with consumption. I like to buy things from markets along The Way, but start with a few items for day 1.

Item	Weight	Price Check
Honey Stinger Waffles x6	0.50	Amazon
GU Electrolyte Tabs x1	0.15	Amazon
Total	0.65

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Trekking Poles:

One item I will recommend that I don’t use on the Camino is trekking poles. I don’t find trekking poles necessary for flat trails like the Camino, but other find them very useful. I only bring mine along for mountains and backpacking trips. For a lighweight pair on a budget, try the Cascade Mountain Tech Carbon Fiber Quick Lock poles (My Review). These lightweight poles can be purchased on Amazon for around $45.00!

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