© Shirley Roots · CC BY 2.0Gear · Backpack
© Shirley Roots · CC BY 2.0Gear · Backpack
On the Camino, every gram in your backpack starts to tell after a few days. The golden rule is to travel light: your pack should not exceed 10% of your body weight. Look after your feet, be ready for rain (especially in Galicia) and carry only the essentials. This is the list of what really matters.
Updated on August 12, 2026
Your footwear is your best insurance: boots or trail shoes that are already broken in — never wear them for the first time on the Camino — with good support and a solid sole. Pair them with seamless technical socks and pack a spare set.
Blisters are enemy number one. Bring specific blister plasters, tape and anti-chafing cream, and stop to treat any discomfort the moment it appears, without waiting until the end of the stage.
Travel with a layering system: quick-drying technical shirts, a lightweight warm layer and a waterproof jacket. Two or three changes of clothes are enough: wash them by hand each evening at the hostel.
Rain is almost a certainty in the north and in Galicia. A good rain jacket or a poncho that also covers your backpack is essential; zip-off trousers and a light hat round out the kit.
A 30 to 40 litre backpack, well fitted to your back, is enough. A sleeping-bag liner or lightweight sleeping bag is required in many hostels. Add flip-flops for the shower and for resting, a microfibre towel and a basic first-aid kit.
Don't forget the pilgrim's credential, your documents, a power bank for your phone, earplugs (hostels are noisy) and a bag to keep dirty laundry separate.
Before you set off, lay everything out on the bed and remove half: almost anything you hesitate over you will end up not using. Along the Camino there are pharmacies, supermarkets and shops to restock whatever you run short of.
If the weight gets to you, many services carry your backpack from hostel to hostel for just a few euros per stage, so you can walk with only a small daypack.
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The hostels and lodgings on the most popular stages (Sarria, O Cebreiro, the last 100 km) fill up fast, especially in summer and during a Holy Year. Book ahead to secure a spot at the best price.
Frequently asked questions
As a rule, no more than 10% of your body weight (around 6-8 kg for most people, not counting water and food). The less weight you carry, the more you will enjoy it and the less likely you are to get injured.
Either works as long as they are broken in and give good support. Many pilgrims prefer trail shoes for their lightness and breathability; boots offer more support and protection in the mountains and with a heavy pack.
In hostels a thin sleeping-bag liner is usually enough, since many provide blankets. If you travel in the cold season or sleep in basic pilgrim hostels, a lightweight sleeping bag gives you more margin.