What is the definitive Camino de Santiago Packing List?
Here are our tips for the ultimate Camino de Santiago Packing list. As this is a question we get asked a lot we decided to put this help page for you.
To make sure that you are prepared and bring the right clothes on your walking tour we have put together a simple packing guide.
The Camino is a big adventure and needs to be taken seriously. The guide is divided into 6 sections of packing advice. It includes weather guidelines, essential clothing tips, walking and cycling gear, top packing tips and a printable checklist. Of course, this ebook is not all-comprehensive and has to be adapted depending on the person and the route or section of the Camino walked.
Here’s an overview of the basics:
Get Good Shoes or boots!
Your shoes are the most important item on your gear list. Make sure they are well worn and comfortable before you go, to avoid blisters. A common mistake is purchasing new footwear and taking it to the Camino before ‘breaking them in’. Please note that carrying a clean pair of socks (merino wool/cotton looped variety) each day can also make a huge difference. That one of the Camino de Santiago Packing list!
Pack your Gear
There is nothing worse than bringing the wrong gear on a trip. Always check the weather online before departure and consider the type of route you are taking before you go. This can determine the type of clothing/footwear you will need.
For instance, if you travel during the Summer there is no need to bring heavy walking/hiking boots, as they will only slow you down. However, during the winter months, runners or trail shoes are not good in the bad weather as they will get wet and don’t offer as much ankle support if the trail is mucky.
Don’t Forget Your Passport
Fellow pilgrims have suggested making a photocopy or scanning your passport and other important documents and leaving it with a family member before your trip, so that if you lose it while on the Camino, you can just get them emailed to you. We thought this was a great suggestion.
You can also create a Dropbox account or Google Docs and keep these files available online, so you can access them from anywhere in the world at any time. Make sure you check your passport is still valid; if not, we recommend you request a renewal as soon as possible.
Don’t forget your Credencial either, your ‘Pilgrim Passport’, so you can stamp it along the way in order to get your Compostela certificate once you reach Santiago.
Check your Phone
If you are travelling from outside Europe, roaming charges for mobile phones can be expensive. If you intend to leave your phone at home, you can always purchase prepaid cards and use the payphone to ring home (or our 24/7 support number).
Alternatively, you can use the Internet café along the Camino to send an email or call via Skype. If your mobile device is unlocked, you might be able to purchase a local SIM card to make calls while in the country.
Get a great book to read
Keep books and other heavy items to the minimum to avoid weight in your backpack, but don’t forget your guidebook. However, if you book with CaminoWays.com your luggage will be transferred from hotel to hotel so you can bring your reading books.
If you have medicines
That’s an important part of our Camino de Santiago Packing list. Although there are many pharmacies along the Camino journey, language can be a barrier, making it difficult to get the correct medication. It might be a better option to obtain additional supply before you leave. Regular painkillers like paracetamol or aspirin can be easily obtained in the towns along the route.
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