Clothing

[sofronii]

Hello guys!
This is the first time I will ever do something of this kind! I don't know where to even begin from... But here's one question, to start with: Do I need tops & shorts from a professional camping store, or can I just wear a regular top from Forever 21, or H&M, that is of course comfortable?
Thanks in advance!
PS: To clarify, I plan to walk this April, 2018.

 

[RJM]

You should probably be more specific in your inquiry.
What months do you plan to walk the Camino? What's your budget?
A general answer to your question would be to definitely wear synthetic, athletic tech type quick drying clothing. They are lighter, cooler, easy to hand wash and dry fast. You can get them anywhere these days and if on a budget you don't have to buy the expensive brands. I've found almost no difference in quality based on price for tech t-shirts.

 

[Deleted member 43780]

Dont know what those stores sell. But do not recommend COTTON.

If you live close to a REI store that may be a good place to get some advice.
Or, go to their web page and read some of the articles/advice they give.

RJM gave you a very good reply.

Also, take a look at some of the "packing lists". "gear lists" on this forum. They may give you a good idea of what to take vs do not take.

I am not pushing REI. But, the best hiking pants and shirts I ever got was their brand.

You will be surprised how much you do not need to take.

Possibly take a few local short trips with a pack where you live now. Then work it from there.

 

[trecile]

No, you don't need to spend a lot on clothing from REI. Look for quick dry athletic clothing at stores like Target.
You might want to spend a little more on your socks, however. The right shoes and socks are very important in walking a blister free Camino. I like Wright Socks double layer socks, which you can find at REI, Amazon and other places.

 

[Momonne]

Honnestly, it is not uncommom to see people walking in their jeans. Would I want to do that? No. I prefer something lighther and that will dry quickly. Same with cotton tshirts. There are more and more albergues with washer and dryers, but I would hate to be stuck doing a wash one afternoon that will not dry in time for the next morning.

 

[surya8]

Look in your wardrobe for what you already have. You don't really need to buy clothes just for Camino if you have smth light and synthetic - use it for walking.The only cotton things that I took were a t-shirt and leggins that I slept in and sometimes walked in but that was my choice. Agree that you need special hiking socks and proper boots/trainers for the way. Portugues Camino you could walk in sandals and runners though Lisbon to Santiago is an easy walk in comparison to some other routes.

 

[trecile]

I saw maybe two people wearing jeans in the summer.
I've worn lightweight trail runners on both my Camino Frances walks. They were perfect for me, and I would never wear boots, especially in warm weather. My socks weren't hiking socks, but the lighter weight double layer socks.

 

[november_moon]

Wear what's comfortable, sturdy, and can be easily handwashed and dried. Layers are important so you can adjust to different temperatures. Many people wear outdoor clothing because it is meant for hiking and those activities, so has the properties you will need. Others wear excercise clothing. Some people just go with whatever they have. My Camino shirts are Champion. My pants are zip-off hiking pants from REI.

 

[Former member 49149]

Hello guys!
This is the first time I will ever do something of this kind! I don't know where to even begin from... But here's one question, to start with: Do I need tops & shorts from a professional camping store, or can I just wear a regular top from Forever 21, or H&M, that is of course comfortable?
Thanks in advance!

Your question is straightforward. You have some responses already. I would encourage you to take two technical tops, so long as they will dry quickly it doesn’t matter the brand.

 

[sofronii]

You should probably be more specific in your inquiry.
What months do you plan to walk the Camino? What's your budget?
A general answer to your question would be to definitely wear synthetic, athletic tech type quick drying clothing. They are lighter, cooler, easy to hand wash and dry fast. You can get them anywhere these days and if on a budget you don't have to buy the expensive brands. I've found almost no difference in quality based on price for tech t-shirts.

Right, thank you! So, I plan to do it in this April.

 

[t2andreo]

In addition to what has already been said, I would add that the material must be able to be hand washed in cold water, wrung out and able to dry when hung out on a cold, raw rainy day.

Albergues commonly do not have clothes dryers / secadoras. While many have clothes lines for hanging your clothes they are outside, and generally NOT under cover. So, if it is raining, and you do your wash...got the picture...?

I wear Underarmour polo shirts, long or short-sleeve, Exofficio boxer shorts, and 100% nylon convertible cargo pants. Both dry enough to be worn damp the following day if necessary.

TIP: Damp clothes can be placed in your sleeping bag with you to allow body heat to further dry them...

Hope this helps.

 

[Tia Valeria]

Hello guys!
This is the first time I will ever do something of this kind! I don't know where to even begin from... But here's one question, to start with: Do I need tops & shorts from a professional camping store, or can I just wear a regular top from Forever 21, or H&M, that is of course comfortable?
Thanks in advance!
PS: To clarify, I plan to walk this April, 2018.

Welcome to the forum @sofronii.
It could be quite cold still in April so some long sleeved shirts and long trousers (not jeans) as well as the shorts would be a good idea. Waterproof and a pack. Check out some of the packing lists to see what others take, but it does not have to be specialist or expensive. You can try the similar threads below to start you off.
Buen Camino

 

[Juliawalking]

what do people use as sleep wear? I will be staying in albergues.

 

[naplesdon]

Some of us sleep in the clothes we plan to wear in the morning.

 

[domigee]

what do people use as sleep wear? I will be staying in albergues.

The clothes you’ll be walking in the next day. If you don’t like that idea… Knickers and a cotton T-shirt? Depends what season you’re walking in, really

 

[C clearly]

I have a walking outfit, and I have an evening/night outfit. The evening/night outfit can be worn out for dinner and is also comfortable enough to sleep in. This way I have a cleanish outfit to sleep in, and a dirtyish outfit for walking, and I just wash them when necessary.

 

[Juliawalking]

I have a walking outfit, and I have an evening/night outfit. The evening/night outfit can be worn out for dinner and is also comfortable enough to sleep in. This way I have a cleanish outfit to sleep in, and a dirtyish outfit for walking, and I just wash them when necessary.

Interesting, what is your evening/night outfit? Thanks

 

[Former member 99816]

Avatar suggests it's hoops and petticoats

 

[C clearly]

Avatar suggests it's hoops and petticoats

Yes, that is my layering system. Multi-use allows me to carry a down sleeping bag under my medieval court costume. The skirt can be converted to an emergency shelter for 3 people, using walking poles as supports.

what is your evening/night outfit?

Most recently I have used light/medium weight merino sweat pants, but it could be any comfortable pants. For tops, I have a t-shirt, medium weight merino zip cardigan, a down vest, and a silk scarf. I would rarely use those for walking, but they could be added if I got a patch of unusually cold days.

 

[Esperanza]

Like many others, I bring two sets of active wear tshirts, bras, and undies. In the afternoon, I shower, change into the clean set, and wash the dirties. When I go to bed, I take off my pants (trousers) and bra and sleep in the tshirt. One advantage is that in the morning dressing in the dark is simple, and I minimize disturbing others still sleeping nearby. I just pull on my pants, wiggle into my bra (I can do this without taking off my tshirt, which is handy in the coed dorms of albergues), and I am dressed. My first time I brought a shirt to sleep in, but I did find that inconvenient in the morning. I also brought sports bras that go on overhead, but those were really not good in an albergue, especially the jumping up and down and tugging part, lol. Now I have sports-type bras that hook in the back. Much better.

 

[trecile]

I also brought sports bras that go on overhead, but those were really not good in an albergue, especially the jumping up and down and tugging part, lol

Taking them off a sweaty body, or putting them on a damp body in a tiny shower cubicle is no easy feat either!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Taking them off a sweaty body, or putting them on a damp body in a tiny shower cubicle is no easy feat either!

So true! I was wondering how @C clearly manages with her hoop and petticoat in those cubicles.

 

[Former member 92300]

You can wear whatever you are comfortable in, however I do recommend merino wool. It is moisture wicking, doesn't hold odors, and dries fast when you wash. It is also good for any temps (I am not talking thick winter wools - I live in the Arizona desert and wear Merino wool on most of my long walks and hikes). The longer you are on the Camino, the more you will appreciate these features. For pants/shorts you also want moisture wicking, quick drying. Most people say you only need 2 sets of clothes - 1 for walking and 1 for the evening and you pretty much switch them out after you shower and wash clothes (shower, put on clean clothes, sleep in those clean clothes, walk in those same clothes and then shower and wash that set of clothes and put on the opposite pair of clothes that you washed the day before). I personally like 1 pair of leggings, 1 pair of shorts, and then 1 pair of very light yoga pants (these I wear in the evenings and to sleep). I also bring 3 t-shirts, 1 tank top, and 1 long sleeve shirt. With this bottoms/tops combination I can go an extra day without doing laundry whenever I feel the need to skip a day. And of course undergarments/socks.

 

[Former member 92300]

what do people use as sleep wear? I will be staying in albergues.

Most people sleep in what they will be wearing the next day. Me? I have a very light pair of silk yoga pants that I wear in the evenings and to sleep (unless it is so warm I sleep in my shorts). Then I have 3 t-shirts and whichever one is clean I wear to sleep in and then walk in the next day. So really - I just change my bottoms and go. No point in dressing in clean clothes in the morning - you will just be walking and getting them dirty anyway! Save the clean clothes for after your afternoon shower when you check into the albergue.

 

[C clearly]

So true! I was wondering how @C clearly manages with her hoop and petticoat in those cubicles.

The top layer of skirt can be flipped up over my head to cover my eyes, so I can't see anyone while I am changing my clothes in the albergue, so I don't even need to use a cubicle.

 

[domigee]

The top layer of skirt can be flipped up over my head to cover my eyes, so I can't see anyone while I am changing my clothes in the albergue, so I don't even need to use a cubicle.

I think it is just a fancy Macabi

 

[Juliawalking]

Thank you all for your suggestions and humour. I see I have many options and therefore many decisions!

 

[paulgee]

Pack what you can wear over and over again and that can be freshened up in albergue sink. This will generally rule out cotton, and firmly places you in the realm of merino wool or smart anti-bacterial synthetics.