Don't sweat the packing list

[Hamish72]

Our latest post is aimed at those pilgrims looking for help with the packing list. We have including comments on how useful we found each item and what we took but shouldn't have.

http://www.2checkingout.com/camino-de-santiago/2017/5/18/the-ultimate-camino-packing-list-2017

One of the products we recommend is the Belkin 2 port wall charger. Great for charging your own phone and a friend's whilst travelling the Camino. We have one to giveaway, all you have to do is subscribe to our travel blog. Happy to answer any questions you may have regarding our time on the Camino.

Buen Camino

 

[Tim Floyd]

Outstanding list and recommendations. Thanks!

 

[kinnear]

This is the most helpful list I've seen especially since I'm a New Zealander. In spite of my best intentions I'm obsessing over what to bring. It isn't helping by having several days before and after in Paris. I am planning to take merino leggings rather than Nike leggings and maybe an icebreaker short-sleeved dress in place of one tshirt or maybe a short skirt. I'm walking late September through early November. What time were you walking?

 

[JillGat]

Just to show how varied our experiences are, my evaluations of the items on your list in many cases were the opposite of yours.

 

[notion900]

Thanks for the contribution, but SO much Icebreaker - a very expensive packing list.

Note - they are travel bloggers getting a fee when people click through and purchase (which they do make clear). But when you have walked the French way once, at the easiest time of year, calling your advice 'ultimate' is an overstatement. New members - there are a lot of packing lists on the forum if you search.

 

[Hamish72]

Outstanding list and recommendations. Thanks!

Thanks so much Tim

 

[Hamish72]

Thanks for the contribution, but SO much Icebreaker - a very expensive packing list.

Note - they are travel bloggers getting a fee when people click through and purchase (which they do make clear). But when you have walked the French way once, at the easiest time of year, calling your advice 'ultimate' is an overstatement. New members - there are a lot of packing lists on the forum if you search.

Thanks, notion900, yes we have only one Camino under our belt but have been living out of a backpack for the last two years. Easiest time of the year, I guess that's open to debate. The Icebreaker gear is expensive (has stated in our blog) but value for money when you consider the life span you can get from quality clothing. As mentioned we have been travelling for over two years now and only had to replace one Icebreaker t-shirt and that's because I gave to a wonderful fellow pilgrim on the Camino. We do hours and hours of research before stepping out and we believe we have put together well-rounded packing list. But it also good to cross check against other lists within the community.

 

[Hamish72]

This is the most helpful list I've seen especially since I'm a New Zealander. In spite of my best intentions I'm obsessing over what to bring. It isn't helping by having several days before and after in Paris. I am planning to take merino leggings rather than Nike leggings and maybe an icebreaker short-sleeved dress in place of one tshirt or maybe a short skirt. I'm walking late September through early November. What time were you walking?

Hi kinnear, many thanks for the feedback. We set out on the 20th September last year and took 37 days. The mornings were chilly, but soon warmed up. We too really obsessed over what to take, made a little more challenging as we had no wardrobe to open up and choose from. Good luck with your Camino. You will have an amazing time.

 

[Charl]

A nice catch-all list, and I like the layout . One can argue for ages about what to take and not to take, how many of each, etc but this is a good, comprehensive list from which one can scratch off things not needed. Only experience teaches one what is essential for oneself, and what not. Anyone who has walked the Camino will attest to the weird stuff people carry... and will probably swear by.

 

[Ian Afloat]

Please say Ice Breaker again.

 

[Hamish72]

Just to show how varied our experiences are, my evaluations of the items on your list in many cases were the opposite of yours.

Thanks for the feedback Gill.

 

[Hamish72]

A nice catch-all list, and I like the layout . One can argue for ages about what to take and not to take, how many of each, etc but this is a good, comprehensive list from which one can scratch off things not needed. Only experience teaches one what is essential for oneself, and what not. Anyone who has walked the Camino will attest to the weird stuff people carry... and will probably swear by.

Thanks so much Charl, packing lists create huge debate. They trigger many emotions. We came at it from a practical perspective. There was the odd item that we carried that didn't get any use i.e sleeping bag liner, but we needed it for future travels so it got a free ride for 37 days across northern Spain.

 

[CaminoDebrita]

I always enjoy reading about packing lists, but honestly, we have had issues on this forum with "professional bloggers" who are inviting folks to leave the site to click around. I have a blog as well, and lived overseas for eight years, so well understand the necessity of finding an audience--but this will not be the place.

Because the site owner here is such an amazing fellow, I think most of us hope that if there is clicking to be done, it will be on his ads and his store; we aren't very into other people's commercial enterprises. That said, I did take a look at your blog and appreciated its set-up.

Thanks for sharing your blog with us. You probably will get a couple hundred--at least--clicks out of having shared it, and you may even get some purchases. Well played.

Icebreaker....hmmm. I have quite a few pieces by them, but they are expensive. My thinner t shirt has holes in the back from gentle "tucking in". My thinner shorts I could NEVER wear as shorts, as they are a bit too clingy. My heavier top, with long sleeves and a cool print, is a bit too short in the torso. My black sweatshirt I purchased too big. You get a lot of bang for your buck, but lots of bucks to spend.

For less wealthy pilgrims--and believe me, they will NOT be able to afford the big initial outlay--I will always suggest outlets such as Ann Taylor (women can buy thinner merino wool sweaters, tops, etc for a SONG in the spring), or even--in the US--TJ Maxx, where I bought a heavy merino wool (pure, 100%) for about $20. With Icebreaker, you are purchasing the name as well as the item.

 

[dougfitz]

Thank you for sharing. It is always interesting to see how others have approached this.

Like some others, I would advise anyone looking for help with a packing list to take the description that this is the 'ultimate' list with more than a grain or two of salt. I do hope it was tongue in cheek, but that wasn't clear either.

There is plenty of good advice on packing lists here and elsewhere from experienced pilgrims whose approaches have stood the test of time (and multiple caminos). I for one wouldn't be in any great hurry to follow some of the advice given or switch to the products recommended.

 

[domigee]

It pains me that people worry so much about packing lists.

 

[CaminoDebrita]

It pains me that people worry so much about packing lists.

Ha! Me too. Especially considering that everything a person could want is SO readily available in Spain.

Such first-world problems.

I wasted a lot of money on things I didn't need, and will never recommend others do the same. Good shoes, good pack, travel light. Also, the 10% rule is not always helpful, eg. a 300-pound overweight pilgrim carrying a 30-pound pack? No. Likewise, 100-pound slender person carrying 10? No.

 

[Deleted member 29041]

I would advise anyone looking for help with a packing list to take the description that this is the 'ultimate' list with more than a grain or two of salt.
..
I for one wouldn't be in any great hurry to follow some of the advice given or switch to the products recommended.

I'll definitely second that.

However, I think that the major point of the (perhaps not so 'ultimate') list is, exactly what they state, that you don't need the perfect gear. But, at the same time, that some gear, like Icebreaker, may be a worthwhile investment. I'll second both of those points.

I walked my first camino with a cheap backpack and a cheap sleeping bag (both Gelert), clothes from the bargain bins at the local supermarket (running gear), plus the best socks and staves I could get my hands on. Most of my gear worked just fine, with the exception of my expensive socks, that weren't nice to my feet. In fact, I've since brought most of the cheap gear back for subsequent caminos.

I've since replaced the sleeping bag with a lighter down bag, but that was nice-to-have, not need-to-have, as the old one worked just fine.

I've also replaced one each of my t-shirts and boxers with Icebreaker, and I plan to replace the remainder (when I get the funding), as I feel that merino is far superior to, well, plastic. On the camino, I avoid cotton like the plague.

Wouldn't change my Pacerpoles for anything - they blow _everthing_ else I've tried, including some very expensive ones, out of the water.

I plan on changing my pack to a ÛLA Ohm 2.0, but the old Gelert pack has been a faithful companion for several years.

So, yes, it needn't be perfect and most often, cheap no-name gear works just fine. I use some of the gear for rambling "at home" as well, so I can justify upgrading to better gear. For a single camino, I wouldn't go to that expense. Just make sure that the pack fits. And the footwear!

 

[StepheninDC]

Our latest post is aimed at those pilgrims looking for help with the packing list. We have including comments on how useful we found each item and what we took but shouldn't have.

http://www.2checkingout.com/camino-de-santiago/2017/5/18/the-ultimate-camino-packing-list-2017

One of the products we recommend is the Belkin 2 port wall charger. Great for charging your own phone and a friend's whilst travelling the Camino. We have one to giveaway, all you have to do is subscribe to our travel blog. Happy to answer any questions you may have regarding our time on the Camino.

Buen Camino

Thank you, it's a very good list. There's a typo in the first line, however. The expression is "...poring over," not "pouring" (unless you're talking about wine, water, etc.). I'm glad you recommended Icebreaker (though, being Kiwis, you might be a *bit* biased). I purchased several items from them and love them. Thanks again, great resource!

 

[Kieran Kenneally]

Please say Ice Breaker again.

Lists are always 'icebreakers' when it comes to talking about what and what not to bring on Camino. There I said it and I feel better for it

 

[notion900]

I think the idea that you need to go out and buy a whole load of expensive new clothing for your camino is completely false. I wear my nicer gym tops and my work trousers and socks. Normal underwear, and my hat came from the flea market in Madrid. Save your money and spend it on Spanish lessons, if you want to really get more out of your pilgrimage.

 

[bbates225]

It pains me that people worry so much about packing lists.

I agree. It pains me that I worry so much about my packing list... trust me. I do not want to bring too much because I like to travel light. But I do want to have the necessities until I at least get some experience under my belt. My packing list guide was written by S. Yates (some of you may have heard of her ) and it's what I have turned to over and over. I took some suggestions (most), rejected others. A week before I leave and yesterday I took out a couple more things. As for expensive things, I bought most of my clothing (backpack, boots, clothes, socks) from REI here in the states. The backpack (Osprey)and boots (Vasque) were mainly because of the very good return policy. I returned a pair of boots after wearing them for four months with no questions asked and bought a different pair (which I am bringing). I bought my clothes there because my daughter gave me a very generous gift card from there last Christmas, but I shopped their sales and did pretty good. Not crazy about the fact that my socks - both outer and liners - all have REI across the toes. Trust me, I get no kick-back for the advertising. Undies came from Target and my hat from Sprouts (a specialty grocery store). As for the 10% rule, I've given up on it. The pack is about as light as it's going to get and I really don't have any trouble carrying it during my training. I leave a week from today and right or wrong, my pack and everything in it is coming with me.

 

[Hamish72]

I agree. It pains me that I worry so much about my packing list... trust me. I do not want to bring too much because I like to travel light. But I do want to have the necessities until I at least get some experience under my belt. My packing list guide was written by S. Yates (some of you may have heard of her ) and it's what I have turned to over and over. I took some suggestions (most), rejected others. A week before I leave and yesterday I took out a couple more things. As for expensive things, I bought most of my clothing (backpack, boots, clothes, socks) from REI here in the states. The backpack (Osprey)and boots (Vasque) were mainly because of the very good return policy. I returned a pair of boots after wearing them for four months with no questions asked and bought a different pair (which I am bringing). I bought my clothes there because my daughter gave me a very generous gift card from there last Christmas, but I shopped their sales and did pretty good. Not crazy about the fact that my socks - both outer and liners - all have REI across the toes. Trust me, I get no kick-back for the advertising. Undies came from Target and my hat from Sprouts (a specialty grocery store). As for the 10% rule, I've given up on it. The pack is about as light as it's going to get and I really don't have any trouble carrying it during my training. I leave a week from today and right or wrong, my pack and everything in it is coming with me.

Have a wonderful time walking the Camino.

 

[Hamish72]

Thank you, it's a very good list. There's a typo in the first line, however. The expression is "...poring over," not "pouring" (unless you're talking about wine, water, etc.). I'm glad you recommended Icebreaker (though, being Kiwis, you might be a *bit* biased). I purchased several items from them and love them. Thanks again, great resource!

Thanks for picking up on the typo, and thank you for your kind words.

 

[kinnear]

Thanks for picking up on the typo, and thank you for your kind words.

I really appreciate your list because it featured clothes available in my country where I could go to shops and actual see and try on products that others had used and recommend. I certainly haven't bought anything from Amazon or purchased full price Icebreaker however it has been great fun in the long wait to my Camino hunting down a selection of cut price gear and the local SavMart ( second-hand barn) has yeilded lots of Icebreaker treasures. I'll probably be able to fund another Camino with the proceeds when I sell off the redundant extras.

 

[Kieran Kenneally]

I think the idea that you need to go out and buy a whole load of expensive new clothing for your camino is completely false. I wear my nicer gym tops and my work trousers and socks. Normal underwear, and my hat came from the flea market in Madrid. Save your money and spend it on Spanish lessons, if you want to really get more out of your pilgrimage.

I fully agree some people think they are on a cat walk rather than a Camino. Leave the trinkets and designer costumes at home and just enjoy the experience.Liberate yourself from the unnecessary attachments you have in your life and breathe in the spirit and the camaraderie of one of the greatest walks / Pilgrimages you will ever partake in.

 

[notion900]

Great. Now I am getting pop up ads

 

[Kieran Kenneally]

Bet your tempted to make a purchase holy Moses the price of the stuff where would you be going without a bell on your bike I ask you

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Having read the list of "must haves" and reasons why, other than the fact that there is stuff on there I would not bring, what jumped at me is that the sleeping bag liner is not recommended as never used, while a sleeping bag is used as a duvet and sleepwear is underwear.

Yuk! Yuk for the user, and yuk for those coming behind. Those bed sheets are not always washed daily!

Not only does that bed sheet see dirty packpacks on it despite hospies asking people not to do that, but dirty feet about your walk and donner in town, dirty rears with just a thing piece od material between it and the sheet, and night sweat in varrying quantities depending on temps, meds and menopause. And what about sleeping directly on that plastic mattress protector on some of the beds.

There is a reason why a sleeping bag or liner is labled as mandatory on websites like the Roncesvalles one, and it's not so you don't freeze, but for hygene.

Please, leave the sleeping bag or duvet at home of you must, but always have a liner to sleep in, if not for you then for the person who will be using your dirty bed the next night.

 

[NualaOC]

Our latest post is aimed at those pilgrims looking for help with the packing list. We have including comments on how useful we found each item and what we took but shouldn't have.

http://www.2checkingout.com/camino-de-santiago/2017/5/18/the-ultimate-camino-packing-list-2017

One of the products we recommend is the Belkin 2 port wall charger. Great for charging your own phone and a friend's whilst travelling the Camino. We have one to giveaway, all you have to do is subscribe to our travel blog. Happy to answer any questions you may have regarding our time on the Camino.

Buen Camino

Hi @Hamish72 ,
There are lots of threads on this forum about packing lists. With the greatest respect - the normal way to share advice and information here is to take the time to write it in a thread.

By sharing your opinions as a link to the blog and offering an incentive to those who subscribe - I think you're crossing the line between a helpful/altruistic post and one that has a commercial purpose. That may not have been your intention, but that's how it seems to me. Others may of course disagree.

Wishing you well in your endeavours,
Nuala

 

[notion900]

night sweat in varrying quantities

People who wear Icebreaker don't sweat you know.

 

[Kieran Kenneally]

People who wear Icebreaker don't sweat you know.

Yes its the 'coolest' gear on the planet bar none bet they sweat handing over the 60 yo yo's though

 

[notion900]

Mr @Kieran Kenneally I love your turns of phrase. You are making me miss Ireland!

 

[Kieran Kenneally]

Thank you that's such a nice compliment. Sure as the Woman says that fella has notions.

 

[StepheninDC]

People who wear Icebreaker don't sweat you know.

I thought it was "men sweat, women glisten."

 

[Kieran Kenneally]

I thought it was pigs sweat, women perspire. Now where did I leave that can of deodorant there sure are a lots of flies in here for some reason

 

[Kieran Kenneally]

Mr @Kieran Kenneally I love your turns of phrase. You are making me miss Ireland!

Never take yourself too seriously be childlike not childish is what I always tell people life's way tooooooooooo short not to own at least one item of Icebreaker clothing or is that bank breaker?

 

[StepheninDC]

Never take yourself too seriously be childlike not childish is what I always tell people life's way tooooooooooo short not to own at least one item of Icebreaker clothing or is that bank breaker?

As another famous Irishman (Oscar Wilde) said, "Life is too important to be taken seriously."

 

[movinmaggie]

Thanks for the contribution, but SO much Icebreaker - a very expensive packing list.

Note - they are travel bloggers getting a fee when people click through and purchase (which they do make clear). But when you have walked the French way once, at the easiest time of year, calling your advice 'ultimate' is an overstatement. New members - there are a lot of packing lists on the forum if you search.

And our very own SYates has one of the best....

 

[Anemone del Camino]

People who wear Icebreaker don't sweat you know.

Rats! I forgot. Just wait until Ice Breaker comes up with a 350$ liner!

 

[Anemone del Camino]

I thought it was pigs sweat, women perspire. Now where did I leave that can of deodorant there sure are a lots of flies in here for some reason

Oh yes, thank you! And they both say not to bring antiperspirant! Yikes!

It's not as if we don't stop for breagfast after a few km, and a second breakfast, and a bit of a midday snack, visit a church here and there, and all this before a shower.

And people wonder why the bar staff members are sometimes not enamoured with us.

 

[bbates225]

Have a wonderful time walking the Camino.

Thanks. I'm ready to leave all this planning stuff behind and get on the road. I'm hoping to find that all the worry I've put into this has all been for naught

 

[notion900]

Thanks. I'm ready to leave all this planning stuff behind and get on the road. I'm hoping to find that all the worry I've put into this has all been for naught

Don't worry about anything, enjoy the frisson of excitement now!

 

[Hamish72]

Hi @Hamish72 ,
There are lots of threads on this forum about packing lists. With the greatest respect - the normal way to share advice and information here is to take the time to write it in a thread.

By sharing your opinions as a link to the blog and offering an incentive to those who subscribe - I think you're crossing the line between a helpful/altruistic post and one that has a commercial purpose. That may not have been your intention, but that's how it seems to me. Others may of course disagree.

Wishing you well in your endeavours,
Nuala

Thanks Nuala for your comments and feedback. We did spend hours on the forum before stepping out last year. We feel that this list is a way of giving back to the first timers.

 

[Sunbun]

I thought it was pigs sweat, women perspire. Now where did I leave that can of deodorant there sure are a lots of flies in here for some reason

My Grandmother taught me: Horses sweat, men perspire and women GLOW

 

[Charl]

Thanks so much Charl, packing lists create huge debate. They trigger many emotions. We came at it from a practical perspective. There was the odd item that we carried that didn't get any use i.e sleeping bag liner, but we needed it for future travels so it got a free ride for 37 days across northern Spain.

Your post got me thinking about packing lists. It ended in a blog post that's quite a different take on packing lists, but thanks for the inspiration. http://walkingpilgrimages.com/2017/05/29/whats-in-your-mental-backpack/

 

[dougfitz]

Your post got me thinking about packing lists. It ended in a blog post that's quite a different take on packing lists, but thanks for the inspiration. http://walkingpilgrimages.com/2017/05/29/whats-in-your-mental-backpack/

This is a great thought piece. Thank you for sharing it.

 

[Deleted member 29041]

quite a different take on packing lists

Nice!

A few years ago, I wrote an article for one of my friends, who had a website about UL rambling, on how to pack for the camino. Under required items, the following was emphasized:

The three most important things to bring, are an open mind, common sense and a sense of humor. If you forgot to bring any of those, then please abort the journey immediately and return home.

 

[Charl]

Nice!

A few years ago, I wrote an article for one of my friends, who had a website about UL rambling, on how to pack for the camino. Under required items, the following was emphasized:

The three most important things to bring, are an open mind, common sense and a sense of humor. If you forgot to bring any of those, then please abort the journey immediately and return home.

Yup. I like common sense. Essential!

 

[Hamish72]

Your post got me thinking about packing lists. It ended in a blog post that's quite a different take on packing lists, but thanks for the inspiration. http://walkingpilgrimages.com/2017/05/29/whats-in-your-mental-backpack/

Hi Charl, get post, you have really captured the idea of a mental packing list. Would you be ok if we linked to your post from our blog?

 

[Charl]

Hi Charl, get post, you have really captured the idea of a mental packing list. Would you be ok if we linked to your post from our blog?

You're welcome

 

[Kieran Kenneally]

Yup. I like common sense. Essential!

It's just that common sense is not very common unfortunately