Undermanager
Veteran Member
What to pack and bring - with hindsight
After nearly 10 days, I thought I’d ponder what I should have packed for a May Camino, rather than what I did. Here is what I will bring the next time I do a Camino:
35 + 8 litre Freeflow rucksack by Berghaus. I bought this new for the Camino, and after some adjustments is perfect. I love the fact that the back is curved so off your back, meaning you don't sweat! It also has a rain cover.
15 litre day sack by Vango. It stuffs into its own pocket, and is very small and light. Perfect for the evening.
2 pairs of good walking socks. Forget sports socks and sock liners didn't work for me in this heat. Remember to test the socks with the boots you will use for a few weeks to check they work for you.
1 pair of walking boots with ankle support. It goes without saying, make sure they are fully broken in, using the socks you intend to use on the Camino.
1 pair of very light canvas shoes for the evening.
1 baggy lightweight quality bike t-shirt.
1 very lightweight short sleeved shirt.
2 thin pullover fleece.
2 pairs of underwear.
1 pair of trousers that you can zip off the bottom parts from.
1 pair of light shorts with good pockets.
1 sarong (to be used as a towel, cover from bathroom).
1 ultralight sleeping bag in a compression stuff bag. Pay for quality!
Pair of light, collapsible walking poles.
1 hat.
1 blister kit: needles, lighter, alcohol wipes, small tube of general antiseptic, a dozen waterproof plasters (they seem to be more sticky than normal ones).
Tiger balm for aching muscles.
Turmeric and black powder for joint pain.
Half a dozen Ibuprofen tablets.
Pack of tissues or toilet roll.
Two pairs of top quality earplugs (don't skimp on this essential item).
100ml bottle of body wash.
100ml bottle of talcum powder.
100ml bottle of hair gel (I know ....)
Three sachets of shampoo.
One litre water bottle, collapsible eg Platypus.
One wash bag, for holding washroom items.
One zip bag, to hold other items.
One good plastic bag, to keep all clothes in.
Three razors.
Toothbrush and small tube of toothpaste.
Suntan lotion, at least factor 30.
Lip sunblock.
Small padlock and key.
Moneybelt, flat, that fits under trousers.
Zovorax, if you suffer from lip blisters easily.
Top quality 5" smartphone (the bigger the screen the better) and charger and adapter with a round adapting part than can push into the round sockets often found in Spain, and which you can swap batteries for. It needs to have a top quality camera, great music playing capabilities, a quality GPS unit, a clock and the usual internet features. GPS usage on a phone eats up the batteries, so you need to know what to expect and bring at least one spare battery.
Cash carried as a cash card.
One debit or credit card.
Passport.
EU medical card plus Private Medical card.
All papers, copies of cards, passport etc scanned and stored securely online.
All guides, books etc use e-books on phone.
Phrase book on phone.
Notes
Anything else you need, you can buy. I think Spain is quite expensive for everyday items. If you know where to shop, I guess you can probably keep costs down, but it's a lot easier just to bring most of what you need. Just make sure you keep quantities down.
In the first 10 days, I've used the sleeping bag twice. At the end of the day, sleep in your clothes and a light sleeping sheet, when no blankets are provided. Some sleeping bags, like my current one (600g), however, are almost as light as a sheet.
In most places, people have left behind shampoo to use, so you really don't need to bring huge amounts.
So far, I’ve not needed a bottle opener, knife, fork, spoon, cup, plate etc. There was always something to use.
I’ve never felt the need for a tent, cooker or bed liner. I'm very glad I didn't bring a bedroll as it wouldn't have been used, and would probably have been dumped by now.
I’ve found that I drink about 1 litre of liquid per 12 kilometres. I use a one litre bottle, plus a plastic bottle from the supermarket. The best drink by far I think to quench thirst is lemon tea! The trick is to plan ahead for the day, so you don’t carry too much liquid, because it is heavy. But never be caught short on the walk because it is potentially very hot here and some walks can be very long. Think carefully about water fountains that might not be working and bars and shops that are closed when you arrive and have a reserve. I usually try to have breakfast either before setting off or at a suitable village after two or three ours, then eat again in the evening. I try not to carry food - it's just more weight.
I haven’t phoned anyone in Spain yet, but you may want to eg to get access to some albergues. So get a SIM card for calls and data when you arrive.
I’ve not felt the need for gloves or sunglasses.
After nearly 10 days, I thought I’d ponder what I should have packed for a May Camino, rather than what I did. Here is what I will bring the next time I do a Camino:
35 + 8 litre Freeflow rucksack by Berghaus. I bought this new for the Camino, and after some adjustments is perfect. I love the fact that the back is curved so off your back, meaning you don't sweat! It also has a rain cover.
15 litre day sack by Vango. It stuffs into its own pocket, and is very small and light. Perfect for the evening.
2 pairs of good walking socks. Forget sports socks and sock liners didn't work for me in this heat. Remember to test the socks with the boots you will use for a few weeks to check they work for you.
1 pair of walking boots with ankle support. It goes without saying, make sure they are fully broken in, using the socks you intend to use on the Camino.
1 pair of very light canvas shoes for the evening.
1 baggy lightweight quality bike t-shirt.
1 very lightweight short sleeved shirt.
2 thin pullover fleece.
2 pairs of underwear.
1 pair of trousers that you can zip off the bottom parts from.
1 pair of light shorts with good pockets.
1 sarong (to be used as a towel, cover from bathroom).
1 ultralight sleeping bag in a compression stuff bag. Pay for quality!
Pair of light, collapsible walking poles.
1 hat.
1 blister kit: needles, lighter, alcohol wipes, small tube of general antiseptic, a dozen waterproof plasters (they seem to be more sticky than normal ones).
Tiger balm for aching muscles.
Turmeric and black powder for joint pain.
Half a dozen Ibuprofen tablets.
Pack of tissues or toilet roll.
Two pairs of top quality earplugs (don't skimp on this essential item).
100ml bottle of body wash.
100ml bottle of talcum powder.
100ml bottle of hair gel (I know ....)
Three sachets of shampoo.
One litre water bottle, collapsible eg Platypus.
One wash bag, for holding washroom items.
One zip bag, to hold other items.
One good plastic bag, to keep all clothes in.
Three razors.
Toothbrush and small tube of toothpaste.
Suntan lotion, at least factor 30.
Lip sunblock.
Small padlock and key.
Moneybelt, flat, that fits under trousers.
Zovorax, if you suffer from lip blisters easily.
Top quality 5" smartphone (the bigger the screen the better) and charger and adapter with a round adapting part than can push into the round sockets often found in Spain, and which you can swap batteries for. It needs to have a top quality camera, great music playing capabilities, a quality GPS unit, a clock and the usual internet features. GPS usage on a phone eats up the batteries, so you need to know what to expect and bring at least one spare battery.
Cash carried as a cash card.
One debit or credit card.
Passport.
EU medical card plus Private Medical card.
All papers, copies of cards, passport etc scanned and stored securely online.
All guides, books etc use e-books on phone.
Phrase book on phone.
Notes
Anything else you need, you can buy. I think Spain is quite expensive for everyday items. If you know where to shop, I guess you can probably keep costs down, but it's a lot easier just to bring most of what you need. Just make sure you keep quantities down.
In the first 10 days, I've used the sleeping bag twice. At the end of the day, sleep in your clothes and a light sleeping sheet, when no blankets are provided. Some sleeping bags, like my current one (600g), however, are almost as light as a sheet.
In most places, people have left behind shampoo to use, so you really don't need to bring huge amounts.
So far, I’ve not needed a bottle opener, knife, fork, spoon, cup, plate etc. There was always something to use.
I’ve never felt the need for a tent, cooker or bed liner. I'm very glad I didn't bring a bedroll as it wouldn't have been used, and would probably have been dumped by now.
I’ve found that I drink about 1 litre of liquid per 12 kilometres. I use a one litre bottle, plus a plastic bottle from the supermarket. The best drink by far I think to quench thirst is lemon tea! The trick is to plan ahead for the day, so you don’t carry too much liquid, because it is heavy. But never be caught short on the walk because it is potentially very hot here and some walks can be very long. Think carefully about water fountains that might not be working and bars and shops that are closed when you arrive and have a reserve. I usually try to have breakfast either before setting off or at a suitable village after two or three ours, then eat again in the evening. I try not to carry food - it's just more weight.
I haven’t phoned anyone in Spain yet, but you may want to eg to get access to some albergues. So get a SIM card for calls and data when you arrive.
I’ve not felt the need for gloves or sunglasses.
But I get immense joy out of having a camera with me on the Camino, and it's one of my most meaningful things to bring.
