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What to pack for my First Camino?

If you wear eyeglasses, a hard case. You don't always have a safe place to place them at bed time.
 
Let us pick up your suitcase once you arrive in Europe....
...and ship it to Santiago for storage. You pick it up once in Santiago. Service offered by Casa Ivar (we use DHL for transportation).
Ditch the flip flops. Replace with, crocs, eva birkenstocks, or some other waterproof sandals with some straps and support. Flip flops just don't cut with sore feet, your bunk is on the third floor and the showere are in the basement. Walking a few blocks down hill to dinner, after a long day with sore feet, a little support is much more comfortable.
 
Before this becomes the 100th post to help with your question, fill the pack you have estimating the weight, put it on and walk around the block. If that is ok, walk a few km or miles. If that is ok, walk 20 km or 15 miles. If that is ok, you know what will work. If not, it is cutting time.

As far as maximum weight, most will target 10 or 11 lb or 5 kg. Less pack weight means less stress, easier on your entire body, but especially your feet.
 
Altus BALI Sleeping bag liner
Ideal sleeping bag liner whether we want to add a thermal plus to our bag, or if we want to use it alone to sleep in shelters or hostels. Thanks to its mummy shape, it adapts perfectly to our body.

€46,-
Instead of convertible pants, 2 prs shorts AND sleep shorts, I think I you would be fine with one pair of shorts and one pair of lightweight long pants. Wear one while you wash the other. And base layer long underwear. You dont need that many shirts, either. If you decide you need more once you get there, buy em there or get them from the donation/lost and found box at an albergue. I say all this as someone who has forgotten or lost clothes along the way and found out I don't need them.
 
I would like to suggest a procedure rather than specific "include X, leave Y" kinds of comments? Get a kitchen scale and weigh everything in grams (to make differences really pop out) and then write them down (I use lighterpack.com). Just that procedure will, I think, force you to really look at whether a certain item is worth a free ride on your back all the way across Spain.

I've never walked that early and weather makes a huge difference (for instance, I usually have one pair of cotton clothes for summer/early fall Caminos. I would never do that in March). So I'll share my list, but it was for much warmer weather. https://lighterpack.com/r/vu75bc

My post-camino review of my list is here: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...-11-pound-pack-base-weight.64695/#post-789184

Buen Camino,
Jo Jo
 
Camino Preparation Guide
Fail to prepare? reduce your risk by buying this book full of practical info.
2nd ed.
Thanks, I have lightened my load (over a period of 4 days) and think it’s just about right. Donations and a package home. A lot of people I have met while on the Camino have done the same. Wish I could find my earplugs for sleeping - I think the may be on their way home, because albergues crowded with exhausted hikers (myself included) are very noisy throughout the entire night.
 
I take my own pillow case as I do not like sleeping on plastic or paper covered pillows .
Enjoy your Camino.
 
I use a flex tech garbage bag for my bag liner. The as I use for my trash bin. The are cheap. I always 1 extra scrunched in the pack but haven't had to use it in more than 1100 miles using my pack.
 
Let us pick up your suitcase once you arrive in Europe....
...and ship it to Santiago for storage. You pick it up once in Santiago. Service offered by Casa Ivar (we use DHL for transportation).
Food for thought. I was overpacked on my first Camino and shipped over half of my pack to Santiago from Pamplona (thank you Ivar). There are plenty of shops along the way, and even more plentiful are helpful pilgrims you will meet along the way.

Trust that the Camino will provide.
 
I stuffed my fleece part of my jacket in a dry back and used this as a pillow. Sleep masks with earphones may drown oit the outer noice.
 
I appreciate that you were VERY thorough in your posted list - including every single item, instead of just saying 'toiletries' or similar. It shows you are really thinking about each item! I did a similarly detailed list. I did not read every response you have here (wow, so many!), so I'm sure you have had some great advise so far. I did carry a knife (I thought I saw someone saying you did not need it?) I liked having a small/basic pocket knife for picnics. I used it daily. My entire list is detailed here, including pictures, and how and when I used all of the items, and which I would not bring again. Buen Camino!
 
Let us pick up your suitcase once you arrive in Europe....
...and ship it to Santiago for storage. You pick it up once in Santiago. Service offered by Casa Ivar (we use DHL for transportation).
On my first pilgrimage, I carried a liter bottle, the pictures attached. This way, the water is cold longer, you don't have to look for a bottle or take off your backpack.
In my opinion, you have too much clothes but you are in good shape so you can carry extra weight on your back if you wish.
On my first trip I wore four sets of socks / pants, now I will wear three sets.
3 T-shirts that are very lightweight, dry fast.
One shoe I walk in and one ultralight sneaker for the afternoon.
One shorts, one detachable hiking pants..
PVC rain pants that are worn over normal pants.
Lightweight wind and waterproof and warm fleece sweaters. Since you're already leaving at the end of March, add another warm piece of clothing.
Hat. Ear Plugs. Something to cut your nails.
One wet toilet paper. MicroFiber quick Dry towel.
Nothing to sleep for, after an afternoon shower I put on clean clothes to sleep in and walk the next day.
Bring a sleeping bag, it will be cold at night at that time.
I don't use flip flops, gloves and head lamp. I don't carry a medical kit, I can get it everywhere if I need it.
Everything else from your equipment that you mentioned that I did not comment on, I find unnecessary.
Backpack and shoes cannot comment, you have to decide which ones are better for you.
You can carry one plastic bag that you put all your stuff in to make sure everything stays dry in case of rain.
Water is available all the way.

 
I did my first C.F. last year. I took 2 pairs of smart wool socks. Wear one wash one. Really worth it. They were lightweight. No need for sock liners. I had a pair of trekking sandles for wearing when not walking. Bear in mind you need to leave boots at th e door in most albergues so good to have something else to wear.
I got advice to use talc on my feet every day. I used baby power. Not Vaseline. And it totally works. put talc inside your walking shoes also.Take off socks at rest stops where possible. you want your feet to breathe.
In terms of training just to encourage you I did the C.F. In 33 days with no training at all. Not that that is recommended! Best advice is go slower at the start than you think you can and walk at your own pace.
I found a headlight very useful.for albergues where you needed to get ready and the main light wasn't on.
my shoes were salamon x ultra. They were amazing but shoes are very personal only you know what will work for you.
i bought a simple knife on the way.great for cutting oranges at rest stops if nothing else!
Bought some pegs as i found i needed them so I'd take some. Don't understand this idea of using safety pins but each to their own.,
Other thing i bought was a pack cover. Mine was an osprey talon 33. It was the perfect size.
i used a bumbag for wallet, credential, pasport, charger cable phone and power pack. Easy to keep these valuables close at hand. Maybe not so stylish but I'm so glad i had it. Kept the credential and passport in a small clear bag.free airport security ones are ideal.ost
hope that helps and buon Camino.
 
JillGat said:
What is a "compression" baselayer?
Click to expand...
I use compression pants as a base layer. It aids circulation and keeps warm at the same time. Its just a 'me' thin, nothing technical or fancy.
 
Camino Preparation Guide
Fail to prepare? reduce your risk by buying this book full of practical info.
2nd ed.
Wow, thanks for the detailed response and kind words. Really appreciate the effort that took. I will definitely take heed of this advice and work it into my plans. Thank you so much.
 
That's good to know because I didn't know what weight of merino socks to buy. I bought the light ones for my trip this September, they were on a buy one pair get one pair free sale. I also bought the liners.
 
DwainS said:
That's good to know because I didn't know what weight of merino socks to buy. I bought the light ones for my trip this September, they were on a buy one pair get one pair free sale. I also bought the liners.
Click to expand...

Buy the socks that work with your shoes. Unless you get larger shoes to accomodate them, it's better to just wear liner socks than to wear two pairs of socks and have shoes that are too tight.
 
Camino Jewellery
A selection of Camino Jewellery
JillGat said:
Buy the socks that work with your shoes. Unless you get larger shoes to accomodate them, it's better to just wear liner socks than to wear two pairs of socks and have shoes that are too tight.
Click to expand...
Thanks, i'am going to hike around in the summer so I can see what works best before I leave in September
 
I brought 2 long sleeve merino wool shirts, one short sleeve
Medium weight wool sweater
Light waterproof raincoat
Two pair hiking pants
Two pairs of wool socks
Silk pajama bottoms
Two merino wool underwear
1.5 pound (40F) sleeping bag
Pillow case
Light gloves (lost one the day we had a blizzard)
Soap, shampoo, washcloth, towel (quick dry material)
Salomon Xultra hiking boots and a light weigh summer shoe
Hiking poles
Medical tape for possible pre-blister application
Toilet paper (I'd bring a quarter roll next time)
Water bladder
38 liter Marmot bag with cover

Note 1: where the number was greater than 1, the other one was in the bag
Note 2: When it was cool/cold/dry, the wool sweater worked. When it was sunny and very cold, the sweater and rain coat was more than enough. Total weight on back: 14 pounds (Not including water). Left SJPP April 1. I used everything. May bring a poncho along with raincoat next time.
 
Hi @Gibbo147 ,

perhaps you will find one or another useful idea in my pack list i developed over the last 7 years of walking caminos (starting unexperienced on 8,5 kg in 2013 (dry and without food!)): https://lighterpack.com/r/y70rbu

So long
DonCamino
 
Camino Ready, Backpacks, Boots etc
3rd Edition. Vital content training & pack guides avoid common mistakes, bed bugs etc
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