This is what I am bringing on the Camino de Santiago for my 30 day trek in May - June of 2018. I have been advised to carry 10% of my body weight or less. At 140 pounds (63 kilos), this is about 13 pounds (6 kilos) when everything is in the bag. Let me highlight the things I will be carrying:
1. Hiking Khakis
These are a must have, with their highly fashionable zip-off function to become shorts in the midday heat. I bought these at REI for about $50, after forgetting my previous pair at the top of Salcantay Mountain in Peru. (It’s a long story, but if anyone came across those, please mail them to me.)
2. Packable Waterproof Jacket
WaterPROOF - not waterRESISTANT. Huge difference. I bought this one online at REI, and plan to use it as a general jacket and rain jacket throughout my trip beyond Spain.
3. Backpack Rain Cover & Sleep Sack Both from REI. (Seeing a theme?) The rain cover will protect your pack for days you will be hiking in the rain. June is the rainy season in Spain, so this is essential! The sleep sack is similar to a sleeping bag, but only the thickness of a sheet. This separates you from the varying cleanliness of albergue and hostel beds. I sprayed this bag (and my backpack) with bed beg repellent a few days before flying out, but still check every mattress for these bugs! They will bite.
4. Waterproof Hiking Shoes Due to the time of year that I will be traveling, waterproof is necessary even if it limits breathability. These are Oboz from REI, in a size that leans big to prevent blisters. I chose to buy hiking shoes instead of using my hiking boots because boots are better for mountainous terrain, and I will be skipping the Pyrenees, the most mountainous part of the trek. Not pictured are hiking sandals (chacos) that I will bring in case my feet need a break and for the evenings. I also have shower sandals. Take care of your feet - this is a long journey!
5. 45L +10 Deuter Backpack I love this bag, but it is way too big for the Camino. It is too easy to overfill a bag that is large, and too much weight will give you back problems. I do, however, need a bag of this size to backpack the Camino, Eastern Europe, and possible Thailand for a year. So I am getting creative with sizing! I plan to keep this bag half full or less the entire Camino. I will be mailing ahead of me clothes for use on the rest of my journey, and they will fit right into this bag. My mother, who will be hiking the Camino with me, purchased a 24L Osprey which is as small as you want to go for the Camino.
6. Clothes I will be bringing two polyester tank tops to wick sweat, and two shorts that do not have leg-hugging liners. 6 to 7 hours of hiking in the heat will require keeping moisture away. I also have a hiking button up shirt from Costco. This will keep the sun off my skin and keep me warmer on cool mornings.
7. Underclothes Sports bras (2) and underwear (3) are also polyester and space saving and moisture wicking fabric (polyester. NOT COTTON.) Socks (3) were bought at REI as sport socks, designed (you guessed it) to wick sweat away.
8. Buff This cloth, sold everywhere now, can be worn around the head or neck to keep sweat out of your face, hold back hair, or protect your neck from the sun. Multi purpose!
9. FLEX menstrual products This is an exciting one. With so few female entrepreneurs in history, all of the feminine hygiene products currently used today were originally designed by men. Hence, they are designed like glorified diapers, give women toxic shock syndrome, and aggravate cramps. This entrepreneurial venture was founded by women to revolutionize this market. I am a huge fan, and will keep you posted on how they work during this trek!
10. Supplies - let’s break this down further.
1. Laundry Soap We will be washing our clothes every night and hanging them up to dry. This laundry bar soap from amazon will do just the trick!
2. Lush Shampoo Bar From Lush, this bar is good for 80 hair washes, is lighter than shampoo bottles, and better for the environment.
3. Travel Laundry wire This travel laundry wire hooks or suction cups to any surface to allow me to dry clothes at night.
4. Microfiber Towels These super absorbent towels save space!
5. International Cell Phone This emergency cell phone can be used in any country for $1/minute. It is expensive, but good when you’re in a tight spot and need to call your hotel for directions.
7. BodyGlide This is a deodorant-type bar to prevent any chafing during your hike. Use day 1 before you start chafing and it’s too late!
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