Packing for the Camino

I have this funny narrative in my head about having the “perfect” backpack of belongings for our upcoming walk on the Via Podiensis in France. I’ve had 11 years to plan (since I walked my last Camino in 2012 and learned so much about pack weight—mostly that I had TOO much), so it just seems like I should be able to effortlessly decide what I do and do not need to bring this time. Unfortunately, it hasn’t been that easy. I still find myself wanting to bring more than I need and being unsure if what I have chosen is “right.”

The one big change from my first attempt to pack to my last, was that we recently decided to use a luggage transportation service (La Malle Postale) to send a duffel bag full of items we won’t need for the day to our accommodation. Things like extra clothes, toiletries, etc.

In the end, this didn’t actually change what we decided to bring (except that I would be able to bring my hiking shoes and not only walk in sandals), but it will make our packs more manageable to walk with and hopefully save my knees on the long downhills. All in all, this will reduce our pack weight from about 15lbs fully packed to 8lbs. It may not seem like much, but I think will make a huge difference! Most of that weight is water and can’t be avoided.

So for better or worse, and if we are ready or not, we fly to Europe tomorrow and will begin walking a week later.

To be honest, I am in a slight state of shock and I think that until we land in Amsterdam I won’t believe this is really happening!

Below is my packing list. Once we start walking I will share more about how I think we did in our planning process and if there are things we ended up not needing or items we wish we had. However, one thing I’m fairly certain of is that I will probably wish I had spent more time training and less time worrying about my bag. C’est la vie.

Packing list (Clothes)

• Chaco hiking sandals
• Oboz Hiking Shoes (not shown in photo)
• 1 pair of lightweight pants
• 1 pair of lightweight shorts
• 1 pair of lightweight leggings
• 1 pair of black leggings (not shown in photo)
• 1 pair of lightweight Wool& bike shorts (to wear under my dress and sleep in when hot)
• 2 T-shirts (1 smart wool one synthetic)
• 1 long sleeved lightweight sweater
• 1 lightweight long sleeved cotton button up shirt (for sun)
• 1 lightweight running jacket
• 1 Wool& Camilla tank dress (for evenings)
• 4 pairs of underwear (3 wool, 1 cotton)
• 3 bras (1 wool, 2 cotton/silk blend)
• 3 pairs of socks (all lightweight wool)
• Breathable rain poncho
• Bandana
• Bathing suit
• Large brimmed sun hat (not shown in photo)

Packing List (Other items)

• Large Sea to Summit dry bag (for clothes)
• Small stuff sack for dirty clothes
• Silk sleeping bag liner
• Pack towel
• 2 water bottles
• Small first aid kit: bandaids, Ibuprofen, moleskin, Neosporin, Tums, hydrocortisone, tea tree oil
• A few masks (KN95’s just in case)
• Ultralight hiking umbrella (for rain or sun protection)
• Small Swiss army pocket knife
• Compression sleeve for my knee
• Bar shampoo & bar conditioner
• Laundry detergent sheets
• A few vitamins I need to take
• Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
• Deodorant
• Face lotion
• Hairbrush
• Sunscreen
• Bug spray
• Sunglasses
• 2 food bars, electrolytes, & 1 pack of “shot blocks”
• Mini hand fan (this was something I wished I had on my last Camino for those very hot days)
• Pads & Tampons
• Lightweight P-chord and two clothespins (to hang clothes to dry)
• Small, knobby foot ball (to massage feet at end of day)
• Small pack of Kleenex
• Scallop shell
• Phone, European plug, charging cord, headphones
• Apple Watch and charging cord
• Passport
• Hip sac (to carry money, cards, etc)
• Hiking poles