The less you carry, the further you can go.

— unknown

Part of the fun of traveling is the preparation for the trip. For the Camino, bringing the right equipment is very critical. The Camino trip is not a traditional sense of vacation, it’s an adventure that involves intense walking and hiking. The pilgrims need to live their one-month life relying completely only on their backpacks. The backpack should weigh no more than 10% of the body weight.  
It’s very challenging that each item needs to be super light and yet functional. I believe the shoes, backpack, and sleeping bag are the three biggest and most important gears to consider carefully and will make a big difference for the experience of your trip.

Quick-dry is a characteristic to have for shirts and pants to wear since it’s certain there will be rainy days. The clothes I’m bringing also range from warm coats to summer shorts. I basically compact my four-season’s clothes in the small backpack due to the changeable weather on the Camino.

After numerous trips to the stores, I think I finally got the stuff I need. Below is my packing list. I hope it can be of help for people who read it and plan to do the trip in the future.

I’m surprised to see it’s actually doable to live off a backpack for a month like this. Boiling down to essentials, we can live a simple life if we want to.

My Camino Packing list

Passport

Bank card

Credit card

Health Insurance card

Cash

Emergency Info in Spanish

My notebook and pen

A rock for Cruz de Ferro

 

Backpack – Osprey Talon 33L, 1.87 lb or 0.85kg

Sleeping bag – REI HEILO Sack, 1.56 lb or 0.7kg

Hiking shoes – Merrel Waterproof Hiking Shoes

2 smart wool socks (light mid-crew)

Rain poncho

Water-proof coat

1 light fleece sweater shirt

1 long thin sleeve shirt

2 T-shirt – quick dry

1-2 T-shirt for sleeping/multipurpose

1 long black legging pants

2 gray Capri legging pants

1 long light rain resistant pants

1 pair of summer shorts

1 pair of shorts for casual/sleeping

1 pair of regular socks

For phone: waist bag, charger (long cord), ear phones, European plug converter

Selfie-stick (this is really optional)

For better sleep: eye shades, ear plugs, pillow case

For colder weather: Scarf, fingerless gloves, headband ear warmer

For hotter weather: Sunglasses, Sunhat, and Sunscreen

Toiletry:

Tooth brush, tooth paste, floss

Comb, shampoo and conditioner, soap

Nail clip, shaver, small scissors, swabs

Face cream

Small face wash towel

Shower towel (quick dry)

For safety and health:

Whistle and body alarm

Tracking pole

Daily vitamins and vitamin C

Medicine: Advil, cold and diarrheal medicine, band aids, and alcohol wipes

Tape for preventing blisters; needle and thread for treating blisters

Other: Plastic bags, zip lock bags

Super excited!  Burn Camino!