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A poorly packed bag is the number one reason pilgrims abandon the Camino early. Too much weight causes blisters, tendinitis and back pain from the second day onwards. This guide, drawn from the experience of over 500 pilgrims we have accompanied, gives you the exact list of what to bring — and what not to — for every type of Camino. If you are doing the last 100 km from Sarria, it is worth being even more careful with weight, as the stages are very comfortable but come one after another with many pilgrims on the route.

The pilgrim's golden rule Your pack must not exceed 10% of your body weight. If you weigh 70 kg, your loaded pack (with water) should not go above 7 kg. Most pilgrims who get injured are carrying between 10 and 14 kg.

The backpack: choose wisely before you pack

The ideal Camino pack is between 30 and 40 litres. Any bigger and you will be tempted to fill it. The material should be lightweight (nylon or Dyneema), with an adjustable lumbar support and chest and hip-belt straps. Recommended brands: Osprey, Deuter, Gregory.

If you book luggage transfer (included in all our packages), you can take a large bag with all your overnight gear and walk with only a small 15–20 L daypack carrying water, snacks and the essentials. It is the most comfortable option and the one that lets you enjoy the scenery the most. For those doing the Camino de Santiago from Sarria, a light pack makes a huge difference and means you arrive in Santiago with far more energy.

Clothing: less is more

The secret lies in layering and quick-dry technical clothing. Never take cotton — it soaks up sweat and takes hours to dry.

Essential clothing

Most common mistake Packing cotton clothing "just in case." Wet cotton weighs twice as much and provides no warmth. Invest in 2 good technical T-shirts instead of 4 cotton ones.

Footwear: the most important decision

Footwear is where it most pays to invest. Poor footwear causes blisters from day one and can force you to quit.

Boots vs trail running shoes

For the Camino from Sarria and the Portuguese Way, trail running shoes are sufficient and much lighter. For the Primitive Way and the Northern Way, with their more demanding terrain, low hiking boots are more advisable.

Key tip Break in your footwear at least 3–4 weeks before you leave. Do 10–15 km outings with the socks you will wear on the Camino to identify rubbing points before it is too late.

Basic first-aid kit

You do not need a portable pharmacy. This is everything you will actually use:

Documents

Electronics and accessories

Toiletries and hygiene

Everything in travel or mini format:

What NOT to bring

Here is what 90% of pilgrims end up leaving behind at hostels along the way:

Estimated weight by category

CategoryEstimated weight
Empty pack (35 L)0.8 – 1.2 kg
Full clothing set1.0 – 1.5 kg
Spare footwear (sandals)0.3 – 0.5 kg
First-aid kit0.2 – 0.4 kg
Electronics + powerbank0.5 – 0.8 kg
Toiletries and hygiene0.3 – 0.5 kg
Water (1.5 L)1.5 kg
Estimated total4.6 – 6.4 kg
Is luggage transfer included? If you book one of our packages, your large bag travels to the next accommodation every morning. You only walk with a 15 L daypack carrying water, snacks, your phone and your rain jacket. The recommended maximum weight for the daypack is 3–4 kg.

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Recommended routes for first-timers

If this is your first Camino, these routes are ideal in terms of logistics and difficulty:

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