Allison Cowie

From what you’ll find online, everyone who has walked the Camino de Santiago has very specific opinions on what gear to bring and what to leave behind — and no two lists are exactly alike. I’ve tried to find a balance between carrying everything I need plus a few nice-to-haves, all while keeping my pack reasonably light in weight. Without water, my bag packed as described below weighs about 18 pounds. We’ll see what I end up ditching and adding as I go.

Backpacking Gear

• Trekking poles. Good for reducing knee strain on downhill stretches, and keep my arms engaged throughout the hike.
• Osprey 36L Women’s Kyte backpack. Fits everything I need without giving me too much extra room to fill with extra weight.
• Camping quilt. Instead of bringing my sleeping bag, my backpacking guru friends lent me a camping quilt, which takes up less space and weight in my bag. I’ve packed it in a compression bag that packs it down into the size of a cantaloupe.
• Sleeping bag liner. This polyester liner will keep me cool at night. It’s also easier to wash than a sleeping bag. Combined with the camping quilt on top, my sleeping gear should keep me plenty warm when the weather gets colder.
• Camping pillow. My aunt gave me a stuff sack that turns into a pillow when I put a jacket inside. The outside of the pillowcase is made of fleece, so it’s super cozy.
• Quick-dry camping towel.
• Headlamp. For when I’m hiking before sunrise or need a flashlight to find the bathroom in the albergue.
• Foot Glide. An anti-blister balm I put on potential hot spots.
• First aid basics. Bandaids, neosporin and blister patches, plus ibuprofen and an antihistamine.

Clothing

• 2 quick-dry long sleeve shirts. Good for sun protection and comfy in warm and cool weather.
• 1 pair REI Sahara Guide zip-off hiking pants. I plan to wear these every day.
• 1 cotton t-shirt. This will be my post-shower and PJ shirt.
• 1 pair running shorts. My post-shower and PJ shorts.
• 3 pairs Ex Officio underwear. These are quick dry and come highly recommended by Camino-ers all over the internet.
• 2 pairs sports bras.
• 3 pairs Wrightsock double-lined hiking socks. Wrightsocks have never done me wrong. The double lining helps prevent blisters.
• Patagonia Nano Puff jacket. A layer to keep me warm. I may need to buy a fleece layer when I get to Galicia in mid-October.
• Salomon hiking boots. These boots are amazing — I’ve worn them since 2018 and never gotten a blister. Gore-Tex makes them rain-resistant, yet they still keep my feet fairly cool. Fingers crossed these trends continue and the boots hold up for the whole hike.
• Crocs. For wearing whenever I’m not carrying a backpack.
• Outdoor Voices hiking hat. This hat keeps my neck and face protected from the sun. I wish I had started hiking with this hat years ago.
• Lightweight rain coat.
• Buff. Great for adding sun protection and/or warmth. Plus, it mops away sweat!
• Lululemon headband. Unnecessary with the Buff, but it’s cute and comfy.
• Goodr BFG sunglasses. These are polarized and designed with exercise (read: sweat) in mind.

Toiletries

• LUSH shampoo and conditioner bars. I cut each in half to reduce bulk.
• Dr. Bronner’s bar soap. One bar should work for showering and laundry.
• CeraVe face wash.
• Anti-acne body spray.
• Eye drops.
• Aquaphor.
• Sunscreen.
• Lip balm with SPF.
• Deodorant.
• Handful of Q-Tips.
• Small roll of toilet paper.
• Hand sanitizer.

Electronics

• Earbuds.
• Solar-charging power bank.
• Chromebook tablet. For blogging.
• Apple Watch. For tracking steps and mileage.
• iPhone. Mostly to be used as a camera.
• Charging cords.

Miscellaneous

• Credencial. The pilgrim’s passport required to stay in albergues, where I’ll collect stamps for each night. It serves as proof I walked the entire journey.
• Shell. To be attached to the outside of my backpack, indicating I am a pilgrim.
• Rock. By tradition, each pilgrim brings a rock from their starting location to add to the giant pile at the Cruz de Ferro, which is most of the way to Santiago. Your rock represents your sins, which you leave behind at the monument. I’m bringing a rock from my home town.
• Codex Calixtinus. The original guidebook for the Camino, written by a monk in the 12th century.
• Earplugs. In case the albergues get noisy at night.
• Face masks.
• Wallet.
• 2 water bottles.