2023 Camino Backpack List

One of my favorite things is culling my pack list for a Camino. On one hand you want to go as light as you can…as “a light pack makes for a happy Pilgrim!” Typically people aim for 10% of their body weight (without water or food). This time I will be away for nearly three months, so that adds its own twist. The goal is to be light, but to have some comforts and to learn from the choices about what is essential vs not.

I start planning what I will bring by considering the weather where I will be walking. Weather Spark offers a great resource for average temperatures, rainfall and daylight hours. Input a variety of places if you will be on the move to get a sample of the possible range. Note I say “possible range” as averages are not representative of the unique weather that can happen day to day or month by month.

Here is my new backpack! My old one still fit but after ten years and many farmers market runs, it was a bit musty smelling. I am glad to have a fresh backpack! I love how it fits and went a bit smaller in capacity (from 44 to 38 liters).

I use as many of the compartments of the backpack to help sort things at the lowest weight and use Eagle Creek packing cubes for the interior space. Note: I will post a link at the bottom of this blog to all items I’m taking, complete with weight and links for details. I am not sponsored by any of these companies, so just sharing what I have landed on for this walk. I will be posting when I return what worked and what didn’t, so do look for that if this interests you.

Inside my clothes sack are three bottoms (pants, base layer that also works as leggings, and shorts), two long sleeve tops with SPF protection, two short sleeve tops and two dresses. I will be walking August to October, so mostly prepared for heat. I prefer to use clothes for sun protection vs sunscreen when possible. We aim to spend four days in Barcelona as we arrive. Many Pilgrims bring only two outfits, so I have splurged in this section a bit!

Below is my foot gear. This year I’m bringing Altra shoes vs boots. I am hoping that the shoes allow more air in to help prevent blisters. They also are not Gortex, so should be cooler for summer. I am bringing my trusty Birkenstocks which I recently had resoled. Most people prefer a sandal that goes behind the heel, but this same style has been on both of my past Caminos and has done well for me. Please know that so many choices are personal. I cannot say what is best for you, this merely is what has worked for me and we will see how it goes this time. Backpack and shoes are the two most important items on the Camino, so do consult an expert at REI or your local sporting goods store to find a good fit for you.

I also have a Mountain Hardware jacket, a very light rain repellant jacket (that can double as a wind breaker) and a day pack which I put in the back outer pocket of my pack. If it gets cold and I need a warmer coat, I will buy one when that becomes apparent versus carrying it for two months in the heat. Many of my items were used on my 2013 Camino. I figure if they still work and have life in them, may as well use them this time.

Next are my personal care items. I opt for tooth powder as it is lighter weight than paste. I put a small amount into the little tin below it. I love Humby shampoo bars from Zero Waste Cartel as they are lightweight, suds up real well and have natural essential oils vs intense artificial scents. After trying all kinds of shampoo bars, these are the best! Bars weigh less than shampoo and can be bought with less packaging. I am bringing some conditioner as the conditioner bars just don’t do the trick with my long hair.

I had a big towel dilemma this time. When I tried the trusty microfiber towel from my past two Caminos, it just felt like a cold wet shammy! I delight in yummy textures and so I landed on this Turkish hand towel along with donkey milk soap from Indigo Traders. The soap is so nourishing and hydrating that I think I can get by without face lotion or cream. If you have not been to Indigo Traders and you live near Portland, it’s an amazing store worth a visit! I actually took a shower and dried half my body with the Turkish towel and half with the microfiber towel and then watched how quickly the two towels dried…and the Turkish towel feels much softer and dries fast…so it’s going with me.

My first aid kit, mostly focused on foot care along with a little Naprosyn, Magnesium and activated charcoal. I’m bringing one COVID test kit as it cut the weight significantly to remove the box, second test and instructions. Every ounce counts! One can buy test kits on the Camino, but if you’re not well, that may not be what you feel up to doing.

And this is what it looks like put into a bag. I like this bag as it’s easy to see what is inside.

Next is my Sleep items bag with handkerchief, lozenges, earplugs, eye mask, Cozyband (with built in headphones)for listening to my wind chimes as I fall to sleep without disturbing other pilgrims and some tea.

I put these laundry items into my personal care sack – Dr. Bronner’s All in One soap (cut in half) for washing my body and clothes and some Sea to Summit laundry leaves to try. I have an old scrub brush from the kitchen that I use it to wash my shoes when they get muddy or super dusty.

And this is what it looks like with the mesh laundry bag open. I use this for dirty laundry and to keep my items separate if I do laundry with someone else.

My electronics items fit well inside the mesh inner part of the “brain” on my backpack. I have a 3 USB port European power plug, a backup battery, headphones with a cord (which won’t require charging and are harder to lose), a IKEA kickstand for watching videos or putting my phone in position for photos, a bandana and these nice very light bags for keeping items organized. Four of the little bags weigh only 1/8 ounce!

Some bigger items for the side pockets of my backpack and I put the lavender cotton sleep sack in the bottom zip area of the backpack. The umbrella is good for sun or rain. I use one walking stick for tough terrain, as I really enjoy my hands being free for photos.

This is nearly final, but I am hoping to possibly cut some weight before I go or on the journey if they are not needed.

Here is the detailed list of items with weights and links.

Let me know what you’d leave behind in the comments below or what you’d want to bring.