8 Camino de Santiago Packing Essentials (and What to Leave Home)
Pack to about 10% of your body weight, water included, in a 33–40 litre bag, and the Camino gets far kinder on your knees. The non-negotiables are a rain layer, a light sleep sack, broken-in footwear, a blister kit and an official pilgrim credential. According to American Pilgrims on the Camino, that 10% figure is accepted guidance rather than a hard rule.
- Bag: 33–40 L, under ~10% of body weight
- Credential: needed for albergues and the Compostela
- Sleep sack: not every albergue supplies bedding
- Rain layer: essential in Galicia, especially in autumn
- Footwear: trail shoes plus sandals, sized up
- Clothes: two or three sets, washed nightly
- Blister and first-aid kit: small but complete
- Trekking poles: optional, but they spare your knees
1. A 33–40 litre backpack
Most pilgrims land in this range; Santiago Ways puts the weight target at 8–10% of body weight including water, with an empty pack near 1.5 kg.
2. The pilgrim credential
Collect at least two stamps a day for the last 100 km on foot (200 km by bike) to earn the Compostela; the Pilgrim's Reception Office adds that the credencial is also required for albergues.
3. A silk liner or very light sleeping bag
American Pilgrims advises a bag liner or sleep sack because not all albergues provide bedding.
4. Rain jacket or poncho
October is rainy on the Norte and Primitivo and in Galicia generally, so Santiago Ways' October guide calls waterproofs essential; with a poncho, add a light windbreaker.
5. Broken-in shoes plus sandals
Carry a hiking shoe or trail runner and sport sandals for evenings; feet swell, so some walkers size up half to a full size, per the packing list.
6. Two or three clothing sets
Santiago Ways suggests two technical tees, three pairs of technical socks and one waterproof layer; see its full checklist. "One to wash, one to wear" keeps the bag light.
7. Blister plasters and anti-chafe cream
Pack blister plasters, Vaseline or anti-chafing cream, gauze, tape, antiseptic and anti-inflammatories, as listed in the Santiago Ways kit.
8. Trekking poles
They distribute weight and reduce knee impact on descents, according to Santiago Ways.
People also ask
How heavy should a Camino backpack be?
Aim for roughly 8–10% of your body weight with water included. A 70 kg walker should carry about 5.6–7 kg. Lighter is better because you carry it daily for weeks, and you can buy forgotten items in towns along the route.
Do I need a sleeping bag on the Camino?
Usually a light sleeping bag or silk liner is enough. Not all albergues provide bedding, so bring one, as American Pilgrims on the Camino advises. In colder months or on higher routes like the Primitivo, choose a slightly warmer bag.
Where do I get a pilgrim credential?
Get it in person at the Pilgrim's Reception Office in Santiago, from authorised confraternities, or from approved associations worldwide. Only credentials from the cathedral's office or its authorised partners are accepted, per the Oficina del Peregrino.
Facts checked against the cited sources as of October 4, 2026. Confirm weather, albergue and credential details before you travel.