Everything you DON'T need on the Camino de Santiago | Full pack review for The Way of St James

Camino packing list
docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
Streamline your pilgrimage on The Way of St James with expert tips on what NOT to bring. Shed unnecessary weight by leaving behind items like heavy gear, redundant clothing, and bulky gadgets. Optimize your journey for comfort and convenience with my curated list. Embrace the freedom of a lighter pack while embarking on this transformative adventure. Watch now to ensure you're equipped with only the essentials for the Camino de Santiago experience of a lifetime.

[@melissab876]

Thanks Greg. I'll be setting out in May as well. I was debating a lightweight puffer coat, but I now know that I'll need it. I hate being cold and it's smart to expect some cool weather in May.

[@aksourdough4890]

Awesome job Greg. Planning for Camino Podiensis in France next Sept. Different conditions but lots of useful insights and great spreadsheet. Thank you.

[@lalipsie5]

very well spoken and some good tips, thankyou.

[@kristindahl9797]

We walked in the summer and the heat was extreme. Most people were starting before dawn to get in some miles in the cooler pre-dawn hours and finish by noon. Walking in the afternoon heat was so hard. It really drains you and also can cause heat related health problems. So it was helpful to have a headlamp during the heatwave

[@LavenderHazelwood]

This was great! Thanks.

[@buridanjwh]

i do poles because I have arthritis and it takes the weight off and let's me actually walk fairly well, but yeah proper tips is key.

[@TheCaminoGuide]

I know what you mean. My knees get worse every year. So far ibuprofen keeps it under control and I try to just keep my pack light. But at some point I may need poles...

[@treasurehiding9]

I’m so glad I found your page. I am doing my first walk in March. 1000km My friend and I might acquire a donkey to travel alongside us but it’s not a definite. Do you have any suggestions for a first timer? We will be staying in Temples and nunnery’s and possibly sleep out in the open. What are the best shoes and best ideas for cold nights. Thank you for any info. Cheers

[@TheCaminoGuide]

There's a link in my channel header to my packing list and it has links to my current recommended items, along with the apps I use on the Camino. docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/11gY93VPuCbsrOJ87BRFGfcUC5u0ANVMuhufS8emkhMw/edit?usp=sharing There was a guy last year who was traveling with a donkey and I think he said it was his 8th time maybe. But it seems like it might be challenging. Personally, I go to the Camino for the social aspect, so I prefer to stay in the albergues mostly. You meet more people that way. March is cold and the pass through the Napoleon route from SJPDP will likely still be closed, so you will probably take the lower route (Valcarlos?) If you want my opinion, the first day through the mountains from SJPDP is the best day, so for me it's better to wait until April when the Napoleon route opens. I think it opens on April 1st but it's probably weather dependent. I always suggest wearing comfortable running shoes rather than boots, but if you're starting in March you may prefer something more weatherproof. For me, I would still just wear running shoes, even in winter. But that's me. For the most part, the Camino terrain is not challenging and running shoes are fine and generally won't give you blisters. March/April/early May are usually cold and wet, so plan for freezing temps. I'm not a big outdoor camper, so staying in the albergues with a hot shower is better for me.

[@katrinapeacock8317]

Hi Greg. I really enjoyed this content. I’m new to your channel and planning to walk my first camino(el Norte) starting at the end of May. If it’s not too personal, I’m curious to know how you curate your world to be able to spend so much of it traveling. I managed to find 3 months in Spain last year and will do the same this year, but with a location based full time job it takes a lot of commitment to get that time and freedom. How do you manage it? Katrina

[@TheCaminoGuide]

I had a sort of epiphany several years ago. I realized that my life would not improve one bit if I work more/harder. No matter how much we have, it's never enough. The one thing you can't buy is time. I realized I'm spending my healthy years killing myself and by the time I could afford to stop, I might not be physically able to do any of the things I want to do. I try to travel to countries that are less expensive, and I stay in hostels as much as possible, or some of the countries you can find cheap apartments for less than $500/month. I'm planning to head back to SE Asia later this year, and maybe India after that. It's hard to do if you have to report to an office. I've been in the mortgage industry for the past 10 years, and things are in a bit of a downturn at the moment, so it's a good time to take a break. I haven't done the Camino Norte. Most people do the Frances, so if you want the social interaction, that's the one to do. I may do the others in the future...maybe the Portugues starting from Lisbon...

[@encouragesolutions2595]

Useful. Thanks. I go mid-June and wondered if I should bring a waterproof lightweight bivvy bag for sleeping indoors and should I lose out on the "bed race", for sleeping outside? Also what is a good pack size? 35 - 40L?

[@TheCaminoGuide]

Everyone is different but if I was going at that time I would not bring a sleeping bag, just a liner...and no rain jacket or warm layers. It will probably be warm, shorts weather and could fit everything in my 22 liter pack. Maybe a lightweight jacket and pants for the evenings & going into cathedrals.

[@Xl8tor241]

good informative video, point to note though, most of the world thinks in Metric and Celsius not the old fashioned imperial system that went out of vogue about 50 years in most places...

[@TheCaminoGuide]

Yup...unfortunately we never really converted in the US. I try to give the metric when I can, but it's not always easy to convert in my head on the fly.

[@estellagutierrez4615]

What day is best to start the Camino.. I'm planning on middle of August finish in Sept. I plane 45 days... Coz I'm supper slow legs give me a hard time please answer ...you shared alots of info... Thank you

[@TheCaminoGuide]

The month of September is really nice. I started my last one on September 7th and finished on October 13th. Mostly it was warm and sunny until around October 10th. It started raining in Galicia around that time. If you start in the middle of August you should reach the Meseta around August 25th, so it might still be hot. You shouldn't really need any cold weather clothing or even a sleeping bag. A sleeping bag liner is probably fine. You probably won't see much rain either. If it were me, I would plan on wearing shorts most of the time and maybe just bring a very lightweight jacket like a windbreaker, No rain jacket or sleeping bag. You will need some kind of pants to enter the cathedrals so just something lightweight would be fine. Don't overpack. Just one pair of walking clothes and one outfit for the evening should be fine. Maybe carry less than 10 lb.

[@lindaclinton3637]

I will be starting from Sarria mid may, my left knee has just started hurting halting my training any words of wisdom?

[@TheCaminoGuide]

Sarria is where it gets a bit crowded but you're early enough in the season that it shouldn't be bad. I'm having knee problems myself at the moment. I just try not to push too hard and I take aspirin or ibuprofen. You have all day to walk so no need to walk too fast.

[@rickhough3573]

Have you gone in September? I'll be there then and into October. What's the weather like then?

[@TheCaminoGuide]

I went in September last year (9\7 - 10\13). Sunny & clear every day in September, not too hot... started raining in galecia around October 9th.

[@rawadventures2024]

I’m considering swapping out my boots for trail runners/shoes for Camino Portuguese next April/May and I have read Altras are good. I don’t like wet feet so want to get gortex ones but I’ve also heard people say not necessary as they don’t retain water. Do you have waterproof shoes?

[@TheCaminoGuide]

I don't usually worry about waterproof shoes. I just wear shorts and a poncho and figure my feet will get a bit wet. Unless you live in boots and know you won't get blisters from them, I always suggest trail runners or just plain running shoes. Altras are really good shoes and I've worn them for 9 years. I also like the Brooks Adrenaline GTS shoes. Brooks also makes some shoes with the GTX label, which stands for Gortex. I didn't care for the Cascadias because I thought they were too narrow for my feet, but if you have narrow feet you might like them. Cascadia GTX: amzn.to/3mB285K These are the Altra Gortex Olympus shoes: amzn.to/3A5sgbO I wore the Olympus 4's last year and was very happy with them. I have the 5's now, as well as the Brooks Adrenaline GTS and it's a toss up which ones are better. Depends on your feet...but since I didn't like the Cascadia's myself, I would probably recommend the Altra GTX. If you order them on Amazon you can wear them around the house and return them if you don't like them. I think Amazon will let you "try before you buy" on these.

[@rawadventures2024]

@@TheCaminoGuide thank you Greg for taking the time to reply. I like to try and buy in stores so will look at Altra and Brooks as I’ve previously been fitted for Brooks as being good for my width foot. 🌻

[@graceanne6780]

Altras are great, but waterproof is not necessary. Keep in mind that on trail runners, if you get water proof that’s really only good for dewy grass and such. If you get water inside the shoe, gortex just makes it that much harder to dry out. If the wide toe box and zero drop (key features of the Altras) are your priority, also take a look at Topos. They’re cheaper and seem to be holding up better than the newest iterations of Altras sadly

[@aksourdough4890]

Don't overlook Hokas. Best thing I've ever done for my feet.

[@rawadventures2024]

@@graceanne6780 my apologies Grace for late reply, have just seen your message. I went with Hokas and love them, no break-in required, however on a long walk/hike I am finding the toe box too narrow. I have since tried the Topo and plan to buy them when the Hokas wear out (which is happening sooner than I thought). The sole is not lasting anywhere near as long as my previous hiking boots have.

[@katrinapeacock8317]

What’re your thoughts on rain pants?

[@TheCaminoGuide]

I don't use them. I just walk in shorts (swimsuit) and wear a poncho. The poncho covers to below the shorts, so just my feet get wet. Some people like rain pants. I just find them uncomfortable and just another item to carry. I lived in Oregon for 15 years so I'm used to rain. But I'm not sure about the Camino Norte. On the Frances you are always within a couple miles of a town where you can get out of the rain. May not be the case on other Camino routes.

[@katrinapeacock8317]

@@TheCaminoGuide thanks!

[@marioruiz-uz7cq]

Hi Does the poncho cover the backpack as well? I understand there are two types of poncho. I’m leaving in two weeks so I’m thinking of leaving the shell pants at home. I will be starting in Pamplona so I will buy the poncho there? Thanks

[@kathyr.1141]

You mentioned using an ultralight pack. Do you mind sharing which one? Is there any DISADVANTAGE to an ultralight one? Do you find it gives enough support/ventilation, etc?

[@TheCaminoGuide]

This trip coming up I'm bringing my Osprey Kestrel 38...not an ultralight at all, but it's comfortable. I'm going with my son, so bringing a few extra items I wouldn't necessarily bring if I was alone. In 2019 I really just had a change of clothes and a silk sleeping liner, and I used a 20 liter day pack that only weighed about 10 oz. The whole pack fully loaded only weighed 2 kilos (about 4.5 lbs)...but albergues don't always provide blankets anymore, so if you are going during cooler weather, it's hard to go that light. If I was starting in mid-june I would pack that light, but this trip is on May 1st, so it will still be a bit cold at times. As far as packs go, the Z-packs seem to be what people go for but I don't like to spend that much. I try to keep the "stuff inside the pack" under 5 lbs, which is easier as a guy, but if you can keep it that low then you don't really need a framed pack. Without the frame you can lose about 3 lbs. The key for me is to just make due, rather than trying to pack for every situation. One pair of pants, one warm layer, etc... My most recent "putting the pack together" video has it down to 10lbs, including the 3.4 lb Osprey Kestrel pack. So I'm working on trying to lose a couple of lbs there somewhere, but it's a challenge. Last year I was able to travel to Egypt, Israel and Thailand with just a 22 liter pack (Osprey Talon 22), but it's easier when the weather is warm and I just wore my hiking sandals everywhere.

[@bethhill591]

Do you pack snacks or food?

[@TheCaminoGuide]

It's not really necessary on the Frances. There's cafes every few kilometers usually. I usually grab a baguette if there's a bakery open and stick that in my pack. Some people like to carry food. There's enough cafes and grocery stores that it's not necessary though.

[@lindaclinton3637]

What should I a 72 yr old look prepare for?

[@TheCaminoGuide]

I would say, just make sure you can comfortably walk at least 10 miles with a break each 5 miles. Tendonitis is common, so you will want to rest your feet frequently. If you have the time, you can walk shorter distances each day. There are plenty of places to sleep between the prescribed stages. The normal day is between 12 - 15 miles with a couple of days being a bit longer but you can usually cut those stages in half and probably do just 10 miles per day. Last September I walked with a group of German ladies and one was 72 years. They were pushing farther than I wanted to go each day and the older lady had to quit in León due to tendonitis. I kept trying to tell them to take a day off but they had to be back by a certain date. Good if you have plenty of time to complete it. If you're in good shape you should not have too much trouble though. Slow and steady and don't carry too much weight. And wear comfortable shoes like I show in my most recent video.