Women's Camino de Santiago Ultralight Packing List: 12 L Running Vest

[@kurachan101]

I love these type of videos! I would never go THIS small and lightweight, I enjoy the comfort some items give me too much for that. But it makes me rethink what I really need on a hike and what I can live without. Thank you for that!

[@DaysWeSpend]

That’s great! Rethinking some things is exactly what I wanted to inspire. I’m going to go this light on some hikes, and on others I’ll bring my bigger bag

[@drive2surf]

Ok thanks for your help in our Spring 2024 Camino Frances. 2 years of saving and planning our 40+ days we spent in Spain. My wife 63 and I 68 with new knees had an 😅in credible time. And now according to Lisa she wears Lainey pants and I got Shaun underwear and sox for Christmas. Buen Camino and Ultreia!

[@DaysWeSpend]

That's amazing. Enjoy the pants, socks and, underwear :)

[@Away.Aweigh.A.Way.]

For those folks wanting the wide toe box of the Altra Lone Peak, but aren’t experienced with zero drop or don’t want it, have a look at Topo Athletic. They make great shoes with the same foot shape as Altras, but with various heel to toe drops. Great video!

[@DaysWeSpend]

Thanks so much for sharing your suggestion. I've heard good things about the Topos.

[@sbartdbarcelona44]

Agreed.

[@bigcitycommute]

Thank you! I took a 40L bag and just too much stuff on my Camino last summer. I may not want to reduce all the way down to a 12L, but I could certainly pack lighter if/when I go again!

[@DaysWeSpend]

That's exactly what I was hoping to do was inspire people to go lighter. No need to carry only 12L to have a lighter bag!

[@cornawiese1061]

Oh, I've been waiting for this video! And I ❤ it. Not sure if I'll ever use it, but what a great challenge. Well done on packing so light ... you've just proven it can be done!

[@DaysWeSpend]

Thanks so much! No need to vest it up, but hopefully some inspiration to pack light 😊

[@cornawiese1061]

@@DaysWeSpend Absolutely - you have inspired me a lot with your packing. Who knows, I might just try it 😁.

[@larryhunter8245]

Amazing video! As an older guy who’d love to do a Camino someday I love the ultralight approach. I figure it might make it doable. I also have a high metabolism so I don’t need as warm clothes as most do. Some great ideas here! Your husbands waist pack gear plan is cool too!

[@DaysWeSpend]

Thanks so much! Shawn has an updated to his lumbar pack packing list coming out this Friday :)

[@larryhunter8245]

@ can’t wait.

[@shermer75]

Loved this. 12 litres!!!!!!!! Amazing!!!

[@DaysWeSpend]

Thanks so much!

[@katrinapeacock8317]

Love it!

[@DaysWeSpend]

Thank you!

[@helenwallis5914]

Love this, well done. One thing I always have used for over 10 years now is one cake of soap. Here in Oz we have a soap called Velvet Soap. I use it for washing me, my hair and my clothes. Oh yes and a big thanks for the product Shawn mentioned a while ago the Matador soap pouch. Worked brilliantly on the via Podiensis I just finished. Thanks again for your inspiration.

[@DaysWeSpend]

Thank you! Velvet Soap sounds similar to our Dr Bronners. We loved following your Via Podiensis journey on IG! It looked like you had an amazing walk.

[@helenwallis5914]

@ Thank you so much. It was so amazing and so beautiful, as you both would know. Love your new pack .

[@nancycompagnie6500]

I was on the lookout for this one ☺I actually have used a running vest for 100mile ultra trail runs/walks but ofcourse a multi day camino is another thing 🙂 This was very interesting, Lainey...thanks a lot...i will be doing my camino next month in a smaller pack Ooh, i did agree with Shawn 😁

[@DaysWeSpend]

Glad you’re taking a smaller bag. I hope you’ll love the challenge. But definitely keep the towel larger 😂

[@nancycompagnie6500]

@@DaysWeSpend will do 😅😇

[@SiriusScientist]

Same! I clicked for ultra trail and fast packing recommendations. I’ve got the UTMB route planned next year as a multi day running trip and am looking for all the recommendations to try before next fall. I use the 8L unisex option (I’m 5’11” and the women’s didn’t fit) but am probably going to pick up the 12L as the trips and distances get longer with training.

[@nancycompagnie6500]

@@SiriusScientist if you’re looking for compact but still very versatile and not necessarily a running vest i czn highly recommend the Osprey Tempest 9 liter. I have been using this for a few months now for dayhikes and i love it. Can’t believe the aloubt of gear it can handle, a small pack but comes with a “big pack” hipbelt 👌

[@SiriusScientist]

@ I can’t remember which model I have, and I’m pretty sure it’s a men’s version because of height/ long torso, but I have an Osprey day pack, with the hip belt that has pockets, and I love it! I wear it less now that I’m running more, but it’s my go to for hiking. 🙌

[@helenlayley]

Amazing! I am giving my daily use 'handbag' rucksack the side eye . . .

[@DaysWeSpend]

😂😂😂 that’s awesome.

[@MeghanNathansonArtistry]

I love your video! Curious if you think you could have sustained this level of gear/packing for an additional week or two .....

[@DaysWeSpend]

Yeah I could use this packing list for a longer period of time but not if the season got any colder. Thanks so much.

[@AnnieGill7]

First video I have seen of yours, very much enjoyed it! You thoroughly thought everything through! Great job!

[@DaysWeSpend]

Thanks so much! Welcome to our channel. :)

[@AnnieGill7]

@@DaysWeSpend Thanks!!

[@MrsBrent]

l love your videos, was ecstatic to see this one pop up!

[@DaysWeSpend]

Thanks so much!

[@toughgirlchallenges]

I am seriously impressed!!!!!!

[@DaysWeSpend]

Thanks so much!

[@jakeva9802]

Good stuff. Ultralight is the way i like to go.

[@DaysWeSpend]

Thank you!

[@xungnham1388]

For a "full" size towel, consider a Lightload beach towel (5'x3') cut in half. It's pretty much the same material as a Handi towel, so like a reusable paper towel. For a tripod, stab a hiking pole into the dirt and use a rubberband or hair tie around your phone and pole. You can use your buff as an eye mask.

[@DaysWeSpend]

Thanks for your recommendations. :)

[@sdnalyam]

Look at either a Polartec Alpha Direct top or Pelaton fleece. Also a very light pair of wind pants, good in light rain and also in heavy rain when wearing shorts as keeps the wind off and keeps legs warmer.

[@DaysWeSpend]

Thanks for the recommendations!

[@KarinMeierMagruder]

Lainey, I’ve watched all of your videos and wore/carried all of your past suggestions for my September Camino Português. Everything was perfect! I’m curious how you buy your gear. I live in Portugal and only return to the US once a year. I want that Jolly Gear shirt, but how did you get it in Spain? Shipping from US to Portugal is practically impossible and customs can be anything, even 300% value. I love both you and Shawn! You are happiness on demand!

[@DaysWeSpend]

Thank you so much! I'm so glad my previous videos were so helpful for you. That's a really great question. First, we look for an EU website (such as for Salomon, Altra, etc). For the Jolly Gear, we had that shipped to my family in the USA. When they visited, they brought the shirts with them. It takes forever but it's better than dealing with customs which often rejects our orders.

[@HesterCaminoAdventure]

I used the Altra Lone peaks for my Camiño in September/October. Great shoe, my only issue was some parts of the trail were so rocky and my feet took a beating. I changed insoles 2 weeks in and it helped for the remainder of the pilgrimage.

[@DaysWeSpend]

I wear barefoot shoes in my normal life so the Altras feel super squishy for me! Some of our friends like the Altra Olympus. They have a lot more insole thickness. Glad you found a solution that worked for you.

[@Lizzybeth1973]

I used an 18L vest on my last Camino… 12L is amazing!

[@DaysWeSpend]

Oh awesome! What brand was your 18L one?

[@Lizzybeth1973]

Its the Cloudstryke 18L by 5.11 gear. Love having the water worn up front to balance the load. Take only what you need and nothing more 👍🏻

[@DaysWeSpend]

I’ll take a look at that one! Never heard of that brand and I love to learn about new gear!

[@annabell2969]

@@Lizzybeth1973 Thank you for this new option! I'm nose-deep in searching a gem

[@wf304]

Accepting the vest challenge for my portuguese camino May '25. Great gear video Lainey! Thanks

[@Dtiic5iyxixg]

Thanks Lainey (and your off-screen auditor 🙂) If you’re not sure, you can bring a small bag, and get it transported forward to the major towns/your chosen rest day locations only, and to a re-think/re-pack there, before forwarding the left over stuff in the small bag to Santiago or your next rest stop (depending how you feel)

[@DaysWeSpend]

Thanks for the tip. We know about the transports and we chose not to use them. For us, we like the flexibility to change our plans. We also like the packing challenge of going light. Also, many less popular routes don’t offer this option.

[@LiveandGoWander]

Thank you for all the great content and links, we will use for us, and you. Will your husband be doing a video for me too, LOL!!!? We're doing a cruise to Europe next April and probably be starting with a Via Francigene hike in Italy. We appreciate you!

[@DaysWeSpend]

Glad you enjoy it! Shawn’s packing video is out next week 😄

[@erouthiking]

Great video! Question: Do the buttons on the Jolly Gear cuff bother you when using the thumb holes with hiking poles? I’m thinking about buying a jolly gear shirt, but the photos seem like the buttons would be on your palm, which makes me think they would get in the way when using hiking poles. Thanks

[@DaysWeSpend]

Thanks! That's a good question. I never noticed the buttons bothering me. The comfort though really depends on your proportions with the length of the sleeve. The fit of the sleeve didn't work for a friend of ours, but the buttons weren't her issue.

[@sbartdbarcelona44]

Very useful. And interesting. Thank you!

[@DaysWeSpend]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Razialia]

Can you make a video on the knee exercises you do? Did going to zero-drop shoes help?

[@DaysWeSpend]

Maybe… I’m not a doctor so I don’t know how comfortable I feel giving this advice. Send us an email and I can send you some of the videos I followed.

[@Razialia]

@@DaysWeSpend Will do! Thanks!

[@MilaLu]

Very impressive! But question is how did you bring your poles on the plane? Don’t you have to check them in?

[@DaysWeSpend]

Thank you! We live in Spain, so we didn't have this issue. In the past when we have flown before a Camino, we check our poles and knife in. We pack them in a cardboard box for the flight, not a bag.

[@MilaLu]

@ oh that makes sense then :) otherwise it’s a problem to fly internationally. Happy trails!

[@WalkwithSeth]

Lainey, did you use the space where a hydration reservoir would go for other items to make it all work or could you have still fit the filled hydration reservoir? I just added the Osprey Duro 15 hydration pack and am interested in trying to slim down and see if it could similarly work for a Camino, but the front strap stretch pockets are a little less generous than your pack and I think I’d want to use the 2.5 liter reservoir that came with the back. Interested in your thoughts. Thanks!

[@DaysWeSpend]

Great question. I didn't use the pocket for the hydration reservoir, but that space is essentially/sorta shared with the main pocket. I think if I had a full hydration pouch in the back, it would still work with this packing list, but I think it might be off balance without using water in the front, too. Let me know what you end up figuring out!

[@anitasimmons3599]

❤, New subscriber, I hike in a skirt and use Alpaca or merino wool underwear and base layer and socks. I love your hiking shirt and will be looking into getting it and the matador soap bag and the pee rag. Thank you for sharing your unique list. Blessing

[@DaysWeSpend]

Thanks for watching and for sharing your clothing suggestions. Buen Camino!

[@franka.gundersen3177]

Ps . . . The plastic gloves you use are also perfect to make waterproof gloves., Combine a sock and the plastic glove for cold wet days 😊

[@DaysWeSpend]

Oh my gosh. That’s genius.

[@tomandchristyadventures1344]

Love the buff where did you get it? I love that Camino symbol.

[@DaysWeSpend]

It's from the Spanish post office, Correos! They have an online store with tons of Camino related items.

[@LouisaOstermann]

Hi, nice video! Did you not bring any shoes for the albergues?

[@DaysWeSpend]

Thank you! I wear the sandals around the albergue.

[@LouisaOstermann]

@@DaysWeSpend Ah sorry, I forgot that you brought Sandals. Thanks. My baseweight for the camino is 2,5 kg. I really like your packing list. Thanks.

[@DaysWeSpend]

2.5 kg is awesome!

[@Razialia]

I tried the same Mountain Hardware pants before and I love how they fit so well for petite individuals. However, I ended up not keep them because of the pilling I had on my other MH pants. I found the company's polyester always pills, and rather stick with nylon when it comes to pants. How is your pant holding up from the 14 days?

[@DaysWeSpend]

I’m having the same issues. They aren’t wearing great over time (been using them for 6 months) but the weight and fit are better than a thing else I’ve found for me.

[@Razialia]

@ Thanks for sharing. It’s unfortunately MH fits well, but the quality just isn’t there.

[@annabell2969]

Thank you for this detailed video, as always. You got me thinking so hard about getting the Uswe bag, but I'm afraid of the front not being comfortable enough for girls. I will continue my search for a light pack suitable for women! Please, do keep sharing your adventures, it brings me so much knowledge and joy!

[@DaysWeSpend]

Glad it was helpful! I really like the USWE bag too since the straps are elastic (similar to the vest), it’s very comfortable for me. Let me know if you find a solution you love!

[@annabell2969]

Thank you!

[@FOXMAN09]

I live in Spain and see people carrying way too much stuff on the camino or just traveling in general. I saw a train full of 14 year olds going for a 1 night camp carrying what looked like 20kg packs. Insanity. It was the same when i was in the boy scouts. I had to carry 23 kg for a week every summer. Minimalism is essential in hiking and should be made more aware to new hikers.

[@DaysWeSpend]

We love traveling light no matter what kind of trip. It’s so freeing.

[@dsmith9572]

Most verbose "list" ever. Didn't make it to the end.

[@catherineweaver9302]

Always entertaining....llama_ladee-anny

[@DaysWeSpend]

Thank you!!