Packing List of a first timer

[Anika]

Hello All,

I am planning to walk the Camino Frances in March/April of 2017. I was planning on going from St. Jean to Santiago in 40 days, but after reading abit on stages lengths, etc. I am thinking of extending it to 45 and possibly going on to Finisterre if I have time. I just wanted to post my preliminary equipment list here to gather suggestions, as this is my first camino and I tend to be an overpacker. I have read numerous post on packing and how to pack light. I am hoping to keep my pack to approx. 15lbs (with food/water). That being said, I am walking in the spring with variable weather. It sounds like I could get everything from snow, to rain, to really warm temperatures. I have tried to account for that in my packing.

Here goes...
1) Sleeping
-light weight sleeping bag (good to 7 degrees C)
-silk sleeping bag liner
-pillow case ( if my liner doesn't have it builts in)
-ear plugs

2)Clothing
-3 pairs wool hiking socks (still trying out what works best for me)
-3 pairs technical underwear
-2 bras (what type depends on what I find most comfortable)
-2 pairs quick dry hiking pants
-1 pair leggings (I have polyester ones I like-not sure if I should get wool ones instead, I don't want them to just be a base layer)
-2 merino wool t-shirts
-1 merino wool long sleeve shirt
-1 1/2 zip fleece (polyester-I already had at home)
-rain coat
-rain pants
-hat
-gloves
-buff
-light weight sarong or scarf
-Mammut hiking boots (they are not light weight, but I can't afford to get new ones for the Camino and I enjoy wearing these)
-flip flops (for the shower)
-light weight walking shoes or sandals (I don't know if spring will be warm enough in the evenings to walk around in sandals and I don't want to put wet sandals on from the shower and walk around)

3)Toiletries
-toothbrush
-toothpaste (travel size)
-shampoo (travel size)
-soap (travel size)
-laundry soap (travel size)
-wet wipes
-1/2 roll toilet paper
-comb
-razor
-sunscreen (travel size)
-lip chap
-vaseline (travel size)
-anti-bacterial hand soap (travel size)
-deodorant
-tissues (travel size)
-nail scissors
-1 pair of earrings (I don't want my holes to close while I'm there)
-micro-fiber towel (travel size)
-small face towel (travel size)

4) First-Aid
-small needle and fishing line
-band-aids
-aspirin or advil
-anti-inflammatory pills
-compeed or moleskin ( I haven't decided on which one yet)
-polysporin
-alcohol wipes

5)Electronics
-camera
-extra SD card
-camera charger
-ipod
-ipod charger
-ipad (for books, camino related apps and to contact family and friends)
-ipad charger
-plug adapter
-multi USB charger (so I only need one outlet)
-earphones
-some sort of stick or tripod (to take pictures since I will be traveling alone)

6)Miscellaneous
-headlamp
-extra batteries
-backpack (35-45L depending on what I find most comfortable)
-3 stuff sacks
-1 750ml water bottle
-spork
-swiss army knife
- safety pins
-clothes line (can double as extra shoe lace if needed)
-guide book (most likely John Brierley)
-walking poles
-small amount of duct tape
-ziploc bags of various sizes
-dry sack
-prescription glasses
-prescription sunglasses
-small grocery bag (for evening shopping)
-small rock to leave on the trail

7)Valuables
-hip belt
-passport
-credit card
-debit card
-cash
-health insurance
-pilgrim credential

Wow, that seems like a lot of stuff! Thanks for reading all the way to the end of this long post. Suggestions are always welcome, as I look for ways to pack light.

 

[SYates]

Yes, it is indeed a lot of stuff ;-) My thoughts in italics.

-silk sleeping bag liner - Sleeping bag alone should be enough.
-pillow case ( if my liner doesn't have it builts in) - use your Sarong/scarf.

-1 pair leggings (I have polyester ones I like-not sure if I should get wool ones instead, I don't want them to just be a base layer) - Take two, also to wear under pants when cold.
-flip flops (for the shower) - leave at home but take sandals.

-soap (travel size) - leave at home and use the shampoo.
-laundry soap (travel size) - leave at home and use the shampoo.
-wet wipes - leave at home and use the tissue and always pack that out when 'going' on the trail.
-1/2 roll toilet paper - leave at home and use the tissue and always pack that out when 'going' on the trail.
-razor - leave at home.
-anti-bacterial hand soap (travel size) - leave at home.
-deodorant - leave at home.
-small face towel (travel size) - leave at home.

-small needle and fishing line - Leave at home! Especially if meant for blister treatment!
-band-aids - only a few.
-aspirin or advil - only a few.
-anti-inflammatory pills - only a few.
-compeed or moleskin ( I haven't decided on which one yet) - Make sure you know when and how to use these.
-polysporin - Leave at home, indiscriminate use of antibiotics is responsible for a lot of drug-resistant bacteria.

-ipod - leave at home.
-ipod charger - leave at home.
-ipad (for books, camino related apps and to contact family and friends) - Can't your phone do all this, if yes, leave at home?!
-plug adapter
-multi USB charger (so I only need one outlet) - Leave at home.
-earphones - Leave at home, listen to the sounds of silence ;-)
-some sort of stick or tripod (to take pictures since I will be traveling alone) - Leave at home.

-headlamp - Leave at home.
-extra batteries - Leave at home.
-3 stuff sacks - only if they are also dry sacks.
-clothes line (can double as extra shoe lace if needed) - Leave at home and just put new shoe laces in before departure.
-small amount of duct tape - Leave at home.
-dry sack - See above under stuff sacks.

Buen Camino, SY

 

[C clearly]

If all your electronics charge on the multi-USB charger, you won't need the individual chargers, right? Anyway, I would leave the camera behind and take a smart phone instead of the camera, ipod and ipad.

Leave the silk liner and the pillow case (use the sarong as SYates suggests.)

Why have 2 pairs of hiking pants plus leggings? Wear the legging while you wash the pants. Similarly why 2 merino t-shirts?

Don't bring extra batteries - you will rarely if ever use the headlamp, and batteries can be bought there anyway.

Don't bring a stick or tripod. There are many many people who can take your photo.

Clothesline isn't necessary, nor are spare shoelaces. (When is the last time you broke a shoelace?)

What is the fishing line for? Dental floss also makes good emergency thread.

Bring shampoo and use it to wash everything.

I would be concerned about the not-lightweight boots. Have you tried walking 20 km in them on a hard surface?

How about a rain cover for you backpack?

 

[Elizabeth Cheung]

I'd take a look at your phone because if you have one of the latest iPhones or androids, it can do all the things you want an iPod and and iPad to do and can work as your camera. If you are downloading Camino apps I'd not bother with the guide book. I'd bring razor or two if I knew I would be wearing shorts at some point. I wouldn't go with polyester leggings because the don't breath well. When I hike I wear cotton spandex mix leggings which are also great if I don't want to be exposed to the sun. Don't get hot and sweaty in them which, as a woman is important in leggings ;-) And in a pinch, I can use them under my hiking pants. Rain pants? Personally when I have packed them on hiking treks I have never ended up using them very much if at all. Why? Because they get hot as hell when you are walking. I just wear hiking pants when it rains. They dry quick once the sun is out and if it is raining that hard you want rain pants on I can say from experience you will end up wet in the end anyway. I'd rather have wet legs but not be overheated than dry legs and hot and stuffy. But again that's me. I don't mind rain. Its the blazing heat that usually gets me ;-) My two cents on this is not, btw, based on Camino experience. I'll be doing my first Camino in April. My experience comes from my first love which is long distance hiking/treking. And I do take a nice moisturizer with me because after a long day outdoors, my face needs the love. That, my kindle and Starbucks individual coffee packs ALWAYS have a place in my pack.

 

[SabsP]

I'd take a look at your phone because if you have one of the latest iPhones or androids, it can do all the things you want an iPod and and iPad to do and can work as your camera. If you are downloading Camino apps I'd not bother with the guide book. I'd bring razor or two if I knew I would be wearing shorts at some point. I wouldn't go with polyester leggings because the don't breath well. When I hike I wear cotton spandex mix leggings which are also great if I don't want to be exposed to the sun. Don't get hot and sweaty in them which, as a woman is important in leggings ;-) And in a pinch, I can use them under my hiking pants. Rain pants? Personally when I have packed them on hiking treks I have never ended up using them very much if at all. Why? Because they get hot as hell when you are walking. I just wear hiking pants when it rains. They dry quick once the sun is out and if it is raining that hard you want rain pants on I can say from experience you will end up wet in the end anyway. I'd rather have wet legs but not be overheated than dry legs and hot and stuffy. But again that's me. I don't mind rain. Its the blazing heat that usually gets me ;-) My two cents on this is not, btw, based on Camino experience. I'll be doing my first Camino in April. My experience comes from my first love which is long distance hiking/treking. And I do take a nice moisturizer with me because after a long day outdoors, my face needs the love. That, my kindle and Starbucks individual coffee packs ALWAYS have a place in my pack.

Buen Camino but rest assured that after your trip to Spain you will be forever converted to decent high quality coffee so no need anymore for the S-coffee

 

[Elizabeth Cheung]

Buen Camino but rest assured that after your trip to Spain you will be forever converted to decent high quality coffee so no need anymore for the S-coffee

Woo hoo! Coffee is my life blood! Good to hear its easy to source and good!

 

[SabsP]

Woo hoo! Coffee is my life blood! Good to hear its easy to source and good!

Here is an informative link .

http://www.sobremesainspain.com/2012/08/tutorial-how-to-order-coffee-or.html

Coffee served in proper porcelain and not in vile tasteless paper cups.

 

[cher99840]

I agree with others that your list contains way too many electronics. One phone will do it all. Not only will that save weight but you will want your "valuables" with you even in the shower and your list would make a pretty large bundle. That said, you might want a very small and light weight spare charge if you are concerned about the battery life on your multipurpose unit (phone). As for the headphones, it depends on what you want them for. I carry ear buds and use audio books instead of ear plugs to drown out snoring and other nocturnal sounds that I don't want to hear. I usually stay in private rooms and the sounds even come through the walls.

I allowed myself to be talked out of taking a head lamp and clothesline on my first Camino and here are my thoughts on that subject. Clothesline: if you will be staying in albergues, you don't need your own line as there are plenty of drying lines and racks available, however if you mostly stay in Casa rurals, the clothesline is invaluable. It's coming with me this time. Headlamp: Since I didn't plan on walking in the wee hours and had my phone flashlight, I thought I'd be fine without it and I was in September when it was plenty light by 7:15 when I liked to begin walking. By mid October I found that I had to wait until 8:15 for that same degree of visibility. Since I think spring will be similar, but reversed, I won't leave home without that either. Buen Camino.

 

[Elizabeth Cheung]

Here is an informative link .

http://www.sobremesainspain.com/2012/08/tutorial-how-to-order-coffee-or.html

Coffee served in proper porcelain and not in vile tasteless paper cups.

I Loved that link! Thanks so much. I am going to try all of them! I won't eat the paper cups though - not unless I am desperate for fibre ;-)

 

[SabsP]

I Loved that link! Thanks so much. I am going to try all of them! I won't eat the paper cups though - not unless I am desperate for fibre ;-)

Ha I remember vividly talking at 7.30 in the morning to a local policeman who was just off duty from the nightshift,in El Burgo Ranero. Me wolfing down a pan tostada con tomate and a cafe con leche. He : drinking a carajillo : a small coffee with brandy . The police is your friend indeed.

 

[frida1]

I agree with the thoughts above, esp. on the electronics. If you want to be below 15 lb, you'll probably have to trim clothes to 2 bottoms and 2
tops, as in 1 short sleeved top, 1 long sleeved top, 1 pant and 1 legging, or whatever you choose. Once you weigh all your items, you can start deleting; it's surprising how it adds up.
Foot wear is really individual, but heavy boots could well end up being a very painful choice. If you can stand taking the time, walk in them on pavement or the like at least several hours, and better, several hours two days in a row. If you have a trail runner or trail shoe of some sort, you might consider using that instead.
Have a great camino!

 

[BrienC]

Anika, the advice you have from others is priceless. Definitely consider all the points made here. You will need to if you want to make your 15-pound goal. If you have an iPhone (I’m assuming you do because of the other Apple products), then certainly jettison the other electronics, including the camera. My iPhone is a camera, music and audio book source (though used very little, preferring nature), books (kindle app), guidebook, map, GPS, compass, notepad, storage for important information (kept on the cloud so I can get to it if I lose my phone – remember your passwords), internet link to the rest of the world (I post to Facebook and to my blog from the trail), oh, and a phone for making calls or texting.

Buen Camino!

 

[J Willhaus]

When considering your bras, be sure to choose one that dries quickly. In fact if possible get undies, shirts, tights, that all dry quickly. I used light merino 3/4 length woolies leggings from Ibex. I've had them forever and they still look and feel great. They were great even in the summer. Pricey, but long lasting.

 

[Anika]

Thanks for all the great advice! I will definitely be taking it into account when I pack, paring it down to the bare essentials.

I know a lot of you commented on electronics and I see your points, especially in terms of weight. The problem is that I do not own a smart phone and will not be purchasing one just for this trip. I will have to see what I can do.

 

[camino-david]

I would be wary about keeping all your valuables in one place - your hip belt. Suppose you lose it for any reason, then you would be in big trouble. Make photo copies of passport, health insurance and keep in backpack or on your iphone. Get your bank to make your credit a debit card as well and keep that separate from your hip belt such as a pocket on your clothes.

 

[cher99840]

Thanks for all the great advice! I will definitely be taking it into account when I pack, paring it down to the bare essentials.

I know a lot of you commented on electronics and I see your points, especially in terms of weight. The problem is that I do not own a smart phone and will not be purchasing one just for this trip. I will have to see what I can do.

Well, that's certainly a good point!! Is your iPad a mini or one of the large ones? If mini, it can perform as a smart phone. If it is large, a small camera (and an extra SD) is in order. I do believe I'd drop the iPod tho. At the end of the day and your desired items are amassed, I suspect their collective weight will assist you in determining priorities. I'm currently involved in the selection myself and am wondering how almost NOTHING can weigh 13 and a half pounds. I want to get mine to 13 so I can add an extra bottle of water and some snacks and not exceed 15 pounds.

 

[marbuck]

I would take two 500ml bottles of water instead of the 750ml bottle. Easier to pack an if you misplace or loose your water bottle you still have a back up bottle.
I would also leave the hiking poles at home, if you don't normally use walking poles at home you do not need them on the CF

 

[trecile]

I would take two 500ml bottles of water instead of the 750ml bottle. Easier to pack an if you misplace or loose your water bottle you still have a back up bottle.
I would also leave the hiking poles at home, if you don't normally use walking poles at home you do not need them on the CF

I don't normally use poles at home, but I didn't want only my lower half to be getting a workout for 5 weeks, and I really wasn't motivated to do push ups after walking. I'm also pretty sure that my poles caught me from falling a couple of times.

 

[november_moon]

I just wanted to chime in and say, do bring deoderant it doesnt take much space and you will be living in close quarters with others.

 

[kdespot]

Ditto the numerous other comments about leaving behind the electronics. I totally wished that I'd had a headlamp on my Sept-Oct Camino because, as others have said, it wasn't light until 8am but many days was quite warm by noon so I took off with the 7am gang and my phone's flashlight was just a hassle. I don't regularly hike with poles but when you're walking 25-30km/day, they really help take the load off your legs, not to mention the numerous slippery, rocky places that they add stability. The other thing that made my whole Camino so delightful was the sacrifice in weight of having both Merrill boots and a pair of Kean walking sandals. Every day halfway through the day I changed shoes and socks and it was like having new feet. Not one blister nor anything else from SJPdP to SDC. And two water bottles (cheap, disposable ones) with a screw-on sucky hose (one example: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000J2H8OA/?tag=casaivar02-20). ¡Buen Camino!

 

[CaptNoglos]

Buen Camino but rest assured that after your trip to Spain you will be forever converted to decent high quality coffee so no need anymore for the S-coffee

So well put. There is great coffee out there, outside the main chains.

 

[Colette Z]

Hello All,

I am planning to walk the Camino Frances in March/April of 2017. I was planning on going from St. Jean to Santiago in 40 days, but after reading abit on stages lengths, etc. I am thinking of extending it to 45 and possibly going on to Finisterre if I have time. I just wanted to post my preliminary equipment list here to gather suggestions, as this is my first camino and I tend to be an overpacker. I have read numerous post on packing and how to pack light. I am hoping to keep my pack to approx. 15lbs (with food/water). That being said, I am walking in the spring with variable weather. It sounds like I could get everything from snow, to rain, to really warm temperatures. I have tried to account for that in my packing.

Here goes...
1) Sleeping
-light weight sleeping bag (good to 7 degrees C)
-silk sleeping bag liner
-pillow case ( if my liner doesn't have it builts in)
-ear plugs

2)Clothing
-3 pairs wool hiking socks (still trying out what works best for me)
-3 pairs technical underwear
-2 bras (what type depends on what I find most comfortable)
-2 pairs quick dry hiking pants
-1 pair leggings (I have polyester ones I like-not sure if I should get wool ones instead, I don't want them to just be a base layer)
-2 merino wool t-shirts
-1 merino wool long sleeve shirt
-1 1/2 zip fleece (polyester-I already had at home)
-rain coat
-rain pants
-hat
-gloves
-buff
-light weight sarong or scarf
-Mammut hiking boots (they are not light weight, but I can't afford to get new ones for the Camino and I enjoy wearing these)
-flip flops (for the shower)
-light weight walking shoes or sandals (I don't know if spring will be warm enough in the evenings to walk around in sandals and I don't want to put wet sandals on from the shower and walk around)

3)Toiletries
-toothbrush
-toothpaste (travel size)
-shampoo (travel size)
-soap (travel size)
-laundry soap (travel size)
-wet wipes
-1/2 roll toilet paper
-comb
-razor
-sunscreen (travel size)
-lip chap
-vaseline (travel size)
-anti-bacterial hand soap (travel size)
-deodorant
-tissues (travel size)
-nail scissors
-1 pair of earrings (I don't want my holes to close while I'm there)
-micro-fiber towel (travel size)
-small face towel (travel size)

4) First-Aid
-small needle and fishing line
-band-aids
-aspirin or advil
-anti-inflammatory pills
-compeed or moleskin ( I haven't decided on which one yet)
-polysporin
-alcohol wipes

5)Electronics
-camera
-extra SD card
-camera charger
-ipod
-ipod charger
-ipad (for books, camino related apps and to contact family and friends)
-ipad charger
-plug adapter
-multi USB charger (so I only need one outlet)
-earphones
-some sort of stick or tripod (to take pictures since I will be traveling alone)

6)Miscellaneous
-headlamp
-extra batteries
-backpack (35-45L depending on what I find most comfortable)
-3 stuff sacks
-1 750ml water bottle
-spork
-swiss army knife
- safety pins
-clothes line (can double as extra shoe lace if needed)
-guide book (most likely John Brierley)
-walking poles
-small amount of duct tape
-ziploc bags of various sizes
-dry sack
-prescription glasses
-prescription sunglasses
-small grocery bag (for evening shopping)
-small rock to leave on the trail

7)Valuables
-hip belt
-passport
-credit card
-debit card
-cash
-health insurance
-pilgrim credential

Wow, that seems like a lot of stuff! Thanks for reading all the way to the end of this long post. Suggestions are always welcome, as I look for ways to pack light.

I'm also a first timer starting SJPP March 19 or 20 and have 45 days so hope to end in Finisterre if body holds out.

 

[Brenda Dusek]

I'm also a first timer starting SJPP March 19 or 20 and have 45 days so hope to end in Finisterre if body holds out.

Hello Colette we are going this spring also April/May 2017 for first time. We are from Ajax ON and I am Czech! We looked at your list and it similar to ours. I was questioning how much we are packing but our contents mirrors yours.

My question is are taking the train to Bayonne but don't know how to get from Bayonne to St. John de Pied. How are you getting there and how many days. We fly/take train in one day but do not know if we should continue on same day into SJPP or what is any other option.

Would you share how your getting there?

Thanks B

 

[Colette Z]

Hello Colette we are going this spring also April/May 2017 for first time. We are from Ajax ON and I am Czech! We looked at your list and it similar to ours. I was questioning how much we are packing but our contents mirrors yours.

My question is are taking the train to Bayonne but don't know how to get from Bayonne to St. John de Pied. How are you getting there and how many days. We fly/take train in one day but do not know if we should continue on same day into SJPP or what is any other option.

Would you share how your getting there?

Thanks B

Ahoj Brenda Wow, too bad I'll be ahead of you by a couple of weeks (but I'm taking 42days so if you're going fast you'll catch up with me) .....mohli by sme hovoriť po cesky-Slovensky . I'm Canadian (Ottawa) but also live in Piestany Slovakia winters/springs (I'm here now) so I'm flying from Bratislava to Madrid, taking overnight train to Pamplona then on to SJPP. I could have flown Prague to Bordeaux then train to Bayonne then change train to SJPP but for me it was easier to from Bratislava. There's a Czech guy Ján on this site, veteran pútnik who will walk May, he does the train route you're asking about. Post a thread here or search "travel Bayonne to SJPP" or check this link (click on each listing on the left):

https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Bayonne-France/Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

BUEN CAMINO ❤