Rick what other recommendations do you have for us? You seem very knowledgeable when it comes to this stuff. Equipment like backpacks or hiking clothes, socks etc..
Thanks for the compliment, but I'm no Gear Head. There is a whole chunk of this form where the obsessed debate brands and style of equipment. Experience has taught me a few lessons though, the MOST important one is above. Other than that:
- Find a pack that fits you, they are all a little different. When you go to buy one, most shops will have somebody to help fit you. Make sure there is weight in the pack (~15 lbs) when you are trying it out. Length and hip belt shape matter here. 35-40 litres is about the right size. Don't sweat over the "Features", none of it really matters. It has to fit you. Osprey, Gregory, Deuter, and others are all good.
- Keep your pack as LIGHT AS POSSIBLE. Don't pack anything "just in case". If it turns out you need something, buy it when you are there.
- Lots of people prefer down puffies for their mid layer, but I like a zip fleece hoodie. They both work. You will always hear "get a 'light' fleece". Not TOO light, its job is to keep you warm, and it need needs to be substantial enough to do the job for the time of year you are walking.
- Buy a high quality rain jacket AND a poncho. The poncho is to keep your pack dry. The rain jacket is your outer warmth layer, as well as keeping you dry. Get over the fact that when it rains, your feet will get wet.....goretex shoes are strictly for winter walking.
- ALL of your clothes should be synthetic, except for skivvies. Take nothing cotton with you. Its heavy, and takes forever to dry.
- Merino base layers (t-shirts) are worth paying for. Mid/Outer layers can be polyester.
- Pick your clothes thinking about layers. Depending on when you walk, you may need your merino t-shirt, a long sleeve shirt, your fleece or down puffy, and your rain jacket all together to be warm. These will get you down to the freezing point in comfort when all worn together. Your pack will be empty when its cold!
- Don't take anything that is single purpose....its all used in combination with other elements.
- Its not a fashion show. Leave your vanity at home, and get comfortable with the idea that all those pictures will show you in the same clothes, in an increasing state of disrepair as your Camino progresses.
- Don't take a first aid kit like you are planning to do field surgery. Every town has a pharmacy, you're never more than a few hours walk from a place to buy what you might need. Mine is a half spool of skin tape, a gauze bandage, and two bandaids.
- Unless you are walking in summer, or only staying in hotel/hostel accommodations, you NEED a sleeping bag of some type. I use a down quilt rather than a bag (you are indoors on a foam mattress), and this helps save weight and space.
I could probably come up with a few more, but these are the high spots.
Buen Camino