Key Essential Item(s) for Your Camino

[Malachiuri]

50ft of 550 paracord.

I can build a damn space shuttle with it if I need to.

 

[JenRiva]

Safety pins!

 

[Peter CapeTown]

In two weeks time i will start my first Camino (so no Camino experience yet).
Item not yet mentioned that i am taking and should come in handy - instead of a head torch or keyring LED light, I am taking a "Frog" type white LED cycling light (the no-name-brand type). Very small, easy to attach to things, splash proof, stronger than a keyring LED, and it also has a strobe function that will be useful when walking in the fog along a busy street. Will then attach it to the back of my backpack for extra visibility. Should be a good safety feature and a practical small LED torch.
Battery lasts 40h plus.

View attachment 40146

Additionally taking along: a little bit of good quality instant coffee; just waterproofed my hat with the shoe waterproof spay; "twisted" hiking washing line; and a pillow case (my only "home comfort" item). Baby bum cream (Chafe). Plastic lunch box. Two cable ties and a short piece of duct tape wrapped around a pen. Small piece of yoga foam mat (30cm x 40cm) to sit on. Buff

Will not take: Will buy items along the way as need arises. No T-shirts etc. = will buy touristy T-shirts along the way. Will buy pocket knife (with scissors and tweezers) and poncho when i arrive and as i need.

 

[Peter CapeTown]

Thank you all - this has been a very useful topic. Have made notes!

 

[Kurt5280]

Money...makes all the difference in comfort if you are hungry, cold, and tired...but otherwise a small knife.

 

[Galaxy1]

The biggest thing by far that makes a Camino the best possible, fun trip is to take as much of nothing as you can. The more nothing I can stuff into my bag, the better. I'm planning on going out to the shops and buying more nothing in preparation for April 13th this year, and will have a trial pack to make sure it all fits into my rucksack. The second thing I think is essential is a credit card, to buy whatever I need when the nothing won't do the job.

That should be printed on EVERY packing list..............lol!

 

[Aussie Cossie Tanya]

What little thing made a big difference to your Camino?

Knife. Cutting bread, fruit etc

 

[txpeah]

Ditto on the earplugs! I carried a small Swiss army knife that I used all the time - especially when cutting moleskins. Speaking of that, moles skins and Compeed. Otherwise my rule was it didn't go in the pack unless I planned to use everyday (or maybe every other day.) No "just in case" additions (aside from my meds.)

 

[Gareth Griffith]

I think the "little hook" might have been a "little carabiner" they come in useful for hanging stuff all over the place. They come in all shapes and sizes.

 

[Gareth Griffith]

Regarding the knife issue. There's a lot to be said for buying a nice penknife on your camino. They come in useful and make a great souvenir.

 

[Gareth Griffith]

microfiber towel (and if you lose yours, ask the hospitalero for the "Lost and Found" because usually there are a few there that others lost)

I can go along with this one. I left a very nice microfibre towel at Grañón, it had my email address on. Let me know if you've got it!.

 

[JillGat]

I can go along with this one. I left a very nice microfibre towel at Grañón, it had my email address on. Let me know if you've got it!.

It was so nice and soft!

 

[JillGat]

I think the "little hook" might have been a "little carabiner" they come in useful for hanging stuff all over the place. They come in all shapes and sizes.

I think this looks like an interesting, versatile clip: https://myheroclip.com/

 

[Kaleo]

Mine is a synthetic fabric, and I've also seen merino wool, but no cotton.

http://buffusa.com/

Here is a page that shows how a buff can be worn: http://buffusa.com/buff-products/women/multifunctional-headwear/original/nelda#details In the USA, a bandana is a square cotton scarf: https://www.rei.com/product/807983/carolina-mfg-paisley-bandana

 

[Deleted member 32363]

What little thing made a big difference to your Camino?

I. water bladder with Sip tube, 2.Sun/rain wide brim hat. 3.lightweight, but quality rain gear, 4. Ceramic pairing knife w/sheath, 5. Pacer Poles. 6. Ditto to inflatable vinyl pillow.

 

[Richard Smith]

cheap pocket knife, purchased there, Leuko tape.

Agree with the pocket knife but make sure you get one with scissors (it was the tool we used most, often for cutting tape) and tweezers, plus a blade, bottle opener, corkscrew, can opener usually comes along too. Then add fabric tape for your blisters and nappy pins for hanging garments to dry on the line/fence/backpack.

 

[PaulCat]

Thin, large square wool scarf - for shade, heat, privacy, hairdrying, padding of backpack straps.

Heating coil, oatmeal and cocoa mix (not on the Francés, but there are plenty of Caminos where breakfast can be tricky).

Knitted holder for water bottle, which holds it at my left hip so I can take a small sip of water every time I feel like it.

Poles. Also excellent for clothes-drying between bunks when it's rainy outside. And ice-breaker when passing elderly locals, walking with a stick - I smile and say "Mejor con dos," lifting my poles, and we laugh together. Never fails to make us both smile.

Did you bring the oatmeal or by in in the mercardos?

 

[amocatnerak]

I used my swiss army knife a lot. Mostly for the scissors, but also the knife blade and bottle opener. I never got a chance to use the corkscrew though!!

 

[Piero Frustascarpe]

One of my best friends since ages: Mòris, a Finnish puukko, just "The" Essence.

 

[Deleted member 32363]

I bring a small "Paring knife"with ceramic blade and slip on blade cover! It's light, can "carry on" and very handy! Tiny folding scissor, with loop for hanging on my Carabiner. And use Ergonomic "Pacer Poles"helpful up hill, and very important on steep or slippery/rocky downhills. They also prevent me from ever feeling un safe, when walking through areas that might feel creepy. My credit card "hacking", cancelled my Spring Camino. Now I go in Early Sept!

 

[wtrimble]

I like to have a knife and these are the best I know of. I carry the Moraknif craftline stainless knife, small and light, very sharp, and comes with a hard plastic sheath. Did I mention they are inexpensive? $11 US on Amazon

 

[Piero Frustascarpe]

...Morakniv craftline stainless knife

That's a wonderful choice!

 

[Jennifer1959]

Ear plugs essential. I got brilliant wax ones from pharmacies in Spain. Your body heat moulds them to the shape of your ear!
Also a light plastic over door hook came in very handy for hanging clothes /toiletries bag etc in shower (as many albergues have small showers with minimal shelving/hooks. Ultreiya!

 

[HeidiL]

Did you bring the oatmeal or by in in the mercardos?

It has become more available (it was impossible to find except for the very biggest health food shops when I lived in Spain twenty years ago), but I'd probably bring some, at least for the first few days.

 

[malingerer]

What little thing made a big difference to your Camino?

credit card! weighs very little and packs a big punch

Samarkand.

 

[Coverbid]

I personally met two different pilgrims who used the needle and thread, both became septic and the gentleman so much so he was hauled off the Camino in an ambulance to Leon. Not the way to end ones Camino. I agree, PLEASE don't do this. (retired RN speaking here)

Hi, I have always put a hole in and drained the blister before putting a compeed on the hot spot or blister. I can see your advice makes sense. But if there is a bubble blister, do I just put the compeed pad over the bubble without draining the blister? thanks for your help.

 

[JillGat]

Just shows you how different we all are. I would die if I ever had to wear a long sleeve button up polyester shirt.

 

[Jaujauzimbo]

Swiss card set has a mini knife, scissors, file, etc and is credit card size.

would those items as well as scissors etc be allowed on out carry-on luggage, when flying in and out of the country ? I'm flying in and out of Porto

 

[Jaujauzimbo]

Is that like duct tape?

Seems like they mean medical 'band aid' tape made of fabric.

 

[Tia Valeria]

would those items as well as scissors etc be allowed on out carry-on luggage, when flying in and out of the country ? I'm flying in and out of Porto

We carried these some years ago on the ferry from UK to Spain. Even with restrictions similar to the airlines they were allowed as the length of the blade was so small. The only real way to be sure is to check with the relevant airlines.
An alternative would be to purchase something like this on arrival and then post it home to yourself at the end of your Camino.