Such wonderful replies- a reflection of how helpful everyone is on the Camino actually!
Just for reference, I have returned and have just made some notes by my list of what with hindsight I would change. My bag weighed in at 6.5kg and this was fine for me, you soon adjust to the weight and if your bag is fitted properly you should not get any back issues.
As I said I am 25, exercise most days, have hiked a reasonable amount and weighed around 62kg (now I am not so sure due to hiking 30-40kms for 1000kms, but also eating so much pan and croissants!).
Some points
- My bag was a lower alpine 33L that was expandable if needed. Built in rain cover that I used when it rained and at check in to protect the bag.
- First week was chilly during the day but most evenings throughout the camino were cold (as in needed at least a sleeping bag and wearing clothes for the next day), I just missed the fog/ snow over the Pyrenees. The rest of the time it was beautiful sunshine and would get hot by 1-2pm when I aimed to stop walking, or at least take a long break. However some mornings were foggy and there was a rainy day. So May has variable weather- you cannot predict!
-I slept in the clothes I was wearing the next day. So pleased I did this it just makes it easier. Nights were never too warm, on the odd occasion I might just sleep in underwear/shorts and put my leggings on in the morning.
- You soon realise you get by with what you have- and there are places along the
Camino Frances to stock up . This is especially the case for gear in cities and pharmacies- just avoid walking through during siesta times. To be honest I could have got by with just one outfit really !!! The less you bring the less you worry about.
- I cut labels out, changed bags to lighter ones to increase space/ make lighter, I took out vitamins and anything I felt I could buy or was not essential. Obviously a few items snuck in...... we all joked we had a luxury item- mine was a travel size bed bug spray that I would spray onto disposable bedding/ my outer sleeping bag. Did not get bed bugs , not sure if it helped. A few others did and went through the treatment process.
- I had one mosquito bite and saw a few near the coast but not enough to warrant spray.
- It is personal experience! Read up on people's advice and go with what works for you. Many people purchase and/ or donate items along the way.
- DO NOT get hung up on the 10% rule- after all, we all need similar items regardless of our weight! However it is good for it to be as light as possible, to reduce risk of injury, worry and discomfort. I met plenty of people who were carrying 10kg + and managing fine. I also met a few with tents who were closer to 20kgs!
-In general, there are plenty of places to stop for snacks and most towns have a shop to buy snacks/ or food if you plan to cook more - I liked the dried fruit, figs, bananas/apples and nuts. I did at times purchase freshly baked pan (bread) and some aged cheese/ tomato for long days and snacking. I love pan so there's never really a particular reason other than making the most of it before returning to the UK that lacks in this category! However you can get by without carrying too much food. Buying a chocolate bar and giving out squares is a great way to bring joy!
- The plastic bags from food purchases I tried to keep to litter pick on the way
2 sea to summit light weight dry sacks- one for clothes, one small one for valuables (pleased I had these for the one day it rained, and they were coated in permethrin spray for clothes. I did this a few days before I left)
3 x merino underwear - pleased I had three pairs!
3 x socks ( As the weather was so nice I could have gone down to two outer layer socks as they were merino so did not have to wash everyday but used all three pairs enough)
3 x sock liners (I would stick to this).
2 x long sleeve merino tops for hiking (I usually hike with long sleeves to protect my skin- BUT it was hot, and my 200 merino was too much after week 1 of slightly chilly weather- you have to remember they might not smell but get salt marks! In May I would suggest
one long sleeve merino is sufficient but again, I used both enough)
1 x merino t-shirt (this was light weight but I lost it! A fellow pilgrim gave me a spare
quick dry t-shirt that I wore a lot on hot days- sometimes my lighter long sleeve merino was too much- as others suggested on this forum!)
2 x hiking leggings (one would have been fine, lets be honest. Two pairs useful for when one was wet from washing etc- I mean damp clothes are okay but sometimes I could not face it)
1 x pair of shorts (I hiked in these on hot days- occasionally switching to them halfway through the day- also handy when doing a big wash!)
1 x thin mid layer - (I used this a lot instead of my fleece on chilly mornings etc)
1 x fleece- (mainly used in the evening- it was clean and warm as some nights were chilly and I needed to wear a few layers whilst relaxing/ the odd time sleeping).
1 x Northface windbreaker/ waterproof - needed. You could
consider a poncho instead, the one time this is not so good is for when it is windy.
1 x lite goretex waterproof trousers- used ONCE during about four hours of moderate rain- right at the end of my trip, I was pleased I had them especially as I hike in leggings so these covered my boots preventing rain getting inside.
2 x sports bras- I would recommend two. Lightweight so more comfortable.
Teva sandals - i debated taking flip flops but so pleased I had these instead. Fellow pilgrims hiked in their sandals, but for me to explore the towns/ cities and have a comfortable pair of shoes on breaks/ end of the day was relief in itself. The showers were nearly always clean but I did wear them into the shower at times also.
1 x microfibre towel- I weighed it- could've bought a lighter one but it was okay, and I replaced the bag with a smaller lightweight stuff sack so it took up less space.
1 x light running gloves- gloves were needed for cold weather, early mornings and handy to protect my hands from the sun when it was not too hot to be wearing them.
Buff- used so much to cover my hair/ ears in the sun . Means you can wash your hair less also. Sneaky sneaky.
Cap- needed!!! I did not need a warm hat and got by with the buff.
A few hair ties- I have long hair and would plait and leave in.
I took a lightweight quecha foldaway backpack- great choice as I checked my bag in due to poles/ penknife so it acted as my hand luggage bag, and it was nice to have when in towns to carry belongings/ extra layers. I did have a thin money belt but did not use it and this sat stuffed into the bottom of my backpack with a spare card and some back up money.
1 x light weight sleeping bag - needed!!!! Whilst some albergues
provided blankets I tried to avoid using them due to bed bugs...most people had bags. Lots of places give disposable sheets, so it was nice to have a more comfortable layer also. If it was slightly warmer my silk liner would have been perfect, but Im pleased that after much debate I went for my sleeping bag, leaving my silk liner behind. It also meant I was prepared to sleep out if needed! (it was not). Two places provided sheets and asked not to use sleeping bags due to bed bug risk? it was a nice change but in general this was not the case.
1 x fold up toothbrush
1 x mini toothpaste- used up had to buy a big tube but tried to share this around. Also look into the LUSH tablet toothpaste- a friend had this and it seemed easier.
1 x lush soap for shampoo, clothes washing and body wash- PERFECT. It lasted until two days before the end of my camino when I left it in the municipal accidentally. Always leave the lid off and let it dry overnight though, my friend's disintegrated within a week because he did not do this.
Face moisturiser- I just asked for a sample of my face cream that was put into a tiny pot and lasted. It also had SPF In.
cleansing wipes (30 in a pack)- did not take these, did not need them! Skin was fine, if not better just using soap and water.
deodorant
tangle teezer brush
*For girls* sanitary products -tampons/ a few pads and liners (needed estimated a week into the trip)- I will look into the moon cup for future trips but I am pleased I brought some as where I was did not have an open pharmacy.
Also wear a liner each day this is handy!
mini 50 sunscreen- needed.
Vaseline - used the whole tub- mainly for my feet each morning!
first aid kit in zip lock bag to make lighter-
- Strip of paracetamol and ibrupofen- I needed ibrupofen for muscle pain/ general issues (recommended by the pharmacy) and ended up buying more from the pharmacy but the doses were different so frequency changed- so check this.
antihistamines, inhalers other personal meds
- Compeed pack, various sizes- I did use these and hand them out to fellow pilgrims. You love it or hate it- it helped a couple of blisters, made one worse. Read up on how to use correctly.
I did not take needle or thread and did not need to treat my blisters this way but it would have been handy to have. Easily purchased along the way.
- A few band aids/ toe tubes - used
- Tape - used up , new one used for a couple of open blisters. A pack of breathable bandage bought.
-
Antiseptic cream (Savlon)- not used often much, could have gone without and purchased if needed.
- 2 x rehydration sachets - used after a couple of long hot days where I ran out of water on a long stretch.
Swiss army knife- used for scissors , wine opener (of course), tweezers, knife to cut bread etc - useful but it did mean I had to check my bag in.
Spork- used twice- could have gone without this- some government hostels did not provide any kitchen equipment so it came in handy then but I could have made do without- often i would have the pilgrim meals.
Light notepad/ pen- did not write much, personal choice but pleased I had it.
2 plastic zip lock bags- one for smelly socks and one to ice injury on cafe con leche breaks! Handy, and the bars were always happy to provide ice.
toilet paper not needed did not bring- i had a couple of packs of tissues and there are so many bars etc. Girls- wear liners this is handy.
1 x 1L bottle- used camping clip to attach to backpack strap at the front for easy access whilst walking.
1 x fold up 1 L bottle- used rarely but on stretches without water- useful and I needed it.
Headtorch- always used- to navigate to the toilet, and for mornings (I was a up by 6 and going person)
Anker portable charger - could have gone without and it was heavy. However it did come in handy mainly at the airport etc, and it was nice to be able to let others use it on the odd occasion when there were no charge points.
Headphones- used a few times to share music with fellow pilgrims and the odd time of physical struggle up hills. Useful in the evenings to help go to sleep also.
Ear plugs- for the plane, did not actually sleep with them but many people swore by them.
briefly guidebook- well.. used for distances but questionable distance accuracy at times. Mainly used for knowledge of upcoming towns etc. Many people had a lightweight michelin camino guide - and there was a German 'Outdoor' book that seemed useful.
Sunglasses - needed
clothes line- USED once but others just hung in the trees- would not take again on this route
2 x pack of tissues- used
safety pins- large. Very useful for hanging clothes when there were no pegs (quite common), and drying socks etc off my bag during the day.
Hand sanitiser - handy for the odd cut and to try and ward off the camino cough/ crud but I got it anyway. You could go without.
Travel size 'bed bug' spray.- 'luxury' item, did not need - treat items before going if you are comfortable using it - I know there is much debate around this that you can look into on other forums and online.
4 x peanut butter sachets- okay luxury item take 2 but there was the odd time there were no bars open for 15 km, so these were a great treat! Also for sandwiches.
Lightweight hiking poles- I hike with poles at home, and it was good for an arm workout! I tended to strap them to my bag on concrete stretches and going into cities though. I did see someone who put wine corks on the end of his poles to prevent the noise!
Hiking shoes- worn for a few years over many kms- however on this trip I did end up getting blisters after a couple of weeks. I had been taping hot spots and letting my feet breathe on breaks but it is probably time for a new pair with a wider front toe as my feet now look a wonderful picture! I also noticed knee problems etc from over pronation most likely- doing so many kms everyday does mean it is good to be aware issues may come up that need to be looked at when home/ risk of injury on the way. I was lucky I could keep walking by taking painkillers, icing and elevating on breaks. I know some people wear trail runners (see other forums!)
And a shell, pilgrim passport - purchased at pilgrim office!
Hopefully this is helpful , thank you again to all those who have commented- it really helped not only shave 1.5kgs off my bag weight, but gave me an idea of the warmth, and openness of the camino!
Much love!
