Revised Spring gear packing list (after VdlP)

[Madis]

I just finished the VdlP from Seville to Santiago in 28 days. I was travelling light. I did do 10-14km walks at home daily for about 8 months to prepare (multiple smaller walks in Winter time instead of 1 longer one). My original packing list did not fully take into account how the rain and the sun shining from your right every morning will change things. Trails become difficult after rain. You do not want to step into water on a cold morning.

I believe in hiking sticks in Spring on a flat trail now and I do think a poncho that covers the backpack is optimal to protect you compared to just a rain jacket. I am no longer a believer in waterproof socks as they lose they value quickly after some wear and tear. I would rather pack more socks in total. Sunscreen is a must. Its only really cloudy on rainy days.

I just updated my blog article on this:
https://caminopilgrim.travel.blog/2023/10/07/spring-autumn-gear-packing-list-for-camino/

Here is the overview of what I see as essential to pack when going very light and still staying comfortable:

Daily wear (2205 grams / 4.9 pounds)​

• 1x Brooks Ghosts 15 – 560 grams
• 1x Jack Wolfskin Infinite stretch fleece long sleeve – 195 grams
• 1x TCA Flyweight running shorts – 120 grams
• 1x Under Armor Vent 2.0 synthetic T-shirt – 80 grams
• 1x Under Armor Heatgear boxers – 75 grams
• 3x Bridgedale Train Run lightweight merino wool socks (backups for very rainy days) – 3×65 grams
• 1x Buff midweight merino wool multifunctional scarf (also used to cover eyes for sleep)- 65 grams
• 1x Buff lightweight merino beanie – 45 grams

Extra layers in the morning​

• 1x Lightweight Rain Poncho – 350 grams
• 1x Lightweight hiking track pants – 240 grams
• 1x Jack Wolfskin Prelight Alpha jacket – 220 grams
• 1x Under Armor Storm gloves (also for sun protection) – 60 grams

Backpack items (2870 grams / 6.3 pounds)​

• 1x Salewa Ultra Train 22L backpack – 430 grams
• 1x Nalgene narrow mouth bottle (also used as foot massage roller) – 170 grams
• 2x – Water bottle 0.5L (plastic, empty) – 10 grams
• + trail snacks for about 3000 calories (I prefer to carry cookies and power bars)

Sleep and evening stuff​

• 1x Alpine Loacker sleeping bag – 460 grams
• 1x Mishansha Unisex High Slippers – 240 grams
• 1x Bridgedale Explorer merino wool knee socks – 170 grams
• 1x Under Armor Heatgear boxers – 75 grams
• 1x Osprey Dry Sack 6L (for sleeping bag mostly) – 35 grams
• 2x Plastic grocery bags (for everything else) – 5 grams

Extra stuff​

• 1x Passport – 40 grams
• 1x Camino seashell (optional)- 35 grams
• 1x Camino passport (aka. credential) – 20 grams
• 1x Random cheap hiking poles (purchased in Spain) – 550 grams

Hygene​

• 1x Sunscreen (purchased in Spain, SPF 50) – 110 grams
• 1x Sea to Summit Airlite XL microfiber towel – 70 grams
• 1x Dry Soap in a can – 60 grams
• 1x Nail scissors (purchased in Spain) – 30 grams
• 1x Toothpaste 20ml – 25 grams
• 5x Large plasters – 20 grams
• 1x Toothbrush and travel cover – 2×10 grams
• 2x Pairs of earplugs – 5 grams

Electronics​

• 1x Phone – 195 grams
• 1x Charger for phone – 120 grams
• 1x Oldskool small wired headphones – 5 grams

Total weight 5.1kg (11.2 pounds)​

 

[Former member 104756]

Thank you for this @Madis I hope to be on the VdlP next April - carrying as little as possible - so I'll make a note of your suggestions! Even on the routes in southern Spain, April can be tricky. Gracias.

 

[J Willhaus]

Thank you for this @Madis I hope to be on the VdlP next April - carrying as little as possible - so I'll make a note of your suggestions! Even on the routes in southern Spain, April can be tricky. Gracias.

So the backpack itself was only 6.3 total a d you wore the rest?

 

[Carla M.]

I just finished the VdlP from Seville to Santiago in 28 days. I was travelling light. I did do 10-14km walks at home daily for about 8 months to prepare (multiple smaller walks in Winter time instead of 1 longer one). My original packing list did not fully take into account how the rain and the sun shining from your right every morning will change things. Trails become difficult after rain. You do not want to step into water on a cold morning.

I believe in hiking sticks in Spring on a flat trail now and I do think a poncho that covers the backpack is optimal to protect you compared to just a rain jacket. I am no longer a believer in waterproof socks as they lose they value quickly after some wear and tear. I would rather pack more socks in total. Sunscreen is a must. Its only really cloudy on rainy days.

I just updated my blog article on this:
https://caminopilgrim.travel.blog/2023/10/07/spring-autumn-gear-packing-list-for-camino/

Here is the overview of what I see as essential to pack when going very light and still staying comfortable:

Daily wear (2205 grams / 4.9 pounds)​

• 1x Brooks Ghosts 15 – 560 grams
• 1x Jack Wolfskin Infinite stretch fleece long sleeve – 195 grams
• 1x TCA Flyweight running shorts – 120 grams
• 1x Under Armor Vent 2.0 synthetic T-shirt – 80 grams
• 1x Under Armor Heatgear boxers – 75 grams
• 3x Bridgedale Train Run lightweight merino wool socks (backups for very rainy days) – 3×65 grams
• 1x Buff midweight merino wool multifunctional scarf (also used to cover eyes for sleep)- 65 grams
• 1x Buff lightweight merino beanie – 45 grams

Extra layers in the morning​

• 1x Lightweight Rain Poncho – 350 grams
• 1x Lightweight hiking track pants – 240 grams
• 1x Jack Wolfskin Prelight Alpha jacket – 220 grams
• 1x Under Armor Storm gloves (also for sun protection) – 60 grams

Backpack items (2870 grams / 6.3 pounds)​

• 1x Salewa Ultra Train 22L backpack – 430 grams
• 1x Nalgene narrow mouth bottle (also used as foot massage roller) – 170 grams
• 2x – Water bottle 0.5L (plastic, empty) – 10 grams
• + trail snacks for about 3000 calories (I prefer to carry cookies and power bars)

Sleep and evening stuff​

• 1x Alpine Loacker sleeping bag – 460 grams
• 1x Mishansha Unisex High Slippers – 240 grams
• 1x Bridgedale Explorer merino wool knee socks – 170 grams
• 1x Under Armor Heatgear boxers – 75 grams
• 1x Osprey Dry Sack 6L (for sleeping bag mostly) – 35 grams
• 2x Plastic grocery bags (for everything else) – 5 grams

Extra stuff​

• 1x Passport – 40 grams
• 1x Camino seashell (optional)- 35 grams
• 1x Camino passport (aka. credential) – 20 grams
• 1x Random cheap hiking poles (purchased in Spain) – 550 grams

Hygene​

• 1x Sunscreen (purchased in Spain, SPF 50) – 110 grams
• 1x Sea to Summit Airlite XL microfiber towel – 70 grams
• 1x Dry Soap in a can – 60 grams
• 1x Nail scissors (purchased in Spain) – 30 grams
• 1x Toothpaste 20ml – 25 grams
• 5x Large plasters – 20 grams
• 1x Toothbrush and travel cover – 2×10 grams
• 2x Pairs of earplugs – 5 grams

Electronics​

• 1x Phone – 195 grams
• 1x Charger for phone – 120 grams
• 1x Oldskool small wired headphones – 5 grams

Total weight 5.1kg (11.2 pounds)​

I'm impressed ! I really need to drop my backpack weight, so maybe some advice (I am planning the Portuguese Litoral in mid September)
In terms of clothes, how do you manage with just one t-shirt? and is a head light not necessary?
thanks

 

[Madis]

I'm impressed ! I really need to drop my backpack weight, so maybe some advice (I am planning the Portuguese Litoral in mid September)
In terms of clothes, how do you manage with just one t-shirt? and is a head light not necessary?
thanks

September should be very warm. Daily hiking in a T-shirt should be good. I wore the same shirt every day for hiking. Technical shirts are super easy to handwash and dry fast.

In mornings I wore my rain jacket too, but on the revised list I replaced a rain jacket with a poncho. The evening jacket is a bonus layer tl use if really cold.

Have a long sleeve for evenings. Two shirts are enough to cover all kinds of needs.

In case I wanted to wash both shirts, I just wore my jacket.

Headlight was not neccesary for me. i used my phone flashlight if hiking vefore sunrise. It is enough to provide vision. Besides I needed to use the GPS map from my phone anyways to see where the trail goes.

 

[Madis]

So the backpack itself was only 6.3 total a d you wore the rest?

Yes, in mornings I would wear the rest. As the day goes on, I would add clothes from me to backpack.

Temperature rose during the day quite a lot. Especially in the South.

Sunscreen was essential to protect my skin once I was hiking in just shorts, t-shirt and the buff neck gaiter that I wore to protect most pf my head.