What shall I pack?

[MissTrant]

I will be walking Le Puy for 4 weeks commencing 1st June. This will be my first long distance walk and I am carrying my stuff. Suggestions for what to pack would be welcome. Thank you

 

[klimmo]

Hi, great plans! So much to consider and it can get overwhelming.

In the search box above the forum you can check out similar questions and go down the rabbit hole of many many packlists and work out what could work for you. Mostly, what you are wearing now for hiking will perfectly well on most camino's, and it all depends and how much you want to carry and the money you have to spend. Both ends of the spectrum, and anything in between works for different people.

Buen camino!

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/search/3342016/?q=packlist&o=date

 

[dougfitz]

Suggestions for what to pack would be welcome.

As @klimmo says, there is so much information about this. I sometimes think I can distill my advice into some simple statements but it never seems to work as well as I think it should.

Anyhow:

• if you are already walking regularly, use the gear you would use for a long summer walk. This includes trekking poles and trekking mitts if you use them, and the footwear you use, or update your footwear if it is nearing the end of its useful life
• pack another set of the clothes, and then an extra set of base layers, underwear, socks, etc
• protect yourself #1 - have one of hat, gloves, light buff, rain protection and wind protection garments - lighter garments will work okay in summer. Consider an umbrella to use as a parasol.
• protect yourself #2 - a first aid kit - you need enough to treat blisters and small wounds on the spot and to continue the treatment for at least another day. Pharmacies outside of the large towns are often not open when you are near them.
• protect yourself #3 - medical items - clearly any regular medication you take, and you might want to carry something to treat diarrhoea or vomiting, rhinitis and a small amount of your preferred analgesics.
• protect your modesty at night - as a bloke, I pack a pair of boxer shorts or sleep in the gear I am wearing the next day. You might want something more. Not quite about modesty, but I always carry a sleeping bag and liner, but my walks in Spain have been in spring and early summer. This forum has plenty of advice on that.
• take care of your hygiene and laundry - soaps, lotions, potions and pastes. You don't need scents or antiperspirants, but you will still smell people who use them. Normally, they won't smell you if you don't.

If you don't already walk regularly, start reading. This forum is a great place to start, but don't limit yourself. Find the associations and other organisations that provide support to pilgrims along your proposed route, and get in touch with your local pilgrim association and find out when and where they meet, and get in touch with others who have a passion for pilgrimage in all its forms

 

[lt56ny]

I will be walking Le Puy for 4 weeks commencing 1st June. This will be my first long distance walk and I am carrying my stuff. Suggestions for what to pack would be welcome. Thank you

I don't know where you live but if you live near a place that has a chapter of a camino organization I would contact them and I am sure there would be an experienced pilgrim or two you could meet to discuss your backpack packing. You do not have much time do it quickly. You need to be walking and training with your pack ASAP.

 

[trecile]

I would recommend reading through some posts here in the Equipment and clothes sub forum.

You haven't yet told us if you have a backpack, walking shoes, etc.

 

[K_Lynn]

Google Camino Packing Lists and look over a bunch to see common items and suggested brands which will vary by gender/location/age/personal preference. Some will have links to Amazon for gear to give you an idea of prices if there are things you will need to purchase (scroll down the Amazon page for package weights if its there).

In short you will need clothes, shoes and a pack. Rain gear. Warm gear. Cool gear. Toiletries. Water bottle. Electronics and chargers. Sleeping bag/blanket.

Start with what you have. Think about what you usually pack for a holiday. Make a list of the things you think you will need, stuff it all in a pack to find out how much it weighs and then start pulling out the things you won't need - if something is needed on Camino you can find it in one of the cities.

Buen Camino!