What to pack

Hiking equipment

This will be dependent on the climate, length of walk and how much you are prepared to carry but regardless of the type of walk you are doing there are a few basics you should always pack as you need to be prepared for anything:

  • rain jacket
  • woolen hat or sun hat
  • water
  • sunscreen
  • snacks
  • basic first aid – plasters, tape, scissors
  • extra layer

Long Walks (such as Caminos)

This is what I took for walking my two Caminos across Spain and Portugal. It took a lot of packing and re-packing before I got my weight down to about 10 kgs (approximately 22 pounds) but I can honestly say there was nothing I didn’t use.

NB: I no longer have links to Amazon due to creative differences!

  • Backpack Osprey Sirrus 36.
  • Waterproof pack liner
  • Hiking shoes – Oboz Women’s Sawtooth II Low Hiking Shoe
  • Long-sleeved sweatshirt/hoodie/windcheater/zip up top Icebreaker merino wool sweatshirt
  • Rain jacket
  • Woolen hat
  • Merino gloves
  • Sun hat
  • Sun glasses
  • 2 x water bottles
  • 2 x Icebreaker Merino tee-shirts
  • top/tee-shirt for going out
  • Merino singlet
  • Long trousers with zips which converted to shorts
  • shorts
  • 2 x bras
  • 3 pairs knickers/underwear
  • 3 pairs Icebreaker Hiking socks
  • Thongs/jandals/flip flops (again depending on where you’re from)
  • Sarong/large scarf – comes in really handy as a scarf, carrier of laundry, something to sit on, extra layer …
  • Towel – small light weight
  • Head torch
  • Silk sleeping bag liner & thermal liner – I used these instead of a lightweight sleeping bag on my second Camino as they were lighter to carry & took up less space. Also, because I like walking in early Autumn they are plenty warm enough.
  • Walking poles (foldable) in nylon bag
  • Adaptor plug
  • Spork (this is a lightweight very useful item – combination of spoon & fork with a serrated edge which comes in handy for all sorts of food.
  • Laundry soap
  • Pegs & clothes line with hooks
  • Small carry bag/bum bag – for passport, money, phone
  • Journal & 2x pens
  • Phone & charger
  • Travel Camera & charger Sony DSC-HX60V/B 20.4 MP Digital Camera
  • First Aid Kit
    • Panadol
    • plasters
    • antiflamatory
    • scissors
    • safety blanket
    • safety pins
    • needles
    • antibiotics
    • antiseptic cream/liquid
    • medical gauze
    • small square bandage/padding
    • medical tape
    • sponge pads for pressure points
    • ankle & knee braces
    • zinc strapping tape
  • Toiletries
    • sunscreen
    • lip conditioner
    • moisturiser – body/face combined
    • deodorant
    • razors
    • nail clippers
    • tweezers
    • shampoo/conditioner
    • soap
    • facecloth x 2
    • small pack of tissues

This might seem like a lot but most of it weighs very little, and as I said earlier, I used everything I took. I learnt what was/was not needed from my first Camino so was able to refine it for my second Camino.