Camino de Santiago Packing List for Women Travelers

It’s time to prepare for your trip. Getting your gear together is part of the fun.

IMPORTANT: You are limited to one small-medium bag weighing 40 lbs. This restriction is due to the drivers who will lift and handle your luggage. This also ensures everyone’s luggage fits into the limited van space.

No laptops, please. If you need to stay connected, use your phone or a tablet—something lightweight.

The following items are Bold Spirit Travel packing recommendations. Please remember that these are guidelines and that your personal preferences will dictate what you will want to bring.

Clothes (in a suitcase or duffel bag)

See our clothing links to great products here.

  • 2 pairs shorts or hiking pants (quick-dry fabric)

  • 4 pairs underwear

  • 4 pair socks (try using Thorlo or Coolmax—lots of cushion is key)

  • 2-3 quick-dry hiking shirts (synthetic materials—tank, short-sleeve, long-sleeve)

  • 2-3 sports bras

  • 1 lightweight dress or outfit for evenings / dinners

  • 1 pair sport sandals (i.e. Teva) or comfortable shoes to change into in the evenings

  • 1 pair slacks, blue jeans for evenings

  • 1-2 long sleeve shirts for evenings

  • 1 jacket, fleece, sweater, or vest—it can get cold at night or on rainy days

  • Swimsuit (not all hotels will have a pool and sometimes pools are not open)

  • Pajamas

  • Sun Hat—baseball cap or a safari type hat that will protect the back of the neck as well as your face

Other Items

See our links to great products here.

  • 1 toiletry kit

  • 1 washcloth (hotels in Europe do not use them)

  • A blister kit/lambswool (eNzees)/tape/Moleskin/Compeed

  • Vaseline (for blister prevention, you might use this each morning)

  • 1 reading book or Kindle

  • Over-the-counter meds: Aspirin, cold and flu, Imodium, Pepto, etc

  • Earplugs (your roommate may snore)

  • Pajamas

  • Eye mask for sleeping

  • Disinfectant wipes

  • Hand sanitizer

  • Ziploc bags (can be used also as packing cubes or for dirty clothing)

  • Soap to quickly wash out clothes at night and let air dry (Dr. Bronner's) & clothes pins

  • Camera with charger and/or extra batteries/memory card

  • Cell phone & charger & socket adaptor

  • 1 Headlamp for reading if you have a roommate

  • Travel alarm clock/ cell phone clock; the smaller inns do not have a wake-up service

  • Hiking poles if you wish to use them (test them out at home first)

  • At-home COVID test in case you experience symptoms while traveling

  • Portable coffee maker or Travel Foldable Electric Kettle for in-room coffee or tea if you need this early in the morning (in-room kettle not common in rural Spain)

  • Smooth Move Tea—organic laxative tea or laxatives (for travel tummy issues)

  • Sleep aids

  • Ginger chews—stomach settling chews for winding roads

Footwear

See our links to great products here.

Hiking shoes:

  • The most important item you bring will be a good pair of trail shoes. Be sure you have hiked in them prior to this trip so they are well broken in.

  • REI is a great place to buy and try shoes because of its return policy. (We like Hoka, On Cloudstratus, Salomon, Merrill, and Brooks.)

Walking shoes or tennis shoes:

  • Pack a pair of old tennis shoes to leave in the van; something comfortable to change into if you need to swap out footwear.

  • Sports Sandals: It doesn’t hurt to have a pair of sports sandals such as Teva, Merrill, or Keen. These can double as emergency hiking shoes (if you need a break from your main pair) and comfy evening shoes. Comfort is key.

  • Be sure your shoes are well broken-in and that you are walking and training daily before the trip.

  • Most pilgrims prefer trail running shoes to hiking boots for the last 100 km of the Camino.

Rain Gear

See our links to great products here.

It can rain anytime of year in Northwest Spain. This is a green, lush area of the country.

  • Lightweight poncho or waterproof windbreaker (poncho will cover your pack too)

  • Waterproof rain pants

Day Pack

See our links to great products here.

Large enough to hold the following items plus extra room for snacks. Some people like to wear a tummy pack/fanny pack for easy access.

  • 1 water bottle (quart or liter size)

  • 1 rain jacket or poncho

  • Fleece or warmer jacket

  • 1 tube sunscreen

  • 1 pair sunglasses

  • 1 insect repellent

  • Your phone, wallet

  • Warm hat and gloves for Spring/Fall trips

  • Energy Bars – Luna, Power Bars, granola bars (bring your faves from home)

  • A face mask & hand sanitizer

  • Kleenex (for bathrooms, pee breaks, nose) and small plastic bag/ziplock

Packing Tips

See our links to great products here.

  • The Camino de Santiago is not a fashion hike.

  • Comfort and function are the most important aspects of your clothing and gear.

  • Be selective about what you pack, prioritizing the clothing that is going to keep you warm and dry (or cool and dry) in any type of weather.

  • Leave the Rolex watches and diamond earrings at home.

  • Bold Spirit Travel is NOT responsible for lost or stolen items. (See above about laptops.)

More Feet Tips

See our links to great products here.

If you break in your shoes and follow your training plan, your feet should be fine on this hike.

Blisters are far more likely to occur in unbroken-in shoes or feet/legs that are not properly conditioned for long walks.

If you’re prone to blisters, here is what we recommend you do each morning to protect your feet.

  • Apply Vaseline to feet and between toes

  • Put on longer socks

  • Put on ANOTHER pair of socks on top of the first pair

  • Put on shoes

  • Vaseline and double socking should keep you blister-free.

Regina Winkle-Bryan