Read this only if you like packing posts!
The photo shows my stuff ready to go to the airport – backpack alongside a flat shoulder pouch with my valuables and guidebook, and a separate bag that I will check in for the flights and then discard when I arrive. The checked bag has my walking sticks, knife, and sleeping bag (to reduce the bulk of my backpack, which I’ll carry-on with all my other things). I’ll also carry a light “string” backpack to hold the things I want handy during the flight. When I’m walking, the backpack will be be filled to the top.
My wardrobe consists of layers such that on a very cold day I will be wearing almost everything. On a hot day I will be carrying most of it. Here’s my list, with weights in grams, for those fellow fanatics who are interested.
| Wear | Boots – Salomon waterproof mid-height, with custom inner soles | 850 |
| Socks and underwear | 145 | |
| Top – Lightweight technical shirt, long sleeves | 150 | |
| Top – Long-sleeved medium shirt (180 g) | 180 | |
| Top – Light long-sleeved zip fleece, if necessary | 300 | |
| Pants – Runners tights | 275 | |
| Visor to keep sun/rain off glasses | 70 | |
| Walking poles (Black Diamond Ultra Distance) | 265 | |
| Passport, credit/bank cards, medical info, reserve cash – hidden | 80 | |
| Pouch | Pouch/purse containing the following: | 100 |
| Map book, credencial | 130 | |
| Smart phone, in protective case | 270 | |
| Notebook, pen, pencil | 55 | |
| TOTAL | WEARING (g) | 1970 |
| In Pack | Osprey Talon 33 (S/M) backpack with some gear ties & caribiners | 900 |
| Attached or in outside pockets of pack: | ||
| Knife, whistle, pen, safety pins | 75 | |
| Merino wool buff | 50 | |
| Gloves (2 pairs very light; one pair goes inside with spare clothes) | 50 | |
| Plastic bottle of water | 300 | |
| Umbrella (150g); pack rain cover (80g) | 230 | |
| Plastic slip-on shoes – for easy access on arrival | 175 | |
| At top inside pack, in plastic bag, ready for weather: | ||
| Jacket – waterproof breathable | 310 | |
| Pants waterproof breathable | 250 | |
| Green Day Bag 1 – Top pouch of pack: Phone charger, adaptor, ear buds. First aid (Advil, antiseptic wipes, bandaids, toe tubes, tape, moleskin, antiseptic, polysporin, folding scissors, needles & thread, nail clippers), kleenex, t.paper, small plastic bags, large plastic bag, spork, safety pins, bandana, lipgloss, sunscreen, pencil, pen | 500 | |
| Towels (1 facecloth 42g, 1 microfibre 80g) | 120 | |
| Dry Bag to isolate night things during day: | 85 | |
| Sleeping bag (Hotcore Cooper R7) | 900 | |
| Mattress cover (netting, treated for bedbugs) | 30 | |
| Water-proof case for phone | 50 | |
| Pillowcase/bag (holding next day clothes) | 35 | |
| Shirt for sleeping or warmth – Merino long sleeve/d | 100 | |
| Long johns for sleeping or warmth – Merino | 140 | |
| Down zip vest for evening, night, freezing days, or pillow | 200 | |
| Dry bag to enclose back pack (protect from bedbugs) at night | 85 | |
| Dry Bag to hold spare clothes: | 55 | |
| Pants (regular – long) | 235 | |
| Silk scarf | 25 | |
| Socks – 3 spare pairs | 135 | |
| Underwear – 2 pairs, 1 bra | 115 | |
| Drawstring backpack for city use | 60 | |
| White Bag 2 – Toiletries: Toothbrush/paste, floss, comb, hair gel, tissues, panty liners (also good to prevent blisters on ball of feet), medications, soap in mesh bag & plastic case, skin cream, vaseline, gear tie for hanging things, flashlight | 500 | |
| Orange Bag 3 – Misc. extras: Kleenex; pencil wrapped with duct tape: spare eyeglasses, pole tips; “what if” first aid and medicines (elastic bandage, decong., cipro, diarrea, nausea, antihist, antihist cream, excema cream), memory stick | 225 | |
| Snacks; extra water occasionally | 400 | |
| TOTAL | IN BACKPACK (grams) | 6335 |
| TOTAL | (pounds) | 13.9 |
Seeing Clarely 
The list is very long.
Long for what?
Glad to come across this. My daughter and I walked the Camino in 2013 but I ended up with plantar fasciitis and had to bail at Santo Domingo.
Trying to convince my husband he needs to do something like this and every day on our walks I talk a bit about the camino and slowly he is coming around to understanding the draw.
Thinking of doing a fall walk next time so I will be following along to see the difference between fall and spring. When we went in 2013 it was near the end of May and we had rain for 2 weeks and even a bit of snow on day 2.
Your list looks good to me!
The weather varies, of course, but October is a great time to walk. Thanks for commenting!
Great list! I now have to work out why mine weighs 9.5 k and yours 6.5 k !
I guess you’ll have to weigh every little item like I did. When I checked in yesterday I weighed the main pack – it was 5 kg, and I had 1.5 kg in my checked bag. That included some snacks. So, it’s about right.
Looks perfect to me! Buen Camino Clare 🙂
plastic water bottle 300g? What about with water in it?!
Not sure which NR you are. SorrEE! That should be “Plastic bottle with water: 300 g.” I do not subscribe to the major water consumption beliefs.
The most important NR in your life…
Still impressively light, although I guess your heart rate isn’t getting too high and it won’t be too hot. I don’t subscribe to it either, clearly taking after you.. I remember 8L was suggested by the ranger for Mt Whitney as the average consumption total (over 2 days – drinking only – and it can get quite hot). I consumed barely 2L…
I see you don’t carry a guide book such as Brierley. When are you off?
I am sitting in the albergue in Roncesvalles now! I carry the Brierley maps only book. Will try to post more today.
Do men shave on the Camino? or save the weight of the shaving gear?
Hmm. I would say that shave frequency is somewhat reduced. I haven’t enquired about their equipment, or seen any shaving yet, but will make a point to observe.