Ultimate Women’s Packing List for the Camino de Santiago

Packing for the Camino de Santiago can be a little overwhelming at first. It’s also the most important thing to research ahead of your pilgrimage. Don’t fret though–I’m here to help with my recommended women’s packing list for the Camino de Santiago plus some tips!

I hiked almost 500 miles over 33 days along the Camino Francés last June, and I can speak from experience on all the things you’ll want to bring (and what you may want to leave at home).

Women’s Camino Packing Tips

How much should my pack weigh?

Many folks say your pack should be no more than 10% of your body weight. I call BS on that. Sure, it might be ok to consider as a general guideline, but as a 5-foot 2-inch woman, it felt impossible to hit this. My pack ended up weighing closer to 20 pounds with water, and I don’t weigh 200 pounds.

My advice is to keep your pack as light as possible, carrying only the essentials and keeping what you have to the bare minimum knowing that you can do laundry every day.

How do I find the right backpack for me?

Finding the right hiking backpack is probably THE most important part of preparing for your journey (that and finding the right shoes).

It helps to start by thinking about size. You’ll want a backpack that’s no more than 30-40L. If you get anything bigger than that, you may be tempted to pack more than you need, so having a smaller pack helps with that.

You’ll also want to test out any potential packs to ensure the size and fit is right for you. I really loved the pack that I personally used (more on that below), but everyone’s body is different, and you need to use what works for you.

Do I have to carry my pack on the Camino every day?

Most people do carry their packs with them every day, and this women’s packing list for the Camino has that goal in mind. The good news is if you ever feel like you need a break from your pack, there is an option to transport your pack ahead to your albergue each day.

For instance, I had friends do this on days they had really bad blisters and wanted to lighten the pressure on their feet. I also had a friend who was a content creator and had to work some while doing the Camino, so she had a laptop with her that she transported ahead each day as it would’ve been too much to carry.

On the Camino Francés, the companies Jacotrans and Caminofácil do this, typically for around 7 euros per day. You generally should book your next albergue in advance if you’re going to do this, and it’s a good idea to book your bag transfer in advance online as well (but it’s not absolutely necessary).

Which backpacks do you recommend for the Camino?

Overall, you can’t go wrong with an Osprey backpack. They’re definitely the most popular brand among Americans hiking the Camino. I personally used the Osprey Tempest Women’s 30L Backpack, and it was perfect for me.

That pack fit everything on my packing list included below and has tons of helpful compartments. Of note, the pack has:

• Two convenient zipper pockets on the hip belt where you can keep things like your phone and hand sanitizer easily accessible while you’re hiking
• A top compartment for keeping other essentials close, like a rain cover and your Camino passport
• A mesh front pocket that’s helpful for shoving extra jackets when you need to peel off a layer
• Lots of straps to add carabiners to carry some items like hats or drying clothes as needed

I loved the pack so much I used it when I hiked Mount Kilimanjaro as well.

Do I need to buy everything in advance? Can I buy things I need in Spain?

Know that you absolutely can buy critical items once you start the Camino. Do your best, but if you forget something on your list of things to pack for the Camino, you can likely buy it when you arrive.

This Camino packing list considers items you will likely need, like some items I recommend for dealing with blisters. It doesn’t cover every single thing you may end up needing because you can buy additional items as you find you need them.

Many towns have at least a pharmacy where you can buy first aid and medical essentials, sunglasses, body wash, hand sanitizer, etc. Some towns will also have some stores catered to pilgrims, selling shoes, Buffs, clothes, and more.

I had issues with my shoes and was able to buy a new pair in Santo Domingo de la Calzada, but I didn’t have access to a post office to ship my old boots home until I reached Burgos.

That said, not every town will have stores like this or even ATMs. While you’re hiking, It’s important to think a few days ahead and do some research on the towns to come so you know when you can stop. I recommend using the Wise Pilgrim and/or Buen Camino apps.

How do I find the right shoes?

Finding the right shoes to pack is another key decision you’ll want to research heavily before you leave. You’ll also want to avoid the mistake of not testing them out enough beforehand.

I recommend wearing hiking/trail running shoes and packing a backup pair of hiking sandals as well. Hiking sandals are great for wearing in town and allowing your feet to breathe after hiking each day. They’re also nice to have on hand as a back up in case you have issues with your main pair of hiking shoes.

Do I need hiking poles for the Camino?

When you’re hiking for hours each day and sometimes as far as even 20 miles (32 km), you’ll want all the help you can get. Hiking poles make a huge difference, so I highly recommend you bring them.

You can buy hiking poles at a range of prices, but you don’t necessarily need to spend much for good poles that will get the job done. I personally use and love these Cascade Mountain Tech hiking poles that you can buy for less than $100!

Everything You Need on Your Women’s Packing List for the Camino

Here’s my comprehensive female packing list for the Camino de Santiago based on my experience last June. Know that if you hike outside of summer, you may need to bring a sleeping bag and some warmer clothes.

Hiking Gear

• 30-40L hiking pack (I used this 30L Osprey pack.)
• Pack rain cover
• Hiking poles
• Headlamp

Clothes and Shoes

• Two hiking shirts
• Two pairs of athletic/hiking shorts
• One pair of hiking pants
• One long sleeve sun shirt
• Two sports bras
• Three sets of hiking/athletic underwear
• Three sets of Merino wool hiking socks
• Three sets of hiking sock liners (These can help prevent blisters!)
• Athletic dress (This is optional, but I loved having something small packed that I could wear in town that wasn’t my hiking clothes and gave me flexibility with laundry too.)
• Rain jacket
• Fleece pullover
• Hat (It’s ideal to have a wide-brimmed hat vs. a baseball cap for more sun protection.)
• Buff
• Sunglasses (I like Goodr because they are lightweight and good quality for a low price.)
• Hiking shoes (I personally loved the Hoka One Speedgoats and got them in a half size up because my feet swelled up so much.)
• Hiking sandals (I am a big fan of these Chacos and hiked in them with socks for a portion of the Camino.)
• Flip flops for the shower (Don’t wear your street shoes in the shower.)
• Small swim suit (At least on the Francés route, there are several albergues with pools!)

Toiletries and Medical Supplies

• Toothbrush
• Travel toothpaste
• Travel deodorant
• Small sunscreen
• Sunscreen lip balm
• Regular lip balm
• Travel shampoo
• Travel conditioner
• Travel body wash
• Razor
• Hand sanitizer
• Body glide
• Extra hair ties
• Mascara
• Small makeup wipes
• Regular bandaids
• Compeed blister bandaids
• Blister prevention tape
• Small vaseline (Many people say rubbing this on your feet before bed and putting socks on can help prevent blisters. I started doing this myself halfway through and it seemed to help me.)
• Ibuprofen
• Allergy medications if you need them
• Any other medications
• Nail clippers
• Hairbrush
• Hair ties
• Two packs of travel tissues

Miscellaneous

• Ditty sacks to organize things (I had my clothes in one, toiletries in one, and medical supplies in another.)
• Small wallet with 300 euros cash (I would replenish the cash as I went but didn’t want to carry too much at once.)
• Passport
• Phone and charger
• Camino pilgrim passport (collected at Saint Jean Pied de Port)
• Kindle and charger
• Smart watch and charger (I personally have and love the Garmin Fenix 7S.)
• Camino guidebook
• Fanny pack
• Quick dry camping body towel
• Sleeping bag liner
• One or two 1L Nalgene water bottles (I brought one water bottle and would just supplement with extra water bottles and sports drinks for longer hikes with less stops.)
• Outlet power adapter
• Headphones
• Ear plugs if you’re a light sleeper
• 10 laundry clothes pins
• 5L dry bag for laundry
• 10 safety pins
• Two S hooks
• Three carabiners
• Small paracord
• Two small plastic bags
• Quart-sized plastic bag to protect your Camino passport
• Several trash bags
• Rock from home for the Cruz de Ferro (if you’re hiking the Camino Francés)
• Emergency blanket

Conclusion: Women’s Packing List for the Camino

That’s my women’s packing list for the Camino! This list features all of my favorite hiking gear and everything that I would bring on the Camino de Santiago if I hike it again. Don’t forget to make sure your backpack is the right size and fit with this REI guide.