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Camino Wander #3: Packing List

After walking the Camino o twice before, I’ve narrowed down my packing list considerably.

Let’s talk about my backpack first.

“They say” your pack should weight in at around 10% of your body weight. I like to have my pack around 7kg. I find that this is a good weight for me.

I have an Aarn backpack. I am not a fan of Osprey, and if Gregory ever got their shit together and sold in Tasmania, that would be fabulous (They are great packs, apparently, for women with curves). Sadly, they don’t.

I like my backpack. It went with me in 2019 when I walked the Camino Frances, and I’m comfortable with it. I do not use the weight packs that are a feature of the Aarn packs. Others do. I’m too, ah, well endowed, to have the weight packs sit comfortably. So I use a bum bag (or fanny pack, waist pack, whatever you want to call it) along with my backpack, and it holds the essentials: water, credentials, phone, etc.

Note: Since I am heading to Europe for three months, I will be taking (and shipping onwards to Santiago) a small suitcase as well. I’ve not included those contents here.

 

Aarn pack with patches on the pack: Slow strollers, Australia, Australian pilgrims on the Camino. A camino shell with an Australian flag. Not shown is a patch saying Tasmania.

 

Here’s my packing list for the Camino de Santiago:

 

Clothing

  • 2 bras 
  • 3 pair of underwear 
  • Swimsuit (I will be visiting thermal pools along the way),
  • 4 pair of socks (2 liner socks)
  • Beanie + gloves
  • Merino tank top
  • Merino tights to sleep in, to wear when cold
  • 2 Merino t-shirts 
  • Lightweight dress (afternoons / to sleep in)
  • 1 long sleeve merino
  • Lightweight fleece
  • Windbreaker
  • 2 pair of pants

Toiletries:

  • Face wash, shampoo, conditioner, face cloth, tooth brush, toothpaste, sunscreen, moisturiser/lotion – all travel size.


Other

  • Poncho
  • Towel
  • Silicone Ear Plugs
  • Night splint
  • Two pair of eyeglasses, plus a small screwdriver (lesson learned)
  • Sunglasses
  • Wide brimmed hat
  • Buff
  • Spork/knife (lightweight)
  • Charger with European plug,
  • Umbrella (UV protection when no shade)
  • Small flashlight – size of a two dollar coin – clips on to backpack
  • Empty ziplock bags for snacks
  • Doggy bags for waste disposal
  • Travel size tissues – 2 packs
  • Lightweight bag (for groceries/bathroom/laundry)
  • Laundry sheets, corded clothes line (good to block light in dorms as well), a few pegs
  • Journal, 2 pens, glue stick,
  • Trekking poles (will buy in Saint Jean Pied de Port)
  • Stone/rock for Cruz de Ferro (lightweight)
  • Bum bag contains water bottle, money purse, passport, credential

 

Medical kit:

  • Strapping Tape
  • Sewing kit – needle and thread
  • Band-aids – small amount
  • Prescription meds
  •  Hand sanitiser
  • Travel-size Voltaren
  • Travel-size Betadine

Shoes:

  • Waterproof Birkenstocks (lightweight)
  • Merrell shoes – waterproof, mens wide fit, one size larger than usual.

Sleeping

  • Rumpl (down blanket)
  • Pillowcase

 

Have you walked before? Am I missing anything? 

 

🥾 If you want to follow my third camino wander, be sure to follow me on Facebook or on Substack.  I will be posting on those two platforms while walking.

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