Here are my recommendations on what to pack for a 5-day Camino de Santiago from Sarria to Santiago, based on my recent experience walking the French Way with my parents.

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Camino de Santiago Packing List: What I Packed for 5 Days from Sarria to Santiago

First Time on the Camino de Santiago: Tips, Lessons and Practical Advice

As you know, this September was special because I finally walked part of the Camino Francés with my parents. I’ve shared all the details in this post, the exact hotels where we stayed in a separate post here, and you can also watch my YouTube vlog here.

However, before doing the Camino, one of my biggest concerns (beyond the difficulty, which I shared on Instagram day by day here) was packing. I checked a few blogs and also did some research on Google, and many of them recommended bringing lots of things, such as walking poles and trekking socks.

I was also doing it almost at the last minute, so I was torn between going to the shop and buying new things or simply going with the flow.

Overall, I’d say the two most important rules I’d like to highlight after walking the Camino are not to overpack and not to experiment. Stick to the reliable options that already work for you.

So, here’s everything I packed for the Camino, what I considered essential, and what turned out to be optional. Since I was also travelling with my parents, I’ll share some insights from our different experiences as a group.

What I Packed for 5 Days on the Camino de Santiago (And What I Didn’t Need)

1. Shoes

I already had Salomon waterproof hiking shoes, but these weren’t a new purchase for the Camino. I’d previously gone on lots of hikes in the Pyrenees wearing them, so I felt this was one of my best decisions.

I only brought this one pair of shoes, as we had almost no rain, which is honestly the biggest luck you can have during the Camino!

A few days before starting, I checked the weather forecast and saw that it was supposed to rain lightly on one of the days. So, I brought waterproof clothing but no hiking boots, as I’m honestly not comfortable walking long distances in them anymore.

My parents, on the other hand, each brought a pair of hiking boots, but they ended up mostly walking in their hiking shoes anyway.

That said, we were lucky with the weather. I’d recommend keeping an eye on the forecast until the last moment and making your decision accordingly, especially if you’re travelling with a backpack. Hiking boots are heavy and bulky, so you might prefer to avoid carrying them unnecessarily.

If you’re travelling with a suitcase and enjoy walking in hiking boots, I’d consider taking them just in case, even if the forecast looks good. Better safe than sorry!

And if the forecast shows several rainy days, don’t think twice about bringing waterproof hiking footwear. When researching other people’s Camino experiences, I came across stories of people returning home halfway through because it had been raining for several days in a row and their hiking shoes simply wouldn’t dry.

Most small villages along the Camino have laundry services with dryers, but personally, I wouldn’t risk putting a good pair of hiking shoes in one.

2. Socks

Another essential is good socks. The combination of comfortable shoes and socks can make or break your entire Camino experience like almost nothing else.

My parents and I actually had different approaches here. I went with normal ankle socks, while they opted for trekking socks. Both worked well!

I preferred using regular socks that I’d already tested because we had quite warm weather during the day, and for me, the important things were comfort, lightweight materials and breathability. I also wanted to walk in something I was already used to.

However, ChatGPT actually scared me a little when I was double-checking my packing list and asking what I might have forgotten. I was basically told that you shouldn’t do the Camino in normal socks!

Well, it worked perfectly fine for me.

So, I’d say trekking socks can add extra comfort, but they aren’t necessarily a must-have if you don’t already own them.

My advice is not to buy a new pair just to test them on the Camino. If you decide to get trekking socks, try them on a few hikes beforehand, together with the shoes you plan to wear.

My parents loved having their trekking socks, but they’d already tested them on two other hiking trips, so they knew they worked for them.

3. Backpack and Suitcase

As you know, my parents brought a suitcase, while I travelled from Valencia to Santiago with only my Level8 backpack.

Again, this wasn’t a specialist trekking backpack, but simply a backpack I love using as carry-on luggage on my travels across Europe.

I decided not to buy any additional luggage because I knew my parents would be bringing a suitcase where I could store toiletries and some extra clothes, allowing me to walk with a lighter backpack.

At the same time, as I’ve shared before, I love bringing books back as souvenirs, so it was nice to have some extra space for the books I purchased along the way.

One thing worth remembering is that on the very last day, when you arrive in Santiago de Compostela, your suitcases usually arrive later (around 5-6 PM). So, it’s a good idea to bring an extra set of clothes in your backpack, allowing you to shower and change once you get to your hotel.

There is one thing I’d warn you about when choosing your suitcase: its weight.

In my vlog, I share how my parents loved having a big suitcase because they were travelling on another international trip after the Camino. They brought their Level8 Voyager Checked 26” suitcase, which can hold up to 25 kg.

However, most luggage transfer companies along El Camino do have a weight limit of 15 kg.

Overall, along the Camino, I mostly saw people using carry-on-sized luggage. You notice this in the mornings when everyone leaves their suitcases in the same designated collection area.

So, I’d say something like the Level8 Voyager Carry-On 20” is a great option. Another suitcase I love is the Level8 Adventure Check-In 24”, but if you choose a larger suitcase, remember to monitor its weight and keep it below 15 kg.

We eventually found only one company that told us they didn’t mind the weight. My parents ended up buying an inexpensive extra bag from a Chinese shop to redistribute some of their belongings and reduce the suitcase weight.

If you are considering Level8 suitcases, now is the best time, as they are running an early Black Friday sale. My readers can get 20% off any product until December 3, 2026, with the code L8BF26 here. After that, you can still get 15% off with the code ATC15 here.

4. Clothing

When it came to clothing, I packed four T-shirts for the entire seven-day trip (five days walking the Camino, plus two days for arrival and departure).

I only ended up washing my clothes once. I brought 2 x quick-dry fabrics, which I could easily wash in our hotel room and which were dry again within a few hours.

My parents, on the other hand, brought a separate shirt for each day, and none of us ended up using the laundry facilities.

However, I think that on my next Camino, I’ll probably take only three T-shirts and make better use of laundry services. I realised that the less clothing you have to carry from hotel to hotel or in your backpack, the easier the whole experience becomes.

In addition, I packed:

• 1 pair of sports shorts.
• 2 pairs of long trousers.
• 1 lightweight wind jacket.
• 1 thermal long-sleeved top.

I used all of these because the mornings were quite refreshing. However, I’d say the shorts were optional, as two pairs of comfortable, lightweight trousers would probably have been enough.

I also brought a pair of rain trousers and a rain jacket, both of which folded into a very small space. However, I didn’t end up using either of them.

In my backpack, I also had a rain poncho to cover myself and my backpack when it started raining on day two. The rain was very brief, though, so I mostly ended up carrying it around just in case.

Still, I’d say waterproof clothing is a must, even if rain isn’t expected. Northern Spain is generally quite rainy, and the weather can change quickly, especially when you’re walking outdoors all day.

5. Other El Camino Essentials

Some other things we brought along for the Camino included different sets of Compeed blister plasters, collapsible water bottle, a small massage ball for our feet, Cotton Bralette, headphones, toiletries, and sunscreen. I also brought flip-flops to wear at the hotel after walking all day. On day 3, I also felt a spot on my foot starting to rub, so I covered it with some kinesiology tape I had cut to size before the trip.

I also loved having my Ultrahuman Ring to track my sleep and recovery along the way (my readers can get 10% off with code UHLIFESTYLEC10).

It was particularly interesting to see that, despite all of us trying to walk more than 10,000 steps daily during the weeks before the Camino, the actual experience was still quite a shock to our bodies!

Another essential for me was audiobooks, which I loved listening to along the way.

As for trekking poles, I’d say this is highly subjective. We didn’t bring any, as I normally don’t like using them. My husband, though, is a big fan. A few years ago, he walked the same part of the Camino Francés with his dad, and he loved using poles.

As for the people I saw along the way, there was a mix of everything: people actively using poles, people walking without them, and people who had brought poles but were mostly carrying them around as an unnecessary extra.

In theory, trekking poles are useful for distributing weight while walking, but plenty of people do the Camino without them. So, I’d say it’s more of a personal preference.

Another popular item along the Camino is a buff. I noticed many people wearing them, but I didn’t bring one and, with the weather we had in mid-September, I didn’t need it.

Camino de Santiago Packing Checklist (PDF)

Based on my own Camino packing experience, I’ve put together this packing list in a PDF that you can download here to double-check everything you might need along the way. I hope it will help you make the most of this experience. And wishing you a Buen Camino!

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