The Ultimate Camino Packing List for Women

In this post I will share with you my Camino packing list for Women that I used hiking the Camino. One of the hardest parts in planning a Camino or any multiple day hike is what to bring along. I can’t count the times that I packed and unpacked my bag. Leaving things out, then putting them back anyway to throw them out again.

This Camino packing list is specifically for women. It is for long distance hikes where you can stay and eat in pilgrims accomodations. Any Camino packlist is personal. I will share my tips after hiking the Via Podiensis, the Camino Frances, the Gokyo Lakes Trek and the Annapurna Circuit Trek in Nepal and other multiple day hikes in the Netherlands, including the Pieterpad trail and the Trekvogelpad trail.

You probably already read about the 10% rule. Most ultralight backpackers try to keep the weight of their backpack around 10% of their bodyweight. Honestly, I did not manage to keep my backpack that lightweight. But my first tip is to pack as little as possible and only bring those items that you really need.

Buying New Camino Hiking Gear

If this is the first time you do a multi-day hike and you are looking into your Camino Packing List, you probably need to invest in your hiking gear. There are a lot of fancy and expensive items out there, but in the end you don’t need that much.

Less is more on a multi day hike like the Camino. Also, more expensive does not always mean better. There is no ‘one size fits all’ and you need to find what is best for you. I recommend to go to an outdoor store and try on a few things and see if they fit you.

There are a few items in your Camino Packing List that are worth investing money in. That is a good hiking backpack and hiking shoes that fit you personally. These items have the biggest influence on the comfort of your Camino. Therefore, it is important you try them out before you go.

Start wearing your shoes frequently on walks to break them in and try out the backpack when fully loaded. It is better to bring old tested shoes with you than brand new shoes that might give you blisters.

Ultralight outdoor items can be very expensive. If you have a tight budget you can see if you can buy things second-hand. Sometimes I first go to an outdoor store to fit things and then check if I can buy it cheaper online. At last, Decathlon in Europe is a great store with good quality hiking stuff where you can buy a lot of items on your Camino Packing List for a reasonable price.

Camino Packing list: the basics

The three most important items on your Camino Packing List that can make or break your camino are a good backpack, hiking shoes and socks. That’s why I call them the basics, because they can have a huge influence on your comfort. A backpack that does not fit you well, will start hurting you. The wrong shoes and socks will give you blisters. Maybe not the first few days, but after a week or so, you will pay the price.

Backpack

Size: backpacks come in all kinds of types and sizes. For walking the camino a 30 to 40 liter backpack is more than enough. I have a 38 liter backpack that I am very happy with and where I can easily fit all my stuff in without needing to squeeze them in. Anything larger than 40 liters is unnecessary on a camino and you risk filling up the space. This easily results in a backpack that is way too heavy.

Features: what kind of features you want on your backpack is very personal. I prefer to have side pockets that allow me to reach my water bottles easily as i prefer water bottles. Others prefer a system for hydration bladders. The one thing in a hiking backpack that is an absolute must for me is a breathable mesh back panel that keeps things airy. The other one is a raincover, but keep in mind that you can always buy this seperately as well.

Fit: Always make sure that whatever backpack you bring along or buy, fits your body. Most brands like Osprey and Deuter have specific women versions on the market for smaller bodytypes. I really recommend to go to a good outdoor store and get some advice. If you have a backpack in mind, make sure you try it on with some weight.

The key measurement is your torso length. First check if you have enough support from your hips and the hip belts sit comfortably at the crown of your hips. Most weight should be on your hips and not your shoulders. Then check if the shoulder straps sit comfortably around your shoulders and the shoulder strap anchor points are roughly at the top of your shoulder blades. If that is not the case, the backpack is not a great fit. With most backpacks you can adjust the torso length, so you can adjust till it does. But if you can’t, it is better to look for another backpack.

My choice: my choice ended up being the Osprey Eja 38. First of all, because it is a backpack specifically designed for women, fits me well and sits comfortably. The second reason is that it is one of the more lightweight backpacks that Osprey has. I also have the Osprey Fairview Trek 50, that I am also happy with, but the backpack is already quite heavy, weighting almost 2 kilos. The Osprey Eja weights only 1.2 kilos. After two multiple day hikes I am still very happy with my pack.

Hiking Shoes

Hiking shoes are even more personal than a backpack. I can’t stress the importance of bringing broken-in shoes that are tested and that you know are a good fit and are comfortable. If you buy a new pair, make sure to wear them in before you start walking your camino.

You might want to buy shoes that are half a size or a whole size bigger than your regular size to accomodate swelling of the feet that happens when you do multi day hikes. Some people prefer sturdy hiking boots, others prefer lighter trailrunners. This of course also depends on the season.

Next to your hiking shoes it is also good to bring some lightweight sandals to use in the evenings and in the shower. Most pilgrim hostels won’t allow your hiking shoes inside.

My choice: For many years my choice is the Lowa Renegade GTX Mid that I used while hiking through Nepal, the Alpujarras in Spain and at home in the Netherlands. I never had any blisters in them and they give good support. I don’t need to worry when the trail gets rocky or when it starts raining as they are waterproof.

In hot weather they do get warm, but it helps to simply take them off and give my feet a bit of air whenever I take a break. I am simply too afraid to try lighter trailrunners, even in summer, because I can be so sure that I won’t get blisters with my Lowa renegade shoes.

Socks

Blisters are caused by the wrong shoes, shoes that are too little or the wrong socks. So once you have the right shoes in the right size, your next blister prevention strategy are socks that keep your feet dry and happy.

Merino wool socks are very popular under hikers for good reason. They stay dry and don’t smell easily. There are some expensive brands like Darn though and Smartwool. These socks are great quality, but you can also buy merinowool socks at Decathlon for much less money that also do the trick.

My choice: My favourite are the anti blister Wrightsocks. These socks prevent blisters by having double layers so that the layers rub against each other and not your feet.

Camino Clothing Packinglist

To keep your weight on your Camino Packing List low it is important to bring as little as possible. Most people keep the wear one, wash one approach. Washing the clothes they wear every evening at the pilgrims lodge. I also used this approach, except that I did bring an extra pair of socks and underwear.

Another useful approach on multi day hikes is the layering system where you will bring along a base layer, a midlayer to keep you warm and a top layer for wind and rain protection. For all layers it is best to invest in lightweight and quick drying materials.

The Layer System

Base layer: Merinowool is very popular among hikers as a base layer. It doesn’t smell easily and keeps you warm when it is cold, but not too warm when it is hot. Icebreaker is a good brand selling high quality shirts, but you can also buy cheaper merinowool tshirts at Decathlon. Depending on the season you might want to have short sleeves or long sleeves or a combination of both.

Mid layer: To keep you warm on colder days or in the evenings you can bring one fleece vest or merinowool vest. When I hiked in june I often needed my fleece vest in the evenings.

Outer layer: An outer layer to protect yourself from the wind and rain is very useful. Even in summer it can get chilly in the evenings and you might want to bring a lightweight puff jacket. In winter, you can expect rainy days and in addition to your puff jacket you might want a lightweight rainjacket and rainpants or a poncho.

Other Clothes

Hiking pants: Some ladies prefer sport leggings or shorts, but I prefer loose fitting hiking pants. There is a lot of choice out there. Lightweight and quick-drying materials will make you happy on the trail. Don’t even think about bringing jeans.

Underwear: At Decathlon you can buy affordable merinowool underwear and bras that are lightweight and dry quickly.

Rain protection: Go to the Camino forum and you will find lengthy discussions about whether a rainjacket or poncho is a better option. The opinions are very mixed and basically it comes down to your personal preference. Poncho’s are more lightweight, more breathable and are easier to take on and off. In addition there are poncho’s that at the same time also protect your backpack. That is why in summer I am a big fan of a Poncho such as the lightweight and breathable Sea to Summit Poncho. In winter, when there is more rain, I bring an additional lightweight rainjacket for extra protection and the bigger, but less breathable Altus poncho.

Sun protection: A hat and sunglasses are essential to bring along on the Camino, no matter the season. There are long stretches through farmfields with little shadow. Sunscreen is also very important.

Practical Camino Packing List

Hiking poles: I strongly recommend using hiking poles. They help to keep your balance and, when used properly, take 30% of the burden on your knees and ankles. For this you need to keep a 90 degree angle in your elbow. Therefore good hiking poles are adjustable and have a safe and solid locking system.

Hydration: Keeping yourself hydrated is very important on the trail. Some use water bottles others a water bladder in their backpack with a tube that you can reach easily as you hike. I prefer water bottles that I put in the side pockets of my backpack. On most sections there are enough possibilities to refill your water bottles, but it is good practice to carry between 1.5 litres to 2 litres of water with you.

Spork: A lightweight titanium spork can come in handy, if you plan to buy things for lunch at the supermarket.

Sleeping bag: In almost all pilgrim hostels you need your own sleeping bag. In summer a sleeping bag liner might do. In other seasons a lightweight sleeping bag is recommended.

Ear plugs: In the dormitories there is always the risk that someone snores. Ear plugs can save you a lot of frustration and sleepless nights.

Documents: As a pilgrim you need a credential to get your certificate once you reach Santiago de Compostella. Along the way you can collect stamps in the places you eat and sleep. Some of them give discounts when you show your credential. Other important documents include your passport and insurance papers. To keep them safe I keep the documents in a waterproof pouch.

Electronics Camino Packing List

Phone and charger: I use my phone for many things on the camino. It functions as a flashlight, as my e-reader, as a navigator and as my travelguide.

Powerbank: Using a gpx navigation app took up a lot of my phone batteries and therefore I often had to use my powerbank.

Cosmetics Camino Packing List

Toiletry bag with a hanging loop: A lightweight toilet bag with a hanging loop comes in handy in the communal showers and toilets. Your cosmetics can easily add up in weight. My bare necessities are a shampoo bar, deodorant, toothpaste and a tootbrush.

Fast drying towel: Lightweight microfiber towels are very popular on the Camino. Personally I don’t like the feel of the microfiber material. I have a small lightweight hamam towel that I carry with me that I prefer.

Laundry kit: Every night I handwash my clothes with a laundry soap bar (Sunlight soap or Marseille soap). Recently I bought the Scrubba wash bag mini. They are a bit expensive for what they are. Basically a dry bag with a washing board inside and an air valve. But I must be honest, that I have the feeling my clothes get more clean.

Toilet kit: Some sections along the camino have frequent public toilets, other sections do not. It is always a good idea to carry a bit of toilet paper with you. I rarely found myself in the situation that I needed to go in nature, but when I did, I made sure to carry the toilet paper with me untill I found a trash bin. Another solution is the Kula cloth that you can wash and reuse. You could also buy a female urination device like the Liberpee pee funnel, but I prefer to squat.

Feminine Hygiene: Having your period on the Camino happens. In most grocery stores in France and Spain you can easily buy pads or tampons. Menstruation cups are less practical on the Camino as there is not always the possibility or privacy (shared facilities) to rinse it out.

First Aid Kit Camino Packing List

Feet and Anti blisterkit: Your feet are your best friends on the Camino so you should take good care of them. Bring nailclippers to keep your toenails short. But most importantly, bring things to prevent and treat blisters. Prevention is much better, so pay attention to every hotspot. I always bring vaseline and anti blister tape from Decathlon to treat red spots that could become blisters. Leukoplast tape or Fixomull tape are good alternatives to anti blister tape.

Paracetamol/Ibuprofen: I rarely use pain killers, but it is always good to have a few with you. The bigger cities on the Camino do have pharmacies, but the smaller villages don’t. Therefore also bring enough of your personal medication with you.

Antiseptic wipes, betadine and plasters: I always carry some plasters, anti septic wipes, betadine cream and a small scissor to be able to clean and cover basic wounds.

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