What to pack for the Camino de Santiago (and what to send ahead)

Most regulars on the Francés know the rough guidelines of a backpack not exceeding 10% of body weight, meaning a 70kg walker should aim for 7kg, as to protect their knees and back.

There is a problem, though. These guidelines are often aimed at beginners (those in the army regularly carry over 25% of their bodyweight on long marches). Of course, beginners tend to overpack, while it’s the regulars, who are to some extent conditioned for heavier loads, who know how to pack light.

This can only mean one thing: spending a lot of thought counting every gram and looking for ways to reduce what you’re taking.

But, for those planning a longer trek solo, a 7Kg bag may not be possible – especially if they have certain needs, medication, are going in winter, or cannot afford to buy new high-tech, lightweight gear. Here, perversely, the answer might be in taking two bags, but only carrying one.

What earns a place in the daypack

You’re going to need a daypack that you walk with, and a larger bag (or even suitcase) that a luggage service takes for you.

In shoulder seasons on the Francés, it can be warm in the day (e.g., 22°C) but volatile, dropping dramatically when the sun goes down. This makes things tricky.

What you will need is a waterproof shell, which is reasonably light, and a mid-layer that packs small. What will keep you warm is the merino baselayer (when you need it).

So the daypack will have any medication and medical kit you need, snacks and water, a compass and powerbank, documents, but also plenty of space. This space is so you can put your fleece or waterproof shell in when it’s not needed, freeing up your hands for navigation and safe hiking.

Sending the rest ahead

Transfer operators on the Sarria–Santiago stretch will cap luggage transfer between stages at 15kg (one piece per walker), which is more than enough to take a month’s worth of clothing, toiletries, and such. Just be sure to use packing cubes, so you can find and pull things out easily each night.

They will collect the bag before 08:30 and deliver it to the next stop between 13:00 and 15:00. The important bit is not to miss that morning deadline. Besides that, you can rest assured it will get to your next stop before you do.

Many do not attempt the camino, not because of the walk or distance, but doing it all with all your possessions on your back. There is no such worry when using a luggage service, as you can get your daypack down to just a couple of kilos, freeing you up to walk without a care in the world.

Timing the Sarria stretch 

That decision of when you go on the Sarria stretch will matter more than anything. It’s the busiest route in the whole network, accounting for around a third of all starters. Being in the north, not south, of Spain, also matters for weather, as it can go from a hot summer to a wet winter quite quickly. This, more than anything, determines your packing needs.