🥾 Camino Gear Guide: What to Bring + What to start breaking in now
Welcome, Wild Heart Walker.
This guide is designed to help you feel confident, comfortable, and well-prepared on the trail. Because while the Camino is not a fashion show, nor an ultramarathon, it is a journey that asks you to move through the world with presence, care, and a bit of planning.
What you carry matters — not just in your pack, but on your feet, shoulders, and skin. The right gear can help you walk farther, feel better, and stay focused on the beauty around you rather than a blister on your heel or a soggy sock.
This page includes:
What to bring (and why)
What to start breaking in now (your shoes, socks, pack, and poles)
My favorite Camino-tested brands and budget tips
What’s optional and what’s essential
Above all, remember this: You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to start walking.
Let’s get you ready.
Since we will have luggage transfers each day, your primary focus should be on your daypack and the gear you'll carry during the walking hours.
🎒 Your Daypack
You’ll carry this every day, so it needs to be comfortable, adjustable, and it’s nice if it is broken-in, but that is not essential.
Look for:
A hydration-compatible daypack (12–20L is plenty)
Padded shoulder straps and a chest strap
A waist/hip belt — this is non-negotiable. It distributes weight onto your hips (not your shoulders), which makes a significant difference on long walks.
✅ My go-to day pack: Arc’Teryx — lightweight, extremely durable, great fit, and doesn’t bounce when walking. However, this is also a premium pack and not necessary for a 13-day trek. If you want to explore more budget-friendly packs, there are numerous options, and most of them will be perfectly well-suited for this trek. I suggest you visit your local outdoor hiking supplier (e.g., MEC, Canadian Tire) and try on a few options. Pick the one that feels most comfortable. If you want to take a look at the Arc’Teryx Premium gear, you will find it here: https://arcteryx.com/
💧 Hydration System
Staying hydrated is key. I recommend a hydration bladder system over bottles. Why?
You can sip while walking — no need to stop and fumble with bottles.
You’ll drink more, more often, more slowly, and stay better hydrated.
✅ I highly recommend the Salomon Hydration Bladder — high quality, easy to clean, and no plastic aftertaste.
Water capacity: Carry 1.5–2L of water daily
Pro tip: Add hydration tablets to improve flavor and boost electrolytes (especially on hot days or long walks). I look for ones with minimal sugar — available at most outdoor shops or Decathlon stores in Europe. This is simply a personal preference.
🧦 Footwear & Socks
This is your foundation. Literally.
Trail shoes or light hiking shoes (broken in — please don’t wear them brand new on Day 1!) I wear AllBird Trail Runners. I have a wide foot and these fit me best. You need to find your perfect walking shoes, and they need to have a good tread on the bottom. This is essential to give you traction on gravel or uneven ground. I cannot stress enough the importance of ensuring you have both good traction and comfort in the shoes you select.
Merino wool or technical socks — no cotton! Bring two to four pairs.
☀️ Clothing Layers
Dress for changing conditions and quick adjustments on the go.
Lightweight base layer (t-shirt or long sleeve - Merino is QUEEN, see below!)
Breathable mid-layer (light fleece or windbreaker)
Rain jacket (compact and water-resistant - I also love my Arc’Teryx waterproof jacket, it is an investment and will last you a lifetime - however, my backup is a Solomon, much more budget-friendly and still a great choice.
Sun hat or brimmed cap
Sunglasses + sunscreen + lip balm
Pro Tip: Merino Wool Is Your Walking Superpower
If you're bringing one thing you’ll thank yourself for every day on the Camino, let it be Merino wool.
No cotton. Ever. Cotton traps moisture, causes blisters, and takes forever to dry.
Merino, on the other hand, is magic. It’s lightweight, temperature-regulating, and naturally odor-resistant — which means:
You can wear it multiple days in a row without smelling like a medieval foot soldier.
It dries quickly if you wash it overnight.
It’s soft, not itchy, and helps prevent blisters when used as socks or base layers.
🎒 Bring 2–4 pairs of Merino wool socks
You can wash, air dry, rotate. Your feet will be happy. Your pack will be lighter. Your walking mates will still love you.
💛 Merino is my go-to for long-distance walking with a light pack. It’s one of those small choices that makes a big difference.
🥢 Trekking Poles (Optional but recommended)
Practice with them during training walks to get used to your stride and grip.
Important: Do not pack these in your carry-on luggage. They must go in checked baggage. Airport security won’t allow them otherwise.
Trekking poles can be game-changers on the Camino — especially for long days, uneven terrain, and descents that test your knees. They're not essential for everyone, but if you're bringing them, bring the right ones.
What to Look For:
Adjustability
Choose poles with at least two adjustable sections. You'll want to fine-tune the height depending on whether you're going uphill, downhill, or walking flat.
We’ll go over this together on the trail, so no worries if you’re new to poles — I’ll help you get the settings just right.Sturdy & Stable Clamps
Make sure the clamps hold tight and don’t collapse under pressure. You’ll be trusting these poles to catch you when terrain gets tricky — they need to be solid.Lightweight
Carbon fiber: lightest and most durable, but pricier
Aluminum: slightly heavier, still excellent — and often more budget-friendly
Budget vs. Splurge — My Honest Take
You don’t need top-of-the-line poles. I bought mine at Decathlon for €25 — they’re aluminum, sturdy, and they’ve served me beautifully.
I invest in the gear I wear:
Merino wool everything, yes, even my underwear!
Arc'teryx backpack, jacket, sunhat, and waterproof pants.
FULL TRANSPARENCY — My daughter is a designer at Arc’teryx, so, yes, I get a significant discount (and no, I can’t pass this discount along), and I am biased about this brand. You need to choose something that works for you, makes you feel comfortable, and is hassle-free. You want the focus to be on the fantastic views, not adjusting your gear.
I go more budget-friendly on items like:
Gloves (Merino gloves are surprisingly affordable)
Poles (as long as they’re reliable)
Other Must-Haves
Small first aid kit (blister plasters, tape, any medications you take) *I will have a complete first aid kit, but please bring any personal first aid items that you would like to have with you.
Healthy trail snacks (nuts, dried fruit, energy bars — we will pick some up at each stop along the way, if you want to bring some, great, but think about packing light and choose accordingly).
Electrolyte tablets
Lightweight travel towel or bandana
Phone + portable charger
Minimal cash/card, ID/passport copy
Forgot Something? Don’t Worry.
We’ll meet one day before we begin walking in Porto. If you're missing any gear or discover that something doesn't feel right, we’ll do a quick checklist and head to one of the amazing local sports stores (like Decathlon). Prices are excellent, and the quality is great.
I’ll also have a few extras on hand if you need last-minute items or loaners.