Gear for the Camino de Santiago

Okay, folks, it is time to talk gear. This photo shows most of the "stuff" I plan to bring with me when I hike the Camino de Santiago in Spain later this month. It doesn't look like much but I fear it may actually be too much. (I actually removed a few items from what is shown in the photo to reduce the weight) For planning, I watched a few Youtube videos that showed what other pilgrims packed. Here are three I liked the most:

1. Traveleska
2. MangerOnTheHill 
3. Joanna Payne  

Travelsea said that her gear weighed 7 kilos which is equal to about 15 pounds, but she packed much less stuff than I plan to and she had a smaller backpack. So I am working on whittling down my list and/or finding lighter weight choices.

Pack and Bags

1. 50 Liter Backpack (Deuter) -bought at REI with staff help - it worked great
2. Cheap duffle bag to put the backpack when checking it at the airport (protect straps)
3. Water bladder (Camelback Antidote 70 oz., 1 1/2 liters) 
4. Rain cover for backpack (Osprey)
5. Money belt for money, passport "vault" (Rick Steves)
6. "Fanny pack" - I used this all the time for easy access to phone and daily cash
7. Small lightweight change purse for Euros
8. Net zip bags, shower net bag with a hook, dry sacks

Clothing (Worn and Packed)

1. Black full-length compression pants (Old Navy) - good for cold mountain days.
2. Stone conversion pants/zip-off shorts (Sierra) - loved these and wore a lot!
3. Navy compression capris (Old Navy)
4. Navy Skimmies compression shorts
5. Blue plaid men's boxers (for sleeping) - I got rid of these and slept in a pair of lightweight pants that I bought at an outdoor market in Spain
6. Lightweight quick-drying undergarments
7. Sports bras
8. Black long sleeve quick dry shirt (Old Navy)
9. Coral short sleeve quick dry shirt (Champion)
10. Green short sleeve quick dry shirt (Champion)
11. Purple fleece with pockets (Old Navy)
12. Rain jacket (Marmot)
13. Hat - waterproof (Columbia)
14. Purple scarf (Buff)
15. Pink scarf (Buff)

Foot Wear and Hiking Poles (Worn and Packed)

1. Lightweight hiking socks (Vermont Darn Tough)
2. Medium weight hiking socks (Vermont Darn Tough)
3. Do I need another pair of socks? - yes, I liked 1 pair cotton for just relaxing
4. Hiking shoes - blue (Salomon) - they were waterproof and my feet sweat! Not good!
5. Hiking sandals - blue (Merrell) - loved these!
6. Shower flip flops
7. Trekking Poles - loved these!
8. Fleece Gloves - L.L. Bean

Health and Safety

1. Young Living Oils: Deep Relief roller ball oil, grapefruit essential oil
2. Compeed pads and put them on before blisters start!
3. Quest protein bars (2 to start, then buy along the way)
4. Prescription sunglasses and eyeglasses in a crush-proof case
5. Chapstick (Grapefruit Burt's Bees and Sunscreen)
6. Sunscreen
7. Advil and Allergy Pills
8. Mints
9. Thieves hand sanitizer (Young Living)
10. Tissues to use as toilet paper, if needed
11. Tweezers
12. Q-tips
13. Sewing kit, with needle and thread for blisters
14. Vaseline
15. Whistle
16. Headlamp 
17. Lipstick
18. Hairbrush
19. Maps! Take photos and put on your phone. Don't rely on GPS all the time.

Sleeping, Toiletries, and Laundry

1. Sleeping Bag liner (REI) unzips into a quilt - picnic blanket 
2. Earplugs
3. Two-in-one shampoo and conditioner 
4. Liquid body soap
5. Razor
6. Deodorant
7. Toothpaste and toothbrush 
8. Turkish towel - loved mine!
9. Diaper pins to hang laundry

Free Time Stuff

1. iPhone with music, maps, lists of albergues, churches, etc.
2. iPhone charger
3. Earbuds
4. European power adapters 
5. Extra iPhone battery
6. Rosary beads
7. Picnic fork, spoon, and corkscrew

Paper Stuff and Wallet Items

1. Pilgrim's Passport (you can preorder or buy there)
2. USA Passport
3. Driver's License
4. Credit card
5. ATM card
6. Small journal
7. Pens
8. Plane, train, bus tickets
9. Keys