Packing list for the Way of St. James

While some may embark on the Camino de Santiago somewhat spontaneously, it is essential to have a minimum level of equipment to ensure a comfortable and safe pilgrimage.
For detailed information on backpacks, footwear, and clothing, please refer to the Equipment section (also available on the right or bottom of your screen, depending on your device).
Équipement

• A reasonably sized backpack (ideally around 40 liters maximum, although 32-34 liters is often recommended).
• Sturdy hiking boots that have already been broken in over several tens of kilometers.
• Hiking clothing made of synthetic fibers (for weight and quick drying).
• A down jacket or sleeping bag (fewer and fewer accommodations provide blankets).
• It is advisable to supplement your sleeping bag with a "sleep liner".
• A basic first-aid kit (and any necessary prescription medications).
• A microfiber towel. Very lightweight, absorbent, quick-drying, and odor-resistant unlike cotton towels, which can develop a nasty smell when damp in a backpack.

A suggested packing list for pilgrims on the Way of St. James

Absolument ! Voici quelques options pour traduire cette phrase en anglais, en adaptant le style et le ton selon le contexte : Option plus formelle et détaillée: This is a sample list to help you tailor your equipment to your specific needs and gender. The weight of the equipment you choose should be at least equivalent to the weights indicated. If you find lighter options, that's even better! When equipment is worn on the body or in a waist pack, it is counted as 0, as it is not in the backpack. strong>For the sleeping bag, 5° or 0° refers to the comfort temperature. This is assuming you will mainly stay in pilgrim accommodations or bed and breakfasts. Choose 0° (comfort temperature) if you plan to sleep outdoors (tent or bivouac). Of course, if you are traveling in July or August, and depending on the chosen route, you may opt for a 10° sleeping bag. However, please note that on the French Way, temperatures at night can be as low as 4°C in April, 12°C in June, and 14°C in August in certain areas. Therefore, we cannot recommend a specific comfort temperature as we do not know your departure month or the route you will be taking.

*Here's a sample emergency food list for non-campers. These items are lightweight and easy to carry.

Chocolate: 100g Spiced bread: 250g ½ baguette: 125g 1 banana: 170g 2 apples: 410g Canned Niçoise salad: 250g Dried fruit: 250g Freeze-dried coffee: 50g 6 cereal bars (3 per day): 125g Pasta: 250g !

Is the Way of Saint James a completely self-sufficient hiking trail?

When reading labels or specialized press articles, you may wonder: is the Camino de Compostela a long-distance or short-distance hike? Indeed, when it comes to backpacks (and especially shoes), labels, catalogs, and test benches found in magazines are often labeled as such. Backpack for long-distance hiking. Hiking boots... I'm going to walk 1000 kilometers, so I'm going on a long-distance hike. Well, not quite! If you're like 90% of pilgrims, meaning you stay in a gîte or hostel each night, then you're doing short hikes. This means you're not supposed to carry tons of food, a stove, a canteen, or even a tent. Consequently, there's no reason to burden yourself with a 60-liter backpack and 15 kg of all sorts of gear. Beyond the "mountain" aspect that is generally associated with it, long-distance hiking means going off-grid for several days without the possibility of resupplying. And in that case, obviously, you have no choice but to carry as much food, a stove, a tent... hence the larger pack volumes.

* Camino "Le Puy en Velay", hors the French Camino (Camino Francès in spanish) are often on Mid-mountain. Mid-mountain ranges typically have altitudes between 600 and 1800 meters. Along the Camino de Compostela, for instance, you'll encounter elevations such as Le Puy en Velay (630m), Roncevaux (1430m), Burgos (929m), and Cruz de Ferro (1504m).