Women's Camino de Santiago Packing List: Camino Frances (ULTRALIGHT)

The only packing list you’ll ever need! This is my second time walking the Camino Francés from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago de Compostela. I walked this as part of a long Camino from Le Puy-en-Velay. We walked the Camino Francés section in September 2023.

Here's a complete list of gear I brought in my 24 liter backpack, what I would change for different seasons, and how I only brought what I needed. Your walk can be so much more pleasant, carrying only what you need. A lighter bag is a happier peregrina!

Gold stars if you can count how many times I say “merino wool.”

We spent 26 days completing our Camino journey. This is my fifth Camino; I have walked all of them with an ultralight pack.

🎒Camino Francés Packing Essentials:

Clothing:

Shoes:

Waist Pack:

Toiletries:

Accessories:

First Aid:

Optional Items:

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⚙️ Equipment We Use

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Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:34 Backpack
03:20 Clothing
11:13 Shoes
13:53 Toiletries
17:26 Waist Pack
18:44 Accessories
22:51 Sleeping
24:21 First Aid Kit
26:22 Optional Items
27:57 How much does it weigh?
28:07 Final Thoughts

[ronaldc]

Thank you! You are the 1st person to weigh a backpack when full. I am planning my trip for May 2025. 70th BD celebration.

[angelajuneau]

One of the best packing videos I’ve seen!! Practical. I am a petite person and have been worried about overpacking and killing my back and feet. Thank you for this!!

[donnafengya]

Beginning to explore my first Camino hike and am researching prep. Yours is the best resource I've viewed thus far. Thank you for this insightful and practical guide.

[Zraggs]

I hiked the Camino Frances in 2018, planning my next one. This is the BEST Camino video I've ever seen. Totally covered everything! Awesome, awesome, AWESOME!

[penelopelea]

You just calmed my overwhelmed mind dramatically! I'm hiking solo and first time and this made me feel exponentially better!

[stacyk]

This was wonderful to watch and has further inspired me to take on this adventure. It added to the simplicity which is what I'm all about, but simple and effective options!

[griseldanelson]

Thank you so much for this video. You have re confirm what someone told me 3 times today. Pack only what you need and then minimise even more. ❤
Buen Camino. I love the towel suggestion.

[Word]

Really good list. I'm a minimalist / (ultra) light backpacker and hiker from Europe. And I'm really happy to finally see products I can buy in the EU.

[ghilly_one]

Thank you. This is exactly what I was looking for. Not only do you share what you packed, you gave justifications and explanations for your decisions. Including the final packed weight was helpful also for this noob. you gave insight and additional information I didn’t know I needed. I am also a 5’3” short-torso gal and that backpack suggestion is perfect. Excellent job!

[mettamama]

I watched every second of this video. So helpful! I am also 5'1" and try to keep my pack around 10lb no matter what. Many new tips and products here for me. Thank you! 😊

[storm]

Finally, a practical packing list. Someone after my own heart. I plan on using a 25 liter pack for my Camino Frances in May of 2025. Most of the vids I’ve watched have people carrying 40 plus liter packs.

[tonyadrayden]

Thanks! Great videos! Love your energy! ❤

[Andy-Mesa]

Sun hoodies and Merino wool are both amazing, but I've had the same experience wearing a Merino wool sun hoodie. I've since switched to synthetic because it dries quicker, breathes better, and lasts longer. Currently I use the OR Echo (by far the most popular one out there) for most trips and the REI Sahara Shade which is a bit thicker (SP50 compared to SPF15-20 for the Echo) and I like better for colder trips. 

Topo Ultraventure is the perfect Camino shoe. I did my first two Caminos in more minimalist shoes, but I found that for road walks and cobblestones they killed my feet. The Ultraventure works great on both trail and road, and has a lot more cushion.

Also, I wanted to let you know that thanks to your old gear list I got the same hat you did and it's been amazing through ~1000 miles of hiking on the PCT and Camino del Norte.

[marymerrill]

I bought a cute silk sun dress in St Jean. It was great to walk in because it was so hot!

[lindabarber]

HI. Just watched your video. It's great, not too long and very informative. thanks for taking the time to do the video. Made my life easier.

[coppermoontravels]

Thanks so much for this. I’ve backpacked before, but only in the bush - so this is a very different trip. This is a really helpful resource! Happy Trails to everyone 🙏

[reneerogers]

Incredibly helpful vid! Thank you so much for details of each item, links to these items and your personal experience for the need of proper clothing.

[amonstermymother]

Thank you Lainey you are very helpful. ❤

[walter.zikalala]

Great inputs and advice Laney, many thanks!

[garrybenson]

Super, super helpful video. Irish Blessings to you. I have a replacement knee and plan to test my resilience on the Camino Francés from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Pamplona. Finding the right knee supports is a priority. Again Thank you.