Cheap Travels

Most pilgrims carry everything they bring for their trip right on their backs. This makes choosing the proper pack a crucial part of this journey. Choosing a quality pack that helps distribute weight evenly across your body can be the difference between a life-changing adventure and a 500-mile slog.

The Camino de Santiago, also known as the Way of St. James, is a renowned pilgrimage across Northern Spain that attracts hundreds of thousands of hikers each year. Whether you’re planning on hiking across Spain on your own, or with a group, you’ll undoubtedly meet plenty of interesting people.

This route has been attracting travelers, adventurers, and spiritual seekers for centuries and has been surging in popularity in recent years. As you embark on this pilgrimage, one of the most crucial decisions you’ll make is choosing a backpack for the journey.

In this post, I’ll be going over everything you need to know about picking a pack, ranging from weight and size recommendations to the best brands and most important features you’ll want your pack to have.

Knowing your gear needs

Choosing the right backpack starts with a deeper assessment of what your goals are for this hike. If you’re coming from the US, Canada or even further away, you might be trying to combine this adventure with various other travel activities. 

While it may be tempting to bring both your hiking boots and your dancing shoes, I would strongly urge you to leave everything at home that you don’t truly need. Packing as light as humanly possible will make your hike less painful and your trip overall more enjoyable. If you have your eye on some bigger backpacking challenges, you might be interested in my article on hiking the Camino de Santiago as training for the Appalachian Trail or other loftier goals.

My advice for packing is simple; pick a few strategic pieces of clothing that combine functionality with style. If you can mix and match every single piece you bring and wear it either hiking, biking or dining, then you should be in good shape. 

You’ll want to figure out your preferred amount of weight to carry and distance to cover in a single day. Most people tend to overestimate how far they can comfortably walk each day and underestimate how far they can walk over a few weeks.

The weight you carry can truly change the way your Camino plays out. When you are covering hundreds of miles over a few weeks, you’ll really start to rethink every extra ounce you’re towing with you.

Avoid surprises by training ahead of time, even if it’s just for a few weeks or months. This will put you ahead of the majority of the people you meet while walking the Camino. If you’re considering one of the many alternatives to the Camino Frances, check out my article on the best airports to fly into for each of the main Camino routes.

The length of Camino you want to do will largely impact how much preparation you truly need to do and how much extra weight you can get away with. If you’re planning to do just the last 100km (about 62 miles) to get a ‘compostela’ certificate, you can get away with much less training than someone walking all the way from France (around 800km, or 500 miles).

Types of backpacks

I mainly saw pilgrims carrying just a few different types of backpacks as I walked the Camino. There isn’t necessarily a correct choice, but there are some major differences between backpacks to consider.

Daypacks vs backpacking packs

A daypack is normally not meant to carry more than around 25 pounds (around 11 kg) and is generally used for shorter, one day trips.

On average these packs measure between 10-35 liters, but I have seen some packs listed as ‘daypacks’ online as large as 50L.

It’s not uncommon to see high school and college students carrying daypacks around campuses. They’re all-purpose bags and can be used for basically anything.

While daypacks are by far the most common packs on the market, I would not recommend bringing a daypack for the Camino unless you’re only completing a short section. 

A backpacking pack generally has a frame, either external or internal, that helps support the heavier loads needed for long trips. 

Backpacking packs are designed to distribute weight well, which will help you tremendously on the Camino. These packs have multiple straps with adjustable lengths that help keep the bulk of the weight off of your shoulders, which is a common source of discomfort from pilgrims.

I used a backpack with an internal frame and sturdy straps to help keep weight off my shoulders for my 2022 Camino. After hiking over 800km I had no back or shoulder pain whatsoever. Wide, well-made waist straps are an absolutely necessary backpack feature in my opinion.

Ultralight vs traditional backpacks

Ultralight backpacks are meant to weigh as little as possible for fast, efficient trips. They don’t last nearly as long as traditional backpacks because they’re made with just enough material to stay together. Generally they will not be as waterproof, rip-resistant or durable as their traditional counterparts.

Traditional backpacks are much more durable and hearty than their ultralight counterparts. They can take many seasons of use, which means your money will go further.

With durability, of course, comes extra weight from the additional fabric. There are always trade-offs in finding the ideal gear, so just make sure that the backpack you choose has the important features that you need.

Hydration packs

One thing that made a huge difference for my Camino trip was having a hydration bladder that I could easily drink out of while hiking. These packs have a thin sleeve along the back panel with a hole that you can feed the drinking hose through.

Having a hydration pack was a game-changer for me because the bladder is extremely lightweight compared to a bottle. Plus, not having to stop every time I wanted a drink made things go much, much more smoothly. Trust me, when you’re hiking 5-8 hours a day, you want things to be as convenient as they possibly can.

Ideal backpack size for the Camino de Santiago

The Camino de Santiago is unusual compared to most other ‘backpacking’ trips; you won’t need to carry a tent or cooking gear, and you’ll spend time walking in both urban and rural settings. This means that you can rest assured knowing that you’ll have tons of options for hotels, hostels and restaurants.

Each night you’ll find an ‘albergue’ or pilgrim-specific hostel to stay in, which offers a bunk and a hot shower for around 10-12 euros. What I quickly found on my first Camino was that I would gladly pay 10 euros just to have access to the warm shower. I’ll emphasize this one more time; leave that tent at home!

The good news is that you’ll be walking past cafés, supermarkets and pharmacies a few times each day, so you can constantly replenish your supplies. This means the pack you carry can be significantly smaller than for most other hiking trips.

Assessing your gear needs is an important step in the packing process, but I would urge you to pack as minimally as you can. Figuring out your ideal pack size will often come from doing hikes with a heavy load and seeing if you could sustain this over weeks of walking.

If you find that hiking with a heavy pack is difficult, start thinking about what you could leave behind without compromising the quality of your trip.

What size backpack is recommended for the Camino?

Packs in the 28-35 liter range are ideal for the Camino de Santiago. Small enough to be comfortable and lightweight yet large enough to carry the essentials. Larger packs tend to encourage taking excessive gear, while smaller packs can either be too limiting or will end up stuffed to the brim.

As a general rule, your backpack should not exceed 40 liters. The size of your pack should be based on the total trip length, but keep in mind that you’ll be hauling all of that weight day in and day out. Anything bigger than 38-40 liters is nearing excessive and on a trip where you need neither a tent nor cooking supplies, you’re better off with less.

If you’ve done a lot of similar hikes and want to bring a minimalist setup, go right ahead. I met several people on my Camino who were carrying next to nothing. But for a first-timer looking for a comfortable size range, I think the 28-35 range is ideal. 

Packs around 30-34l will be small enough to have a manageable weight even if completely full of gear. This acts as a type of insurance against overpacking.

These medium size packs will usually also tend to have important features such as gear loops and solid waist straps that won’t leave your back feeling strained. 

Backpack fit and comfort

Most people will probably already have a general idea of what size packs tend to fit them. That being said, if you have the wrong sized backpack for a long hike, it will quickly be made clear.

Choosing the right pack size and adjusting it to fit you properly will let you focus on the hike instead of troubleshooting an uncomfortable pack. 

Every brand will have some variation in what they consider small, medium or large, so look closely at their sizing charts and make sure you know your measurements.

To get a general idea of your size, measure from the top of your hip bones up to your C7 vertebrae. This spot marks the top of your measurement.

In order to find where the bottom of this line should go, slide your hands down your rib cage and find the top of your hip bones. Standing up straight, draw an imaginary line between those two points. Where this line meets your spine marks the bottom of your measurement line.

Get a friend to help you take these measurements, it will make things much easier. By measuring from the C7 vertebrae to the down to the imaginary line across your back, between the tops of your hip-bones.

Once you have your measurements in inches, you can reference different fit charts and know that you’re getting the right size, no matter the brand. Most high-quality packs will have micro-adjustments that can be made on the back panel of the pack.

If you’re looking for a more in-depth explanation of how to find the proper pack size, check out this guide from REI which offers some great visual support for this process.

By taking the time to properly size a backpack and test it out with weight, you’ll already find that you’re more prepared than most other pilgrims starting this adventure.

High belt and shoulder strap adjustments

If you can choose between a pack with spaghetti thin straps or one with more robust supports, always go with the heavier ones. These may not feel super important on short hikes but as you start to carry a loaded pack for longer you’ll begin to feel every pound you’re towing.

Adjust the shoulder straps if they feel too high or too low and try a few different options out. In just a few hours you can dial in your systems instead of trying to figure this out once you’re already on the trail. This is why I recommend trying out your gear during the training phase so that you are ready to enjoy the trip once you’re out there.

Getting the weight off of my shoulders is probably the main reason I didn’t have any back or shoulder pain carrying 20+ pounds over 500 miles across Spain. I had several pilgrims ask me about my backpack and it was almost always because of the waist straps.

Importance of a well ventilated back panel

A properly ventilated pack will help you avoid excessive sweat and the issues that can come along with it. Keeping proper airflow between you and your pack can save you from many of the problems you’ll see other pilgrims dealing with.

Having a backpack that was designed with ventilation in mind can save you from myriad problems caused by excess moisture on long hikes. If comfort alone isn’t enough to convince you, I think sanitation should be.

It’s not an absolute necessity, but if you are already planning on buying a backpack specifically for this trip, consider spending just a little bit more money to do this hike in comfort.

Backpack features and accessories

Before you head to the comments section, I know these aren’t all necessities. It is entirely possible to hike this pilgrimage without them, though it’s certainlny a lot nicer to hike it with them.

With that said, the following things are accessories that I brought along with me that made my hike infinitely better.

Rain covers, waterproofing

Most backpacks will come with a built-in rain cover fitted specifically to them. Familiarize yourself with where it is on your pack, and develop a plan for how you’re going to dry it out when you’re not hiking.

I know many people who just tuck their rain covers away after hiking, but taking the time to dry it out will keep your backpack dryer and smelling fresh for significantly longer.

All quality packs aside from the ultralight options should have some sort of integrated cover or a waterproof outer lining. So if you have an ultralight pack, be sure to double-check before taking off. I was able to use a rain cover from a different pack over my Osprey bag.

As always, be sure to try these things out at home. It’s best to familiarize yourself with all of your gear features before you even set foot on an airplane.

External attachment points and pockets

Many bags will have external pockets to store accessories, though not all do. In recent years, I have been seeing more and more packs with minimal compartments. This allows you to choose your own pack organization, though for some people this may hurt more than it helps.

If you go this route, make sure to either have a very solid plan for organization, or some luggage cubes to help you keep things organized.

Internal pack organization and accessibility of important items is key. If you know you’ll need your ID or passport handy, make sure it’s not buried at the bottom of your pack. That said, you’ll want to plan out where your gear is best off, based on how often you’ll need it, how heavy it is as well as how important it is.

Many packs have straps to hold your trekking poles by your side. If you opt to hike the Camino with trekking poles (which I highly recommend), these are a lifesaver. It’s important to note that it’s a good idea to invest in a decent set of telescoping trekking poles so that you can quickly and easily stow them away.

A quality pair of trekking poles

I splashed out for some trekking nicer poles in Spain and then gifted them to a friend as I was leaving, and I do not regret it in the slightest. It’s important to note that you can not fly with trekking poles in most countries, unless you check a bag.

At any rate, if you plan to carry trekking poles with you and hope to store them on your pack, make sure you have a hook to keep them from flailing wildly.

Collapsible daypack

The final accessory I’ll mention is a small collapsible daypack. I kept one in my large pack and I could throw my essentials in there after a long day of hiking.

This is great because it allows you to walk around town without carrying your massive pack, and rest assured that you have your passport, camera or any other valuables that you wouldn’t want to leave unattended.

Essentially, you can just leave your pack at the albergue with your clothes and a few toiletries in it. This will give you peace of mind as you explore a new city or go out for dinner.

While not totally necessary, it’s a few extra ounces of weight that will give you peace of mind as you explore a small town after a long day of hiking. This extra spend is certainly worth it, in my opinion.

Popular backpack brands and replacement policies

If you plan to buy a new pack for the Camino, set a minimum budget for your backpack. I’ve fallen into the trap of buying an inexpensive backpack and replacing it just a year or so after the purchase.

As the old saying goes, “Buy nice or buy twice.” If you are constantly replacing cheap backpacks you could have taken that money to buy a quality pack that would have lasted longer in the first place.

As someone who used to work in retail, I can tell you the other main reason to buy from a reputable brand is that they stand by their products. If you have any issues with your gear, you can reach out to the producer for a fix, or they may even send you a new one.

I’ve sent in two Osprey backpacks and had them simply ship me a brand new one if it was beyond repair. Because of this I will continue buying their bags over and over which benefits them in the long run. Companies that stand by their products would rather have a happy customer than save a few dollars here or there.

With that in mind, here are a few reputable backpack brands that tend to stand by their products.

• Deuter – Promises to repair any Deuter pack, free of charge, regardless of when you got it.
• Gregory – Lifetime warranty on packs for original purchaser, so long as it is reasonable wear and tear.
• North Face – Has a repair facility and will repair most damaged items from normal wear and tear.
• Osprey– All Mighty Guarantee – Osprey will repair any damage or defect to an Osprey pack, free of charge. If they are unable to repair the pack, they will replace it for free. Note that you will have to pay to ship it to their repair facility.
• Outdoor Research – OR gear is guaranteed to perform throughout the lifetime of the product. For approved claims, they offer direct or comparable replacements.
• Patagonia – Encourages people to learn to fix their own gear, but will replace most products if necessary. They have something called the Ironclad Guarantee, which allows customers to either send products in for repairs or replacement.

Any of these brands make great packs that you can rest assured will not fall apart on the first or second use, and if they do fall apart, you can have them fixed or replaced. I would not hesitate to walk the Camino with a backpack from any one of these brands.

Conclusion

The Camino de Santiago is a unique adventure that requires a little forethought to make sure you don’t overpack. It’s also a trip that will greatly repay every ounce that you can shave off of your total pack weight. While this is generally true on any hiking trip, the distances people cover on the Camino as well as the amenities available along the way make this an ideal trip for packing light.

Whether you decide to buy a new pack or to use one that you have already, be sure that you have something that you can comfortably carry day in and day out for weeks on end.

It may seem silly to walk around your hometown with a fully loaded pack but knowing exactly how your body responds to the weight is invaluable information. A little bit of training ahead of time can really help you dial in your pack organization, strap adjustments as well as your fitness. Don’t just assume a base pack weight, but keep in mind that any water, food or extra items will start to add up very quickly.

When you’re sitting at an albergue listening to other pilgrims complain about the excessive weight they’re carrying, you can smile and know that you went through these growing pains back home.

You don’t need the fanciest gear to complete a Camino de Santiago. In fact, you will see people carrying all kinds of extra weight, instruments, fancy gadgets, with tiny packs or even without shoes on.

This advice is meant to give you some idea about how you might want to think about preparing to walk your own Camino. At the end of the day, it’s really about having strong resolve and an open mind.

If you have any other ideas or if you think I missed anything, let me know in the comments! I hope you found this helpful in preparing for your hike. ¡Buen Camino!