Men's Camino Packing List
Pack tight, pack light, and don't forget the anti-chafe balm. Target base weight: 6–7 kg.
Footwear
- Trail runners or low boots (sized ½ up)
- Camp sandals (Tevas / Bedrock)
- 5 pairs merino socks (Darn Tough / Smartwool)
- 2 pairs liner socks (optional)
Clothing
- 3 merino or synthetic tees
- 1 long-sleeve sun shirt
- 2 hiking shorts or convertibles
- 1 hiking pants
- 1 down or synthetic puffy
- 1 rain shell (Gore-Tex)
- 5 boxer briefs (merino preferred)
- Sleep set: lightweight pants + tee
- Buff or beanie
- Sun cap
Pack
- 38–48L backpack (Osprey Exos, Gregory Focal)
- Pack rain cover
- 2× 1L water bottles or 2L bladder
- Compression dry sacks
Sleep
- Silk sleeping bag liner
- Lightweight sleeping bag or quilt (rated 10°C, 3-season)
- Earplugs + eye mask
Hygiene
- Quick-dry microfiber towel
- Bar soap (Dr Bronner's)
- Toothbrush + paste
- Razor + 2 spare cartridges
- Deodorant stick
- Nail clippers
- Beard trimming scissors (if applicable)
Health
- Blister kit (Compeed, leukotape, lambswool)
- Ibuprofen + paracetamol
- Personal meds
- Sunscreen stick (SPF 50)
- Lip balm SPF
- Anti-chafe balm (Body Glide, Squirrel's Nut Butter — non-negotiable)
Electronics
- Phone + EU adapter
- 10,000 mAh power bank
- Headlamp
- Short charging cable
- Headphones (optional)
Documents
- Passport + 2 photocopies
- Credencial (pilgrim passport)
- Travel insurance card
- Debit + credit card
- €100 cash
Three things men consistently forget
- Anti-chafe balm. Thighs and nipples. Day three, you'll understand.
- Merino boxer briefs. Two pairs of cotton underwear will ruin your trip. Spend the money.
- A second pair of camp shoes. Your feet need to breathe at the end of the day. Tevas or flip-flops, not sneakers.
Men's Camino packing FAQ
What should a man pack for the Camino de Santiago?+
A 35 to 40 L pack, three quick-dry shirts, two pairs of hiking shorts or zip-off pants, three pairs of merino boxer briefs, three pairs of merino socks, a fleece, a rain shell, trail runners plus camp sandals, a sleeping liner, anti-chafe balm and a blister kit. Aim for a 6 to 7 kg base weight.
How much should a man's Camino backpack weigh?+
Keep total loaded weight at or under 10 percent of your body weight, so about 8 kg for an 80 kg pilgrim. Men routinely overpack electronics, a second pair of shoes and full-size toiletries.
How do I prevent chafing on the Camino?+
Wear merino or synthetic boxer briefs, never cotton, and apply anti-chafe balm to thighs and nipples before you start walking rather than after the irritation begins. Rinse and dry your kit every evening.
Boots or trail runners for men on the Camino?+
Most men now walk in cushioned trail runners half a size up, which dry faster and cause fewer blisters. Choose light waterproof boots only if you have weak ankles or are walking the Norte or Primitivo in winter.
How many days of clothes do men need on the Camino?+
Three sets: one worn, one washed and drying, one clean. Hand-wash each afternoon and hang by 15:00 so everything dries before the evening.
The Camino Packing List Team
Pilgrim-tested editors
We've walked the Camino Francés, Portugués, Norte and Primitivo. Every product on this site is field-tested or vetted against pilgrim feedback before it makes our list.