The Dreadful Packing List, made easier

First rule of thumb:

Don’t carry anything you can’t part with. Secondly, especially for women, don’t pack more than 10% of your body weight. Our natural tendency as pack-rat humans is to pack anything and everything that we may or may not need, but this time, you’re carrying all of that crap on your back!!! So less is more. Finally: No cotton. It’s heavy when wet, chafes your skin, and takes forever to dry! Also, try Walmart and TJ Maxx before sports and outdoors stores, as you’ll find yourself saving a ton of money. Make sure you try it in the store before ordering anything online, unless it’s REI---to be explained later.

Note: My list is slightly more helpful to Americans, as we have to prepare prior to arriving in Europe----and we, in many cases, have to purchase brands available to us, and I can also provide some key chain stores to access. I’ve also provided a little extra packing advice for women.

The Top 3 Big Guys-----Backpack, Sleeping Bag, and Footwear

Backpack: Try to buy an ultra-light weight with a suspended mesh back that has a sprung steel frame to keep the pack off your back---this allows your back to breathe so you don’t overheat and sweat your brains out. 

Women: I suggest a Gregory Jade 35 (35L) pack (about 1.8 lbs) made especially for women. This may not seem important, but we have boobs, an hour-glass figure, and a smaller neck----so I HIGHLY suggest asking your “educated” sports store attendant about Women’s packs with a proper fitting---and don’t buy anything off of the internet before trying it on, weighted, in the store first. 

Men: Any similar pack 40-50L, depending on your size and weight.

Sleeping Bag: Some prefer to just pack a sleeping bag liner, though I’m walking in the Fall / Autumn and need a bit more warmth, without the weight. One word: LAFUMA. http://www.lafumagear.com/

Never heard of this brand? Neither did ..until I did extensive research on comfort, weight, and function. I suggest the Warm N’ Light 600g Down 40 degree mummy bag. It literally rolls up into a small cyclindrical ball about 8” long and 5” wide. Perfect!!! You don’t really need to try it out in a store, but since I was there, the sales clerk let me unroll it on the floor and roll around inside it with my shoes off like a disoriented caterpillar in front of wryly giddy fellow New Yorkers at (thank you) Paragon Sports (http://www.paragonsports.com/).

Hiking Boots/ Shoes: Some prefer boots, for more ankle protection and some prefer hiking shoes for less weight and fewer blisters (less surface area to create blisters on your bending ankle area). I chose Columbia hiking shoes, about the same weight as heavier running shoes. As a woman, boots can get heavy! But, it’s your choice—you’re going to be living in them for a month, rain or shine. Gortex is nice and waterproofing is key.

The Rest of the Essentials, nothing more

* Wax Earplugs: needed for the snorers in the refugios. You need sleep to walk!

* Ziplock bags and a trash bag to protect your things from rain or spillage 

* Swiss Army Knife: Victorinox is quality and cheap, credit card style is lightest---w/ scissors, knife, tweezers, tooth pick, red LED light, ocular, and ruler---at Target

* 2 pairs of underwear: anything around 90% nylon and 10% lycra, as is comfy and dries in about an hour (TJ Maxx or sports store)

* 2 pairs of socks: your choice, try light-weight wicking plus extra liners by Wigwam or Under Armour brand (at Sports Authority or Dick’s Sporting Goods)

* 1 pair of convertible hiking pants: nylon, usually North Face, REI, or Columbia—in my preferential order of fit and function.

* 1 sleeveless nylon wicking t-shirt

* 1 hiking shirt: breathable and nylon 

* Walking poles: can be bought at Walmart, but lighter ones are in specialty outdoors shops

* Hat: must have, wide-brimmed, ventilated, Nylon suggested as waterproof, and with drawstrings to cinch to your head, in case of wind

* Sunglasses and silky carrying bag (protecting your protection!)

* Bandana: can be used for many things, and now they sell a soft, UV protection breathable headwear that can be used as a scarf, headband, ponytail holder, skull-cap, etc. Wicking, as well. Try Buff brand, www.buff.eu , sold at American specialty sports stores.

* 2 Water bottles: Platypus water-bags, weighs nothing (http://www.sunnysports.com/prod/PPSR.html?ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=PPSR1)

* Camelback hydration system for your backpack (Walmart or sports store)

* (2) SPF 15 lip balm

* Sunscreen

* Plastic spork (Walmart)

* Collapsable drinking cup (Target)

* Travel tooth brush, travel tooth paste, dental floss---you can buy more on the Camino

* Camping soap, detergent, and shampoo petals (camping store)

* Nylon cord: for wrapping, tying, or binding anything

* Safety pins: for pinning wet items on your backpack to dry

* Sports towel: quick-dry from outdoor store, Dick’s Sports, light-weight

* Small head-lamp and lighted keychain, light is your friend! (Walmart)

* Mini-Kleenex travel pack (any store)

* Needle and thread

* Nail clippers

First Aid: Moleskin, waterproof blister bandaids, medical tape, tums, Imodium pill, aspirin, encapsulated electrolytes (Hammer brand), antiseptic wipes, and worse comes to worst----PM Tylenol, to knock you out and guarantee a good night’s sleep.

Extras that Help Loads

* Rain poncho, and it will rain

* Wind-proof, waterproof, breathable jacket/ shell

* (Optional) Waterproof thin pants

* (1) Tight, nylon, wicking long-sleeved shirt for those cold moments that you’d rather be in a coma than shivering, rigid, and a popsicle (Under Armour at Sports Authority)

* (1) Pair of nylon running pants----tight to keep the warmth in, dries quickly and prevents chafing

* (1) Warm-weather light long-sleeve nylon shirt

* Hooded, thin, micro-fleece jacket (North Face does this best---Sports Authority)

* Compact digital camera that takes AA batteries, so no charger, but use LITHIUM batteries to increase battery life by 300% (suggestion: Canon A480, about $100)

* Cellphone----only if you REALLY need it, but if not, NOOO. Buy a calling card.

* Ipod----only for use during down time, nobody uses it while walking, as it takes away from the experience and isolates you from fellow travelers

* Light-weight power bars, or snack bars for quick breakfasts (suggestions: Wings of Nature trail bars, http://www.freshharvestproducts.com/products_snacks.htm) 

* PASSPORT

* Camino Guide Book

* Moneybelt---for exploring the city after dropping your pack at the refugio

* Camp Shoes: Light-weight and comfy, (Crocs or generic Crocs at Walmart)

* Journal: Small, withplastic spirals to decrease weight (Farm Fresh or any store)

* 2 small pens

For Women
* 1 pair of cotton undies to alternate----avoids moisture and yeast infections
* 1-2 antibiotic pills in case of the horrific Urinary Tract Infection
* Tampons without applicators, in a Ziploc bag
* A sports bra or two, nylon
* An ultra-thin “pashmina” for use when wearing a tank top or sports bra, to protect from chafing around the neck area from the backpack. Can be used in other creative capacities! (Walmart, TJ Maxx, Marshalls)

Special Thanks to www.rei.com, as they have such an extensive online range of Camino-friendly gear, helpful and knowledgeable customer service reps, and an unlimited, timeless return policy. They even pre-print a sticker with their return address on it for you to stick and mail. Just say YES to REI!!!!