CLOTHING

You want to look good, keep comfortable and trust your clothing. Spending some time thinking about it and wearing it during your training hikes can made you a happier camper… pilgrim later.

Embrace Tech Clothing

What you wear on Camino is all up to you, but making wise choices can certainly help make it a more enjoyable time. Consider modern tech fabrics that are very light weight, very quick drying and wick sweat away from you so you feel cooler and are less prone to skin issues. Don’t fall for the hype of the big name brand tech gear. Very often the “house brand” versions sold by big box stores for a quarter of the price work just as well. No need to spend tons on your shirts, save that cash for a few extra snacks on the Camino.

Tech fabric underwear and outerwear are superbly easy to hand wash and can dry in just hours.

So what do you need?

Everyone on a Camino has different clothing needs. Most can make due with a couple pair of shorts, shirts, underwear and socks, wearing them in daily rotation. This plan has gotten hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people through a Camino just fine.

Spend some time thinking about what you are doing a Camino for. Will you need a nice set of spare clothes for socializing in the big cities? Do you need specific clothing for some sections you plan on running or biking? Do you have appropriate clothing for visiting churches and other places of solemn worship?(usually covering the shoulders and no bare knees is appreciated)

Take a look at our posted gear list and start from there. Add or subtract as you feel you need. If you forget anything you can most likely pick up something nice along the way.

Underwear

Tech underwear are your friends. Really. Try it out for a while before you start training. You may decide it is the perfect everyday underwear for you.

Guys, make sure your nifty new tech underwear has a functional fly. Some brands do not and it can be a very unwelcome surprise at the worst of times.

Do you feel a draft?

If you are hiking in cooler weather, merino wool base layers are your friend. Assuming you are not allergic to it obviously. Merino is ultra light weight, can be quickly washed and dried by hand of machine and can be significantly warm when worn under layers of clothing. Having extremely warm and light base layers may save you from from needing an expensive and heavy winter coat.

Your outerwear choices are terrifically varied. You may want to avoid down filled puffy coats as they can be a nightmare to dry if you get caught in a rainstorm. Synthetic fill coats can be quite warm and even keep you warm when soaking wet. Natural fibre coats such as wool, quilted cotton, etc can be warm but very heavy and even worse than down when wet and extremely heavy when dry.

Light and warm are your goals for outerwear so layering may be your friend. In the running community the rule of thumb is to dress for 10 degrees warmer than that actual temp. When you start your daily hike you may be a bit chilly to begin with but within a short period of time you are warmed up and sweating from your exertion. If your only outerwear is the puffy coat you are wearing, you have little options and may get quite cold after you take it off.

If instead of a heavy puffy coat you opt for a lighter jacket or pullover. A lighter pullover or jacket worn under your rain jacket or shell can be just as warm but infinitely more flexible than a heavy coat alone. Take a few hikes in your rain jacket with a light insulating garment under it on good cold days, preferably with some wind. You may be very surprised at just how warm a simple layered system can be.

Socks

Few things will inflame serious debate among the camino community like socks. Simple, non-complicated socks. Why? Because everyone has their own theories about how to handle this seemingly basic piece of gear. Your choice can be influenced by the shoes you wear, your past athletic experiences and personal preferences.

Unfortunately, many find their choice of socks wasn’t up to the task until they are well into their Camino. Following our guidelines about hiking in your full kit for many, many miles to shake out the problems can prevent that problem. See our training page for more details.

Many hikers and Camino folk have gone to a 2 sock system to avoid blisters. An ultra lightweight liner sock and then a heavier hiking sock can give you the friction resistance you need to avoid blisters. Merino wool liner socks made for the marathon running community are comfortable in all temperatures, are quick drying and are extremely resistant to bacteria that can lead to serious foot funk. Not fun in a crowded albergue…

Keeping your feet dry is also critical. Consider taking off your boots during lunch or any other breaks you may have during your day. Don’t worry, you wont be the only one.

Again, whatever you choose for your socks, be sure to get out there and test them out to be sure!