my Camino walking clothes

My Merino Wool Sun Hoodie for the Camino

Sun Hoodie

176g (6.3oz)

Icebreaker Merino Sphere Long Sleeve Lightweight Hoodie

This was (maybe) my favorite purchase for this trip. I still wear this for almost every outdoor activity I do. It looks like the actual exact shirt I bought is no longer sold from icebreaker (AHHH!). The main premise was a merino wool shirt with a partial wool, partial ‘cool-lite’ fabric that made it suitable for hot weather activities.

…​the blend allowed it to not be too warm even though it was long sleeved. I loved having the hood as I could protect my head and neck easily. If you can’t find a hooded one, you could pair a non-hooded one with a hat that has enough brim to cover your neck. I have tried to find a similar shirt to recommend that is currently available, so I’ve included everything I could find below. The ‘icebreaker’ one is their non-hooded version. This was my only ‘walking’ shirt, I wore it every day. I did not see a reason to have an additional shirt. I would just wait until I was at an Albergue pretty early in the afternoon, then I would wash the shirt and that would give it enough time to dry in the afternoon sun. A second shirt would just mean carrying a dirty shirt along in my bag! I did not see a reason for that.

Patagonia
Vroomi
Amazon
Smartwool

Running Shorts

125g (4.4oz)

Brookes Chaser 5’’ Short

I walked in these shorts every day. Near the end, in the mountains, in early October, I started the morning in my pants (which I initially brought only for post-walking). I only ever made it an hour before changing to my shorts.

…wear the pants. My conclusion is that I did not need anything warmer than these shorts to walk in. I am making this clear because I think often people bring ‘walking shorts’ and ‘walking pants’ and I don’t think you need both (I only brought one pair of shorts for walking and one pair of pants for not walking).  These particular shorts are great! They are super breathable, flexible, comfy, and they have pockets! Also, the waistband is really comfortable.

Amazon
Manufacturer
running shorts I wore on the Camino
Shoes I walked the Camino in

Hiking Shoes

697g (25oz)

Salomon X-Ultra

I went with a hiking focused trail running style shoe. I decided that with my light pack, a rugged full-sized hiking boot was not needed. That a lighter, more agile shoe would be better. One of the advantages is that when the shoe is lighter, each step is a little easier (you aren’t lifting excess ‘weight’ attached to your foot).

… water resistant). Breathable was important to me for blister-prevention. I was happy with these overall. They were worn out by the end of the walk, though. They gave me slight hot spots on my little toes, but never developed into blisters. I have since had to get new shoes (since these wore out) and have gone with something a little wider in the toe box.

Amazon
Manufacturer

Sunglasses

85g (3oz)

Tifosi Swank Polarized Sunglasses

Bring sunglasses. Preferably polarized ones. It’s a lot of hours outside. The ones I brought with me have since died, but I recently got these ones and LOVE them. They are very lightweight, reasonable cost, and (so far) decent quality. I think these are a good pick for the ‘middle-ground’ sunglasses person (I’ve graduated from dollar-store sunglasses but still can’t stomach buying high end ones).
Amazon
Manufacturer
sunglasses I brought with me on the Camino
Sun Hat I wore on the Camino

Sun Hat

68g (2.4oz)

Sunday Afternoons Sun Tripper or Adventure Hat

I brought a ‘cap style’ hat to pair with my sun hoodie. The sun hoodie could protect my neck, so I only needed a ‘cap’ for the visor portion to protect my face. I already owned this cap as well, hence my choice to bring it.

…​one online for reference. I have since bought the ‘Adventure Hat’ named above and I LOVE this hat. It is super nerdy, but so comfortable and functional! It has the soft back that drapes over your neck to protect your neck without interfering with your backpack. This hat would be especially useful if you don’t go with a hooded sun shirt. It also has sneaky ‘sunglasses lock’ pockets that your sunglass bands fit into so they don’t fall off your head when you forget they are up there. I like both of these hats very much; you will have to pick the one that suites you best. The only thing I don’t recommend is not bringing a hat…you really need a sun hat! Protect your head!

Cap Style
Adventure Hat
Manufacturer

Sports Bra

51g (1.8oz)

Patagonia Barely Bra

I’ve gone through literally dozens of sports bras throughout my various activities. I never had one that I really loved… they were always just ‘fine.’ Then came the Barely Bra! This bra is amazing. The shoulder straps don’t cause issues or irritation under backpack straps.

… the slight padding in the cups). I have since pulled the padding out entirely and just don’t even use it anymore. Depends on your comfort level. Regardless, LOVE this bra. I own two and they are basically the only ones I wear. Seriously though, if you’ve generally struggled with finding sports bras that rock – try this one! I kept my ‘walking bra’ and ‘not-walking’ bra separate (I brought two of the same bra and used one for walking and one while I was clean/showered after walking.

Manufacturer
Sports bra I brought on the Camino
underwear I brought on the Camino

Underwear

40g (1.4oz)

ExOfficio Give-n-Go Sport Mesh Bikini Brief

Underwear talk – awkward! Whatever, everyone wear’s them! Cotton underwear were not going to cut it on this trip. Too slow to dry, and too icky to hike in all day. I’ve had this style of ExOfficio mesh underwear for several years now and they have served me well.

…​be dry. Also, they don’t get as sweaty/icky when you are walking. I have since become a huge merino wool believer, so if I was shopping now and could tolerate the price, I’d pick some of those up. The smell-prevention quality of the wool is just incomparable.

ExOfficio
Merino Wool

Socks

28g (1oz)

Darn Tough Short Light Hiking Sock

Obviously, you need to bring socks (unless you hike barefoot or in sandals, in which case, you do you!). These were my primary pair of walking socks. They are thin and lightweight (no extra cushion). They dried very fast (I washed them every day that I wore them). I think this was really important for preventing blisters – clean socks every day!
Amazon
Manufacturer
Darn tough socks I brought on the Camino
Handkercief I brought on the Camino

Bandana

28g (1oz)

Bandana/Handkerchief

I could give or take this item. I mostly wore it as a headband. I’m honestly not sure why I originally brought it? Near the end, I ended up using it as a ‘wrap’ for my walking stick, where my hand went. Between my sun hoodie and my hat, I didn’t really need it for sun protection. I’m listing it here for full disclosure, but I don’t think this was a particularly ‘needed’ item.
Amazon

Gaiters

37g (1.3oz)

Trail Gaiter ‘Protective Shoe Covers’

I did not bring these. Since the Camino, I have gotten a pair of these and now I won’t go on the trail without them! Especially for the Camino, where there is a lot of gravel walking. I was peeling my socks and shoes off at every break and shaking them out/cleaning my feet off. These would have been SO NICE to have. Seriously.
Option #1
Option #2
trail gaiters

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