I hiked the Camino Primitivo immediately after my Italian Via Francigena pilgrimage in Spring 2025. In fact, I flew directly from Rome to Oviedo and began my fifth Camino route with almost all the same gear that I used in Italy.
There were a few minor changes between these two packing lists, though. My Via Francigena trek began in Lucca, Italy, and followed the route south 430 kilometers to Rome. As one would imagine, central Italy was warmer and drier than the late Spring weather I’d encounter in northern Spain. So before I could begin this journey, I had to make a quick stop at the Decathlon Store in Oviedo.
Scroll down to the end of this packing list to see: (1) my MVP gear items for the Camino Primitivo; (2) what new items I packed for this hike; and (3) what gear I lost on my journey.
(Note: I publish my packing list after each hike because I think there’s value in seeing what gear other hikers actually used, liked, or disliked on a particular thru-hike. NONE of the hyperlinks in this post are affiliate links. They are merely provided as a quick reference for the reader. Any item with an asterisk * is a new gear item for this trek).
HIKING ITEMS
- Backpack – Gossamer Gear G4-20 pack (42L/frameless pack)
- Rain protection– Sea to Summit Pack Cover (size: small)
- Hydration– 1L plastic bottle w/ sport cap
- First Aid Kit – Lamb’s world, some Compeed patches/bandaids, Tylenol, allergy medicine
- Hygiene – Kula Cloth, plus doggie poop bags and a small bit of TP
- Trekking pole* – Forclaz trekking pole (and rubber tip)
CLOTHING
- Hiking Shirt* – Jolly Gear Triple Crown button down
- Hiking Shorts – Patagonia baggies 5″ shorts
- Underwear – Jockey seamless bikini underwear (x4)
- Bras – Branwyn merino wool bralette (x2)
- Town Shirts – Icebreaker merino wool t-shirt & black tank top
- Hiking/Town Pants* – Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants
- Sleep Clothes – Icebreaker 150 short-sleeve base layer top & Patagonia wind pants
FOOTWEAR
- Hiking Socks – Smartwool running socks (x3)
- Shoes* – Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4 trail running shoes
- Town shoes – Crocs Swiftwater sandals
OUTERWEAR
- Fleece jacket* – Patagonia R1 Air full-zip fleece hoody
- Rain jacket – Patagonia Torrentshell 3L rain jacket
- Rain pains – REI Junction cycling rain pants
- Rain gloves* – Outdoor Research Helium rain mitts
- Gloves – Some generic knit gloves
- Hat – Headsweats Race hat
- Earband/Buff– Buff CoolNet UV+ multifunctional headband
- Sunglasses – Tifosi Swank running sunglass
ELECTRONICS
- Phone/camera – iPhone
- Earbuds – Apple Airpods
- Watch* – Garmin Forerunner 165 (with charging cable)
- E-reader/Entertainment – iPad Mini 4
- External battery – Slim 5000 mAh external battery
- Power adapter* – 220V plug with 2 USB ports, plus 4-in-1 braided charging cables
- Headlamp – Nitecore NU25 headlamp (360 lumens)
- Electronics Storage – Ziplock baggie
HYGIENE
- Toiletry Storage – Kavu toiletry bag
- Towel – Nomadix ultralight quick-dry towel (size: 54″ x30″)
- Shower items – Travel shampoo, soap, disposable razor
- Dental Care – Travel toothbrush/toothpaste + floss
- Vision – Disposable contact lenses & glasses
- Haircare – Comb, mini hair clip, leave-in conditioner
- Skin care/makeup– chapstick, sunscreen, mascara, deodorant
Albergue STUFF
- Sleep sack – Sea to Summit reactor sleeping bag liner
- Pillow case* – Therm-a-rest trekker pillow case
- Laundry – safety pins (x2), clothespins (x2), Laundry soap sheets*
- Massage ball – Rawology cork ball
- Eating – Plastic utensils
- Shopping Bags – reusable nylon bag + UL grocery bag
PERSONAL ITEMS
- Fanny pack – Cotopaxi 1.5 L Del Dia hipack
- Wallet – WEBO wallet
- Personal items – Passport/ID, ATM/Credit card, Euros
- Pilgrim items – Pilgrim credential for daily stamps along the Camino Primitivo
- Journal – Field Notes pocket-size (5.5″x 3.5″) notebook + pen
- Guides* – Wise Pilgrim & Gronze App
MVP ITEMS
Some pieces of gear are so helpful that you wonder how you ever made do without them. This was the case for two items on my Camino Primitivo list.
- Trekking pole. I left my Leki Cressida trekking poles back in the US because I was traveling with just carry-on luggage for my two European treks this spring. Going without poles was a perfectly fine compromise for my time on the Via Francigena. The Camino Primitivo was a different story. Galicia is a super-wet province, and I was hiking this route in early May, when the Primitivo was likely to be very wet and slick. So, I bought a single inexpensive trekking pole (and a rubber tip) from the Decathlon store in Oviedo. This pole came in super handy in the middle of my trip, when I encountered some really waterlogged, slick trails. And since I didn’t need another trekking pole at home, I donated it to an albergue a few days before Santiago, just in case another pilgrim needed it. Verdict: 👍👍
- Gloves. I barely wore my gloves during my three-week trek in Italy, but once I flew into northern Spain, the weather was noticeably colder. I wore them nearly every morning when I started walking. And there were several days when I wore gloves all day long to keep my fingers warm. I’m so glad I didn’t assume May would be too warm for this simple, lightweight item. Verdict: 👍👍
GEAR I DIDN’T PACK
To lighten the load on this my back-to-back European trek, I left several items at home, including:
- Puffy jacket. One item that I take on every backcountry hike is my Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer down puffy jacket. It’s lightweight, warm, and makes for a perfect pillow when I’m sleeping in my tent. However, I swapped it out for my Patagonia R1 Air full-zip fleece hoody for this adventure. This decision was largely driven by my desire for an in-town layer that I could wash, if needed.
- Gaiters. I’m a huge fan of running gaiters. You won’t find me on any backcountry trail without them. But after hiking the Camino Portugués without gaiters last spring, I decided this item just wasn’t necessary on the Camino. That assessment doesn’t mean I won’t ever pack them on a European trail. My Dirty Girl gaiters are still 100% on my packing list for my upcoming Tour du Mont Blanc trip in September 2025. But they’ll remain home on less rugged European walks.
- Ibuprofen. Ibruprofen is a great over-the-counter medication for pain or inflammation, and it has been a mainstay item in my first aid kit for 20+ years. However, one of the key lifestyle changes I needed to make after donating my left kidney six months ago was to abstain from ibuprofen for the rest of my life. That also meant it was time to overhaul my first aid kit and swap this pain medicine out for the more “kidney-friendly” acetaminophen (Tylenol) or paracetamol (Panadol).
- Trekking poles. I flew on Ryanair between the Via Francigena and Camino Primitivo, and needed to avoid paying extra for a checked bag. So my regular Leki trekking poles stayed home. However, since I knew this Camino route was known as one of the steeper and muddier Caminos, I purchased one inexpensive trekking pole (and a rubber tip) from the Decathlon store in Oviedo before starting this hike.
- Swiss Army Knife. I love my mini Swiss Army knife. It’s the perfect size and has a small 1-inch blade, nail file, and scissors. However, like my trekking poles, I had to cut it from my packing list so I could avoid having any checked luggage. C’est la vie.
NEW HIKING GEAR FOR THIS TRAIL
- Shoes. The Camino Primitivo isn’t a backcountry trail. It’s a mix of dirt paths, cobblestone lanes, sidewalks, and asphalt roads. As a result, I wanted to try a more cushioned shoe, such as the Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4 trail running shoe. This durable trail shoe features a Vibram sole, a wide toe box (similar to my beloved Altra Lone Peak shoes), and significantly more cushioning than the typical trail runner. I loved the extra cushion these shoes provided. However, I did have one BIG issue. The inside collar of both shoes split open after only 100 miles, and I had to repair the fraying fabric with dental floss. Additionally, my heels wore giant holes on the inside of the shoes. Both of these problems could have been unique to my gait or fit. Were these good-quality trail shoes? 100% Yes. However, I don’t experience these issues with my Lone Peaks, so perhaps Altras are a better fit for me and my long-distance hiking needs. Verdict: 👎
- Hiking shirt. This past Christmas, my husband bought me the Triple Crown button down hiking shirt from Jolly Gear. This sunshirt resembles a typical long-sleeved, collared shirt, but with some hiker-friendly features. The fabric is a lightweight, wicking polyester/nylon blend with a UPF 30 rating. There’s a sun hood that tucks away when you want to look less like a hiker and more like a tourist. I especially LOVED the zipper pockets on the chest, which allowed me to carry my wallet on my body at all times instead of digging it out of my pack whenever I stopped for coffee or a bite to eat. This shirt was warm enough for my cooler mornings, and it dried super quickly on my sweatier days. My only complaint is that it retains odor (like all technical fabrics), so it needs to be washed frequently. Verdict: 👍
- Hiking/Town Pants. I have a love-hate relationship with hiking pants. I don’t like how most hiking pants fit or move with my body, but I wanted something nicer than my typical Nike running tights to wear in town each day. My compromise was the Ferrosi Pants by Outdoor Research. They were lightweight, quick-drying, technical hiking pants that fit me like a dream. The pockets are perfectly sized, and there weren’t any extra annoying zippers (because I loathe convertible zip-off pants). In the end, I never actually wore them while hiking. They were the perfect pick for this adventure. Verdict: 👍
- Braided 4-in-1 cable. One modern-day challenge with communal, dorm-style lodging is the limited number of power outlets for pilgrims to recharge their electronic devices. To avoid monopolizing any shared outlets, I’ve always traveled with a 220V-USB charger with multiple USB ports. However, I discovered an even better solution this winter: a 4-in-1 braided charging cable. This cable has a single USB port on one end spliced into four cables (two USB-C, one Lightning, and one USB-micro) on the opposite end. Such a simple solution to the charging conundrum, and each cable is color-coded! Talk about genius! Verdict: 👍
- Airalo eSIM. Before 2024, I never traveled with a local SIM card in my phone. I looked forward to unplugging from the world while I walked. The free wifi in European bars, hostels, and albergues was always plentiful enough to meet my Camino needs. However, it’s become less feasible to rely solely on Wi-Fi. More navigation tools require an online connection, and there’s a growing need to make reservations to ensure lodging is available each night. I was able to use the same Arialo eSIM on my Via Francigena and Camino Primitivo treks, because I purchased a plan that was good for all of Europe instead of a single country. This made life was so much easier! Verdict: 👍
- Garmin GPS watch. I generally believe simpler is better. That’s why the Timex Ironman transit watch is my default watch for long-distance hikes. It’s dependable and durable, and runs on a battery that never needs recharging. However, neither the Via Francigena nor the Camino Primitivo was a typical backcountry trek. I planned to spend the night indoors every night and would have access to power outlets. So, I threw caution to the wind and swapped out my simple hiking watch for my Garmin Forerunner 165 GPS watch. The biggest benefit of wearing this watch was my ability to monitor and record my distances daily. I know it’s a nerdy reason, but I am 100% a nerd. Verdict: 👍
- Laundry detergent. Another new item I carried on this pilgrimage was laundry detergent sheets. I typically wash my laundry by hand each night and supplement it with a trip to the laundromat every 4 or 5 days. Most Spanish laundromats include detergent with each wash, while other laundromats (and hostels) require you to bring your own laundry soap. Rather than worry about buying soap, I packed a few Arm & Hammer laundry detergent soap sheets in a ziplock baggie. These sheets were lightweight, and my laundry loads were small enough that I only needed a half sheet for each wash. Verdict: 👍
- Navigation. I’ve used a variety of navigation aids on my prior four Caminos. But the one I’ve been using the longest is the Wise Pilgrim app. Their digital guides cost just a few dollars, and they work well offline when you don’t have cell service. I’ve found them to be an excellent resource for locating local grocery stores, albergues, and calculating distances between towns. This year, I also added the Gronze app to my line-up. I didn’t like Gronze nearly as much as Wise Pilgrim because it got a little glitchy whenever I was offline. However, it did show more albergues, so it was a useful addition to my navigation tool kit on this Camino. Verdict: 👍
Gear I lost or damaged on the Camino
- Conditioner. When I’m on a long trek like the Camino Primitivo, I pack a small “shower kit” consisting of a towel, a super small bar of soap, and travel-size bottles of shampoo and conditioner. I prefer to use a leave-in conditioner, decanting it from my full-size bottle into a small travel bottle before leaving home. So I was super bummed to discover I’d accidentally left my conditioner behind in my hotel bathroom in Oviedo. This isn’t the type of thing you can replace in a small town in rural Spain. And I wasn’t about to carry a full-size bottle of conditioner. So my hair was a bit on the dry side on this trek.
- Mini hair clip. In a bit of bad luck, I also broke my sole hair clip when I dropped it on the bathroom floor one morning. The clip hit the tile and broke in two pieces, leaving me without a way to keep my hair out of my eyes for the next three days. And since I have short hair, the only type that I could use was a mini hair clip. Luckily, I was able to find a replacement at the Hiper Oriental store in Arzúa. These Asian novelty stores in Spain carry just about everything a pilgrim could ever need.
- Fleece Jacket. This item wasn’t lost. A rogue dryer irreparably damaged it. I packed my Patagonia fleece jacket instead of my puffy coat because I wanted to be able to wash my outer layer if it got too smelly during my two pilgrimages in Italy and Spain. This worked out great on the Via Francigena, where the laundromat dryers had a low heat setting. However, when I washed my jacket in Spain and popped it into the dryer on low, the heat setting was like lava. The dryer’s heat shrank my jacket, and the long sleeves were so tight they felt a size too small. I continued to wear it through the end of my hike, hoping the material would relax, but the damage was done. When I got home, my fleece went into the donation pile for someone else to enjoy.
OnE ITEM I Should have left home
- Pillowcase. One backpacking item I absolutely should have left at home was my Therm-a-rest stuffable pillowcase. I love this item in the backcountry. You simply shove your puffy coat inside it, and you have the perfect backcountry pillow. But I don’t know why I thought I needed it on this European trek. First off, I had a bed and a real pillow every night. Secondly, I didn’t bring my puffy coat on this adventure. Thus, it was 2.3 ounces of dead weight. I’m blaming my decision to pack this item on brain fog. Verdict: 👎
Advice for fellow Pilgrims
In the end, I was pretty happy with my Camino packing list. Everything I packed worked well for this trek and for my three weeks walking along central Italy’s Via Francigena.
My advice to future pilgrims is this. If you’re on the fence about packing a “just in case” item, I’d recommend leaving it at home. The Camino Primitivo passes through a few bigger towns where you can purchase extra gear, if needed. Be thoughtful about what you pack, because extra weight on your back means less comfort while walking. One thing I’ve learned over five Caminos is that you need fewer things than you’d think.
If you’d like to see how this packing list measures up to some of my other European hikes, check out the following links:
- My Camino Portugués Packing List
- My West Highland Way Packing List
- My Camino del Norte Packing List
- My Via Francigena Packing List
- My Tour du Mont Blanc Packing List
If you’re curious to see how the Via Francigena compares to the Camino de Santiago, follow the link below to my post on the 11 key differences between these two European pilgrimage routes. To read more about my day-to-day experiences on Camino Primitivo, follow the link to my trail journal for my 12-day walk from Oviedo to Santiago.
