Bayou City Press | Hiking Gear

Choosing the right backpack is another very important decision. I know I have a tendency to carry too much, so I purposefully bought a daypack on the small size to limit what I could carry each day. (We used a service to move everything but our daypacks forward each day to our next lodging.) I recommend the daypack I used, which included a hydration insert. Having enough water along some fairly desolate stretches of the Camino is super important. Check out Chapter 7 of my book for other considerations to keep in mind when choosing a daypack. [Osprey Daylite Daypack]

Boots are probably the most important piece of gear you will take with you on the Camino. Spend your money here to get the best boots you can afford. I wrote about the importance of selecting the right gear, and especially the right boots, in Chapter 7 of my book. I bought Keen boots for myself, and they served me well, saving me from many blisters, stubbed toes, and other foot problems. In the evening, after finishing your walking, you can give your feet a rest and switch to sandals or other lightweight footwear, but even in towns you will have to contend with cobblestones and other difficult walking surfaces. [KEEN Men’s Targhee II Hiking Shoe]

I did everything I could to protect my feet, and you should too. Heavy, wool socks; silk liners; and, most importantly, shoe inserts will help keep your feet healthy on those long days of walking. I used these shoe inserts, and I recommend them. [Superfeet Professional-Grade Orthotic Insert for Medium Thickness and Arch Insole]

My son James carried this small, light weight flashlight on the Camino, and he highly recommends it. Many times in the evening, there is no street lighting in villages and small towns, which makes getting to your chosen restaurant an adventure. A flashlight helps! [Olight S1R II 1000 Lumen Rechargeable EDC Pocket Flashlight]

This smaller pack can be attached to the larger pack above and is useful for storing the items you will need to access more frequently—maps, sunglasses, etc. My son carried this small backpack. [RUSH12 Tactical Military Backpack, Small]

I preferred to carry a smallish daypack, but my son carried both quite a large backpack and also a small daypack. This is the backpack he carried, which he recommends. [RUSH72 Tactical Backpack, Large]

This strap system expands carrying capacity by connecting one pack to another pack via MOLLE webbing. The system can be used with other packs that have MOLLE webbing, James took this with him on the Camino. [Tactical Rush Tier Strap System]

James used a pair of boots similar to these. While the actual model he wore are no longer available, these boots are similar to those he had. He recommends them! [Lowa Men’s Zephyr GTX Mid TF Hiking Boot]

Next to the right pair of boots, choosing good walking poles are the gear you will most need along the Camino. Don’t think you can get by without them; you can’t! See Chapter 7 of my book for an example or two of folks who came to grief due to thinking they could get away with not using walking poles. The pair I bought were telescoping, which allowed me to pack them in my bag for the airplane and to strap them easily and comfortably to my backpack when I didn’t need them. The pair here are similar to the ones I took with me. (The ones I used are no longer available.) [Cascade Mountain Tech Trekking Poles]