Although a lot of snacks aren't a necessity, I would definitely recommend carrying some emergency food. Last year on the Norte there were two separate days when all the shops and bars were closed when I passed by them and I went 24hrs without a meal. This year, on the VdlP I had to go 48hrs without any food, except for my rations on the two days before Salamanca because none of the villages I stayed at could take cards and I only had enough cash for my accommodation. The guide book I had for the VdlP was not very useful but neither was the Buen Camino App. That didn't cover any of the right hand option before Salamanca. Incidentally, on my 2nd night, I had to sleep outside because the previous village was full and I ran out of energy before I could make the next village. I'd walked 55kms, without any meals but I did have my rations and I had to charge my phone, using my power bank, but that was an unusual occurrence. I love your videos and used your suggestion for putting my rucksack in an IKEA bag for the flight to Spain. In fact, I slept on that bag when I slept outside.

I like having a guide book for the maps and I write the names of the people I met each night on the pages. It helps me remember them.

Hi Nadine, thanks for another excellent video. My daughter and I just walked the Frances (1st time Camino-ers), and I have some thoughts on this subject. 1. I definitely agree about the guide book - we did not bring ours and used apps instead. Save the weight! 2. I also agree about the power bank. However as you pointed out, people who have an older phone with a battery that is not as big or does not hold a charge should bring one. Also people who use just their phone for everything - all their photos, videos, planning, etc should bring one. I have a newer phone and also use a GoPro for videos, so I really didn't need one. That said, I brought one anyway. 😄 3. Food. I definitely agree that people shouldn't worry about bringing food from their home country/city/town. However a couple times we stayed in very small towns where there was no where to buy a meal. After that we always each carried a couple fruits (apples and/or bananas) and had some other snacks as well (e.g. cookies, chips). 4. Toiletries. I agree ... with a couple caveats. I have short hair, and a shampoo bar was sufficient for me. My daughter however has long, curly hair, and quickly found that a shampoo bar did not work for her. She ended up buying bottles of shampoo and conditioner that were admittedly heavy, but made her life more pleasant. In terms of deodorants, I much prefer the deodorants I can buy in Canada or the US over the ones I have found in Spain (and Europe). Next time I would bring a large deodorant from home (maybe two if I'm gone a long time). Another thing I discovered is that drugs like ibuprofen, acetaminophen and especially allergy pills, while not hard to purchase at pharmacies in Spain, are way cheaper to buy in Canada. I have terrible allergies and next time I would bring more pills from home. When we first set out I had a small, travel sized toothpaste. However I was only ever able to find full size toothpaste tubes in Spain. Next time I might just start with a full sized one. And finally - I learned the hard way to ALWAYS carry plenty of good sunscreen. I found the sunscreen products available in Spain were great - I like the spray on kind personally. Lots more I could say on the topic, but I've rambled on too long. Maybe I should make a video! 😄Thanks again!

I don’t carry a power adapter as I brought a EU plug with a usb outlet. Smaller and much lighter. I got one with two outlets as wall sockets can be rare in some places and it’s nice to share.

My to go are: anti-friction cream for feet and oxeego socks( never had a blister along my entire camino despite the wet feet for constant rain), powerbank, buff and hat and laundry detergent in sheets. I use the phone notes as journal, I don’t carry any book ( I use the kindle app on my phone), switched to a water resevoir instead of my Nalgene bottle and downsized my backpack from a 40 liters to a 32 liters, also I now have non goretex shoes as they dry much faster if it rains.

Many guide books are available in Kindle editions including the cicerone 'Camino de Santiago'. So no extra weight; I find them more convenient 🐭

As an older backpacker guy out here on the best coast I love your subliminal message on your shirt as 30 plus years ago the girls were huge and I'm still a big fan. Hike on. PismoRichy

I've never used sunscreen. I wear a broad brimmed cotton hat. 😊

Pack needle, thread & betadine for blisters, plus plasters, gauze. Just pierce blister with needle & pass through blister to remove the liquid. The thread is covered in betadine and passes through the blister, disinfecting. The skin stays intact. Apply plaster.

Thank you so much. Your videos are very helpful.

Really nice video style! Thanks for the great tips (toiletries…. I’m listening! :) First Camino Frances in 12 days! Woo hoo!!

Really like Nadinea videos, I find them very useful, and I like her upbeat and friendly way of presenting them. It feels very generous to 9feer these for people, especially like myself who haven't done much pilgrimage walking before, though I walked for two weeks on the Frances a few years ago. This is very much in the spirit of the Camino, which is basically kindness. Thankyou Nadine. 🌿🙏

Good advice, Nadine, which mirrors my experience as well. As a photographer I used to carry a camera too, which necessitated a spare battery and charger. That took up space and added weight. Every gram counts!! Since I forced myself to explore the camera in my iPhone in depth (model 7, so somewhat vintage by iPhone standards), I've found that I actually greatly enjoy using it and it's completely adequate! That power-bank though, is absolutely necessary.

Great tips!! My friend is on the Primetivo now and found he bought too much. It’s his second time doing the Camino also. It’s important to reevaluate your packing list every time. Thanks for your videos!

Hi! I’m doing my first Camino Frances in a few days. These videos have been great for my preparation.

Really really thank you for your videos! I have been following your channel for a few months now, and it's been invaluable to prepare for my first Camino 😊 I have decided to bring some snacks with me, but mainly because I don't want to travel with a lot of cash on me, and I worry about cafes on the way not accepting card payments: I don't want to use the cash that I regard as "emergency money" to buy snacks...🤔 This might not make any sense, but hopefully this won't be my only Camino, and I will learn from this experience for future ones 😊

many thanks, Nadine for all of your videos! this one especially so...apologies for not keeping up with all of your walks lately, as life happens...looking forward to catching up with you...many blessings, and, of course, buen camino!

Great advice and recommendations--I am going to be using a 55L mountaineering pack (I have four and I don't want to have to buy a brand-new smaller pack) but I don't want to fill it up with unnecessary items and fears!

I suppose every Camino is different but on the Portuguese, which we just finished last week, you can buy food everywhere so bringing stuff from home to carry is bringing your fears. With double socks and a bit of NOK cream there were no blisters. Also helps to have the correct shoes, both size - larger than normal to account for swelling and shape - a roomy toe box and space to not bang your toes when going down hill.

All my long distance hiking has been done on the big trails in the US and I've gotten down to an ultra light weight but I do carry sunblock for my lips and usually an extra one another pair of cheap reading glasses and if I want to bring shampoo I go to REI and get the small refillable bottles lueko tape is a must It can do so many things in the backcountry although it sounds like these trails aren't really like that I also never go on any trail without my sungloves sun glasses hat no way.. I would have a tough time giving up my tent and it only weighs 13 oz but it sounds like you can't really camp on these trails anyhow I would also probably bring coffee and element to mix in my water... Oh and a bandana those things come in handy!

I would bring blister aids. Moleskin or something. Good socks. Inserts for the shoes. Everything in Spain is not very expensive. I have 100 miles to go. Talk about registration and going to the Camino office in Santiago before seeing the Church. Good video.

Hi Nadine, love your style on videos! Walking frances in 8/23/2023, I have new pair of boots (ankle, stability) and wonder if they last all the way to the coast. I do have Teva for casual when I reach next stop. I don't wear these normally so hiking with them would be risky. Do I pack my fear and put brooks sneakers in bag? Be well

I had a lot of trouble to let go of my paper Guidebooks. Some do a great job at providing information on buildings, churches, rivers, people and history of places. Internet does provide great information but sometimes in the moment it can be a trouble to find info. Choices... :) And: don't skimp on the sunscreen!

Nice video . I'm so reluctant not to bring a power bank but I desperately need to cut down something in my bag so might go for that! I don't want to be on my phone much anyways so that could be good motivation to stay off!

Thanks!

We were planning to do the Camino when Covid took ever. We’re older now. I would like to try next year but I’m not sure I’m up to it.

I think ditching the guidebooks is great advice, it seems like apps have replaced their use although the older pilgrim might still actually pull out the folding map 🗺….ah the days of old:)

Is that an indigo girls tshirt wow another reason to like you and your videos

powerbank is useful because its so cheap, you can leave it unsupervisioned the charger. nobody would steal it. Later on you load your expansive gear with the charged powerbank right in your backpack.

What size backpack did you use

Thank you for the video. Unrelated but relevant question; how do you deal with jetlag? I've seen some of your previous videos and it always seems like you just arrive and the next day you're all chipper and ready to go walking :) I live in the same time zone for most camino's, but will actually visit the US before starting my very first camino. I'm usually pretty drowsy for a couple of days after I get back from the US and am now wondering if I should just go to St Jean pied de port, once I get back to Amsterdam, or wait a week until I'm used to the time zone again.

You recommend not to bring snacks, what is a type 1 diabetic suppose to do?

Also. Flights to London are inexpensive.

What app do you recommend

I broke some of these rules and I don’t necessarily feel I would do it any differently when I go again. I don’t carry the expanded guide book, usually the smaller version with the map. I feel it is easier to turn the page in the book vs having to use the back and forward buttons on some of the apps. I like to have a little food with me. I packed some instant oatmeal, either 4 or 6 packages and 3 packages of PB filled crackers. I think I came back with 2 oatmeals. It was just nice to have the food. My battery packs are also have warmers. I did end up using them as battery backups a couple of times (especially when I did the Del Norte, because of some longer legs.) I did only take one on the Portuguese vs the 2 or 3 battery packs I had on the Norte. I did cut down on the stuff I took on my recent Camino. I had the experience from my first Camino to let me feel confident that I didn’t need to take all that I did the 1st time, main extra clothing, and half the blister repair stuff (didn’t need at all the first time but did use this last time.)

seriously? women are concerned about their makeup on a camino???? bwahaha. no....i just have to laugh. great video.

Apps and Phones fail, books don't!!!!