How I Pack Minimal for a Summer Camino

Walking the Camino during the summer is a beautiful paradox. The days are long, the light is golden, and life becomes wonderfully simple. Yet the heat can be relentless, and every unnecessary gram in your bag feels heavier with each kilometre. Over the years, I’ve refined my packing list to the absolute essentials. I aim for a minimal kit with maximum freedom. Here’s exactly how I pack for a summer Camino and why.

In the summer, I use the Vaude Trail Spacer 18, which is only 18 litres with external pockets, adding two more litres of space. That’s it. No 35-litre, “just in case” bag, no dangling extras. A small pack forces clarity. If it doesn’t fit, it doesn’t come. What I love about this pack is that it’s extremely lightweight (550 g/19 ounces), it’s a close-to-body fit, allowing you to walk or run, it has a breathable back system, and it has just enough room for summer essentials. The smaller the bag, the less you carry. The less you carry, the more you enjoy the Camino.

All my clothes are lightweight technical fabrics: durable, breathable, sweat-wicking, and fast-drying. I wear a lightweight technical T-shirt, zip-off trousers, underwear and merino socks. In the summer, laundry dries quickly, so I only carry what I need for rotation. I pack only two spare T-shirts, two sets of underwear, three sets of spare socks (I take an extra so I can change socks in the middle of the day to avoid blisters), a lightweight hoodie, a lightweight rain jacket, a white baseball cap, a white long-sleeve shirt for sun protection, swim trousers, and a swim cap. That’s it. Everything goes into a small compression bag to reduce bulk and keep them dry. It’s not about cramming more in; it’s about keeping things compact and organised.

Instead of a sleeping bag, I carry a liner. In the summer, that’s more than enough for most albergues. The advantages are that it’s lightweight, breathable, easy to wash and quick to dry. It eliminates the need for a bulky sleeping bag and provides a clean, comfortable barrier between you and the mattress. You will get a pillow in all the albergues, so you can leave your inflatable camping pillow at home.

Summer doesn’t mean predictable. Especially in Galicia, you can expect some rainy days, even heavy storms. As rain protection I have my lightweight rain jacket, and instead of a bulky poncho I use an ultralight umbrella and Gore-Tex stretch gloves. Just in case, I also have a Buff Merino Hat. The umbrella surprises people, but on a hot, exposed Meseta stage, it can also create portable shade and keep you cooler than a hood ever could. Why the gloves and the merino hat? Early starts can be cold, even in Spain. They weigh almost nothing but make a big difference at dawn.

Last, but not least, here’s my small but mighty kit of necessary additional gear: a small first aid kit (blister care, ibuprofen, paracetamol, and Voltaren gel are non-negotiables), a light towel (incredibly compact and fast drying), a small pocket knife with scissors included, a lightweight headlamp, earplugs (essential in shared dormitories), a small hygiene kit, a power bank, a charger and cable, flip-flops or very simple sandals, and a drybag for my passport, money, a small notebook, a pen, and my pilgrim passport. Each item earns its place. If something doesn’t serve a clear purpose, it stays at home. Two things that can come very handy on the way: a few centimetres of duct tape (taped around my water bottle or my hiking poles) and 3 metres of light paracord. I can use these to fix my gear (torn rain gear, shoes or bags).

The real benefit of packing light isn’t just about weight. It’s about moving more freely, reducing decision fatigue, simplifying daily routines, protecting your body, and increasing enjoyment. When your pack is light, your mind is lighter too. And that’s what the Camino teaches us: to let go of what we don’t need.

You may discover that carrying less allows you to experience far more. Buen Camino!