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SPRING PACKING LIST
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RULE OF THUMB REMINDER: It's best to carry around 10 per cent of your body weight, but factor in your body strength and stamina. I found that I could only carry around 7%. At 10% of my body weight, my pack felt heavy and cumbersome. Other people comfortably carried much more, so test it out for yourself.
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IMPORTANT NOTE: Remember that you will be carrying water and some food with you as you walk the camino. This has to be taken into your packing weight considerations. In winter, spring and autumn, 1 litre of water is sufficient as there are many fountains along the route. Of course you'll have to figure out what your own needs are. Summer calls for at least two litres, and in any season, you will carry some snacks to keep you going.
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SPRING PACKING LIST (FOR BACKPACKS)Clothing2 pairs of zip-off trousers or leggings
1 pair of shorts or skirt for evening wear 1 thermal vest 2 pairs of knickers 3 pairs of socks (1 pair to sleep in) 1 pair of wool gloves 2 Bras 2 T-shirts 1 long-sleeve light-weight shirt 1 light-weight shirt for evenings 1 warm fleece Light-weight warm jacket 1 pair of walking shoes/hiking boots READ ABOUT THE RIGHT HIKING FOOTWEAR 1 pair of walking sandals (for hot days if your feet over-heat, and for evenings) 1 pair of light flip-flops for the shower 1 light-weight rain poncho (the kind that fits into a tiny bag) or water-proof rain jacket Plastic backpack cover (if you don't use a water-tight rain poncho) (If you like, you can buy some very good hiking gear at the online shop below) ToiletriesMiniature size shampoo and conditioner – buy more as you go
Miniature size soap (the type you get in hotels)-buy more en-route Miniature toothpaste and toothbrush Miniature body lotion (doubles up as moisturizer too) Small roll-on deodorant-(buy more as you go) Small feather-weight towel (buy them in camping stores) Make-up (for people like me!) Keep it to a minimum Tiny hairbrush or comb Sunscreen lotion Lip-balm MINIATURE TOILETRIES
First Aid
Electronic DevicesAdaptor Plug
Mobile phone/Iphone plus charger Small Guidebook (if you do not have electronic devices on which to bookmark web pages) Camera (if you don’t have a good one embedded in your electronic devices) Sleeping EquipmentA lightweight sleeping bag that will also keep you warm (see more on this here)
A single duvet cover OR single sheet. (This is optional and only for those who don't like sleeping on bed covering that may likely have been slept on by others) Pillow case (again, many pilgrims don’t like to put their heads on a pillow that has been used by many others) Ear plugs (people don’t just snore after long hikes, they have been known to ROAR!) Eye-mask (pilgrims have been known to throw on the lights in the early hours before they leave) 
Carrying a guidebook adds weight to your pack and a lot of pilgrims prefer electronic guides. Many people who do carry them tend to rip away pages as they walk the trail, leaving the pack lighter as the journey goes on.
Feather-weight sarongs are useful items to carry as they can be used in many different ways. They protect your neck and head from the sun, can be used as a skirt, wrap-dress, towel, emergency arm-sling or bandage, emergency backpack, picnic blanket.....The list goes on! I'll leave the rest to your imagination!
 Packing Lists for Other Seasons
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Packing Notes
Spring in Spain brings changeable weather. It can still be very cold, especially in the mornings and evenings and at high altitudes. Depending on your location, and towards the end of spring, the weather can get nice and warm, so leave prepared.
Be careful when buying your rain poncho. Some brands are just not up to the job when it rains down furiously (it does that a lot in spring, especially in Galicia). Make sure you have a backpack cover to protect your belongings. Many pilgrims (me included) have had to spend an entire evening drying out clothes after being completely drenched by rainfall.
For ethically-sourced and environmentally-friendly clothes.
If you find yourself walking at a very rainy time, in addition to your backpack cover, you might want to consider packing the contents of your backpack in plastic bags before re-packing them. This helps keep everything dry when even the ponchos let in the water.
Weigh your backpack as you add items on your 'wants' list. You'll be surprised how little you can take, how the small things add up. An extra pair of socks or knickers, or that evening shawl...it all makes for a heavier load in the end.
You can buy the most amazingly light-weight clothing, backpacks, towels and more at hiking stores near you or you can purchase them online on the link above.
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