Day 1 – Packing Light, Walking Far: My Portuguese Camino Begins

It’s Day 1 of my Portuguese Camino — and the pack on my back is (almost) the lightest it’s ever been.

I’m starting from Porto, planning to walk the Central Route over 7 days. I've walked in New Zealand, but this time feels different — more urban, more layered, and more pilgrim-y.

Below is my real packing list — not a "perfect" list, just what made sense for me. I’ll update this post with notes on what worked (and what didn’t) after a few more days on the trail.

🎒 Backpack & Setup

  • Sea to Summit Dry Sack (13L) – used as a liner instead of a rain cover Buy on Amazon
Kathmandu hiking backpack

The backpack I’ve used for Camino Portuguese:
I’ve stuck with Kathmandu hiking packs for years — durable, comfortable, and always up for the distance.

👟 Footwear

  • Altra Lone Peak trail runners – no break-in needed, my go-to hiking shoe. Buy on Amazon
  • 1 pair of Crocs knockoffs – for evenings and hostel showers Buy on Amazon
  • 2 pairs of Darn Tough wool socks Buy on Amazon
Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GORE-TEX Hiking Boots

My new hiking boots:
The Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GORE-TEX boots offer excellent grip, waterproof protection, and day-long comfort. I’m using them for this Camino and love the fit so far.

👕 Clothing

  • 2 merino t-shirts (Icebreaker)
  • 1 long-sleeve base layer (Kathmandu)
  • 2 pairs of quick-dry shorts
  • Rain jacket (Macpac Nano)

🧼 Hygiene + Health

  • Travel towel (super compact) Buy on Amazon
  • Minimal first aid kit – includes Compeed for blisters Buy on Amazon
  • Toothbrush, paste, soap bar, deodorant, mini sunscreen

🔋 Tech

  • iPhone + Anker USB-C cable Buy on Amazon
  • Offline maps via Maps.me

Want to see a more structured, long-term gear guide? Head over to our Gear Up Smart section — I’ll keep updating that list with community recommendations too.

We’ve also opened a forum topic on Camino gear — feel free to ask questions or share what worked for you: Join the gear chat here

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