How to dress for the camino to Santiago de Compostela?
Whether you are a believer or not, the camino to Santiago de Compostela is a unique experience. This pilgrimage over several weeks allows you to find yourself, but also to discover sumptuous landscapes, places steeped in history and to meet unique people. There are five different routes to the tomb of Santiago de Compostela, four of which start in France. In order to prepare for your long walk, it is important to know what to wear on the camino to Santiago de Compostela.
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Dressing for the Camino de Santiago during the warmer months
Spring and summer are the best seasons to make the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. The days are longer and more pleasant for walking.
The upper body
When dressing for the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, choose light and breathable clothing. Shirts or T-shirts with short or long sleeves (which protect your arms from UV rays) are ideal. It's also a good idea to pack a light fleece jacket and a warm down jacket just in case. The weather can be changeable, especially in spring, with cooler mornings and evenings.
A windbreaker, waterproof jacket or rain poncho is also a good idea if you are hiking for several weeks. The poncho has the advantage of protecting the whole body and the backpack, while the jacket is much more breathable and comfortable. For protection against the sun, a hat or cap is essential, as well as sunglasses. A hat has the advantage of covering the neck and ears.
The lower body
For hiking in the sun, lightweight hiking trousers or convertible trousers are perfect. They provide protection for the legs while being quite breathable. You can also take shorts or Bermuda shorts for the hottest days.
In addition, you can take a pair of slightly warmer or waterproof trousers. These will be useful for the cooler days, especially when you cross the Pyrenees. Leggings are also suitable and useful for rest areas. As for socks, light hiking socks are perfectly suitable.
Dressing for Santiago de Compostela in colder weather
In autumn, winter or early spring, temperatures are less mild and it is important to dress well on the Way of Saint James. You should therefore choose clothing that is more insulating and protective against bad weather.
The upper body
For the upper body, you can use the three-layer system with warm and breathable technical underwear with long or short sleeves depending on the climate. We recommend merino wool garments, which have the advantage of being thermoregulatory and do not absorb odours; or synthetic fibres, which are highly breathable and dry quickly.
It is also a good idea to take two fleeces with different weights. This allows you to wear more or less insulating clothing depending on the temperature. You can also replace the fleece with a down jacket.
Finally, your third layer must be windproof and waterproof. Its Gore-Tex® membrane or equivalent protects you from wind, rain and snow.
The lower body
For the lower body, you can wear light hiking trousers, accompanied by thermal leggings to insulate you from the cold. You can also take lined or brushed trousers, which are perfect for winter. As the route to Santiago de Compostela is very long, take several different pairs of trousers so that you can interchange them. To ensure optimal protection, you can take waterproof overpants that will protect you perfectly from the rain.
Finally, it is important to protect the extremities of your body with a hat, a neck warmer, a balaclava, under-gloves, gloves or warm hiking socks.
Walking the Camino de Santiago is a very rewarding experience that requires relatively little, but quality clothing. Whether you are walking in summer or winter, you need to wear clothes that are suitable for the weather, your environment and the duration of the pilgrimage.