Thank you Pamela Marshall, Terry Larson, Katherine, and many others for tuning into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app.
In this episode of Camino Conversations, Rebecca Weston — owner of The Camino Calls and a 15-time Camino veteran — walks you through exactly how to pack for the Camino de Santiago when you’re 45+ and sending your luggage ahead.
She tackles the questions that fill every Camino forum: which shoes actually work, how to handle rain and brutal heat waves, and how to avoid the rookie mistake of “fear-packing.” Along the way, she shares real stories from the trail plus tips on laundry, foot care, electronics, and the small comforts worth their weight.
Whether it’s your first Camino or your tenth, you’ll come away with a clear-eyed, no-nonsense packing philosophy that prioritizes lightness, flexibility, and trust in the trail.
• 00:00 — Intro & who this episode is for (45+, sending luggage ahead)
• 01:21 — Core packing philosophy: “Don’t let your fears load your pack”
• 02:13 — Why you still pack light even when sending luggage
• 04:38 — Luggage size & weight limits; sending a bag ahead to Santiago
• 06:41 — Shoes: hiking shoes vs. boots, why Hokas work for her
• 09:21 — Second pair of shoes & sandals
• 10:32 — Breaking in shoes & training mileage recommendations
• 11:22 — Socks: wool, dry-wicking, toe socks, last-minute gear changes
• 14:20 — Training on uneven surfaces (not just paved roads)
• 15:36 — Town shoes & why heels are a bad idea
• 16:02 — Clothing: hiking pants (the zip-off kind), skirts for heat
• 18:43 — Sundress vs. hiking clothes for the evening
• 19:13 — Dry-wicking shirts & buying gear secondhand
• 20:06 — Layering strategy (short sleeve + long sleeve + rain jacket)
• 22:00 — More on toe socks
• 22:41 — Rain gear: jacket vs. pants vs. ponchos
• 24:49 — Sun gear: sun hats and sunscreen
• 27:29 — Umbrellas (yes, for sun!) & cooling towels for heat waves
• 30:07 — Guidebooks (Brierley, French guides) vs. Camino apps
• 31:55 — Journals & writing on the Camino
• 33:33 — Medical: prescriptions, first aid kits, emergency contact cards
• 35:57 — Spanish pharmacies & language expectations
• 36:57 — Laundry: washing in the sink, the towel-roll trick, drying time
• 40:07 — Electronics: phones, iPads, chargers, EU plug adapters
• 41:57 — Passports & important documents
• 43:04 — Cash, credit cards & ATMs
• 44:17 — Foot care: Moleskin, Compeed & treating hot spots
• 47:13 — Toilet paper in your pocket
• 48:37 — Pajamas & non-hiking clothes
• 50:19 — Water bottles & Camelbacks; drinking from fountains
• 52:25 — Kula Cloth recommendation
• 53:02 — Clothespins — do you actually need them?
• 54:14 — Toiletries, scissors, credit card notifications
• 55:04 — Earplugs & eye masks (and Spanish noise levels)
• 56:32 — Hiking/trekking poles: usage, getting them through airport security, buying them in Spain
• 59:29 — Binder clips, safety pins, snacks, headlamps, backup eyeglasses, swimsuits
• 1:01:17 — Closing recap & goodbyes
More Camino Conversations
To see other Camino Conversations videos (including interviews with those who have done various routes), click here for the archive.
Join us live here on Substack every Wednesday at 11am.
🥾Ready to start planning your Camino?
Rebecca Weston
Camino Planning & Preparation Guide (for People 45+)
Rebecca@TheCaminoCalls.com
Your Camino adventure should feel exciting, not stressful — here are some ways I can help you get ready:
Watch Camino Conversations for practical tips and advice from my guests who have done the Camino (or more than one!).
🗓️ Camino Planning Session (60 min): Get answers to your top questions and a notes doc created during our call.
📞 Full Camino Experience: 6 coaching calls with detailed notes to plan your trip with confidence and ease.
🥾 Walk With Rebecca: 7-day hybrid Camino walks — 3 days guided, 4 days independent, private rooms, preparation classes, and optional check-ins. Click here to be the first to be notified about my next trip.Rebecca Weston is an American who walked her first Camino in 2012.
About me: I’ve walked more than a dozen Caminos since my first in 2012. I’ve spent many days volunteering along the trail, and if I’m not walking one now, I’m planning the next—and would love nothing more than to help you plan yours, too.
