The Equipment List

Having the proper, well-broken-in equipment will make all the difference in enjoying a pilgrimage. We all have unique quirks to our body, lingering injuries, and health differences that will ultimately make your equipment list different. It is worth your time investment to try the more pricey items on in a store to know what works and doesn’t. Also, take your equipment out with you on local hikes or small walks before starting. My wife and I have a good habit of getting up, brewing a coffee, and walking around our neighborhood almost every morning. As my first pilgrimage gets closer, I use that time to toss my pack on my back, lace up the shoes, fill my water bladder, and walk a few blocks with her so my body can adjust to carrying a suitcase on my back. I’m also fortunate to live within a few minutes’ drive of some great hikes that I’ll tackle in the weeks leading up to a trek.

The Punchdown List * Updated July 30, 2023

👟 Shoes

• LA Sportiva TX3 (lasportivausa.com): My feet are a bit wide across the knuckles of my toes, which makes most hiking shoes feel too narrow. These “approach” style shoes have a nice wider toe-box, and I’ve been using them since 2016.

• Teva Original Universal Sandals (teva.com): After the bulk of the walking is done for the day, I give my feet a break and let them breathe a bit. It is also nice to have these for using the shared showers in the more remote hostel/community showers along a pilgrimage. There are lighter weight options out there, but these have also been good when I’ve wanted to put some actual walking miles in too.

🧦 Socks

• Men’s Light Hiker Quarter Lightweight Hiking Sock (x4) (darntough.com): I’ve liked the “Merino Wool” in these, which helps keep my feet dry.

🩲 Underwear

• Smartwool Everyday Exploration Merino Boxer Brief (x4) (smartwool.com): I invested a little more here for the same reason as the socks, to keep me dry, supported, and un-chafed.

👖 Pants

• Fjallraven Vidda Pro Ventilated Trousers (fjallraven.com): I expect to be wearing these for the majority of my walking between stays.

• Lightweight pants: I also grabbed from a local outdoor recreation outlet store a pair of lightweight pants to change into after a day’s walk. Nothing expected for me to put miles of wear in to. Just something to walk around the town that won’t look offensive if there is a nice dinner to sit down at.

• Lightweight Shorts: I didn’t invest a lot here as I plan to mostly use these to change into after the day’s walk is completed. I did make sure to keep them lightweight and moisture-wicking like a swimming suit.

👕 Shirts

• Lightweight short-sleeves: Nothing super notable with these. I picked up a couple synthetic athletic tops (not cotton) that are wicking and quick-drying. “32 Degrees Cool” makes a 90% Polyester - 10% Spandex shirt blend I’ve generally liked (32degrees.com).

• REI Co-op Silk Long Underwear Crew Shirt (x2) (rei.com): These are to slip over my short sleeves on sunny days. I’m not a fan of slathering on sunblock because it makes me feel slimy, but I’m also not a fan of cancer. These are super breezy and weigh close to nothing. Ultimately, however, sunblock is a must-have to use for any outdoor adventuring.

🧥 Coat & Vest

• Puffy Jacket: I have an Oakley version of a lightweight, goose down, “puffy” jacket. I’ve not personally used it, but Black-Diamond has something similar for the cooler days (blackdiamondequipment.com).

• Fuego Down Vest - Men’s (cotopaxi.com): I like having options with my outer layers, and realize that bringing both this and a jacket may turn out to be more than needed. They both pack down nicely, however, and work well independently or together depending on the weather.

• REI Co-op Rainier Rain Jacket (rei.com)

🧢 Hat

• Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap (backcountry.com): Something super lightweight, easy to wash, and can cover the neck and ears. My son picked this up as a Father’s Day gift, and it has worked great.

Poles

• Black Diamond Trail Trekking Poles (blackdiamondequipment.com): I became a pole lover a few years back, particularly for longer adventures when you’ve got more weight to lug around. They greatly assist with balance and also transfer some of the load through your arms, so your knees & ankles are not taking all the abuse. When you are planning on walking for a few days in a row, this help really adds up over time.

🗺️ GPS

• Garmin Fenix 7 Solar (garmin.com): Having a GPS device on you, particularly for any less popular pilgrimage routes, is hugely helpful. That said, routes tend to be fairly well marked, and the more popular ones, such as the Camino De Santiago (caminoways.com) will have other walkers and local rest stops to assist in navigating.

🎒 Backpack

• Osprey Aether 55 Pack - Men’s (rei.com): Visit an REI, or similar outdoor retailer, and try a few packs on. They tend to have knowledgeable staff that will add some weight to the pack to configure all the straps correctly to fit your body. They are very helpful in explaining how the pack works. I picked this one mostly because it felt the best when I was fully loaded up. I also liked that it had an optional divider between the main compartment and the bottom sleeping bag section, a zippered front access the main compartment without having to undo the top, and it had a few extra compartments/straps to attach stuff to the outside if I need a little more space.

• WANDF Drawstring Backpack String Bag (amazon.com): For the towns that I will linger a little longer in, either recovering or visiting attractions. A super simple day bag.

🛌 Sleeping Stuff

• Therm-a-Rest Corus 20F/-6C Backpacking Quilt (amazon.com): The pilgrimage treks I am doing won’t involve camping this time around. But some of the hostel-like places will only have a mattress. I don’t anticipate needing this for the warmer walks, but for colder climate walks like St. Olav's Ways in Norway (pilegrimsleden.no), the extra down is wonderful.

• Cocoon COOLMAX Mummy Liner (rei.com): To serve as bed-sheets in any of the stops that don’t have bedding.

• Cocoon - Premium - Ultralight AirCore Hood Pillow (amazon.com): Again, for the stops that don’t supply bedding. There are lighter pillows out there, but my wife used this one during her own pilgrimage across Spain, so I’m commandeering it for my adventure. I also like that this one has a cover around the air-bladder, so if it ends up popping, I can always stuff it with my puffy jacket or clothes.

⛑️ First Aid

• HART Outdoor Weekend First-Aid Kit (rei.com)

• Advanced Blister Care Skin Tone (amazon.com)

• Liquid Bandage (amazon.com)

💦 Water

• Osprey Hydraulics Reservoir - 3 Liters (rei.com)

• Grayl 24oz GeoPress Purifier (grayl.com): I also grabbed an extra filter.

Odds and Ends

• Power Plug Adapter - International Travel (amazon.com)

• Blavor Solar Charger Power Bank (amazon.com)

• Raine Military Sewing Kit (amazon.com)

• Travelon Travel Clothes Line (amazon.com)

• Sea To Summit Citronella Wilderness Wash (amazon.com)

• Leatherman Wave+ (leatherman.com)

• Fenix HM61R Headlamp (amazon.com)

• Big A Reusable Produce Bags (amazon.ae): To keep clothes and stuff separated in my bag.

• Bandana

• Duct Tape

• Whistle

• Compass

• A few carabiners

• Microfiber Travel Towel

• Toiletries

• Bear Bell (yodobashi.com)

Remember, this equipment guide is based on my personal preferences and needs. It’s important to find the gear that works best for you and matches the specific requirements of your pilgrimage.

~E