Conseils équipement

What clothes to pack for the Camino de Santiago in winter

01 Nov. 2018

Quels vêtements emporter pour le chemin de Compostelle en hiver

This article on choosing clothing for the Camino de Santiago in winter is part of a long series dedicated to the Saint James of Compostela pilgrimage. You will find a wealth of practical advice on how to organise and prepare your hiking trip (routes, kit, season, clothing, physical preparation, tips… etc). Find the list of links to the other articles in the series at the bottom of this page! If you have decided to walk the Camino de Santiago in winter, you are choosing a period that can be tough — with cold temperatures and possibly snow (in the Pyrenees) — but one that can also be pleasant on fine sunny days on the Spanish section, and where you will certainly find fewer crowds on the trails! To prepare well for your departure, you need to decide which clothes to pack to cover every eventuality. Here are our tips and our clothing selection for the Camino de Santiago in winter, to help you face the cold, the snow, and the wind that can so often be on the agenda!

What clothes to pack for the Camino de Santiago in winter: upper body

In winter, the main constant throughout the entire route will be the relatively low temperature. You may have fine days, but they will generally be cold with little variation in temperature. You will therefore really need to protect yourself well, all the more so since snow can appear and wind can blow abundantly across the Spanish plains. The 3-layer technical construction should therefore be used without fail to ensure optimal protection.

Ultrashell waterproof ultra-breathable jacket

Make sure you pack warm, breathable thermal base layers that wick away moisture. These will be worn as the first layer against the skin. You can then add warm gilets, or a fleece jacket and long-sleeved shirts for the less cold days. Finally, on top of all that, make sure you have a waterproof jacket to help you battle the elements (wind and rain). The best option is to choose a softshell jacket which will provide you with one of the best levels of protection available. The possibility of choosing an excellent ultrashell jacket is also a great option given how versatile and warm these jackets are. Prioritise breathability across all these layers. You will certainly be walking at a good pace and you will sweat, even in spite of the cold. You therefore need garments that wick moisture away and don't turn into a mobile sauna!

Warm waterproof winter trousers with kevlar® reinforcements

What clothes to pack for the Camino de Santiago in winter: lower body

The priority is to choose a good warm pair of trousers. This is important as the cold often attacks at leg level. You should therefore think about selecting a proper pair of winter trousers capable of protecting you from the lowest temperatures. If it also has waterproof properties, all the better — unless you opt for a pair of overtrousers for bad weather. You can also choose to bring along some thermal long johns. They are perfect for the evening at your stopping point if you are a little tired and need to give your legs a cosy cocoon for the night. They can also be worn under trousers on the coldest days or when the wind is strong.

Technical warm base layer shorts

What clothes to pack for the Camino de Santiago in winter: socks and shoes

Choosing the right socks and shoes for the Saint James of Compostela pilgrimage is important in winter as in every season: colder temperatures and the presence of moisture create more difficult conditions for your feet over the course of the days, and it is therefore essential to kit yourself out properly. Your feet are essential to your wellbeing and endurance. You might be tempted to walk in fairly standard sports socks, but this is really not a good idea. You will get blisters very quickly and your feet will not be sufficiently protected from repeated impacts. Whether it comes to shoes or socks, you should also have worn them for several weeks before departure and be certain you have models that suit you perfectly and cause you no discomfort. It is essential to set off with walking or hiking shoes and not with standard sports shoes. Depending on your habits, you can opt for walking shoes with a mid or high upper, which will be well suited to this season and the conditions encountered. You will also need to choose hiking socks, and ideally double-skin anti-blister socks, which are perfect for long distances. You can also opt for high-performance, robust hiking socks with a right foot / left foot ergonomic design and a good proportion of merino wool in their composition to limit odours. Finally, for better recovery, you can set off with compression recovery socks, which reduce the sensation of fatigue and heavy legs while lowering the likelihood of cramps and calf pain. They are easy to use — simply put them on after your day of walking and wear them for between 2 and 4 hours to re-vitalise blood flow in your legs. Other articles in the series on the Camino de Santiago: