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 pilgrimage. You'll find a wealth of practical advice on how to organise and prepare your hiking trip (routes, kit, season, clothing, physical preparation, tips… And more). Find the links to the other articles in the series at the bottom of this page. If you've decided to walk the Camino de Santiago in winter, you're choosing a period that can be tough — cold temperatures and potentially snow (in the Pyrenees) — but also one that can be rewarding, with beautiful sunny days on the Spanish stretch and, in any case, far fewer crowds on the paths. To prepare well for your departure, you'll need to think carefully about what clothing to pack to be ready for anything. Here are our recommendations and our selection of clothing for the Camino de Santiago in winter, to face the cold, snow and often relentless wind.

What clothing 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 can have lovely days, but they will generally be cold with little variation in temperature. You really need to be well protected, all the more so as snow can appear and wind can blow strongly across the Spanish plains. The the 3-layer system should therefore certainly be used to ensure optimal protection.

Ultrashell waterproof ultra-breathable jacket

So don't set off without warm, breathable thermal base layers that wick away perspiration. These are worn as a first layer directly against the skin. You can then add warm gilets or a fleece jacket and long-sleeved shirts for the less cold days. Finally, over all of that, make sure you have a waterproof jacket that allows you to stand up to the elements (wind and rain). The best option will be to choose a softshell jacket which will provide you with one of the best protections available. The option to choose an excellent ultrashell jacket is also well worth considering, as these jackets are so versatile and warm. Prioritise breathability in all of these layers. You'll certainly be walking at a good pace and working up a sweat, even in the cold. So you need clothing that wicks away perspiration and doesn't turn into a mobile sauna!

Warm waterproof winter trousers with Kevlar® reinforcements

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

The priority will be to choose a pair of well warm trousers. This is important as the cold often hits at leg level. You'll therefore need to look at selecting a proper pair of winter trousers capable of protecting you from the lowest temperatures. If it also has waterproof capabilities, all the better — or else bring a pair of overtrousers for bad weather. You can also choose to take long thermal underwear. They are perfect for the evening at your stopover when you're a little tired and need to give your legs a cosy rest for the night. They can also be worn under your trousers on the coldest or windiest days.

Warm technical boxers

What clothing to pack for the Camino de Santiago in winter: socks and footwear

The choice of socks and footwear for the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage is important in winter as in all seasons: colder temperatures and humidity create increasingly challenging conditions for your feet over the days, and it is therefore essential to kit yourself out properly. Your feet are central to your wellbeing and endurance. It can be tempting to walk in fairly standard sports socks, but this is really not a good idea. You'll get blisters very quickly and your feet won't be adequately protected from repeated impacts. Whether it's footwear or socks, you should also have worn them for several weeks before setting off and be certain you have models that suit you perfectly and cause no discomfort. It is essential to set off with walking or hiking shoes and not standard sports shoes. Depending on your habits, you can opt for mid or high-cut walking shoes, which will be well suited to this season and the conditions you'll encounter. You'll also need to choose hiking socks — ideally double-skin, anti-blister socks, which are perfect for long distances. You can also opt for high-performance, durable 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 that 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's walking and wear them for 2 to 4 hours to revitalise the blood flow in your legs. Other articles in the series on the Camino de Santiago: