This article on choosing clothing for the Camino de Santiago in summer is part of a long series dedicated to the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. You will find a wealth of practical information on how to organise and prepare your hike (routes, equipment, season, clothing, physical preparation, tips… Etc.). Find the list of links to the other articles in the series at the end of this article!
If you have decided to walk the Camino de Santiago in the height of summer, you are choosing the safest period for good temperatures, but you will need to account for the risk of intense heat and possible storms. So, before preparing your departure, make your clothing selection to pack in your rucksack. Here are our tips and our selection of clothing for the Camino de Santiago in summer — to tackle the heat and complete the hike of your dreams in great conditions.Clothing for the Camino de Santiago in summer: upper body
In summer, the main constant throughout the entire route will be the level of sunshine and, as a result, the heat — particularly on the Spanish side. Nevertheless, evenings and mornings can be a little cool in mountain areas and, above all, can present risks of storms and rain.
For upper body clothing, prioritise short-sleeved shirts — essentially t-shirts — and above all choose garments that quickly wick away perspiration. It will also be important to have a suitable head covering, such as caps with a visor and UV protection at the neck to avoid sunstroke. add some thermal base layers for the night, as temperatures can drop quickly.
Clothing for the Camino de Santiago in spring: lower body
In summer, you can choose to set off with a pair of shorts, a few pairs of shorts, or even a lightweight hiking trouser. A convertible trouser can also be a great option and will save weight and volume in your backpack. Choose a technical garment suited to walking, offering good freedom of movement and avoiding excessive areas of friction. The benefit of flat seams is paramount here for accumulating hours of walking without issue. For women, a dedicated hiking skirt is also appreciated in warm weather for its practical and pleasant nature.
Clothing for the Camino de Santiago in summer: socks and shoes
Just because it's summer doesn't mean you should overlook the choice of socks and shoes for the Camino de Santiago! Your feet will be put through their paces throughout the route and they are essential to your wellbeing and endurance. You may be tempted to walk without socks, but this is really not advisable. You'll get blisters very quickly and your feet won't be protected from impacts and the grass or stones encountered along the way. Whether it's shoes or socks, you should also have used them for a few weeks before your departure and be certain you have products that suit you and cause no discomfort. First and foremost, shoes are of course essential: it is necessary to set off with walking or hiking shoes, not standard sports shoes. Depending on your habits, you can opt for mid-cut walking shoes or lightweight low-cut hiking shoes, or even hiking sandals, which are widely recommended at this time of year. For socks, don't make the mistake of setting off with ordinary everyday socks. Over a single day you wouldn't notice the difference, but after a week it would assuredly be a disaster for your feet. You will therefore essentially need lightweight hiking socks and it would be ideal to choose double-skin anti- blisters which are ideal for long days of effort and repeated exertion. You can also opt for high-performance, durable hiking socks with a right-foot/left-foot ergonomic design and a proportion of merino wool in their composition to limit odours.
On a long-distance route like the Camino, it is better to set off with enough pairs to change every day if you cannot wash your socks every evening — having at least 4 pairs with you is a reasonable recommendation.
Finally, to aid recovery, get yourself some compression recovery socks, which help reduce the feeling of fatigue and limit the onset of calf cramps and pain. They are easy to use: simply slip them on once you arrive at your stage and wear them for between 2 and 4 hours to revitalise blood flow.
Other articles in the Camino de Santiago series:
