This article on choosing clothing for the Camino de Santiago in summer is part of a long series dedicated to the pilgrimage of Saint James. You will find a wealth of practical information on how to organise and prepare your hiking trip (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 heart of summer, you are choosing the safest period for good temperatures — but you will need to account for the risk of intense heat and potential storms. Before setting off, make sure you select the right clothing 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 hiking trip of your dreams in the best possible conditions.Clothing for the Camino de Santiago in summer: upper body
In summer, the one constant across the entire route is the level of sunshine and, consequently, the heat — particularly on the Spanish side. That said, evenings and mornings can be a little cool in mountainous areas, and there is a real risk of storms and rain.
For upper-body clothing, prioritise short-sleeved shirts — essentially t-shirts — and above all choose garments that wick moisture away quickly. It is also important to wear a suitable head covering, such as caps with a visor and UV protection at the back of the neck, to avoid sunstroke.
Finally, for the cooler parts of the day, consider bringing a lightweight fleece jacket and a rain layer that will protect you effectively and be more than sufficient. If you are camping or bivouacking outdoors, don't hesitate to add a few 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 smart option, saving you weight and volume in your rucksack. Choose a technical garment suited to walking, offering good freedom of movement and avoiding excessive areas of friction. Flat seams are absolutely key here, allowing you to rack up hours of walking without any discomfort. For women, a dedicated hiking skirt is also a great choice in warm weather for its practicality and comfort.
Clothing for the Camino de Santiago in summer: socks and footwear
Just because it's summer doesn't mean you should overlook your choice of socks and footwear for the Camino de Santiago! Your feet will be put through their paces throughout the entire route, and they are essential to your wellbeing and endurance. It can be tempting to walk without socks — but this is really not a good idea. You will get blisters very quickly, and your feet will be left unprotected from impacts, grass, and stones along the way. Whether it's footwear or socks, you should also have used them for a few weeks before you set off, and be confident that they suit you and cause no discomfort whatsoever. First and foremost, footwear is of course essential: you need 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 almost certainly spell disaster for your feet. You will therefore essentially need lightweight hiking socks and it would be ideal to choose double-layer anti-blister socks 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 portion of merino wool in their composition to keep odours at bay.
On a long-distance trail like the Camino de Santiago, it's better to set off with enough pairs to change every day if you can't wash your socks each evening — having at least 4 pairs with you is a sensible recommendation.
Finally, to aid recovery, get yourself a pair of compression recovery socks, which help reduce the feeling of fatigue and limit the onset of calf cramps and aches. They're easy to use: simply slip them on once you've reached your stopping point for the day and wear them for 2 to 4 hours to boost blood circulation.
Other articles in the Camino de Santiago series:
