How to Choose the Perfect Backpack for the Camino de Santiago
After your footwear, your backpack is the most important piece of equipment for the Camino. It will carry your essentials every day, affect your posture, and determine how comfortable your shoulders, back, and hips feel after hours on the trail.
Your backpack becomes your home on the Camino
A good Camino backpack should feel stable, breathable, easy to access, and light enough to carry for many consecutive walking days. The wrong backpack can turn a beautiful pilgrimage into a daily struggle with sore shoulders, a tired back, and pressure on the hips.
For most pilgrims, a backpack between 20 and 40 litres offers enough space without encouraging overpacking.
Fit, ventilation, shoulder straps, and hip-belt support are more important than extra pockets or accessories.
Carry only what you truly need. The lightest backpack is the one filled with fewer unnecessary items.
Travel light: comfort starts before you leave
When experienced pilgrims are asked what they would do differently, the most common answer is simple: they would bring less. Even the most comfortable backpack cannot solve the problem of carrying too much weight.
A lighter load helps you walk more naturally, reduces fatigue, and makes daily stages more enjoyable. Focus on essentials, choose quick-drying clothing, and avoid packing items that can easily be bought along the way.
- Pack only what you will use frequently. Avoid “just in case” items that stay at the bottom of the pack.
- Wash clothes regularly. Two sets of most clothing items are usually enough for many pilgrims.
- Do not carry too much food. Snacks and drinks can often be purchased during the day.
Choose the correct size and train with the backpack
A backpack may look perfect online, but the real test is how it sits on your body when loaded. Torso length, hip-belt position, shoulder strap shape, and load stability all matter.
How the right fit should feel
The hip belt should sit comfortably around your hips and carry part of the weight. Shoulder straps should hold the pack close without digging into your neck, while the sternum strap should stabilise the load without restricting breathing.
Once you have chosen your backpack, train with it before the Camino. Load it with your expected base weight and walk several times per week. This will reveal pressure points, adjustment problems, and unnecessary items before the pilgrimage begins.
- Measure your torso and hips. Do this before ordering online, especially if the model has multiple sizes.
- Adjust all straps carefully. Hip belt, shoulder straps, sternum strap, and load lifters should work together.
- Train progressively. Start with short walks, then increase distance and load until the setup feels natural.
The most important backpack features for the Camino
The Camino is not a technical mountaineering expedition, but it still requires reliable equipment. Your backpack should be light, durable, breathable, and practical for repeated daily use.
Look for a backpack that keeps its own weight low. A heavy empty backpack makes every stage harder.
Walking for hours in warm weather can make your back sweat. Ventilation improves comfort during long stages.
Choose the right back length and waist size so the pack transfers weight efficiently and stays stable.
Very light fabrics are attractive, but zips, seams, pockets, and shoulder straps must handle daily use.
Padded shoulder straps and a supportive hip belt can make a major difference after several hours of walking.
Side pockets, hip-belt pockets, and front mesh pockets help you reach snacks, water, sunscreen, or rain gear quickly.
Quick comparison of the recommended backpacks
This overview helps you understand which backpack style fits your walking approach: ultralight, traditional, hybrid, or highly adjustable.
| Backpack | Capacity | Best for | Main strength | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Southwest | 40L | Pilgrims wanting one premium pack for the Camino and future adventures | Light, durable, and comfortable | High price and limited back ventilation |
| Gossamer Gear Kumo | 36L | Light packers who want comfort and practical pockets | Excellent organisation and low weight | Best with lighter loads |
| ULA Photon | 35L | Walkers who want a customisable lightweight backpack | Durable and adaptable | Small pockets and limited load support |
| Osprey Exos | 38L | Pilgrims who want a more traditional hiking feel | Comfortable structure and availability | Heavier than many ultralight options |
| Osprey Talon | 33L | Walkers seeking a versatile and practical hiking pack | Comfortable, accessible pockets, easy to find | Not ideal for heavy loads |
| Zpacks Nero | 38L | Experienced ultralight pilgrims | Extremely low weight | Minimal padding and fewer comfort features |
| Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor | 25–40L | Walkers who want flexibility and cargo options | Expandable volume and supportive design | Can be excessive for minimalist pilgrims |
| Granite Gear Crown2 | 38L | Those wanting a classic backpack with lighter construction | Comfort, space, and durability | More backpack than needed if you pack very light |
| UltrAspire Epic XT | 25L | Pilgrims who like a vest-style fit | Excellent front access and close fit | Can feel warm on hot days |
| Ultimate Direction Fastpack | 35L | Hybrid hikers and fast walkers | Good volume with a trail-running feel | Thin waist belt and smaller chest pockets |
10 strong backpack options for the Camino de Santiago
Below you will find strengths, weaknesses, and ideal use cases for each backpack, along with a suggested eyewear pairing for long days outdoors.
1. Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Southwest 40L
The HMG Southwest 2400 is one of the most popular trekking backpacks among lightweight hikers. It offers a strong balance of durability, volume, and comfort, making it a premium choice for pilgrims who want a backpack that can also be used after the Camino.
Pilgrims who want one reliable backpack for the Camino and future outdoor trips.
Light, comfortable, and resistant. Expensive, with limited back ventilation.
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2. Gossamer Gear Kumo 36L
If you were leaving for Spain tomorrow and planned to travel light, the Kumo 36L would be a very strong option. It is lightweight, practical, and designed with useful pockets that make daily walking easier.
Pilgrims with light loads who want comfort and smart organisation.
Light and feature-rich. Less suitable for heavy or poorly balanced loads.
OUTDOOR Polarized Lenses
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3. ULA Photon 35L
The ULA Photon 35L is similar in spirit to the Kumo, with a lightweight design and strong customisation options. It is especially interesting if you want to select details such as waist-belt size, colour, or shoulder strap shape.
Lightweight walkers who want a backpack tailored more closely to their body.
Light, affordable, and durable. Pockets are small and load support is limited.
INFINITE OPTIC 2 Polarized Lenses
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4. Osprey Exos 38
The Osprey Exos line is a well-known choice for hikers who want a structured, comfortable backpack that is easy to find in outdoor stores. It feels more traditional than the most minimalist ultralight packs.
Hikers who prefer trying a backpack in store before buying.
Comfortable and durable. Heavier and less pocket-rich than some alternatives.
ALTAVIA Photochromic Lenses
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5. Osprey Talon 33L
The Talon 33L is a practical hiking backpack with good access to pockets and a comfortable fit. It can work very well for pilgrims who prefer a more familiar hiking-pack design without carrying excessive weight.
Walkers who want a comfortable, practical backpack with a traditional hiking feel.
Available, comfortable, and durable. Lightly padded straps are not ideal for heavy loads.
GRAVEL Mirrored Lens
Use code BLOG15 and enjoy 15% off your new glasses. Discount cannot be combined with other offers or coupon codes.
6. Zpacks Nero 38L
The Zpacks Nero is the lightest backpack in this selection and is aimed at experienced ultralight walkers. It can be excellent for a very minimal Camino setup, but it requires discipline and careful packing.
Pilgrims who already know how to keep their total load very low.
Extremely light. Minimal padding, thin waist belt, and fewer comfort features.
OUTDOOR Polarized Photochromic Lenses
Use code BLOG15 and enjoy 15% off your new glasses. Discount cannot be combined with other offers or coupon codes.
7. Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor 25–40L
The Flex Capacitor is interesting because it can expand and compress depending on how much you carry. This makes it useful for pilgrims who want flexibility without buying separate backpacks for different trips.
Hikers looking for a complete package with flexible cargo options.
Soft, comfortable, and flexible. Heavy or excessive for very light travellers.
ALTAVIA Mirror Lenses
Use code BLOG15 and enjoy 15% off your new glasses. Discount cannot be combined with other offers or coupon codes.
8. Granite Gear Crown2 38
The Granite Gear Crown2 38 combines many features of a traditional backpack with a lighter construction. It has good space, useful pockets, ventilation, padded straps, and multiple load options.
Hikers who want a traditional backpack experience without unnecessary weight.
Comfortable, light, durable, and spacious. It may be more than minimalist pilgrims need.
SPEED VENT Photochromic Lenses
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9. UltrAspire Epic XT 25L
The UltrAspire Epic XT is ideal for pilgrims who prefer a close, vest-style fit. It offers 25 litres of storage, elastic pockets, and excellent access to essentials while walking.
Pilgrims who want a close fit and may also use the pack for trail running.
Comfortable with many loading options. The back can still feel warm on hot days.
XLITE J Polarized Lenses
Use code BLOG15 and enjoy 15% off your new glasses. Discount cannot be combined with other offers or coupon codes.
10. Ultimate Direction Fastpack 35L
Like the UltrAspire Epic XT, the Ultimate Direction Fastpack is designed around fit and movement. It offers more volume and good breathability, making it interesting for fast walkers and pilgrims carrying a light setup.
Hikers who want a hybrid backpack with a trail-running feel.
Comfortable, light, and roomy. Chest pockets are small and the waist belt is thin.
INFINITE OPTIC Photochromic Lenses
Use code BLOG15 and enjoy 15% off your new glasses. Discount cannot be combined with other offers or coupon codes.
Smart packing tips for a better Camino
The perfect backpack is only part of the solution. The way you pack it affects balance, comfort, and how quickly you can access important items during the day.
Place heavier items near the centre of your back to improve balance and reduce pulling on the shoulders.
Separate clothing, electronics, first aid, and hygiene items so you can find everything quickly.
A rain jacket or poncho should be easy to reach without emptying the entire backpack.
Unbalanced pockets can make the backpack sway, especially during long downhill sections.
Documents, phone, wallet, and medication should stay secure, dry, and easy to access.
If you never use an item during training walks, consider leaving it at home.
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