The backpack is, along with the hiking boots/shoes the most important equipment for your Camino. You will be carrying everything in this backpack for 30 days or more if you are planning to walk the entire Camino.
As a rule of thumb, you shouldn’t be carrying more than 10% to 15% of your body weight, and remember, you will be carrying a couple og kilograms of water aswell.
If you’re not used to hiking and backpacking, then it might be a great idea to visit an outdoor shop and get some good advice and help to select the right backpack for you, and to get it fitted.
What to look for
So what are the things to look for in a good Camino Backpack, here’s a couple tips.
Size
It is of course possible to pack light in a big backpack, however, with a big back it is way to easy to get tempted and pack to much.
Most pilgrims will, on the Camino, be carrying 30 – 45 liter range. Backpacks in this range is fully sufficient on the Camino. If it’s to small for you, the you are carrying Way to much.
Waist belt
You need to make sure that your backpack have a waist belt. As a rule of thumb you should be carrying 70 pct of the weight on the waist.
Without a waist belt you will be carrying the total weight directly on your shoulders, and you will soon discover that’s not a good idea, even though you are traveling light
Rain cover
I got a backpack with a rain cover in the bottom pocket, this is quite handy in case of a small drizzle, it is quick and easy to unpack, and helps keeping the backpack and my stuff dry.
It of course not a requirement, you can use your rain poncho instead, but from time to time you do really not need or want to put on your poncho
Straps
Your backpack should also come with chest and shoulder straps in order to get your backpack fitted. If I you aren’t used to hiking and backpacking, then it is a good idea to get some help here in an outdoor shop.
Pockets
I prefer a backpack with a lot of rooms and pockets for keeping a kind of order in my backpack.
Especially a top pocket for easy access is very convenient, as well as side pockets for my water bottles, and a couple of pockets at the waist belt for hand sanitizer, snacks, pocket knife etc.
Straps to hiking pools
A set of straps for your hiking poles are also vey nice. Not every one on the Camino use walking sticks but I love them. However, from time to time, it is nice to fix them on the side of the backpack, in order to be able to get your hands free for other things, and on some kind of terrain they might not be that useful.