The backpack is the balance between our fears and our desire for freedom… That point usually moves towards the freedom, as long as te backpack rests on our shoulders: and the backpack gets empty.

Personally, my opinion is that what is needed for a week’s walk is neither more nor less than what we need for a month: the essentials.

It is therefore necessary to think that you will spend a long period of time in which everything that you need is to be transported on your shoulders, therefore, all the unnecessary should stay at home! Here is a list of the essentials for those who start walking in spring and summer.  I recommend to  avoid the temptation of adding too many things to this list: remember that the ideal weight should be less than 10% of your body weight!

• 1 backpack, 40-45 liters , light, should distribute the weight on your hips and possibly be equipped with side pockets for water
• 1 shell, symbol of the pilgrim
• 3 short-sleeved shirts (or 2 short-sleeved and 1 long sleeve ) for them as well as everything else, you shall prefer the technical materials, which dry as quickly as possible because the laundry is done at the end of the daily walk and must be dried in the morning before leaving
• 1 or 2 pairs of shorts
• 1 pair of throusers (if you find those trekking throusers with the removable lower part of the leg, you can also leave at home the second pair of shorts )
• 1 fleece or microfleece depending on the season and the regions you want to cross
• 1 poncho that covers your backpack
• 3 pairs of technical socks reinforced toes and heels ( not the sponge !)
• 3 pairs of pants
• 2 pairs of bras ( for ladies )
• 1 pair of slippers for the shower
• 1 pair of hiking shoes for the mountains: there are many solutions on the market; I prefer lightness and protection for my foot. If you start in the spring and summer, in my opinion, you can leave at home the Gore-Tex and prefer breathable materials that dry quickly
• 1 lightweight sleeping bag (you will hardly sleep outdoors , unless you wish, but the sleeping bag will help protect you from what might be hiding in the mattress ) or 1 sheet sleeping bag
• 1 mat: if you plan to leave in the summer, sometimes albergues will be crowded enough to force a solution on the floor and a night under the stars could also be an experience you might want to try
• 1 torch front for departures before sunrise and in the evening so as not to disturb if you want to read before sleeping
• Marseille soap (both for clothes, shower and hair), wire for hanging (3-4 meters ) and a few safety pins for the laundry
• the necessary – just enough! – for the toilette (mind the weight: if you set off in 2 or 3, share shower gel and toothpaste! ) In which I include ear plugs , needle, cotton thread, scissors and betadine to treat blisters, arnica cream, ointment feet , electric epilator (or shaving kit but only if you can not help it)
• 1 shower towel, microfiber , lightweight and compressible
• a pilgrim’s guide of the Way (bought or packaged by you with the information found on the internet, but do not leave at home information on historical and cultural heritage which you shall not fail to admire! )
• 1 wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, and sunscreen
• 1 bottle or 2 lightweight plastic bottles of 0.5 l .
• pen and notebook for travel notes
• a case to be kept with them containing identity card, pilgrim’s credential, money, credit cards / debit cards, health cards
• camera.

Not really essential but still important for someone: cell phone, mp3 player eventually, walking stick or telescopic poles, a pair of hiking sandals for resting time and sometimes even to walk, a handkerchief of cotton or other fabric.

This time I’ll leave in a still fresh period, then I will add it to this list a long sleeve technical shirt and a lightweight waterproof and windproof Gore-Tex jacket.

NB: In case of rain, despite the cloak covering the backpack, it could happen that the clean clothes will get wet, making the pilgrim  feel uncomfortable. To prevent this, it is advisable to close the various clothes into transparent plastic bags (those for garments, which are also less noisy when handled). The same trick is also to be taken to store battery chargers and other electrical items as well as money and documents.