Planning is the key to a good Camino experience. It may range from selecting your hiking gear, training, and travel needs. There are many websites that recommend all of these. Some give good advice but others are merely pushing a brand. Be wary. The best choice is that it feels comfortable to you either in gear wear, or travel arrangements. As you might imagine, there are many angles to look at. All it means is that you have to plan early. In our case, once we decided what season of the year we would travel, we collected our gear a year ahead. This would include enough months to break in the gear and practice in it.

Our original plan was to go in Spring, just before Europe gets into summer when everybody starts to travel. The pandemic shut that down. Fortunately, a full refund was available. In retrospect, the pandemic gave us the window to look at our health status and when it became possible to go outdoors freely, plan our training program.

Shoes, backpacks, and bladders

(Caveat: We do not endorse any brand, other than tell you what worked for us. Your choice is ultimately your decision)

Shoes
Only you would know how best a shoe fits. The Camino route you take should determine your choice of shoes. Many Camino blogs have suggestions that may help your choices. For me, my requirements are specific that stem from experience: a half boot to support my ankles; an arch support for long periods of standing. Always try a shoe with the socks you plan to wear. Make sure your toes have wiggle room. Break in your shoes for no less than two weeks. Foot comfort and stable footing are essential for injury-free feet. I had a couple of ankle-bending incidents negotiating a rocky trail. My ankle boot kept my left foot stable.

Foot care is essential. Alternate your smart wool socks so it does not lose their fluffiness quickly. Avoid damp socks as much as possible. If you need to dry them, clip them to your backpack for air drying. After a walk, rub and massage your foot with foot cream. Keeping it moist and soft minimizes the possibility of a blister. Off-trail sandals or slippers are helpful during leisure walks around town. They allow the feet to have a bit of a rest from more confining hiking shoes. During especially long walks, we get or buy ice from a hotel bar to place over our feet. This remedy worked wonders for us.

Backpacks
Next to your shoes, a comfortable backpack is critical, especially if you intend to pack more than just a water bottle. A frame with mesh backing allows air to circulate between your back and the bag. During a hot day, it makes a whale of a difference. If you get wet, the air between your shirt and bag dries your back effectively. When buying a backpack, make sure the vendor can show you how to adjust the straps properly for effective weight distribution. Throughout the trail, as conditions change, you may have to adjust your backpack straps to ease the load. If you are using a luggage transfer service, use this opportunity not to over-pack. As each mile is covered, the backpack will feel heavier than before. Water and snacks are the most to carry. Most town stops can fulfill any need you may lack. We learned this the hard way.

Walking sticks
They may be optional for younger people. In our case, they proved extremely valuable for keeping our balance on a rocky trail or for pushing up a steep hill. Folding ones are the only type you can check in at airports, or buy a fixed length when you arrived at your destination.

Water bladders
Water bladders with drinking tubes are convenient and keep your hands free for your walking poles or holding on to something for safety. Hydration keeps the muscle tissues lubricated and the digestive system stable, notwithstanding keeping the kidneys healthy. For senior walkers, water intake and bladder control can be challenging. With some practice, we can meet bladder control from 2 to 4 hours. For menfolk, this is less of an issue. For women, modesty concerns can be challenging, especially on a busy and public trail. The average distance between restrooms is between 3 to 4 hours of walking. Fortunately, on the Portugal trail, there are more restrooms (sanitorios) offered in church properties. I can’t same the same in Spain, most cafes expect you to purchase something to use their restrooms.