How to Choose a Camino Backpack
Size, Fit & What Actually Matters
Trying to figure out what size backpack you need for the Camino de Santiago?
For most pilgrims staying in albergues or similar simple accommodation, the sweet spot is about 35–40L. Not the biggest pack you can survive with — the smallest pack that comfortably fits what you truly need.
The same basic advice also works well on similar lightweight, 3-season, accommodation-based pilgrimage or walking trails: if you’re sleeping indoors, washing clothes regularly, and not carrying camping gear, you usually need less backpack than you think.
A good Camino backpack should do three things well:
- fit your torso,
- sit comfortably on your hips,
- keep you from overpacking.
If it does that, the brand matters a lot less.
Quick answer: what size backpack for the Camino?
- Most pilgrims and walkers: 35–40L
- Very light summer packers: 30–35L can work
- Cooler months / bulkier layers: lean toward 40L
- 45L+: only if you have a specific reason, not “just in case”
The biggest mistake first-time pilgrims make is assuming more space equals more safety. Usually it just means more weight, more clutter, and more things you’ll resent by lunchtime.
For the Camino de Santiago — and similar accommodation-based pilgrimage or walking trails — start by looking for a comfortable 35–40L hiking backpack with a real hipbelt, practical pockets, and a fit that matches your torso. Then keep your packing list lean enough that the backpack still feels good on day 7, not just day 1.
How to choose the right backpack size
For most Camino pilgrims and walkers on similar trails, think “small overnight pack,” not “big trekking pack”
If you’re sleeping in albergues, hostels, gîtes, guesthouses, or other simple lodgings, washing clothes regularly, and not carrying camping gear, you need far less volume than many first-timers expect.
A simple way to think about it:
- 30–35L: works if you already pack light, are walking in warmer months, and don’t mind being disciplined.
- 35–40L: the easiest all-round choice for most pilgrims and walkers.
- 40L+: useful if you run cold, are walking in cooler months, carry bulkier layers, or simply need a little more margin.
- 45L and up: usually too much for a standard accommodation-based pilgrimage or walking trail.
- June–September: many pilgrims and walkers do well with 30–35L, though 35L is still a very comfortable default.
- April–May / October: 35–40L is usually the safest sweet spot.
- Cold / winter-ish walks: you may want the upper end of the range if you’re carrying bulkier layers.
Why bigger usually backfires
- It tempts you to pack “just in case” items.
- It adds weight before you’ve even started.
- It becomes more annoying in shared rooms, laundries, cafés, and simple lodgings.
- It makes daily climbs and descents more tiring than they need to be.
The goal is not to maximize storage. It’s to walk comfortably for many consecutive days.
Fit matters more than brand
If you only remember one thing from this guide, make it this:
A well-fitting backpack beats a famous brand name every time.
Two pilgrims can carry the exact same load in the exact same size pack and have completely different experiences, simply because one pack matches their body and the other doesn’t.
What to look for in a good fit
- Torso fit first. Your backpack should match your back length, not just your height.
- Hipbelt comfort matters a lot. The pack should sit on your hips comfortably instead of dragging mostly on your shoulders.
- Shoulder straps should wrap, not hover. You want close contact without awkward gaps or digging.
- The pack should feel stable. It should move with you, not sway around every time you turn or descend.
- Try the pack with real weight inside, not empty.
- Walk around for a few minutes, not just ten seconds in front of a mirror.
- Notice where the weight seems to sit: hips first, shoulders second.
- Check whether the pack feels close to your back instead of pulling away from it.
- If possible, compare two sizes or two fit families — the difference can be obvious once loaded.
“Men’s” vs “women’s” backpacks
Many brands offer parallel backpack families that are often labeled “men’s” and “women’s.” That can be useful, but don’t treat those labels like rules.
Think of them as fit options, not identity categories.
What matters is:
- how the shoulder straps feel,
- how the chest area feels,
- how the hipbelt sits on your body,
- whether the torso length works for you.
If one version fits your body better, that’s the right one — even if the label is not the one you expected.
Don’t choose by liters alone
A 35L pack that fits beautifully will usually feel better than a 38L or 40L pack that doesn’t. Volume matters, but comfort matters more.
What features actually matter on the Camino
Some backpack features sound exciting online and barely matter in real life. Others quietly make your days much easier.
On the Camino — and on similar lightweight, accommodation-based trails — the winning formula is usually simple: a manageable pack, a comfortable carry, and no unnecessary extras.
Features worth caring about
- A real hipbelt
Not a token strap — an actual supportive hipbelt that helps transfer weight.
- Simple, easy-to-reach pockets
You’ll use them every day, especially for snacks, layers, and small essentials.
- Side water-bottle access
The easier it is to drink, the more likely you are to stay hydrated.
- A front shove-it pocket or stretch pocket
Great for damp layers, quick-access items, or laundry.
- A comfortable backpanel
Breathability is nice, but comfort and stability matter more than marketing language.
- Reasonable empty weight
Lighter is usually better, as long as the pack still carries comfortably.
Nice to have, not essential
- Trekking pole attachment
- Included rain cover
- Multiple access points
- Adjustable backpanel
- Extra organization
Features I would not prioritize
- Huge volume
- Too many compartments
- Heavy expedition-style frames
- Overbuilt “just in case” designs
- Anything that makes the pack feel bulky before you’ve packed a single sock
35–40L + good torso fit + comfortable hipbelt + simple pocket layout is a better recipe than chasing the “perfect” brand.
What I’d avoid for a standard Camino-style walk
- A 50–65L pack unless you genuinely know why you need it
- A flimsy daypack pretending to be a hiking pack
- A super heavy old-school trekking pack for a light accommodation-based walk
- A pack you’ve never worn loaded
- A second full-size daypack unless you have a very specific use case
Most pilgrims and walkers are happier when their backpack feels a little boring: comfortable, stable, easy to pack, and easy to forget about while walking.
Backpack FAQ
Is 30L enough for the Camino?
Sometimes, yes — especially in summer, if you already pack light and don’t mind being disciplined. For most people walking the Camino or a similar trail, though, 35–40L is the safer default.
Is 40L too big?
Not usually. For many pilgrims and walkers, 40L is still well within the practical sweet spot. The problem starts when extra volume encourages extra gear.
Do I need a “women’s” backpack?
You need the backpack that fits your body best. Many people do prefer one fit family over another, but the label matters less than torso fit, shoulder comfort, and hipbelt shape.
Can I use a travel backpack instead of a hiking backpack?
Sometimes. If it fits well, carries weight comfortably, and doesn’t feel boxy or awkward for long walking days, it can work. But a hiking-oriented pack usually carries better on the Camino and similar trails.
Should I get a rain cover?
Some rain protection is smart, but the more important question is whether your gear stays dry inside. A pack liner or dry bags can matter more than the outer cover alone.
What’s the best Camino backpack?
The best backpack for the Camino — or a similar accommodation-based trail — is the one that fits your torso, sits well on your hips, and keeps your load sensible. Comfort beats hype.
For most Camino pilgrims — and for many walkers on similar lightweight, accommodation-based trails — the answer is refreshingly simple: choose a comfortable 35–40L backpack, prioritize fit over brand, and resist the urge to fill empty space just because it’s there.