The Camino is well supported so you can keep your pack weight light, ideally carrying no more than 10-15 percent of your body weight.
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The best approach, especially at the beginning, is to get out and start walking (or cycling if you plan to cycle the Camino). If you are walking the Camino, you're going to want to build up to being able to walk 20km a day comfortably.
The Camino is pretty much a cash economy, and it's a good strategy to have an average of €200 in your pocket, replenishing at ATMs along the way in cities, towns, and some large villages.
We would recommend that you do not pack a pillow for the Camino de Santiago. We don't think you will need a pillow, unless you're planning to wild camp of course. All albergues and guest houses will have pillows.
Public bathrooms are not frequent on the Camino de Santiago. But, cafes, restaurants and bars are frequent, you may find one or two during the day, and these all have bathrooms that customers can use.
Buy two pairs of shoesI found it a lot more comfortable to be able to put on a dry pair of shoes every morning. That was worth the weight of an extra pair to me.
Very few people camp along the Camino, as there are more albergues than campsites. As such, there's no need to carry a heavy tent. Many albergues have kitchens where you can prepare your own food, as well as other amenities such as washing machines and dryers, meals, internet, etc.
The hardest day of the Camino is on the first day of the French Way, where you have to cross the great mountain range of the Pyrenees over the Napoleon Pass. You must hike 26km to get to the first stop, but you are awarded with a stay in the stunning monastery town of Roncesvalles and two days later Pamplona.
I lost about 8kgs, around 18 lbs, over a four week period. So yes, I did lose a lot of weight on the Camino. However, losing weight was never one of my reasons for walking the Camino. I did not set out on the Camino to lose weight, and I must admit that it never entered my mind at any time while I was there.
While not as common, some pilgrims opt to carry a tent and camp along the way. It offers a close connection to nature, though it's essential to camp in designated areas and respect the environment.
I lost about 8kgs, around 18 lbs, over a four week period. So yes, I did lose a lot of weight on the Camino. However, losing weight was never one of my reasons for walking the Camino. I did not set out on the Camino to lose weight, and I must admit that it never entered my mind at any time while I was there.
I will not recommend wearing heavy, waterproof boots on a hot dry Camino in summertime (July/August). Walking in the shoulder season (May, June, and September), can be good, but rain is possible. We walked a very wet Camino Primitivo during this time and waterproof boots worked fantastically.
Yes, the water is drinkable all along the Camino, and with sections receiving runoff from the mountains above, it's also delicious spring water. In many towns and villages, they will have public fountains usually in the main square where walkers can fill their packs or bottles.
These blood-sucking critters are probably annoyance numero 1 on the Camino. Not by frequency though. It is not that common as you think to be confronted with them. However, IF these critters find you, you're in for a treat…
Most albergues do not supply sheets and towels, so plan to bring a lightweight one-season sleeping bag and pack towel. If you really want to save weight, consider carrying just a sleeping bag liner if you are walking in summer.
Yes, the Camino is completely safe, even for women. There are many routes that you can take to reach your final destination in Santiago de Compostela, and if you take one of the more popular paths, you're bound to be secure all the way through.