1 light short-sleeve shirt for the daytime or as bottom layer in cold, ideally wicking smart wool
1 heavier long-sleeved shirt for the evening or as another layer, ideally wicking smart wool
LEGS
1 pair of flexible, comfortable pants
with detachable (zip-off) legs to create shorts (especially June through September)
consider one waterproof pair. No denim like in “The Way”!
TOILETRIES
1 toothbrush with cap or container to keep out dirt
1 air-travel-ready toothpaste (very small)
1 shampoo/body soap/clothes soap – shampoo may work for each of these functions, but outdoor stores sell concentrated multi-purpose bottles
1 disposable razor
1 shaving cream (or ultra-lightweight equivalent at outdoor store) or shampoo
NIGHT
1 well-fitting, molded or custom earplugs that stay in your ear and keep out sound – CRUCIAL weapon against the snoring epidemic
1 MP3 player with high-end and light earplugs to keep out snoring, and other uses
1 light, compressible sleeping bag (for use in most of the year) or light silk bag (warmest months; silk keeps out bed bugs too) or both
1 eye patch to keep out light (from open doors in albergue dorms, for afternoon naps)
1 thin pillowcase: some people may prefer to use their own pillowcase rather than worrying theirs is clean; when albergues don’t have pillows you can always stuff your own pillowcase with your clothes to make an adequate pillow.
1 headlamp (preferable) or flashlight
WALKING
1 wide-brimmed hat for the sun-sensitive
1 sunglasses for the sun-sensitive
1 sunscreen
Toilet paper segments
Matches
1 waterproof container for toilet paper, matches
1 water bottle or bladder (goes inside the backpack frame) of 1 liter or more (only before Galicia are there frequent fountains, and sometimes even these fountains are far apart)
Wet weather gear: poncho, waterproof trousers, footwear that’s waterproof (boots) or waterproofed with chemicals (other shoes)