Six weeks of pure sunshine? That’s definitely possible in the height of summer. On a Camino Francés in June, a light rain jacket is often enough.
If your Camino takes place in spring or fall, you should definitely prepare for rain. This is especially true for the Camino del Norte. And there’s a reason Galicia—where every Camino de Santiago leads—is so lush and green: it gets plenty of rain.
Rainy days aren’t necessarily a bad thing—they sometimes turn out to be the most memorable ones. As the saying goes: there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.
Rain gear for summer Caminos
If your Camino takes place during a season with little chance of rain, you don’t need to overthink this.
For a summer Camino, I recommend packing a lightweight jacket that keeps out wind and rain and will get you through a quick shower.
My recommendation is the Regatta Pack-it Jacket. It folds down small, weighs almost nothing, and holds up surprisingly well in the rain. It’s become a go-to for me even in everyday life—highly recommended (and no, this isn’t a paid promotion!).
Your backpack should definitely have a rain cover—after all, it’s protecting all your belongings.
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Rain gear for Caminos with rainy days
If your Camino falls during a season where you can expect a few rainy days, it’s worth paying closer attention to what you pack.
How much rain gear you bring also depends on the overall weather. If it’s mostly sunny and things dry quickly, you can get away with less. But if it’s cooler, you’ll need to protect yourself more thoroughly.
Rain jacket or poncho—which is better?
Both work, and it’s a matter of preference. Depending on the model, a poncho can cover just you or both you and your backpack.
Ponchos are a great choice for long rainy days—They have a bit of a tent-like feel, creating a cozy little space inside. 🙂
However, they’re less practical to put on and take off, and not as useful in the evenings if you need extra warmth in town—a jacket is more versatile.
Do you need rain pants?
In summer, not really. If you’re walking in shorts, you’ll just get completely wet, but then you’ll dry off again.
A poncho offers some protection for your legs, and light rain doesn’t seem to bother them much anyway.
However, there are ultralight rain pants that take up almost no space, making them a good option to pack for a spring or autumn Camino.
Do you need rain covers for your shoes?
That depends on the expected intensity of the rain and the type of shoes.
Hiking boots are usually a bit more water-resistant, while trail runners tend to be more water-permeable.
I haven’t found the perfect shoe covers yet, as most of the plastic or silicone ones enclose the shoe, including the sole. This can make them slippery – not a great idea.
Many other models are gaiters – but they don’t help keep the shoes dry.
My most successful attempts so far have been with plastic covers, where I removed the sole myself. On the next Camino, I will test a professional shoe rain cover purchased from Amazon (which, in my opinion, is too heavy and bulky) against one I make myself.
Does an umbrella make sense on the Camino?
Surprisingly, yes. At least if you expect a significant amount of rain.
While pilgrims with umbrellas are rare, I’ve tried it on the Camino in February and November and recommend bringing a compact umbrella for rain-heavy Caminos.
When the rain, combined with wind, pelts your face for hours, you’ll be glad to take a break under the umbrella. Plus, your rain gear won’t get as soaked if it takes less of a beating.
What should you pay attention to when it comes to rain gear for the Camino?
Three things: water column, pack size, and weight.
We all know that every gram counts on the Camino. A poncho can weigh 200 grams or 500. The same applies to the pack size. The smaller it folds (or crumples), the better.
But what the heck is a water column?
What water column rating does rain gear for the Camino need?
If you’re expecting occasional showers or a half-day of drizzle, 5000mm of water column will suffice.
However, if you’re heading out during a time when it can rain heavily and for extended periods, a standard jacket will quickly get soaked. 10,000mm, or even 15,000mm, is necessary to keep you dry.
On my last winter Camino, my brand-new 3000mm poncho gave up after just half an hour of rain and let the water through. However, my 3000mm rain jacket had served me quite well on previous Caminos, which were mostly characterized by light rain or showers.
Do impregnation sprays work?
Whether spray or impregnation to wash in, they had no noticeable effect on the waterproofing of my Camino gear. I followed the instructions and probably permanently clogged my lung hairs, but my rain jacket still let the water through.
Summary: Which rain gear for the Camino?
For a Camino in summer, a light rain jacket like the Regatta Pack-it Jacket will suffice.
For a Camino in spring and autumn, or a Camino like the Camino del Norte, it’s worth ensuring that the jacket or poncho has at least a 5000mm water column rating, and light rain pants and shoe covers are a good addition.
For a Camino during the rainy season, it’s best to get a poncho with a 10,000-15,000mm water column and also pack rain pants, shoe covers, and a light umbrella. Then even a rainy Camino can be a lot of fun!
Hi, I am Nicoletta and I plan and support your Camino.
Let′s have a chat!