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Camino de Santiago pilgrims go to great lengths to simultaneously select the perfect gear while removing weight from their packs.

With that in mind… forget what you’ve heard from other gift guides.

Pilgrims don’t need a “buen camino” keychain or to have someone pick out their hiking boots for them. Yes, this has actually been suggested! I think picking out a pair of hiking boots for someone else borders on mental insanity.

There’s no short shortage of kitschy scallop shell-themed gifts for pilgrims on the market. Rather than rattle off some “oh, you shouldn’t have” ideas, this list is full of practical items that pilgrims will actually use.

Practical gifts beat cheesy gifts any day, and this list has something that will excite even the least gift-inclined pilgrims. Let’s dive into it, sorting these ideas by price.

Have a question? Leave a comment at the bottom and I’ll reply right away 🙂

Camino de Santiago Gifts Under 20

Sometimes the handiest gifts of all have low prices. Here are thoughtful, practical ideas for any budget.

1. One Day of Luggage Transfer 

A popular amenity along the Camino de Santiago is a luggage transfer service.

Here’s how it works: Pilgrims pay a fee to have a driver move their luggage from A to B while they’re out walking. Instead of carrying a heavy bag all day, pilgrims enjoy their walk and have their gear waiting for them when they arrive.

Learn more in my luggage transfer guide.

This is common in older pilgrims or people who are combining the Camino with a longer vacation and therefore have excess luggage.

Most pilgrims are aware of the luggage transfer services available to them on the Camino… but most don’t know that you DON’T have to commit for the entire Camino or even a book in advance.

When pilgrims are having a long day or feeling tired, they can “take the day off” from their bags by booking a luggage transfer service for just one day.

Top Santiago takes next-day bookings as late as 8 PM the night before. Gift someone a 10 Euro bill and they will be able to have one day off from walking with her backpack. This is a fantastic gift that will delight any pilgrim in your life.

Perfect for: Pilgrims who are worried about the physicality of the walk.

2. Hiking Deodorant 

I would never call hiking deodorant a “must have” Camino item, however it is a little tube of luxury. This is a favorite among hikers because it’s concentrated, ultralight, and unscented. Unscented is a plus for hikers because it means that it won’t attract wildlife (though this isn’t a concern on the Camino specifically).

The brand I love is Nuud. It’s an unscented, concentrated deodorant that comes in a tube so tiny it basically takes up no space in your toiletry bag.

It checks every box: it’s natural, vegan, gluten-free, cruelty free, and plastic free. I’ve been using it and have found that it works really well, which isn’t always a given in natural deodorants.

Perfect for: Practical packers who care about reducing their carbon footprint.

→ Shop here

3. Blister Tape 

Blisters are a quintessential part of the Camino experience. But did you know that you can actually prevent a lot of them with blister tape?

Blister tape comes in small strips and gets applied to problem areas on your feet before blisters occur. The trick is catching blisters in their “hot spot” phase. This is when you can feel a sore spot on your foot but the skin hasn’t filled with fluid or opened.

This brand is really durable and I’ve had many strips last up to a week.

Perfect for: Newer walkers whose feet are less conditioned for walking.

→ Shop here

4. Compeed 

If a blister does occur, Compeed is the crème de la crème of blister treatment.

It’s a medicated blister patch that seals onto your skin and holds in place for days (even through showers and swimming). After thousands of kilometers walked on pilgrimage, I still never leave on a walk without Compeed in my first aid kit.

Perfect for: Pilgrims who are walking in new shoes or those who like to be prepared.

→ Shop here

5. Local money 

The most practical gift of all is money. Providing Euros to a pilgrim outside of Europe is fun and makes the Camino feel more real as you’re counting down the days.

In some countries, you’ll need to travel to a currency exchange to do this. In other countries (such as the US) you can request different currencies through your bank.

Perfect for: Travelers coming from outside of the European Union.

6. Bandana. 

Bandanas are lightweight and endlessly handy on the trail. A bandana with a special meaning or design makes it a small but very sentimental and practical gift. 

Before my first Camino, a friend sent me a message and asking for my address. She said that she had a gift for me that was small, lightweight, and something I would actually use it.

I genuinely doubted that a gift would check these boxes! Yet she surprised me with a bandanna that has a map of the town where we both used to live. Not only did it bring a huge smile to my face, but I use that bandanna every. single. day. while walking.

Perfect for: Sentimental pilgrimages who appreciate a thoughtful and practical gesture.

7. Foldable Sitting Pad 

A bit of pilgrim luxury is having a soft and dry surface to sit on anywhere (cue the heavenly harp music). That luxury can be purchased for under $10 in the form of a foam sitting pad.

This comes in handy when you sit down with lunch on a wet bench, or need to patch a blister on the side of the trail. A foam sitting pad is lightweight, collapsible, and comes in handy several times a day.

Perfect for: The pilgrims in your life who enjoy a little extra comfort.

→ Shop here

8. Buff 

A Buff is a lightweight, multipurpose scarf. It can keep your neck warm, hold back your hair, be used to cover your face in the wind, and much, much more.

This is a staple in the outdoor community because of its versatility. You can get a full-size buff or a half-size one. In the photo below, I’m wearing a half-size buff.

The buff with the shells was a gift from a pilgrim I met on my first Camino. She gave it to me in Santiago de Compostela and I’ve cherished ever since.

Perfect for: Pilgrims who get cold easily.

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9. Soap baggie 

Solid toiletries are a staple in the hiking world. Bar soaps are lightweight, they last longer, and (maybe most importantly) they can’t spill in your bag.

They do, however, come with a challenge of storage. There are boxy bar soap containers on the market, but they’re clunky and never a one-size-fits-all solution.

An elegant solution is a hiking soap baggie. These soap bags are specially designed to be leak proof but also breathable. This means that you can put a wet bar of soap into these bags and it’ll dry instead of growing mildew.

Perfect for: Pilgrims who use multiple bars of soap and want to avoid a mildew incident.

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10. Wooden Cutlery 

A set of cutlery is something I recommend for all pilgrims for two reasons: albergues (pilgrim hostels) and lunches.

Albergues are funny places. Sometimes you have a kitchen full of pots, pans, and cooking materials, but it doesn’t contain a single spoon or fork.

Having your own cutlery also opens up your lunch options. Some walkers will enjoy sitting down to a restaurant every day for lunch.

Others (like myself) prefer what I call the “pilgrim lunch” – grabbing lunch from the grocery store and enjoying it in a scenic spot along the trail. Having cutlery opens you up to more food options.

A set of long-lasting bamboo cutlery makes a nice gift. It’s lighter than metal cutlery and more durable than plastic disposable sets.

Perfect for: Pilgrims who prefer picnic lunches over eating at restaurants for every meal.

→ Shop here

11. Roll-Top Insulated Food Bag 

This insulated food bag is a traveler’s twist on a school lunchbox. It’s lightweight and very minimalistic, so it disappears into your bag when it’s not used.

When you do have food items, it keeps them cold while also protecting the rest of your bag from food spills.

Perfect for: Budget travelers or pilgrims with dietary restrictions who will be shopping at grocery stores frequently.

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12. Protein bars 

No pilgrim’s backpack is complete without some snacks stored away for emergency situations, like all grocery stores being closed for siesta when you’re hangry. Protein bars are lightweight and pack a punch without taking up too much space in your bag which makes them a great Camino gift.

If you’re shopping for an ultra light packer, consumable gifts like this are always appreciated. 

Perfect for: The pilgrim in your life who’s always snacking.

→ Shop here

13. UV Umbrella 

The walking world is split on umbrellas. Some walkers say that they’re clunky and unnecessary. Others swear by their value for keeping you dry and safe from the sun.

This is the added value of sunbrellas, AKA UV-blocking umbrellas. This specific type of umbrella beloved by many distance walkers for its protection. I think I would’ve fried like a scrambled egg on my pilgrimage from Canterbury to Rome on the Via Francigena without mine.

It’s not necessary for every Camino, though. For example, the Portuguese Camino doesn’t have enough wide-open shadeless stretches to make it essential.

Perfect for: Pilgrims who want to avoid the scorching heat.

→ Shop here

14. Flat Duck Tape 

I admit that roll of flat duct tape sounds like a strange gift. On the road, it’s one of those handy items that you find yourself happy to have. An entire role is bulky and unnecessary, which is where a flat pack becomes a real asset.

This can be taken on endless hiking trips for those emergency moments, like when your jacket rips or the cover of your guidebook comes off.

Perfect for: The traveler who always likes to be prepared for anything.

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15. Chocolate-Covered Espresso Beans 

A bag of chocolate-covered espresso beans provides a much-needed boost of energy on those arduous initial walking days.

These are a lifesaver for pilgrims who are flying in from different time zones fighting jet lag. Not an ideal gift for walkers going in peak summer heat.

Perfect for: The pilgrims who are powered by caffeine.

→ Shop here

16. Bluetooth Sleep Mask

Albergues are a quintessential part of the Camino experience. They’re also loud: snoring, creaky beds, people going to the bathroom all night long.

One pilgrim I met on my first Camino said that her bluetooth sleep mask was the only reason she managed to sleep. This eye mask blocks out light, and also has small speakers by your ears to play music. Sync it with your phone to quietly play music or white noise.

Perfect for: Sensitive sleepers who will be sleeping in albergues.

→ Shop here

Gift Ideas Over 20

Most of these gift ideas are under $20, but a few go above. Here are a few bigger practical gifts to consider for the pilgrim in your life.

17. Waterproof Packing Cubes 

Packing cubes are a longtime favorite travel accessory of backpackers. These small bags help organize and compress your belongings to keep your bag organized.

Pilgrims will really benefit from getting waterproof packing cubes for their clothes and sleeping bag. There’s nothing worse than arriving at albergues and having wet clothes to put on or crawling into a damp sleeping bag.

This is a backup level of protection that will protect them from heavy rain that penetrates their backpack rain cover (which happens).

Perfect for: The traveler who’s always organized and thinking two steps ahead.

→ Shop here

18. Liquid ID 

Electrolytes are a staple of the hiking world. Liquid IV takes it to a new level. Liquid IV is a powder drink supplement that works as a “hydration multiplier” (their words). It keeps you hydrated even while drinking less water.

Don’t ask me to explain the science, I just know that after trying many different electrolytes, it works better than anything else. Liquid IV is a staple for flights, overnight buses, long days in general, and illness.

Perfect for: Walkers who appreciate a boost after a long day or in anticipation of a flight.

→ Shop here

19. Blister kit 

Blisters are as much a part of the Camino as the scalp shell. We’ve talked about individual products for blisters, but you can tie it all together and make an entire blister kit for the pilgrim in your life.

While there are no hard-set rules on what goes in a blister kit, I would include:

• A small bottle of hand sanitize
• A safety pin
• Compeed
• Blister tape

Put this together in a small Ziploc or zipper pouch to turn painful blisters into a moment for preparedness.

Perfect for: The pilgrim in your life who’s nervously reading endless blister advice online.

20. Loop Ear Plugs 

Budget earplugs are a dime a dozen, but they don’t work for everyone. They’ve never worked for me; I thought I was immune to earplugs until I found Loop.

I’ll be the first to admit that this is a bit of a luxury item: these earplugs cost about $30 a pair.

The benefit is that they are extremely comfortable, soft enough for sleeping, and a long-term investment. They don’t lose their shape or start working less effectively overtime. I’ve had my Loops earplugs for four years and counting.

Perfect for: Pilgrims who need silence to sleep but still want the albergue experience.

→ Shop here

21. Camino Guidebook 

A guidebook is a thoughtful gift that can help pilgrims enjoy their Camino more. Learning about the history of each stage, the delicious food that’s unique to the area, and Camino lore add a great deal of depth to the Camino experience.

Here are some of the most popular Camino routes:

• Camino Portugués: John Brierley Guidebook
• Camino Frances (and Camino Finisterre): Cicerone Guidebook
• Camino Inglés: Cicerone Guidebook

Learn more about the Portuguese Camino de Santiago here: What Is The Camino Portugués?

Perfect for: Pilgrims who enjoy history and learning the local ins and outs of each village.

22. Ziplock Bags 

Ziplock bags: every hardcore long-distance walker I know has their packing held together by ’em. At home, Ziploc bags are an ordinary item. To long-distance walkers, a Ziplock bag instantly becomes a lightweight and waterproof:

• Passport holder
• Compression cubes for clothes
• Cover for sleeping bag
• E-reader sleeve

This list goes on and on. Ziplocks keep your gear dry, clean, and organized, without adding extra cost or weight.

Perfect for: The prepared pilgrim who likes to keep their house (backpack) in order.

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23. AirTag

An AirTag is a small and practically weightless Bluetooth tracker made by Apple that you can put in any of your bags in any of your belongings to make them trackable if lost or stolen.

As a full-time traveler, I have an AirTag stowed away in my:

1. Passport “wallet” (a Ziplock bag)
2. My backpack

If these items are ever stolen or lost when flying (that only applies to my checked bag), I can always find them.

Theft isn’t a large concern on the Camino, but an AirTag might be handy for people who are using a luggage transfer service who want to see where their bag is out during the day and it’s been delivered to their accommodation.

Perfect for: Safety-inclined pilgrims who have an iPhone (Airtags don’t sync with non-Apple products).

→ Shop here

24. Nice skincare sunscreen 

Pilgrims are leaving behind an elaborate skincare routine will cherish a quality sunscreen for their face. There are many different sunscreen choices on the market, but skincare afficandos will cherish this sunscreen from The Beauty of Joseon.

It’s a Korean sunscreen (Korean skincare has a cult following) with broad-spectrum protection and no white cast, even on Melanin skin.

Perfect for: Pilgrims who will miss their skincare routine while out on the Camino.

→ Shop here

25. Scrubba bag + detergent 

Laundry is a fact of life that you never escape, even went on the Camino! This is the laundry routine that many pilgrims use: wear one, wash one.

Here’s how it works:

• Arrive at your hotel/albergues
• Shower, then put on your clean set of clothes
• Immediately hand wash the clothes you wore that day
• Hand them out to dry in the remaining daylight

Most pilgrims wash clothes this way in the sink, but I’ve done this many times and it’s not as effective as the Scrubba Bag. The Scrubba Bag is a portable laundry bag. That’s very lightweight and easy to use: you put in your clothes, water and detergent, then seal the bag and scrub your clothes clean on the flexible washboard in the back.

This gets much cleaner than simply handwashing in the sink and whoever you give this to you will be the envy of all programs at the albergue. Complete this gift by throwing in some lightweight detergent sheets.

Perfect for: Pilgrims who cherish having fresh clothes and a sense of routine.

→ Shop here

26. Bike lights

Bike lights are a handy piece of gear for early-morning walkers. Walkers who venture out in the early mornings or in winter when daylight hours are limited we want to be prepared with some sort of lights to make their presence known on the road.

While there’s an array of fluorescent and light-up vests made for runners, I find that simple bike lights are perfect for walkers on the road as an emergency. Bike lights are my go-to for a few reasons: they’re lightweight, take up almost no space, and they can be put on both the front and back of your pack.

Perfect for: Early-morning walkers or pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago in winter.

→ Shop here

27. Hiking Socks

Socks: the gift kids dread and adults pray for. This is especially true of Merino wool socks, which are the top-shelf of hiking socks.

Quality hiking socks cost a pretty penny, which is what makes them such a great gift. On a budget, you can get generic store brand from the store brand from an outdoor store such as REI or Decathlon. For a splurge, you can get a pair of socks with a lifetime guarantee like Darn Tough socks, which are a staple in the hiking community. 

Perfect for: Every walker in your life will cherish this gift.

→ Shop here

Final Thoughts

Which Camino de Santiago gift do you think is right for the future pilgrim in your life?

I hope these ideas helped you find something more useful than the “buen camino” bumper stickers and fridge magnets. These gift ideas will help future pilgrims be more comfortable on their Camino de Santiago, which is all a pilgrim can ask for.

Fellow pilgrims — have you received any great gifts for your Camino? We’d all love to hear your ideas in the comments!