The Weight Rule

Your pack should weigh no more than 10% of your body weight — ideally less. For most people, that means 7–10 kg including water and food for the day.

Every extra kilogram you carry will feel like three by day 20. Resist the urge to pack "just in case" items. If you need something you didn't bring, you can buy it along the route — you'll be passing through towns every day.

Weigh everything. Use kitchen scales before you pack. It's the single most useful thing you can do. Most people are surprised how quickly "sensible" items add up.

Footwear — the most important decision you'll make

Main walking boots or shoes

This is not the place to cut corners. Your feet carry you ~25 km a day for weeks — get this right.

  • Trail runners vs boots: Many experienced long-distance walkers now prefer lightweight trail runners (e.g. Hoka Speedgoat, Salomon Speedcross) over traditional hiking boots. They're lighter, dry faster, and many people get fewer blisters. Boots offer more ankle support — important if you're new to long-distance walking or carrying a heavier pack.
  • Waterproofing: Gore-Tex is useful in England and France (wet weather likely). For Italy in summer, breathability matters more than waterproofing.
  • Break them in: Minimum 100 km before you start. No exceptions.

Camp/rest shoes

Lightweight sandals or flip-flops for evenings and hostels. Crocs are polarising but genuinely practical — doubles as a shower shoe and weighs almost nothing. ~300–400g.

Socks

Merino wool socks only. They resist odour, regulate temperature and reduce blisters versus synthetic alternatives. Bring 3 pairs minimum. Darn Tough and Smartwool are the two brands that consistently come up among long-distance walkers.

Clothing — the 3-layer system

The principle: every item must serve multiple purposes. No cotton — it stays wet and causes chafing. Merino wool and synthetic fabrics only.

Walking clothes (worn, not packed)

  • Lightweight hiking trousers or shorts (zip-off if doing multiple climates)
  • Merino wool or synthetic t-shirt
  • Light mid-layer (fleece or softshell) — worn in cool mornings, packed by 10am
  • Sun hat or cap
  • Underwear — merino or ExOfficio Quick Dry

Packed clothing

  • 1× spare t-shirt (merino — doubles as evening wear)
  • 1× spare underwear
  • 1× lightweight down or synthetic insulated jacket (for evenings, Alpine section)
  • Waterproof jacket (packable — something like Patagonia Torrentshell or similar)
  • Waterproof pack cover (if your bag isn't already waterproof)
  • 1× light long-sleeve layer (merino) — sun protection & evenings
  • 1× smarter evening top (for restaurants in Italian towns — people do notice)
  • 1× pair lightweight trousers for evenings
  • Gaiters — low ones are useful in wet England and France, not needed for most of Italy
The Italy dress code note: Some churches and cathedrals along the route require covered shoulders and knees to enter. A lightweight scarf or long-sleeve layer solves this without adding significant weight.

Shelter & Sleep

Most walkers stay in accommodation every night and don't carry a tent. If you're planning to camp, add 1.5–2 kg for a solo ultralight shelter — which puts serious pressure on your total pack weight.

  • Sleeping bag liner — essential for pilgrim hostels where blankets are minimal. A silk liner adds minimal weight (~100g) and makes any bed more comfortable.
  • Ear plugs — hostels have snorers. Non-negotiable.
  • Eye mask — hostels often have walkers starting at 5am with headtorches.
  • Pilgrim Passport (Credenziale) — get yours from Canterbury Cathedral before you leave
  • Passport — you'll cross international borders
  • Travel insurance documents — printed copy and phone photo
  • Maps app with offline maps — Komoot or Mapy.cz work well; download the Via Francigena GPX files
  • Trekking poles — optional but many walkers swear by them for descents and knee support. Collapsible carbon fibre ones (~250g/pair) are worth it for longer sections.

First Aid & Foot Care

Keep this minimal — you don't need a full first aid kit. Focus on the most likely issues: blisters, minor cuts, and muscle soreness.

  • Compeed blister plasters — the only blister treatment worth carrying. Apply at the first sign of a hot spot, not once the blister has formed.
  • Zinc oxide tape — for taping toes and preventing blisters proactively
  • Ibuprofen gel (topical) — for tendons and muscle soreness
  • Ibuprofen tablets — for general pain management
  • Small scissors and tweezers
  • Alcohol wipes
  • Electrolyte sachets — essential in Italy in summer
  • Sun cream SPF 50+
  • Lip balm with SPF
  • Insect repellent — useful in parts of France and Italy in summer

Tech & Power

  • Smartphone — maps, translation, photos, everything
  • Portable power bank — 10,000 mAh is enough; you'll charge it every night
  • Universal travel adaptor — needed across England, France, Switzerland, Italy (four different sockets)
  • Headtorch — for early starts and hostel nights
  • Charging cable(s)
Camera or phone? Leave the DSLR at home unless photography is your primary purpose. Your phone will take perfectly good photos and won't add 800g to your pack every day.

Leave at Home

These are the most common items people pack and regret:

  • Heavy guidebooks — this site covers the route; otherwise, download digital versions
  • More than 3 days' worth of clothes — you'll wash as you go
  • Full-size toiletries — decant into small bottles; buy locally as you run out
  • A laptop — unless you're working remotely, it's dead weight
  • Anything "just in case" — if you've never used it on a weekend walk, you won't use it here
  • More than one guidebook — seriously