Clothing and Layers for the Camino de Santiago

The Capilene Cool Daily is the most popular hiking shirt among long-distance walkers for good reason. It weighs almost nothing, dries in minutes, and the recycled polyester fabric has a soft, cotton-like feel that stays comfortable under pack straps all day. Patagonia's HeiQ Mint odor treatment helps keep things reasonable between washes, and the built-in locker loop is a small detail that makes a real difference when you are hanging laundry at a crowded albergue. On the Camino, this shirt earns its place through sheer durability. Thru-hikers have worn it for thousands of kilometres without it falling apart. It packs down to almost nothing and layers easily under a fleece or rain jacket on cold mornings. Available in men's and women's versions in short sleeve, long sleeve, and hoody. If you only buy one walking shirt, make it this one.

The Silver Ridge Utility Lite is a lightweight button-up shirt built for sun protection on exposed terrain. It uses Columbia's Omni-Shade UPF 40 fabric with mesh-lined back vents that let air circulate, and the Omni-Wick treatment pulls moisture away from your skin. The roll-up sleeves with button tabs let you switch between full coverage and ventilation without stopping. On the Camino, this shirt really comes into its own on the meseta — days of walking across open, shadeless farmland where the sun is relentless. The button-up design means you can open it on climbs and close it when the wind picks up or the sun gets fierce. The collar protects the back of your neck, which is one of the first places pilgrims burn. It also looks presentable enough for a restaurant dinner in town, which is more than you can say for most technical gear. Available in men's and women's versions in many colours. A Camino staple for sun-conscious pilgrims.

The Tech Lite III is Icebreaker's flagship merino tee and offers the best natural odour resistance of any shirt on this list. The 100% merino wool fabric breathes exceptionally well, regulates temperature across a wide range of conditions, and can be worn for multiple days without developing the smell that plagues synthetic shirts. It feels soft and itch-free against the skin straight out of the box. While 100% merino does require more care when washing and drying, the comfort and odour performance are unmatched. Available in men's and women's versions. Best for pilgrims who prioritise wearing fewer shirts, washing less, and want a premium feel against their skin.

The Domyos crew neck is the no-frills budget option and the shirt you can buy on the Camino itself. Decathlon's fitness range is not designed specifically for hiking, but these simple polyester tees dry fast, weigh very little, and cost under ten euros. In a word, it’s cheap, light, and fast-drying. A practical choice for first-timers and budget-conscious pilgrims.