RAIN GEAR

You're gonna get rained on. No doubt about it. The right gear, and being comfortable in it, is the difference between a miserable day and a nice change of pace.

Your choices are pretty basic.

Rain jacket

Not full coverage, but a solid choice. Add rain pants or a rain kilt and you have the most flexible setup. Get a breathable jacket with pit zips so you don't cook on the climbs. It doubles as a windbreaker on cold, windy days when it isn't raining.

Poncho

A poncho covers more than a jacket and can keep you almost completely dry. Good pilgrim ponchos cover you and your pack, so you don't need a pack cover. Beware cheap, thin ponchos. In high wind they're no more help than a trash bag. A poncho that spends the day over your head isn't keeping you dry.

Rain pants

With a rain jacket, good rain pants keep you drier in wind than a jacket or poncho alone. Look for breathable fabric and a roomy cut that fits over whatever you're wearing.

Rain skirts and kilts

Rain skirts and kilts keep showing up on the Camino, and for good reason. They're lighter and more breathable than rain pants, so your day is a lot less swampy.

Waterproof socks

Waterproof, breathable socks (Gore-Tex and similar) are a great addition to your rain kit. Wear them over your regular hiking socks. They keep your feet dry without adding bulk or changing the fit of your shoes. Good ones, from companies like Rocky, last for years and thousands of miles. Well worth the money.

Whatever you choose, walk in it in the rain before you leave. Rainy training days are the best way to find out what works.