The journey is an extraordinary experience, one of those to be done at least once in a lifetime. It is necessary to approach it with the right humility and, above all, not to consider oneself as an expert traveling just for having traveled all those kilometers. Clearly, it is a journey that tests and strengthens, above all your self-esteem and awareness, so leave and possibly alone because one of the greatest gifts of the journey is new friendships.
From my long experience around the world, I want to give you some small suggestions, useful and above all objective.
The backpack
It is the most controversial topic, the one on which pages and pages of internet forums and guides fill up. The backpack is personal and as such must be respected. It is said that it should not exceed 15% of your body weight and it is absolutely a correct indication, but then you have to deal with the season in which you start. I started walking in the summer to reach my destination in the winter and I struggled a lot to stay under fifteen kilos. True, I had the computer with me which alone added two kilos, however, everything I had with me came in handy and proved indispensable. Try to leave with a backpack of up to 40 liters and do not cram it as it could be useful to have space for food and liquids. If you leave in the warm months from May to October inclusive, you will need only two or three t-shirts, two pairs of fast-dry trousers which, with the zip-off, can be transformed into Bermuda shorts and then a sweatshirt for the evening on the peaks. Don't forget a waterproof jacket, preferably in Goretex. It is important to have reinforced anti-blister socks with you, even if, in my opinion, the only true method of preventing blisters is only the petroleum jelly on the feet every morning. The foot in fact must stay hydrated but not wet.
The shoes
Like the backpack, these are also an absolutely personal choice, but a couple of suggestions may be useful to you. In summer it is very hot so you will have to give priority to perspiration: Goretex is not the best choice. If you leave in those months, consider buying shoes that are at least half the size because the foot can swell. Also, walk on the first, soften them with at least fifty miles of walking as new shoes are generally tough and blisters are much more likely to occur. If, on the other hand, you leave in the autumn or spring months, consider waterproofing as a priority since the most important thing is to keep your feet as dry as possible and therefore in this case the Goretex shoe will be the best choice. High or low, hiking or running? They are very personal choices, I personally prefer the trekking high tops to protect the ankles even if, obviously, the racing ones are more comfortable, but the same have a sole that will easily be damaged and will make you lose grip as you approach Santiago. When you go out to choose them, bring with you a pair of shoes that have been widely used over time: the seller, studying the sole and its consumption, will be able to advise you as not all walk in the same way.
Other important info
If you undertake the journey in the months from September to April you must think that you also have a 100 gram down jacket and a waterproof windproof jacket, possibly in Goretex. A water bottle will also be essential to reduce the environmental impact of the thousands of plastic bottles sold along the way. Snowshoes chapter: personally I have always hated them but in these two thousand kilometers I have used them extensively and actually I have been able to have a great help both in terms of balance and posture and of relief on climbs and descents.
Of course, I thank Dolomite and Outdoor Research (OR) for supporting me in this adventure by equipping me with equipment and footwear that is always up to standard.
What I put in it:
3 OR technical T-shirts
2 zip-off fast-dry trousers OR
4 pairs of technical socks https://bit.ly/2D88gss
5 pairs of underpants
1 padded sweatshirt long sleeves OR
1 OR sweatshirt vest
1 OR technical sweatshirt
1 thermal shirt
1 tights
1 Goretex OR jacket
1 OR rain jacket
1 rainproof trouser cover OR
OR sleeves
touch screen gloves OR
1 OR Goretex hat
1 OR trucker hat
SHOES: DOLOMITE Steinbock GTX