The travel kit

As I will run to Santiago alone and plan to carry everything by myself, limiting the weight of my travel kit is essential. To define my gear list I have taken a 3 step approach :

1. I first decided on the essential items I need. 
2. Next I researched and selected the most lightweight option available.
3. Finally I researched and decided which items I will need at each stage of my  journey. 

I found step 1 and 2  equally difficult. Selecting you essential gear does not only mean you have to decide on what you need but also decide on what you do not need : how many pair of socks or underwear does a man need ? Do I need that Ipad ? if no,  how will I read books in the evening ? How do I connect to internet ? Do I need to read books ? do I need to connect to the internet ? If I need to connect  to the internet do I need an ipad, or can I use only my iphone ? if I need an ipad, do I need a small or a large one ? how will I charge my Ipad ?  what clothing do I have/need if I want to visit a nice restaurant, what if it is cold , warm, raining, ....How do I wash my clothes, which soap to use, is there soap available which can be used not only to wash my clothes but also myself, my hair,.... choices, choices......

Once I made a list of the essential items (I think) I will need along the route I researched and selected the most lightweight option available. During this phasemy aim was to remove every gram of weight possible. and with every gram I mean every gram. When playing the "The gram - reducing - game" I learned some rules apply : 

1. Although not always, but often applicable  : the less weight the more expensive.
2. Less weight comes with less or limited functionality - trade-offs are to be made.
3. The weight of a product is not always available in product descriptions. 
4. If weight is mentioned the weight mentioned is not necessary the actual weight (e.g. I found differences of 400 % between the mentioned weight on the package and the actual weight).
5. A weight scale is your best and only friend.
6. Forget aesthetics to achieve the less weight (yes you can (try) go to that posh restaurant in a black running sweater and -pants - I plan to wash extra before and use additional deo).
7. There is nothing a credit card can't solve if you forgot something.

During step 3  I decided which gear I need in which stage so I can plan accordingly to send/return gear by mail or buy along the road. For example I do not think I will require mittens after Vézelay, I will send new pair of running shoes every 600-700k, maybe I will swap my sleeping bag to a lighter model in a later stage and rather than to take a big size items I will send/buy smaller size items along the road.

So far I'm able to limit my backpack gear weight to 4730 gr. excluding the food and water I expect to carry during each stage. I assume food will add in average around 1250 grams (assumption is that on most stages I can refill my water supply regularly and as result limit water weight to around 750 gr / 75 cl  - with food to be around 500 gr.). The gear weight details can be found below. I expect some further updates in the next months (e.g. not entirely sure I will stick to Osprey backpack and final sleeping bag choice).

Gear weight details : 

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