ALKHOBAR: For many first-time pilgrims, packing for Hajj begins with uncertainty.
The result is often the same. Overpacked bags, unnecessary items and the quiet realization, days later, that comfort during Hajj depends far less on quantity than expected.
Some arrive carrying multiple pairs of shoes, stacks of clothing and backup items for every possible scenario. Others realize too late that the things they truly needed were much simpler.
“I packed like I was traveling for a month,” 31-year-old pilgrim Reem Al-Harbi from Riyadh told Arab News.
“I brought extra abayas, skincare products, snacks, medicine for things that never even happened. By the second day, I was exhausted just carrying everything.”
Like many pilgrims performing Hajj for the first time, Al-Harbi spent weeks preparing physically and emotionally for the journey.
But the reality of moving constantly between crowded areas quickly changed the way she thought about packing.
“You stop caring about having options,” she said. “You start caring about what feels light and easy to carry.”
Across Mina and Makkah, pilgrims often discover that practicality matters more than preparation in excess.
Some items remain untouched for days. Others become unexpectedly essential.
“I brought two pairs of shoes and only used one,” said pilgrim Mohammed Al-Qahtani from Riyadh.
“Meanwhile, the one thing I really wish I packed was better slippers for walking long distances. Small things suddenly become very important there.”
Phone chargers, refillable water bottles, lightweight bags and comfortable footwear were among the items most frequently mentioned by returning pilgrims.
Several said they underestimated how physically demanding the experience would feel in the heat.
“You imagine the spiritual side of Hajj so much that you forget the physical reality,” Al-Qahtani said. “There’s constant walking, waiting, moving and carrying.”
Others spoke about bringing items based more on fear than necessity.
Munirah Al-Gamdi from Dammam stowed enough packaged food for several days despite having meals available through her campaign.
“I thought I would need everything,” she admitted. “But most of it stayed untouched in my bag.”
That pattern is familiar to Hajj organizers and campaign supervisors, many of whom see first-time pilgrims struggle with heavy luggage every season.
“People often prepare for Hajj emotionally before they prepare practically,” said campaign coordinator Abdullah Al-Shammari. “They pack for every possibility because they don’t know what to expect yet.”
According to Al-Shammari, the biggest mistake is assuming more items automatically mean more comfort.
“The pilgrims who struggle the most are usually the ones carrying too much,” he said. “After a few days, simplicity becomes part of survival.”
For some, the lesson becomes clear during moments of exhaustion.
Al-Gamdi recalled sitting outside her tent reorganizing her belongings after realizing she had barely touched most of what she packed.
“I remember looking at my bag thinking, ‘Why did I bring all this?’” she said. “At that point, even carrying extra weight felt unnecessary.”
Others discovered that the most useful items were often the least expensive or least expected.
“A tiny spray bottle for water ended up being one of the best things I brought,” said Al-Harbi. “Not the expensive things. Not the extra clothes. Just something small that made the heat easier.”
Many also emphasized the importance of keeping valuables and essentials easily accessible rather than deeply packed inside luggage.
“When you’re constantly moving, convenience changes everything,” Al-Harbi added. “You don’t want to keep opening bags looking for basic things.”
Returning pilgrims say the experience permanently changes how they pack afterward.
“You realize very quickly that Hajj is not about being prepared for every possible situation,” Al-Qahtani said. “It’s about making things easier on yourself physically so you can focus on the experience itself.”
That realization, many said, often arrives only after carrying too much for too long.
Many pilgrims said the experience changed the way they pack permanently.
