Puffy or Down Jacket

[Genecamino55]

I will be starting my camino Frances near September 1st. Will i need to bring an insulated light puffy coat?

 

[C clearly]

It depends on what other layers you take. Many people do like to include a lightweight puffy jacket that can be combined with a rain/wind shell or other layers, or worn on a cool evening, or even worn inside a light weight sleeping bag if needed. (I would not recommend any jacket with built in layers of insulation. They aren't as versatile as the separate thinner layers.)

 

[Grousedoctor]

I will be starting my camino Frances near September 1st. Will i need to bring an insulated light puffy coat?

For September and the first half of October, I think you’ll just be carrying around your puffy coat most of the time. I’d suggest planning a kit based upon layering. My preference is a long sleeved under layer, a light jacket (waterproof), and a vest. That way, I can wear some combination of clothes to fit the weather. The last time I was on the CF in October, shorts and T-shirts were my typical walking outfit. I’m thinking that an insulated puffy coat will be much more than you’ll need. Buen Camino!

 

[Jarrad]

Bring a goose down vest for peace of mind. You probably won't use it for anything besides a pillow. And that's just fine. Buen Camino!

 

[dreaming]

Last year October on CF was cold and continual rain. I took a fleece vest.

 

[Juspassinthru]

I will be starting my camino Frances near September 1st. Will i need to bring an insulated light puffy coat?

I’m a layering advocate. Earlier this year i wore a base layer (long or short sleeve), a light fleece pullover, a heavier zip up fleece jacket and used my rain jacket for wind/rain protection . Over 47 days I wore all or combinations of those everyday. As it, or I warned up, layers started coming off. I liked the fleece because even on cool days it allowed enough air in to moderate my body heat without having to take it off. The lighter pullover is in almost all of my pics, glad I added it at the last moment. If weight is a concern, my pack was about 15lbs. Good luck.

 

[JerryStroebele]

If you enjoy eating at outside tables you might get good use from one. I always carry a very light down puffy coat and have used it a lot. Buen Camio

 

[JordonOzero]

At the higher points along the route and early mornings/late evenings, it may be cool. Given that you can find puffers in the range of 8-10ozs that compress down to the size of a grapefruit, not a terrible idea for added comfort.

 

[Genecamino55]

These comments are really helpful. I would rather be a bit on the warm side than the cold. I am still collecting everything for the kit. I think it will be included. It's very light weight.

 

[trecile]

I switched from bringing a fleece to an ultralight down jacket and saved about 5 ounces.

 

[Genecamino55]

Thats what I have.. super light .. it can be compressed into a very small bag.

 

[vkimble]

These comments are really helpful. I would rather be a bit on the warm side than the cold. I am still collecting everything for the kit. I think it will be included. It's very light weight.

I took my puffer vest (End of May/early June) with me and it was sufficient. I also have SmartWool layer and wool buff. It was enough for me.

 

[Richard Smith]

I started early September (and the lead up days in Paris and SJPdP were really hot so only at the last moment did I include a short sleeve merino T-shirt, which I then wore every morning on the camino till it warmed up during the day).
I took the merino T-shirt, long sleeve nylon sun shirt, a heavy weight fleece (maybe 300 weight) and a poncho. Plus a sun hat and a beanie of course.
As the walk progressed and it got colder, I bought a soft-shell jacket in either Burgos or Leon.
I feel the cold and this was enough for me.

 

[Old walker]

These comments are really helpful. I would rather be a bit on the warm side than the cold. I am still collecting everything for the kit. I think it will be included. It's very light weight.

Long sleeve nylon shirt, light weight merino sweater, 100 wt polar plus fleece, and frogtogs have been my basic layering combination for decades; good down to freezing temperatures. We have done our long hikes during the shoulder seasons. I’d op for a down vest, if I anticipated lots of sedentary time in cold temps.

 

[DwainS]

I will be starting my camino Frances near September 1st. Will i need to bring an insulated light puffy coat?

I can't say for September but I walked last year May- June and again this year May-June. I bought a puffy jacket last year for my first camino Frances but decided not to take it. I did not need it. On the few days it was chilly. I just used layers. A long sleeve merino wool shirt over a short sleeve merino wool shirt and my rain jacket kept my perfectly warm on the chilly days. I now have a brand new puffy jacket that I have never used.

 

[lmp]

I always pack my down jacket, it is light and compressible.

I have completed the CF twice, May 2024 and September 2022 and I always used it at least one or two days (I ride a bike, so the Camino takes about a week).

Since I pack only a liner and not a sleeping bag, I had to sleep with my jacket on once a few weeks ago in a municipal albergue. Much better than the blankets around!

 

[C clearly]

For those who want to read more, here is another thread on the topic. I have closed that thread so that we have only one active discussion on this specific question.