Hello new comer here. February 2025 start

[Samc99]

Hello my name is Sam. I’m 58 years old and I’m Starting from Léon 10th February- I need advise please, on everything from what gear to get and ideas on accommodation. I’m feeling anxious about where I should invest my money. I’m training in Trail running shoes which I’m really comfortable in but I wonder if they are the best in February? What sleeping bag should I get? I get hot and sweaty so what wet weather gear is best. There is so much choice and I’d rather ask experienced Camino hikers to point me in the right direction. Thank you.

 

[walkingstu]

Hello my name is Sam. I’m 58 years old and I’m Starting from Léon 10th February- I need advise please, on everything from what gear to get and ideas on accommodation. I’m feeling anxious about where I should invest my money. I’m training in Trail running shoes which I’m really comfortable in but I wonder if they are the best in February? What sleeping bag should I get? I get hot and sweaty so what wet weather gear is best. There is so much choice and I’d rather ask experienced Camino hikers to point me in the right direction. Thank you.

Hi Sam, welcome to the forum. Your asking all the right questions . If I were you I'd investigate boots as you will likely be dealing with snow at higher altitudes. Gaiters might also be useful. Most albergues have heat so I wouldn't use a heavy bag, I carry a light wool single blanket, and try to avoid sleeping at altitude on winter caminos. If I do, I u
se private accommodation not albergues.
You are likely to deal with more than a bit of rain, so investigate what your most comfortable in before you go, and take seriously any weather advise .
In the meantime enjoy the planning and it's a wonderful experience!

 

[trecile]

Most albergues have heat

But often the hours that the heat is turned on are very limited.

 

[lovingkindness]

Buen camino! @Samc99

 

[Samc99]

Hi Sam, welcome to the forum. Your asking all the right questions . If I were you I'd investigate boots as you will likely be dealing with snow at higher altitudes. Gaiters might also be useful. Most albergues have heat so I wouldn't use a heavy bag, I carry a light wool single blanket, and try to avoid sleeping at altitude on winter caminos. If I do, I u
se private accommodation not albergues.
You are likely to deal with more than a bit of rain, so investigate what your most comfortable in before you go, and take seriously any weather advise .
In the meantime enjoy the planning and it's a wonderful experience!

Thank you. Lots to consider.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

@Samc99, welcome to the forum.
Shoes vs boots is the perennial question, some of us prefer one, some the other. Whilst I am normally firmly in the Trail Runner camp, boots may well serve your purpose better in February for the reasons stated above. Hopefully some of our more experienced winter Walkers such as @J Willhaus, @Bradypus, @mspath, and @roving_rufus will be along soon. I believe @Marus99 did this route in February this year.

Clothing: good layering is critical. Personally I prefer Merino wool but there are of course excellent polypropylene options available. It's cheaper, but tends to smell much faster than Merino which is why I no longer use it.

Rainwear: you say you sweat a lot so whether you choose to go for a poncho or a jacket look for something that can unzip fully and has pit zips for ventilation. There are a couple of 'ponchos' that are in reality a crossover between the two. Altus is one such, (available from Ivar here on the forum) Decathlon produce one and there is an American variant whose name I forget. All three are excellent options. The advantage of these is that they also cover your backpack and are very easy to deploy. If you choose to go with a rain jacket, consult the experts in your local sports store or look at reviews online. Goretex (for breathability) and pitzips are your friends here. Remember if you have a jacket you will definitely need a pack cover.

Food. I'm not sure about this section, in winter you may find one or two of the smaller places that have nothing open other than the Albergues. Personally I would ensure I had enough food to cover me for 24 hours - cupasoups, cheese, crackers, salami or tuna - something along those lines. A teaspoon and some kind of microwaveable cup or container too, sometimes all you will have is a microwave - especially in the Galacian Xunta.

Rain pants - some love them, some hate them. I personally find them useful in winter not so much to keep my legs dry but to keep myself warm. Especially useful if it's both rainy and windy. You don't need an expensive pair, especially for such a short walk.

Sleeping bag. Whilst most open Albergues are heated, it is often switched off overnight. For that reason I personally feel a four season bag is necessary. Or, as @walkingstu says, look for private accommodation.

You might find this discussion useful:

Thread 'which sleeping bag for a camino in winter?' https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/which-sleeping-bag-for-a-camino-in-winter.84257/

Buen Camino!

 

[J Willhaus]

What kind of Camino do you envision? Will you stay in albergues or private rooms? If you only stay in private rooms you won't need a sleeping bag. If you plan to stay in albergues, bring at least at least a 3 season bag. Mine is an older down bag that weighs 1 pound.

As mentioned above, heat will be on usually a few hours in the evening, but is generally shut off at night. That is true in both hotels and albergues due to the extremely high cost of energy in Spain. Even in Santiago, our hotel room heat was set to go on only in late afternoon and shut off at bedtime. I find the Spanish winter to be a damp cold, but I have been living in a very dry, cold climate in the US.

In winter I wear a gortex mid boot that is made on the same last as my summer trail runners. They are light, but warm and comfortable.

 

[J Willhaus]

As far as rain gear, I now wear an Altus rain poncho instead of a rain coat. I prefer it as you don't have to stop to take off your pack in the rain to deploy it as you would a jacket. There isn't always a good place to stop and put your pack down and it rains a lot in the winter especially in the last 150 km of the Camino.

 

[trecile]

Here is a link to the Altus raincoat/poncho that others have mentioned.

Altus Poncho (ATMOSPHERIC J30)

Wears as a Jacket. Space for backpack. Is a Poncho. Get ready to face the elements with the ATMOSPHERIC J30 long raincoat, designed to offer you maximum protection without compromising your comfort or style. This lightweight and comfortable raincoat is the perfect choice for rainy and windy...

www.santiagodecompostela.me

 

[Samc99]

@Samc99, welcome to the forum.
Shoes vs boots is the perennial question, some of us prefer one, some the other. Whilst I am normally firmly in the Trail Runner camp, boots may well serve your purpose better in February for the reasons stated above. Hopefully some of our more experienced winter Walkers such as @J Willhaus, @Bradypus, @mspath, and @roving_rufus will be along soon. I believe @Marus99 did this route in February this year.

Clothing: good layering is critical. Personally I prefer Merino wool but there are of course excellent polypropylene options available. It's cheaper, but tends to smell much faster than Merino which is why I no longer use it.

Rainwear: you say you sweat a lot so whether you choose to go for a poncho or a jacket look for something that can unzip fully and has pit zips for ventilation. There are a couple of 'ponchos' that are in reality a crossover between the two. Altus is one such, (available from Ivar here on the forum) Decathlon produce one and there is an American variant whose name I forget. All three are excellent options. The advantage of these is that they also cover your backpack and are very easy to deploy. If you choose to go with a rain jacket, consult the experts in your local sports store or look at reviews online. Goretex (for breathability) and pitzips are your friends here. Remember if you have a jacket you will definitely need a pack cover.

Food. I'm not sure about this section, in winter you may find one or two of the smaller places that have nothing open other than the Albergues. Personally I would ensure I had enough food to cover me for 24 hours - cupasoups, cheese, crackers, salami or tuna - something along those lines. A teaspoon and some kind of microwaveable cup or container too, sometimes all you will have is a microwave - especially in the Galacian Xunta.

Rain pants - some love them, some hate them. I personally find them useful in winter not so much to keep my legs dry but to keep myself warm. Especially useful if it's both rainy and windy. You don't need an expensive pair, especially for such a short walk.

Sleeping bag. Whilst most open Albergues are heated, it is often switched off overnight. For that reason I personally feel a four season bag is necessary. Or, as @walkingstu says, look for private accommodation.

You might find this discussion useful:

Thread 'which sleeping bag for a camino in winter?' https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/which-sleeping-bag-for-a-camino-in-winter.84257/

Buen Camino!

Thank you so much for your generosity and depth of your reply. It’s a good job Christmas is coming.

 

[Samc99]

As far as rain gear, I now wear an Altus rain poncho instead of a rain coat. I prefer it as you don't have to stop to take off your pack in the rain to deploy it as you would a jacket. There isn't always a good place to stop and put your pack down and it rains a lot in the winter especially in the last 150 km of the Camino.

Thank you. I’m going to try a Poncho

 

[Samc99]

What kind of Camino do you envision? Will you stay in albergues or private rooms? If you only stay in private rooms you won't need a sleeping bag. If you plan to stay in albergues, bring at least at least a 3 season bag. Mine is an older down bag that weighs 1 pound.

As mentioned above, heat will be on usually a few hours in the evening, but is generally shut off at night. That is true in both hotels and albergues due to the extremely high cost of energy in Spain. Even in Santiago, our hotel room heat was set to go on only in late afternoon and shut off at bedtime. I find the Spanish winter to be a damp cold, but I have been living in a very dry, cold climate in the US.

In winter I wear a gortex mid boot that is made on the same last as my summer trail runners. They are light, but warm and comfortable.

Thank you. I would like to try both styles of accommodation I know I’ll have less choice this time of year. So lots of investment needed who knew walking needed so much gear but I’m really enjoying the training and I’m so looking forward to this adventure.

 

[trecile]

So lots of investment needed who knew walking needed so much gear

That's why some of us walk the Camino over and over - to make sure that we get our money's worth from our gear.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

Thank you. I would like to try both styles of accommodation I know I’ll have less choice this time of year. So lots of investment needed who knew walking needed so much gear but I’m really enjoying the training and I’m so looking forward to this adventure.

Actually, backpack aside, you don't have to buy a lot of gear. There are still people who just dress normally, put on a comfortable pair of shoes, and walk out the door with a change of clothes from the cupboard in a bag. A little harder in winter but still very doable.

It's much how I used to travel, but over the years I've found I'm more comfortable in better quality, often lighter weight gear. That said, I wear much of my gear year round, and I never hesitate to buy second hand if I can! I've seen Merino Gear, hiking poles and even the odd rucksack in the local Oxfam ( think Goodwill).

May your family be generous at Christmas, and Buen Camino!