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Bedding/accommodations on the Camino Primitivo?

katieblanco

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
August 2024
Hello all! I am planning to hike the Camino Primitivo next month. What sort of bedding should I account for? Ideally, I’d like to stay somewhere that provides bedding so I have less to carry in my pack, but am open to anything. Please share your recommendations or tips related to sleeping/bedding below. Thank you!
 
3rd Edition. More content, training & pack guides avoid common mistakes, bed bugs etc
Walked in May this year. I did stay in albergues about 70% of the time. Those i stayed in all provided blankets, but you needed at least some sort of liner. The blankets did look OK, actually better than those i encountered on the C.Frances. But as i personally don't like to use them no matter what, i carried a sleeping bag as well as a liner and was very happy with my choice.
 
We also walked the Primitivo in May this year. I agree with the above on the blanket availability. We also don't like using a provided blanket. We've been using the Sea to Summit Reactor Extreme liner. It weights .36 kilogram, so much lighter than a sleeping bag and you know it's clean!

Have fun! It's a wonderful Camino!
 
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
I walked the Primitivo last September and it was warm so no sleeping bag needed (in fact shipped it home), but rec a liner if you are staying in the munis - they do have blankets. If you are staying in private albergues you don't need any bedding at all. Agree the ups and downs of the route make it tougher so keep a light pack.
 
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There are plenty of comfortable Hostales along that route that'll provide a fully furnished bed and towels in the bathroom. If you're planning to stay in Albergues? I always carry my light-weight down sleeping bag
 
@katieblanco , welcome to the forum. For an August Primitivo I'd recommend just a silk liner. But I sleep warm - we're all different in this regard!
If you carry a liner (they're both small and light weight) it opens up more options for you. Otherwise you always have to look for somewhere that provides bedding.
Enjoy, it's a wonderful Camino!
 
...and ship it to Santiago for storage. You pick it up once in Santiago. Service offered by Casa Ivar (we use DHL for transportation).
Walked in May this year. I did stay in albergues about 70% of the time. Those i stayed in all provided blankets, but you needed at least some sort of liner. The blankets did look OK, actually better than those i encountered on the C.Frances. But as i personally don't like to use them no matter what, i carried a sleeping bag as well as a liner and was very happy with my choice.
Might be strange question but what about a pillowcase and put some clothes in to make a pillow as I would have the same issue with using a pillow as using a blanket, thanks. Open to suggestions
 
@JenCook , pillow cases are normally changed/washed daily, unlike blankets. You could certainly take your own pillow case with you, a few do - although Spanish pillows often aren't the same as ours.
Alternatively, buy a lightweight, quality (inflatable) camping pillow
 
I take a lightweight down sleeping bag everywhere, packs down easily and small. I take a pillow case too
 
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
Might be strange question but what about a pillowcase and put some clothes in to make a pillow as I would have the same issue with using a pillow as using a blanket, thanks. Open to suggestions
I had a bag for my clothes in my backpack and sometimes I used this bag as a pillow. No extra pillowcase needed. This is common for pilgrims and backpackers.
 
So from what I gathered, blankets are typicall provided but doubts on the frequency of washing. I am planning on staying albuergues predominantly, feel like I am already over packing so is a liner necessary? Will I get some sort of blanket at all albuergues (ignoring the cleanliness aspect)?
 
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Yes, if you choose not to carry a sleeping bag, a liner is necessary. Blankets are provided by most, but NOT all Albergues. As to whether you need a sleeping bag or not, that totally depends on when you go, the weather, how warm the individual Albergue is, and whether you sleep cold or warm.
 
So from what I gathered, blankets are typicall provided but doubts on the frequency of washing. I am planning on staying albuergues predominantly, feel like I am already over packing so is a liner necessary? Will I get some sort of blanket at all albuergues (ignoring the cleanliness aspect)?
You'll need at least a liner because sheets and pillowcases are generally not provided.
 
Yes, if you choose not to carry a sleeping bag, a liner is necessary. Blankets are provided by most, but NOT all Albergues. As to whether you need a sleeping bag or not, that totally depends on when you go, the weather, how warm the individual Albergue is, and whether you sleep cold or warm.
Thank you for your reply, I am going in October and doing the primitivo, from what I gather it will be cold in bits. Taking some warm thermal layers to use at night already and now definitely taking a liner. Hoping the two will do the job although I am aware that I tend to be cold sleeper. Time will tell. I don't fancy buying a sleeping bag at this stage as I am travelling and have limited space to work with.
 
Join Camino Cleanup: Logroño to Burgos May 2025 and Astorga to O'Cebreiro in June.
You'll need at least a liner because sheets and pillowcases are generally not provided.
As in the liner is used to cover the mattress? When you say sheet I think of the sheet that covers the mattress. From what I gather some sheets are provided but blankets are a maybe and in that instance the liner is used as the blanket??
 
As in the liner is used to cover the mattress? When you say sheet I think of the sheet that covers the mattress. From what I gather some sheets are provided but blankets are a maybe and in that instance the liner is used as the blanket??
The "sheets" that are provided are generally disposable sheets which may not be very comfortable to sleep on.
 

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