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Although I haven’t walked this particular route, I have always carried a 1-season sleeping bag on my spring Caminos. At 1.1 pounds, my bag is very light and there have been numerous times, again in the spring, that I’ve been glad to have it. As spring weather can be unpredictable and as some albergues may not offer blankets, I’d err on the conservative side and carry a light weight sleeping bag.
What brand and model bag do you have? Also, do you have advice or recommendation on temperature rating?
A liner and a warm jacket should be enough
And there is always the question of weather, will it be the coldest spring in the history of central France, the rainiest, the warmest, who knows. When are you starting, where are you starting, will it be cold or hot on any particular day. Who knows. A better question may be can I buy a sleeping bag on this camino if I need one? That answer may be a little easier to answer, but again who knows? I don't.I definitely need a sleeping bag in April but I think you are really asking us to tell you whether you will need one. This may sound like I’m on my soapbox, sorry, but here’s what I think is the only way to reply to this question.
I think the "should I take a sleeping bag" question is the same as the "what are the best hiking boots" or "which backpack should I use" questions. This is a question that no one else can answer for you because it depends exclusively on your own body. I don't doubt that all of the posters have accurately reported on what feels good for them in those conditions, but they have their own unique internal heating and cooling systems. I always take a lightweight sleeping bag (850 grams), even last year arriving in Santiago in late July. But then I'm what the Spanish call "friolera", someone who gets cold easily. Only you know if that describes you too. If you're the one who always pulls out a sweater to warm up in summer air conditioning, or who needs extra layers when sitting around in the winter, then you will probably be very happy with the decision to carry a sleeping bag. If you sweat a lot and run around the house in shirt sleeves in winter, then you are likely to be fine with something much less.
There is also a gender difference.
Why women secretly turn up the heating
While male and female body temperatures are similar, subtle biological difference conspire to make household temperatures a perennial bone of contention
www.theguardian.com
So my bottom line is that all I can tell you is whether I would need a sleeping bag. Which will be totally irrelevant for your decision whether YOU will need a sleeping bag. Buen camino, Laurie
You should be fine with a sleeping bag liner ... blankets supplied in most if not all gîtes d’étape on the Le Puy route although as Jouffroy notes blankets are not washed between uses ... but it might also depend on two other things : whether you tend to sleep «hot» or «cold» ... and the prevailing weather conditions [impossible to predict but you could ask Prof. Google about long-term averages]. If you went without, and quickly discovered that you need a sleeping bag, you will find an outdoor store at Saugues and a particularly good one at Aumont-Aubrac.
Do you know temperature blanket is rated for? My sleeping bag 2.75 lbs rated for 20 little on heavy side.
A bit heavy, yes. I don't see a rating for this blanket, alas! I would say that it's like adding a quilted jacket? I'm walking June, so it should be good, but April might need something more. Here's a sleeping bag to consider: 757grams/1.7 lbs, ECO-Opro, waterproof ($30.00 on Amazon here). It mentions 55 degrees. I own this one, too, but I haven't tried it yet!
Thanks! Yeah I saw that and a couple other brands I was considering with same temp rating and one a little lighter at 1.5 lbs for $39. I figure any of those should provide enough warmth considering using indoors and the gites probably give you a couple of blankets you could throw over it if needed.
Hi Bill. I carry the Kjallraven Funas Lite.
