down jacket - am I being ridiculous?

[stelrey]

I have a very lightweight down jacket that weighs in at a mere 204 grams. I'm considering bringing it on a March/April camino. What do you think...useful? Or overkill?

 

[Corwen]

Sounds great for 200ish grams- what is the brand?

 

[larsd4]

Not ridiculous if you have room to spare, but excessive. I just got back, finishing late April and struggled with the same question. Ultimately I opted no as I was already overweight. I didn't need it but it would've made a nice insurance policy. I'm not an outdoorsman and I was worried about getting cold.

Turns out, when you're hiking, wearing three or four layers plus lugging a pack keeps you plenty warm. Down won't help much in the rain either, even under goretex. By the time you reach the albergues in the afternoons, it's warmed into the fifties, so it would see little use sitting around with the other peregrinos drinking wine.

I'd skip it. Bring a fleece vest (in addition to a fleece jacket) if you're nervous. Buen Camino.

 

[stelrey]

I'm not an outdoorsman and I was worried about getting cold. (...) By the time you reach the albergues in the afternoons, it's warmed into the fifties, so it would see little use sitting around with the other peregrinos drinking wine.

Thanks for the feedback! If I were packing for a long spring hike in the woods, I would bring an insulated jacket, mainly for wearing around camp in the evening. I'm having a bit of a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that the camino isn't exactly the same kind of hiking. If it's warm enough in the evening - especially considering the fact that I'd probably be indoors - then maybe there's no point. I'm also considering bringing the down jacket instead of a sleeping bag, so I can just wear it in my silk liner if I get cold.

Sounds great for 200ish grams- what is the brand?

It's not one of the "premium" sportswear brands. I got it on clearance at a local chain store for 75% off. Here it is (although I didn't buy it from this site):
http://www.coatsco.com/en/nuage-215-716 ... nteau.html

I love the colour (Mine's blue), and it's surprisingly warm for how light it is (women's size large = 204 grams).

 

[JohnnieWalker]

No you aren't being ridiculous imho. I have a down jacket that folds up into one of its pockets which I took on my first two or three caminos when I was walking in winter and early spring. It worked for me and made an excellent pillow! I've since got used to layering my clothes and when I feel cold in the evening I wear a merino wool base layer. But technical clothing can be expensive and if you don't want to invest I'd go with what you've got.

Regards

John

 

[Terrri]

No, you aren't.

I am leaving next week and bringing one with me. I am only bringing a liner to sleep with so if it gets too cold at night I figure I have something warm to sleep in.

The way the weather has been so crazy lately I figure why not. We got really warm weather last week and I almost changed my mind until the weather turned cold again this week. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. This is my only "just in case" item.

 

[newfydog]

We have super light mont bell down jackets which go on every trip. Nothing is as warm for the weight and they make great pillows.

Don't underestimate how hard it is to get warm when tired and hungry.

 

[stelrey]

Hmmm. Lots of conflicting opinions. As it stands, I'm leaning towards bringing it. It's lighter than any of my other mid-layers, and I don't feel comfortable bringing just lightweight base layers and a single lightweight fleece. So - for now at least - I'm putting it back on the list. I don't expect to walk in it. I see it more as evening wear.

 

[jastrace]

It is wet and very cold on the Camino prior to Burgos at the moment. Lots of snow on the hills South of San Millan ( relevant to Logrono to Burgos ). We got hailed on yesterday! take wet gear and warm gear if you can.

 

[jastrace]

Oh yeah, I also recommend waterproof gloves, with grippy bits on the fingers. That's about the only thing I am missing as the Icy Spanish wind and rain whips at my hands each day!

 

[stelrey]

Thanks for the heads-up, jastrace! A friend of mine is an ultralight backpacker. He suggested carrying latex gloves and wool liners instead of heavy mittens/gloves. Then you can wear the wool gloves to keep warm, and layer on the latex gloves if it's raining or terribly windy. They're cheap and only weigh about 15 grams per pair. That's what I'm leaning towards, although I have to test them out in a rainstorm.

So here's what I'm planning on wearing/carrying, with the idea that I'll be wearing one set and carrying one set, so that I always have something dry to wear. Of course, I can always pile on all of it if it's absolutely freezing.

2x merino wool t-shirts (95 grams each)
2x merino wool long-sleeved shirts (150 grams each)
2x lightweight hiking trousers (250 grams each)
2x merino wool underwear (28 grams each)
merino wool sports bra (100 grams)
3x wool socks and polyester liners (100ish grams each set)
merino wool long johns (170 grams)
lightweight fleece hoodie (270 grams)
ultralight windshirt (150 grams)
fleece hat (30 grams)
buff (30 grams)
wool gloves, latex gloves (70 grams combined)
raincoat/pack cover (either an altus or a packa - so either 350ish or 430ish grams)
rainpants (168 grams)
down jacket (204 grams)

So that's a little under 3 kg for clothes (both wearing and carrying). I'm pretty comfortable with my packing list. I realize that it's more than a lot of people might bring, but I really want to make sure that I stay warm and dry. It's just the down jacket that I keep waffling back and forth on...I probably won't make up my mind until the very last minute on that one!

 

[SYates]

Your list looks good to me ;-) I am also in the "pro down jacket" camp. March / April can be pretty chilly anyway, especially higher up in the mountains and remember, not all albergues are heated or heated enough. SY

 

[stelrey]

Your list looks good to me ;-) I am also in the "pro down jacket" camp. March / April can be pretty chilly anyway, especially higher up in the mountains and remember, not all albergues are heated or heated enough. SY

That's actually the main thing that keeps pushing me over to the "yes" side - the thought of having a down coat to sleep in on a freezing night!

 

[antjie]

I am presently on Camino between pamplona and Logrona. Every day I wear 5 layers (- admitedly I get cold easily) of which two is an ultra lightweight down gilet and similar jacket. Have not regretted it one second - we have been bombarded with snow, rain, wind and low temperatures! Other essential item is a good poncho such as ferrino and never be without a buff - very versatile item.

 

[stelrey]

I am presently on Camino between pamplona and Logrona. Every day I wear 5 layers (- admitedly I get cold easily) of which two is an ultra lightweight down gilet and similar jacket. Have not regretted it one second - we have been bombarded with snow, rain, wind and low temperatures! Other essential item is a good poncho such as ferrino and never be without a buff - very versatile item.

thanks for the weather report! It must be really good if you're able to hike in two layers of down. I hope it warms up for you soon! I sympathize...I get cold easily too.