Fleece/jacket necessary in august?

[DavidAt]

Hello everyone!

I will be walking the Camino del Norte starting august first. I can’t quite figure out what warm layers I need, if any. I’m thinking of just a light weight fleece. Would that be enough? Is it too much?

I have a rain poncho that I’m bringing as well.

Thanks!

 

[trecile]

I think that a lightweight fleece will be enough but not too much.

 

[C clearly]

Welcome to the forum.

The secret to choosing clothes is always to take layers that can be combined in different ways. It is impossible to say if one item is "needed" without knowing how the various items can be combined. Two light shirts are better than one heavy one. You say you have a light fleece. What other items could be layered with it, for example on a cool evening while other items are being washed and dried?

 

[Luka]

I always bring a fleece jacket and a longsleeved thermoshirt, so I can wear one of them when the other one is hanging to dry and I could also combine them if really cold. The last thing (combining them) won't be necessary on the Norte in August, so if you don't mind risking to feel a little bit chilly when your fleece jacket is hanging to dry you could also just bring a fleece. But I would always bring one warm layer.

 

[darealdeal77]

I brought a light weight Columbia fleece pullover and a Patagonia Nano puffy jacket and there were a few days early in the morning when I had to use the plus my rain jacket on top, but I’m from Florida and not used to cold weather. We walked August 30-October 2, mainly early in the mornings temperatures were in the 40s and 50s, and it came in handy. Also my rain jacket was lightweight, but a good wind breaker. Hope this helps! BUEN CAMINO

 

[MaryOswald]

Hello everyone!

I will be walking the Camino del Norte starting august first. I can’t quite figure out what warm layers I need, if any. I’m thinking of just a light weight fleece. Would that be enough? Is it too much?

I have a rain poncho that I’m bringing as well.

Thanks!

Yes!! It's too much!! Bring a lightweight long sleeve ( think gauze) shirt, even a down puffy that sqooches down to nothing and is much lighter than fleece but you won't need that until possibly towards the end. And I would rethink the poncho. They make very lightweight very effective rain jackets that also look kinda nice for wearing around towns. Ponchos are good for backpacking but you will be walking around a lot of towns.

 

[DoughnutANZ]

Hello everyone!

I will be walking the Camino del Norte starting august first. I can’t quite figure out what warm layers I need, if any. I’m thinking of just a light weight fleece. Would that be enough? Is it too much?

I have a rain poncho that I’m bringing as well.

Thanks!

I don't have a jacket with me, nor have I needed one over the past two months. Walked Madrid, Frances from Sahagún to O Cebrerio and Portuguese from Tui.

Currently on the North West coast.

 

[Compass Chris]

I can recomend the RAB Vital windbreaker as a super light (110g) extra layer (packs into its own pocket) https://rab.equipment/uk/vital-jacket

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

And I would rethink the poncho. They make very lightweight very effective rain jackets that also look kinda nice for wearing around towns. Ponchos are good for backpacking but you will be walking around a lot of towns.

I wouldn't rethink the poncho!! Yes, you will be walking around towns, but not half as much as you'll be on the trail!!
To be fair, I'm not too worried about how I look - I care more about comfort and practicality.
I've worn both. In my personal opinion, poncho's are better. Especially the ones with proper arms - they're like a jacket , but with the added bonus of protection for your pack, (day pack when you are in town) and they hang down lower than a jacket, so in August you won't need rain pants too. The bottom of your shorts might get wet, but that's about it. Plus, once I'd practised a couple of times, I can pull it out of the side pocket of my pack and put it on without even stopping. And yes, I use poles. Don't know how I'd manage that in a sudden downpour with a jacket!
They also come in their own pouch - useful for dirty clothes, whilst the poncho stayed, easily accessible, in the side pocket...
I carried a long sleeved Merino, +light weight puffer, and used both. To be fair, on the Primitivo, so perhaps a little cooler. But July... I'm writing this in the train on the way home.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

Footnote to above - when I got home last night it was just 11 degrees. Seems I missed the heatwave.
Yes, I wore my puffer jacket for the walk home!

 

[Anhalter]

I use a very thinly padded jacket that also keeps of the wind and the occasional drop of rain. I would never travel anywhere without it, no matter the season.
Yes, it's likely that i would not need it right now, but weather can change and who knows what it will be like in 3 weeks from now. So better have options available. Does not have to be heavy, layer with some other items as needed. Also not bad to have an extra if everything else is in the washer.

 

[williamlittig]

Hello everyone!

I will be walking the Camino del Norte starting august first. I can’t quite figure out what warm layers I need, if any. I’m thinking of just a light weight fleece. Would that be enough? Is it too much?

I have a rain poncho that I’m bringing as well.

Thanks!

Weather is not predictable, you will be near the ocean, ponchos are not jackets so they seldom provide warmth, layering will help. Tshirt, long sleeve shirt, light fleece, rain jacket could be a good combination. Be prepared.

 

[Henriettagal]

Hello everyone!

I will be walking the Camino del Norte starting august first. I can’t quite figure out what warm layers I need, if any. I’m thinking of just a light weight fleece. Would that be enough? Is it too much?

I have a rain poncho that I’m bringing as well.

Thanks!

Rain Jacket and light weight fleece will be plenty. Layer up if necessary.

 

[Bernardo77]

Yes!! It's too much!! Bring a lightweight long sleeve ( think gauze) shirt, even a down puffy that sqooches down to nothing and is much lighter than fleece but you won't need that until possibly towards the end. And I would rethink the poncho. They make very lightweight very effective rain jackets that also look kinda nice for wearing around towns. Ponchos are good for backpacking but you will be walking around a lot of towns.

Most puffys weigh around 300-400g with fleeces in the 150-200g range. Lightweight baselayer, fleece and possibly lightweight rainshell (my black diamond stormline is amazing for wind) should cover most conditions

 

[Trekker One]

It depends on where you are from. I am from northern Alberta and not bothered by cold that much as we deal with snow six months a year. On the other hand I don't do well with temps over 32 C
If it is above 0 C, I am in shorts.
I typically go early spring on my walks, but when we did the Primitivo it was in September.
I might have been in long sleeves in the very early morning on a few days, but typically started almost every day in shorts and a T shirt on the Primitivo.
A rain poncho is a good idea though although in six Caminos I have only had one spring trip where I ever used one more than once.
So in summary, depending on your tolerance to cold ( what you are acclimatised to) I would personally minimize the weight of cold weather clothing for a summer, early fall Camino.