Fleece or light rain/wind jacket?

[Andrea Mayfield]

I'm walking the Camino Frances beginning on September 13. My internal temp. usually runs warm. So, I'm leaning toward packing short sleeved wool t-shirts (1 long sleeved) and a puffy vest along with a light weight North Face wind/rain jacket with hood rather than a fleece. I have an Altus poncho for serious rain. This is my first fall Camino - I'd appreciate advice on your experience with temperatures this time of year. Thank for your thoughts.

 

[C clearly]

rather than a fleece.

There are many weights and styles of "fleece" wear, and there is nothing compulsory about any of them. Your layers sound good.

 

[Vacajoe]

Stick with the layered approach!

 

[Housedog]

What I've learned from cycle touring is that anything that retains water is bad. One trip my rain jacket was soggy for days ... next trip I upgraded to an expensive shake dry. Layers dry faster and if your clothes can't be reasonably dried rolling in a towel they will stay wet too long.

 

[David with new Kit!]

Layers, that's what works best. You just have to decide how many layers work for you.

I wear three layers, the second being a light cycle zip up top, the third being a lightweight goretex raincoat.

You mentioned wool t-shirts. You just need to ensure your chosen tops will dry as fast as more technical fibres.

I finished the CF mid October last year and at times it was 5c in the mornings. But, it rarely lasted long, and walking raises your core temperature anyway.

 

[henrythedog]

I'm walking the Camino Frances beginning on September 13. My internal temp. usually runs warm. So, I'm leaning toward packing short sleeved wool t-shirts (1 long sleeved) and a puffy vest along with a light weight North Face wind/rain jacket with hood rather than a fleece. I have an Altus poncho for serious rain. This is my first fall Camino - I'd appreciate advice on your experience with temperatures this time of year. Thank for your thoughts.

Layers good as others have said. A bit of mixed weather in September in northern Spain is a distinct possibility.

 

[Andrea Mayfield]

Layers, that's what works best. You just have to decide how many layers work for you.

I wear three layers, the second being a light cycle zip up top, the third being a lightweight goretex raincoat.

You mentioned wool t-shirts. You just need to ensure your chosen tops will dry as fast as more technical fibres.

I finished the CF mid October last year and at times it was 5c in the mornings. But, it rarely lasted long, and walking raises your core temperature anyway.

Thanks Dave. Only long sleeved T-shirt is 100% Merino wool - for coldest times. Other t-shirts are 60% merino wool and 40% poly - very light weight.

 

[Plato]

Sounds like you're well prepared with wool based clothing, the poncho alone should suffice for any possible rain.
I did the CF last year in September and only had to use the poncho twice over 33 days. It was quite hot until around Leon (started early September) and I bought a fleece in Leon for the cooler evenings.
Looks like this year it could be an Indian summer as well.

Buen Camino!

 

[K_Lynn]

Your layers sound good. I walked last year in September and found early mornings and afternoons to be chilly after Leon. So chilly that I bought a pair of pants to go over my leggings and a jacket to go over the merino hoodie I had. I also had a pair of ultralight merino glove liners that I wore some mornings.

In late september/early october expect mornings to be 5-15C. I adjusted layers frequently throughout the day, removing or adding layers as I needed them.

Buen Camino!

 

[gittiharre]

I'm walking the Camino Frances beginning on September 13. My internal temp. usually runs warm. So, I'm leaning toward packing short sleeved wool t-shirts (1 long sleeved) and a puffy vest along with a light weight North Face wind/rain jacket with hood rather than a fleece. I have an Altus poncho for serious rain. This is my first fall Camino - I'd appreciate advice on your experience with temperatures this time of year. Thank for your thoughts.

I usually take stretchy silk singlet, short-sleeved Merino, light fleece or uniqlo light down jacket and the light Altus or Sea to Summit poncho. It has been a great combo for years in June or Septemberin Spain, France, Portugal.

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

Take both. You will use both, and it gives 4 options;
1) Nothing
2) Fleece only
3) Rain jacket only
4) Fleece and Rain Jacket (which has performed well for me even through a Canadian Winter.
Heat is retained close to the body and the Rain Jacket will not only keep everything dry but also deflect cold winds, as well as snow and sleet. If it gets colder, add another larger fleece.

 

[gunwharfman]

I consider that my most important item of clothing is my windproof jacket. It helps to make all other items of clothing work better in my view.