Lightweight and Compact Sleeping Bags for the Camino Frances

[Mark H]

I am looking at lightweight & compact sleeping bags to use on the CF starting from SJJP 16th May.
Has anyone used a Snugpack sleep bag

 

[Bradypus]

I have a Snugpak Softie Kestrel. Bought in the 1990s while serving with the British Army as a smaller and lighter alternative to the issue sleeping bag. Still in use from time to time. A decent well-made bag which packs small and lofts fairly well. Probably warmer than you would need in May/June unless you feel the cold quite a lot.

 

[jcat]

I have a Sea to Summit Spark 40 for summer camping trips. Very light (about 14oz) and compact. I like it, but it's very pricy. On the Camino I have taken just a sleeping bag liner which has been enough for me. But I am a warm sleeper.

 

[Mark H]

I have a Sea to Summit Spark 40 for summer camping trips. Very light (about 14oz) and compact. I like it, but it's very pricy. On the Camino I have taken just a sleeping bag liner which has been enough for me. But I am a warm sleeper.

I was also thinking of just taking a liner

 

[trecile]

I take a liner (actually a homemade silk sleep sack) and a tiny down blanket. It makes for a very flexible and lightweight sleep system.

 

[J Willhaus]

We have Montbell Spiral Hugger #5's. No longer made, but you might find one on eBay or something. Mine weighs 1 lb and is down filled. Rated to 40F, but I have slept outdoors in less than 31F without getting cold. In the warm months we just take a silk liner. My liner is a mummy cut and weighs 5 oz. The down bags were on sale and were no longer being made when we bought two about10 years ago and have really loved having them. I think we paid about $150 each and I thought that was pretty expensive.

 

[J Willhaus]

I've also used my old US Army poncho liner in the summer, too. Mine weighs 1 lb. and has no zipper. I just use safety pins to fashion it into a bag. Super soft and silky. My husband has a Marine Corps poncho liner version we bought from Military Surplus with a zipper that weighs a few ounces more. It is not as silky as mine. He used it in the winter with a bag liner when we were hospitaleros in a winter albergue without heat at night. His first Army poncho liner gave out years ago.

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

Just using the Snugpack Jungle blanket. Not for everyone's taste but it is working for me.

 

[Stroller]

Jungle bag works well for me

 

[Gobsmacked by the World]

Mountain Equipment Coop, in Canada, has a nice bag.

MEC Camino Traveller 15/22C Sleeping Bag - Unisex | MEC

MEC Camino Traveller 15/22C Sleeping Bag - Unisex: Tropical summer nights under the stars require just the right amount of warmth. The Camino Traveller lets you choose how warm or how cool you want to sleep.

www.mec.ca

Essentially it is a quilt sewn onto a sheet. You save the weight of not having sleeping bag under you, while having structure that prevents the quilt from sliding off in the night.

Weight is 580 grams. Of course it is called the Camino, lol.

 

[CarolamS]

As you are from the UK you might want to look at the Alpkit down blanket. Weighs 450g; certified hydrophobic down it packs very small into it's own pocket. Lots of flexibility in how you use it with a drawstring at the top and bottom and poppers along the sides to use if you want or not. (I generally make a toe-box and leave the rest open.)

Lots of options out there, enjoy choosing.

 

[benny aumala]

Standard Jungle Blanket. I put a 1 meter zipper to make a footbox and use it as quilt. Zipper allows to open it for usual blanket. Very good!

 

[Wheelchairpilgrim]

I have a cumulus panyam sleeping bag. Polish etical freerange down. Lightweight, good quality and a better price than other down sleepingbags.
I am always cold but in this sleeping bag I alway sleep nice, from 0⁰C to 20⁰C I can use it (with 0⁰ completely closed and with 20 or more open).
I also camp in a tent so this is perfect for every weather that I have on my camino.

 

[Pawel]

Hey,

I have used Cumulus Magic 125 Zip on two Camino Frances (spanning from middle of September to the beginning of November). It was more than enough and I am taking it for VdlP beginning in last weekend of February.
Now they offer newer version - Magic 100 Zip - even lighter.
X-lite line is also worth taking into account if You are cold sleeper.
( https://cumulus.equipment/eu_en/sleeping-bags/down.html )

 

[Malifice]

I've also used my old US Army poncho liner in the summer, too. Mine weighs 1 lb. and has no zipper. I just use safety pins to fashion it into a bag. Super soft and silky. My husband has a Marine Corps poncho liner version we bought from Military Surplus with a zipper that weighs a few ounces more. It is not as silky as mine. He used it in the winter with a bag liner when we were hospitaleros in a winter albergue without heat at night. His first Army poncho liner gave out years ago.

I'll be doing the same and taking my beloved Woobie.

Id rather leave it and just use whatever is provided, but Im hearing that many of the refuges and hostels arent providing any linen this year due to COVID.

Can anyone confirm?

 

[J Willhaus]

Private rooms are providing sheets. Many albergues last fall were providing disposable sheets and pillow cases.

 

[RJM]

I'll be doing the same and taking my beloved Woobie.

Id rather leave it and just use whatever is provided, but Im hearing that many of the refuges and hostels arent providing any linen this year due to COVID.

Can anyone confirm?

I took one of my old poncho liners and had it sewn up about 4/5 of the way around. A sleep sack. You don't have the luxury of a zipper on it but don't really need one and Velcro would be too noisy in an albergue. It works great as a warmer weather sleep system. I got a stuff sack for it and I would guess it weighs about a pound.

 

[RussB]

Jungle bag works well for me

I’m the same, very good bag, but wondering I& it’s going to be too warm to use in VdlP in May/ June. I thinking it will be and only going to take silk liner

 

[Aloha From Kauai]

I am looking at lightweight & compact sleeping bags to use on the CF starting from SJJP 16th May.
Has anyone used a Snugpack sleep bag

I am bringing a very lightweight down sleeping quilt that has a foot box and a silk liner.

 

[Former member 91017]

I take a liner (actually a homemade silk sleep sack) and a tiny down blanket. It makes for a very flexible and lightweight sleep system.

I have one night on my coming camino Norte, in Priesca on Good Friday.... and I have purchased the same quilt, have my sea-to-summit silk liner with the elastic side panels... I have a puffer jacket, hat, and can sleep in my clothes for the next day... but i worry that if I end up stuck in the church doorway.. if the Parochial does not open/is full that I might be too cold over night. What do you think? It's the only night I'm truly worried about... and there don't seem to be any feasibly "taxi forward or backward" options on that night...

 

[trecile]

if the Parochial does not open/is full that I might be too cold over night.

You're planning to stay at La Rectoral? It was one of my favorites on the Norte, and they take reservations!

Albergue La Rectoral de Priesca | Albergue de Peregrinos en Priesca | Gronze.com

Información del albergue de peregrinos Albergue La Rectoral de Priesca, en Priesca: Precio, plazas, características, etc...

www.gronze.com

And don't worry about finding a place to eat nearby - they have items to purchase that you can heat up/cook, or you can bring food to cook.

Read the reviews on Gronze:

Albergue La Rectoral de Priesca | Comentarios y Recomendaciones | Gronze.com

Comentarios y Recomendaciones de Peregrinos sobre Albergue La Rectoral de Priesca en el Camino de Santiago

www.gronze.com

 

[Former member 91017]

You're planning to stay at La Rectoral? It was one of my favorites on the Norte, and they take reservations!

Albergue La Rectoral de Priesca | Albergue de Peregrinos en Priesca | Gronze.com

Información del albergue de peregrinos Albergue La Rectoral de Priesca, en Priesca: Precio, plazas, características, etc...

www.gronze.com

And don't worry about finding a place to eat nearby - they have items to purchase that you can heat up/cook, or you can bring food to cook.

Read the reviews on Gronze:

Albergue La Rectoral de Priesca | Comentarios y Recomendaciones | Gronze.com

Comentarios y Recomendaciones de Peregrinos sobre Albergue La Rectoral de Priesca en el Camino de Santiago

www.gronze.com

Do you think it is too early to email them? I don't want to appear rude or over-zealous...

 

[trecile]

Do you think it is too early to email them? I don't want to appear rude or over-zealous...

If you are sure of your dates, why not? It's probably easier to handle a few emails now than a flood of them all at once later in the year.
However, they aren't open until March, so they may not be monitoring their emails just yet - maybe wait a a few weeks.

 

[Former member 91017]

If you are sure of your dates, why not? It's probably easier to handle a few emails now than a flood of them all at once later in the year.
However, they aren't open until March, so they may not be monitoring their emails just yet - maybe wait a a few weeks.

Thank you for the advice! I feel so much better now... I'm hoping for the Deva campsite the day after... I am starting to get excited.... less than 9 weeks to go.
Now if only my favourite boots that I've worn for years hadn't started to bother me in my 2 news pairs (I hunt them down and buy them whenever I can).