Sleeping bag issues

[MissyG]

How important is having down feathers in your bag during the summer (June)? There are far cheaper sleeping bags that don't have down.
That being said- does anyone know where I can find a cheap ultra lite sleeping bag? ( that is cheaper than 300 dollars) Preferably the Western Mountaineering "mitylite". I have looked on Amazon, Craiglist, locally, etc all too expensive.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

How important is having down feathers in your bag during the summer (June)? There are far cheaper sleeping bags that don't have down.
That being said- does anyone know where I can find a cheap ultra lite sleeping bag? ( that is cheaper than 300 dollars) Preferably the Western Mountaineering "mitylite". I have looked on Amazon, Craiglist, locally, etc all too expensive.

Down saves weight and has a tremendous warmth to weight ratio, but during summer months in a warm to hot climate, synthetic fills in a bag won't weigh a lot because the amount of insulation needed is highly reduced. Look for a cheap synthetic filled sleeping bag in the 55 degree Fahrenheit range.

 

[MissyG]

Down saves weight and has a tremendous warmth to weight ratio, but during summer months in a warm to hot climate, synthetic fills in a bag won't weigh a lot because the amount of insulation needed is highly reduced. Look for a cheap synthetic filled sleeping bag in the 55 degree Fahrenheit range.

Thank you that is helpful. I am trying to stay away from synthetics, but you can't have everything. Is a cotton bag not going to work? Like literally a blanket with a zipper?

 

[trecile]

I use a silk liner and this lightweight down throw blanket https://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?p_id=1124593
It's big enough to tuck inside the silk liner to keep me warm but doesn't take much space or weight.
If you want a down bag this one is cheap and light: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZKAC25/?tag=casaivar02-20

 

[MissyG]

I use a silk liner and this lightweight down throw blanket https://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?p_id=1124593
It's big enough to tuck inside the silk liner to keep me warm but doesn't take much space or weight.
If you want a down bag this one is cheap and light: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZKAC25/?tag=casaivar02-20

Thank you! Now all I need to do is read the reviews to see which one is lighter/better for the month of June. The tucking in thing is clever I think I will do that.

 

[kardisa]

I got a Deuter Dreamlite 500 in Astorga for something like 60 Euro. It kept me decently warm on my late March camino a couple of years ago, and it's what I'm bringing with me next week on my early summer Camino. No, it's not down, but it packs down to the size of a water bottle and barely weighs anything. Also, it was cheap.

 

[NavyBlue]

Hi,

Down saves weight and also backpack volume.

This company sells light sleeping bags : http://sleepingbags-cumulus.eu/uk/categories/sleeping-bags/down-sleeping-bags
I bought a "LiteLine 200" and had it delivered to France. Good value for money. I don't know if they sell outside of Europe.

Refer also to various threads in this forum about the need to carry a sleeping bag in summer.

 

[domigee]

How important is having down feathers in your bag during the summer (June)? There are far cheaper sleeping bags that don't have down.
That being said- does anyone know where I can find a cheap ultra lite sleeping bag? ( that is cheaper than 300 dollars) Preferably the Western Mountaineering "mitylite". I have looked on Amazon, Craiglist, locally, etc all too expensive.

You don't need a down sleeping bag. I bought a light (600g) synthetic one from here for my first caminos http://www.gapyeartravelstore.com/1-season-sleeping-bags/
Don't know if they sell outside the UK though.
Don't get me wrong, I love my down sleeping bag but it was very expensive. I bought it to minimise weight (and for comfort in the tent) as I was carrying camping equipment over long distances. Definitely not needed in Spain (imho).

 

[Scary]

I bought my goose down from Allie express rrather cheap ultra lightweight and small. Its great cant weight to ise it. Im going in june too btw

 

[FLEUR]

Over the years, a silk liner and a blanket from the albergues was all we needed. ( June / late September early October)

 

[David]

This is mine - rectangular shape, opens out fully to a quilt, has a zippable mosquito hood, 900gms. £44 - 56$



Made by Snugpak, who make items for our military and also sell them retail - http://www.snugpak.com/outdoor/jungle-bag

 

[MissyG]

So many choices!

This is mine - rectangular shape, opens out fully to a quilt, has a zippable mosquito hood, 900gms. £44 - 56$

View attachment 34157

Made by Snugpak, who make items for our military and also sell them retail - http://www.snugpak.com/outdoor/jungle-bag

Was or is this snugpak good enough for the month of June? I am starting in Logrono, by the way.

 

[David]

So many choices!

Was or is this snugpak good enough for the month of June? I am starting in Logrono, by the way.

Well, I really don't know! Normally in June is pleasantly hot without being scorchio and no sleeping bag is needed, a rectangular liner is enough .. but with our current unpredictable weather? who knows!! Comfort is 7C 45F and low is 2C 36F - June is usually gorgeous and warm - but who can say??

 

[MichaelSG]

As always, if you see from other threads about the same thing, it greatly depends on how well you tolerate temperature when sleeping. Everyone is different so people can only give their experience, which may or may not match yours.

I only bring a silk liner in April, May and September and never needed to carry more. The very few times I was cold in albergues, either they had blankets or I wore long pants and a t-shirt in the liner. My wife gets cold much easier but was just able to do the same as I did in April / May on the Norte / Primitivo which is certainly colder (1-5 degrees) than the Frances in summer. Her liner is different though: Sea to Summit Thermolite Reactor Liner.

 

[MissyG]

As always, if you see from other threads about the same thing, it greatly depends on how well you tolerate temperature when sleeping. Everyone is different so people can only give their experience, which may or may not match yours.

I only bring a silk liner in April, May and September and never needed to carry more. The very few times I was cold in albergues, either they had blankets or I wore long pants and a t-shirt in the liner. My wife gets cold much easier but was just able to do the same as I did in April / May on the Norte / Primitivo which is certainly colder (1-5 degrees) than the Frances in summer. Her liner is different though: Sea to Summit Thermolite Reactor Liner.

Does your wife pre-treat her liner or is it naturally bug repellent?

 

[MissyG]

I use a silk liner and this lightweight down throw blanket https://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?p_id=1124593
It's big enough to tuck inside the silk liner to keep me warm but doesn't take much space or weight.
If you want a down bag this one is cheap and light: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZKAC25/?tag=casaivar02-20

What months did you use these for?

 

[Kiwi-d]

I took a Snugpak too, and it was perfect for me. I walked in September.

 

[JMac TO]

I have been on the Camino since May 13. No sleeping bag. Just a liner. Not a problem at all. So many people in a room it gets warm in the night.

How important is having down feathers in your bag during the summer (June)? There are far cheaper sleeping bags that don't have down.
That being said- does anyone know where I can find a cheap ultra lite sleeping bag? ( that is cheaper than 300 dollars) Preferably the Western Mountaineering "mitylite". I have looked on Amazon, Craiglist, locally, etc all too expensive.

 

[trecile]

My "system" of small ultralight blanket with silk liner worked perfectly for me in August /September. I would not have wanted a full sleeping bag because many nights were quite warm, and all I needed was the silk. I wouldn't have wanted to be inside a sleeping bag, but I do like to have some sort of cover on me, especially in a dorm situation. On those hot nights I used my down blanket as insulation between the silk liner and the plastic covered mattresses.

 

[Scott Fraser]

Have a look at the Ecoopro light weight bags available on Amazon for less than $30 and under 2 pounds.

I bought one. Came yesterday. Haven't tried it yet but it looks like it will work for summer on the CF.

 

[MichaelSG]

Does your wife pre-treat her liner or is it naturally bug repellent?

We did treat it with permethrin for the first two Caminos but with 5 months of walking, we still haven't seen a bedbug so we stopped doing that.

 

[trecile]

Have a look at the Ecoopro light weight bags available on Amazon for less than $30 and under 2 pounds.

I bought one. Came yesterday. Haven't tried it yet but it looks like it will work for summer on the CF.

That's still at least a pound more than my liner/blanket combo, which comes in at about 12 ounces.

 

[Scott Fraser]

That's still at least a pound more than my liner/blanket combo, which comes in at about 12 ounces.

The OP asked about inexpensive sleeping bags.

 

[David]

The OP asked about inexpensive sleeping bags.

She did, true - but don't you think that she might also be interested in a wider range of sleeping cover options???

I certainly am.

@trecile - could you give me a link to your lightweight blanket? thanks.

 

[trecile]

She did, true - but don't you think that she might also be interested in a wider range of sleeping cover options???

I certainly am.

@trecile - could you give me a link to your lightweight blanket? thanks.

Here it is.
https://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?p_id=1124593

Keep in mind that it is quite small, but I found it to be just enough extra warmth when tucked inside my silk liner.

 

[nidarosa]

@trecile and others: The often mentioned Black Diamond down duvet/blankets are large, cheap and warm and one of them will make two small blankets weighing about 220g - well worth taking and about the width of a silk liner. I will be taking it this summer!

 

[Anemone del Camino]

@trecile and others: The often mentioned Black Diamond down duvet/blankets are large, cheap and warm and one of them will make two small blankets weighing about 220g - well worth taking and about the width of a silk liner. I will be taking it this summer!

The costco duvets were my discovery two years ago now I have taken mine one for two Caminos now. They are great, but...

1. as they arw meant to be used as a throw they not very long, so they will work well as a blanket for the shorter ones amongst us. I am 165 cm/5'4".

2. they are slippery amd tend to get away from you at night. Not too bad if you are on a bottom bunk, but if you have a top one you either have to climb down and then back up to fetch it, or go without. Which is why I had some snap bottons added to mine that corespond with snap buttons on my liner. Just one row, so that I can push the throw away during the night if I am getring too warm.

 

[nidarosa]

@Anemone del Camino - my half a one is about 90 x 155 cms, which is pretty perfect for a light summer camino for me. I also have a few that we use as sofa blankets in the cold months. Yes, they are very slippery so I will put snaps on it and the silk bag so they can be used together or separately. Thank you and others who told the forum about these things though, they are unbeatable for the price!

 

[Scott Fraser]

She did, true - but don't you think that she might also be interested in a wider range of sleeping cover options???

I certainly am.

@trecile - could you give me a link to your lightweight blanket? thanks.

Liner at REI: $65-70 plus
Down Quilt: : $74
Weighs in at 12 oz.

vs

Ecoopro bag at Amazon: $27
Weighs: 1.65 #

Her choice

 

[trecile]

I found out about the Costco down blankets after I had already purchased my Montbell blanket. I have however cut down a Costco blanket for my friend, who will be joining me this year. I made two button holes on her silk liner and sewed buttons onto the blanket. It makes it possible to button it over top, or inside the liner. I used some half inch satin ribbon and a zigzag stitch to finish off the edge where I cut it.

 

[tomnorth]

How important is having down feathers in your bag during the summer (June)? There are far cheaper sleeping bags that don't have down.
That being said- does anyone know where I can find a cheap ultra lite sleeping bag? ( that is cheaper than 300 dollars) Preferably the Western Mountaineering "mitylite". I have looked on Amazon, Craiglist, locally, etc all too expensive.

I used the North Face Lynx sleeping bag for my Camino. It has poly fill. The cost was around $150USD. It worked out perfectly. You don't need down for the Camino and you don't need to spend an arm and a leg to get a suitable sleeping bag.

 

[Latecomer]

For a summer bag, the Marmot NanoWave 55 is worth considering.. About $70USD..
https://marmot.com/equipment-sleeping-bags-synthetic-sleeping-bags/nanowave-55/21470.html

 

[MissyG]

I found out about the Costco down blankets after I had already purchased my Montbell blanket. I have however cut down a Costco blanket for my friend, who will be joining me this year. I made two button holes on her silk liner and sewed buttons onto the blanket. It makes it possible to button it over top, or inside the liner. I used some half inch satin ribbon and a zigzag stitch to finish off the edge where I cut it.

Your'e a genius. Wish I had these creative skills- maybe creativity will be magically re-awakened on the camino.