Sleeping Bag or Liner in April

scking · Jul 27, 2018

I am planning to walk the Camino Frances beginning April 14, 2019. Are the evenings warm enough to get by with a liner or do I need a sleeping bag?

Secondly, whatever I end up, should I be spraying it to protect from bed bugs?

Thank you
Stacey

Helen1 · Jul 27, 2018

Hi Stacey,

Personally I would take a very lightweight sleeping bag that opens up like a quilt. I loathe sleeping in a liner or fully zipped up bag because I can't get my feet out and I feel constrained. My first camino I followed the advice here and took just a liner, in a cold end May/early June I couldn't sleep from the cold and ended up buying a very cheap Decathlon sleeping bag along the way. I guess it depends on the weather, how important comfort is to you, how much weight you want to save, how cold you sleep at night, how happy you are sleeping in all your clothes, etc.

This spreadsheet is a bit dated but will give you an idea of what's heavy and what's expensive.

Dave C. · Jul 28, 2018

Fist camino I took a lightweight sleeping bag (same time frame). Next Camino took an even lighter weight liner (same time frame). Both worked. It really depends on what the weather does at the time. It is kind of a gamble. I got lucky, both worked for the years I went. Personally I would opt for less weight, but I am a warm sleeper.
Buen Camino!!

Dave C. · Jul 28, 2018

Oh, sorry. I never saw or heard of any bedbugs. But I did spray everything with permethrin to be safe.

Camino Chrissy · Jul 28, 2018

I've walked three times in mid April thru May and always appreciated my lightweight sleeping bag. I ocassionally even added my fleece layer if chilly in the early weeks.

I spray my bag and backpack with Permathrin. I have seen bedbugs a couple of times but have not been bitten.

Marbe2 · Jul 28, 2018

If you are planning to start in SJPdP would bring the sleeping bag because of early elevation. As others have said a lite sleeping bag will serve you well.

Suggest another option bring a silk sheet and a very lite polyester or down quilt. Half the weight of a sleeping bag

John Crawford Howell · Jul 29, 2018

scking said:
I am planning to walk the Camino Frances beginning April 14, 2019. Are the evenings warm enough to get by with a liner or do I need a sleeping bag?

Secondly, whatever I end up, should I be spraying it to protect from bed bugs?

Thank you
Stacey

Hi Stacey. I started on April 22, 2017, and used a silk liner instead of a sleeping bag. On the rare occasions when a blanket was not available and/or I was in a cold room, I layered up with my warm clothing. I was never uncomfortable. Weight was a major consideration in determing what went into my pack. As much as I could, I opted for silk for its coolness, warmth, and light weight. A silk liner (Sea to Summit Traveler about $75 at REI) will add about 10 degrees Fahrenheit to your 'sleeping comfort experience'. I sprayed nothing for bed bugs and experienced none on the journey. I hope this helps a bit. Buen Camino in advance, John

AquariusT · Jul 30, 2018

scking said:
I am planning to walk the Camino Frances beginning April 14, 2019. Are the evenings warm enough to get by with a liner or do I need a sleeping bag?

Secondly, whatever I end up, should I be spraying it to protect from bed bugs?

Thank you
Stacey

Hi Stacey
I started from SJdP on 20th April and finished in Santiago on 30th May with some rest days in hotels inbetween where I had no need of my sleeping bag.

I took a lightweight sleeping bag and silk liner. I was so happy that I did! Temperatures dropped as low as -4 C some mornings. The weather was really cold with icy winds as still snow on the higher mountain ranges. I used my liner, bag and also a blanket at times. I tend to not feel the cold much but my Camino was a chilly one. I had some hot days inbetween but mostly cold, cloudy dats with rain as well.
I sprayed my bag, liner and backpack with permethrin. No bedbugs. Another ite I wss pleased I had with me were gloves for the cold mornings.
Buen Camino

Tina B · Jan 28, 2019

I used my tiny £30 480gm sleeping bag every night. Some nights were -3'C April May so I slept in leggings. Doing same this year

mojofar · Mar 24, 2019

Helen1 said:
Hi Stacey,

Personally I would take a very lightweight sleeping bag that opens up like a quilt. I loathe sleeping in a liner or fully zipped up bag because I can't get my feet out and I feel constrained. My first camino I followed the advice here and took just a liner, in a cold end May/early June I couldn't sleep from the cold and ended up buying a very cheap Decathlon sleeping bag along the way. I guess it depends on the weather, how important comfort is to you, how much weight you want to save, how cold you sleep at night, how happy you are sleeping in all your clothes, etc.

This spreadsheet is a bit dated but will give you an idea of what's heavy and what's expensive.

What did you end up using? I feel the same way - need to let my feet "breathe".

Helen1 · Mar 27, 2019

c

mojofar said:
What did you end up using? I feel the same way - need to let my feet "breathe".

I think it was a YETI VIB 250 Down Sleeping Bag (couple of years ago so I'm not sure it's the same model). It doesn't unzip totally flat like a quilt but it gets most of the way there - enough to suit me. I've been very happy with it and taken it on all kinds of trips. I get cold so this works for me, probably way to warm for a lot of people. Seriously shop around though, I bought mine in a sale with a discount on top and I am sure it less than half the list price.

Ungawawa · Mar 27, 2019

It'll depend on where you're staying. Municipal Albergues like Burgos and Zubiri can get very cold in April, and with blankets unavailable. I wouldn't want to be there in just my clothes and a silk liner.

However if you're going to be in private accommodation you can usually count on some extra bedding being there for you.

I'd go for a light 10 degree sleeping bag myself.

bt_yyz · Mar 30, 2019

Hi Stacey,
My wife and I are departing SJPDP on 15 April, and we are depending on our silk liners. In case of cold nights, she is planning to wear leggings at night, and I'll wear thermal underwear. We are also bringing emergency blankets (but the less noisy/crinkly ones) for very bad nights.

Survive Outdoors Longer Emergency Blanket XL | MEC

Survive Outdoors Longer Emergency Blanket XL: This light and compact emergency blanket can fit into the corner of a daypack as the shelter component of the ten essentials every hiker should carry.

www.mec.ca

But now knowing about the lack of bedding at some municipal albergues, we will probably stay at private albergues if nights look cold.

NorthernLight · Mar 30, 2019

Costco has the Eddie Bauer camping throw in stores again now. The insulating material is now Permaloft. It seems to be a couple oz heavier than the older version but still under 19 oz.
Dimensions 152x177cm (60x70in).

TankerTim · Apr 19, 2019

How about late May to late June? Would a lightweight sleeping bag be a good idea, or a light sleeping bag liner? This will be my first Camino Frances so I'm reaching out for some advice. Thanks!

jpes · May 15, 2019

Hi - I just found the Eddie Bauer throw on clearance at my Costco. Would you use this alone or with a sheet, not sure I want the nylon material against my skin.