Sleeping bag question

cosmomom said:

I am bringing a small carry-on suitcase, which I will send ahead every day. Because I’m going in April, I’m also bringing a sleeping bag and wondering how pilgrims carry their sleeping bag. If I pack it in my suitcase, I won’t have much room for anything else. So does that mean my sleeping bag goes in my day backpack, maybe in a dry bag in case of rain? Any feedback is much appreciated.

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Maybe send the small suitace to your end point and walk with a day pack.
Most Camino packs would be considred day packs in terms of size anyway.

But that might be tricky as your suitcase is already your carry on item.

The challenge then is in bringing a day pack.
That I presume fits into the small suitcase or is small enough to be considered a 'hand bag' as far as the airlines are concerned.

This in turn implies that it is very small and lightweight.
We have one of those, that is less than the size of a tennis ball when compressed.

We use it to carry stuff we want to easily access on the plane, carrying laundry, going shopping on Camino etc. But I would not use it as a day pack. With any more than a bottle of water it would be very uncomfortable to carry. Tiny thin straps, no structure etc. It's almost like a supermarket shopping bag with shoulder straps. So if your day pack is of that type, I'd suggest you would not want to carry much in it.

To the point @trecile made. How large is your sleeping bag?
Ours compress down to about the size of........a 2 litre carton of milk. Very small.

It's a bit of a quandry.

How many days are you planning to walk?
The comfort of your daily load is a priority.
Could you swap the carry on suitacase for a carry on pack?

Gear, packing, luggage...
These are things that constantly occupy our thoughts between Caminos.

There will be a solution......

PS, is this tied in with your question about the Albergue at Roncesvalles?
Because walking over the Pyrenees in April, you want to consider the contents of your 'day pack' if it's a very small pack. Weather, rain/cold, safety etc.

Just a quick note:

Not all albergues will accept traveller with suitcases. And you won't need a sleeping bag in private rooms.

Other than that:

1. Keep the sleeping bag dry always and at all cost. Otherwise the night will be terrible. So yes a dry bag is a good idea.

2. No point in carrying your sleeping bag in your day pack. There are very sensibly priced ultralight backpacks that do not take much space.

@cosmomom, I carry everything in my 32 liter rucksack which fits within the carry-on dimensions for the airlines I choose to fly with (55x40x20). My sleeping bag takes up approximately 25% of the space.

If your sleeping bag is taking up the majority of the room in your case then clearly 1) it is rather large, or 2) the carry on bag is rather small.

Logically you either need a larger carry-on bag or a smaller sleeping bag.
If you feel the bag is very compressible and it does not already have one you can buy aftermarket compression sacks, which will considerably reduce the volume that the bag takes up.

Buen Camino