Sleeping bag/quilt or liner

[LakeMcD]

For 7 seasons of Caminos I’ve always taken a silk liner and have just used blankets at my albergue or gite. I do remember just a handful colder nights where blankets weren’t available , roncesvalles comes to mind. Im contemplating taking a lightweight down quilt this year instead, maybe it’s just the winter weather here in Montana that has my attention currently. I’m curious how many of my fellow walkers choose to carry something insulated instead and your reasoning for your decision.

 

[trecile]

I've added the tag "sleeping bag" to the top of the thread. If you tap it you will find other threads on the topic including this one:

Poll Thread 'Sleep system: Sleeping bag, liner, etc?'

Apr 21, 2023

For fun, let's conduct a poll. We have this question come up so often, that it might be convenient to point to poll results that illustrate the range of responses.

Because the forum software offers very limited polling choices, we'll need to make some generalizations and assumptions, to make one recommendation that covers:

• All routes in Spain and Portugal
• All months except mid-summer (July and August), and winter (December-January-February)

Feel free to provide more nuanced responses in posts below.

Edited to add: I expect that the option of "None, because I plan to use...

• C clearly
• faq sleeping bag
• Replies: 43
• Camino de Santiago Forum: 🥾 Equipment and Clothes

• 

 

[LakeMcD]

I've added the tag "sleeping bag" to the top of the thread. If you tap it you will find other threads on the topic including this one:

Poll Thread 'Sleep system: Sleeping bag, liner, etc?'

Apr 21, 2023

For fun, let's conduct a poll. We have this question come up so often, that it might be convenient to point to poll results that illustrate the range of responses.

Because the forum software offers very limited polling choices, we'll need to make some generalizations and assumptions, to make one recommendation that covers:

• All routes in Spain and Portugal
• All months except mid-summer (July and August), and winter (December-January-February)

Feel free to provide more nuanced responses in posts below.

Edited to add: I expect that the option of "None, because I plan to use...

• C clearly
• faq sleeping bag
• Replies: 43
• Camino de Santiago Forum: 🥾 Equipment and Clothes

• 

Thank you

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

For 7 seasons of Caminos

As most of us generally only recognize four seasons in the year I presume you mean seven years.

I'm being picky because it totally depends on what season I'm walking. Shoulder seasons I take both a lightweight sleeping bag (opened completely up and used as a duvet) and my silk sleep sheet, summer just the silk sleep sheet. I don't walk in winter.

I sleep warm, so if the inside temperature is 16 degrees I'm going to be absolutely fine with just the silk sleep sheet. Cooler and I'll probably need something extra. This of course is very individual, the only way to know for sure is to try it.

 

[David]

As most of us generally only recognize four seasons in the year I presume you mean seven years.

I'm being picky because it totally depends on what season I'm walking. Shoulder seasons I take both a lightweight sleeping bag (opened completely up and used as a duvet) and my silk sleep sheet, summer just the silk sleep sheet. I don't walk in winter.

I sleep warm, so if the inside temperature is 14 to 16 degrees I'm going to be absolutely fine with just the silk sleep sheet. Cooler and I'll probably need something extra. This of course is very individual, the only way to know for sure is to try it.

Well Peter, yes you are being picky, a little unfriendly too - assuming that he lives on the same planet as us he probably already knows four seasons so is fairly obvious what he meant - isn't it?????
I assumed he meant 7 caminos, one a year, when he wrote 7 seasons of caminos .... it is common to say "camino season" to mean temperate part of the year when most go - isn't it? I say 'camino season' quite often.

Lake - Re what to take - so depends on the time of year but also, nowadays, the weather forecast as we have odd weather patterns now in Europe.
This camino season (my 20th camino season) I will be leaving home (England, by ferry to Spain) 14th July and am hoping to take only a sleeping liner and travel super super light, no sleeping bag, no fleeces, etc .. but the weather will decide.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

Lightweight sleeping bag covers all the bases. Be prepared! You'd be very surprised the vast number of people carrying little or no bedding who are shocked and dismayed to learn their 6 euro donation doesn't cover sheets and blankets.

 

[JustJack]

I carry a good quality (ie not cheap) very small down sleeping bag. It squishes down to the size of my fist, and is about the same weight/size as a liner. Best of all worlds.

 

[trecile]

Here's an ultralight down bag that has been recommend on the forum, I think by @Anhalter, but I'm not positive.

MAGIC 100 ZIP

A great choice for those who like simple solutions for the summer months. One of the most basic sleeping bags in our offer. Toray® Airtastic makes it light and soft in touch, and ethically sourced Polish goose down fills the inside. Made in Poland.

cumulus.equipment

 

[J Willhaus]

Summer I use a silk liner bag. Your rain poncho can double as an extra cover.

Winter, fall, spring, I have a very light down sleeping bag that I've owned for about 15 years now. It is very light.

One year I took a army poncho liner that I owned from my military days and it was also light and very comfortable.

 

[Anhalter]

Here's an ultralight down bag that has been recommend on the forum, I think by @Anhalter, but I'm not positive.

MAGIC 100 ZIP

A great choice for those who like simple solutions for the summer months. One of the most basic sleeping bags in our offer. Toray® Airtastic makes it light and soft in touch, and ethically sourced Polish goose down fills the inside. Made in Poland.

cumulus.equipment

You are correct, that's the sleeping bag i have been using for two caminos now.
However, it is not perfect (edit: but still VERY good) by itself. I go into more detail in a thread i wrote:

Thread 'My perfect ultralight sleep setup'

Jul 29, 2024

Hey everyone,

i guess I'm not good at starting threads, but rather comment. I guess my last "own" thread is the one a couple of years ago where i talked about my 3,6kg loadout for the Camino Frances (see signature).

Today i felt like opening a new one, since 2 Caminos after my last thread i solved a problem that bugged my since Camino #1... the perfect sleep setup.

TL;DR: Bergstop Microstretch liner + something warm (blanket, sleeping bag...). Google it, it's great.

Disclaimer: Nobody paid me to write this. I bought every item with my own money. What i write is my personal...

• Anhalter
• sleeping bag
• Replies: 22
• Camino de Santiago Forum: 🥾 Equipment and Clothes

• 
• 
• 

 

[LakeMcD]

You are correct, that's the sleeping bag i have been using for two caminos now.
However, it is not perfect (edit: but still VERY good) by itself. I go into more detail in a thread i wrote:

Thread 'My perfect ultralight sleep setup'

Jul 29, 2024

Hey everyone,

i guess I'm not good at starting threads, but rather comment. I guess my last "own" thread is the one a couple of years ago where i talked about my 3,6kg loadout for the Camino Frances (see signature).

Today i felt like opening a new one, since 2 Caminos after my last thread i solved a problem that bugged my since Camino #1... the perfect sleep setup.

TL;DR: Bergstop Microstretch liner + something warm (blanket, sleeping bag...). Google it, it's great.

Disclaimer: Nobody paid me to write this. I bought every item with my own money. What i write is my personal...

• Anhalter
• sleeping bag
• Replies: 22
• Camino de Santiago Forum: 🥾 Equipment and Clothes

• 
• 
• 

I’ll contact them to see if they have a distributor in the states. Thanks

 

[dougfitz]

In Spain and Portugal, my walks have started in spring, late Mar through to early May. I have always carried a sleeping bag and liner. When I have started later, towards the end I was more often unzipping the bag and using it as a quilt.

My current bag is a 3 season bag rated at +4 deg C for cold sleepers or -1 deg C for warm sleepers. The bag weighs just under 700 gm, so a little heavier than some of the very light bags some others use, and if I were buying a bag just for use on the camino, I would probably look for a summer rated bag, ie about +10 to +15 deg C, or if I were starting later, consider carrying a camping quilt or just a liner.

 

[RJM]

I have a summer weight sleeping bag from The North Face. Weighs about 1-1/2 pounds, compact in a stuff sack and it works well on the Camino from early spring to early summer and on warmer nights I simply slept on top of it instead of in it. During the very warm part of summer I use only a sleeping bag liner.

 

[Come Walk With Us]

Good question - I have always carried a spring-summer sleeping bag which is light and compact. I never felt that I was cold but each person has their own feel for what they like. After two albergues (over the course of several camino pilgrimages) encounters with bed bugs I would suggest that anything you take can either be easily washed en route or that you be willing to dispose of it if you catch bad luck.

 

[Candywalks]

I carry a good quality (ie not cheap) very small down sleeping bag. It squishes down to the size of my fist, and is about the same weight/size as a liner. Best of all worlds.

Could you share the name of the sleeping bag you use?

 

[Stivandrer]

Best buy ever has been a quilt that zips up when used as a douvét, Sea to Summit TR1. Packs down small and about 700 grms.

Traveller Down Sleeping Bag

FREE SHIPPING & LIFETIME GUARANTEE. The Traveller Sleeping Bag is great for a summer yurt trip, El Camino pilgrimage, bike tour, or as a lightweight backpacking sleeping bag. It's also perfect for those times when you didn't think you had the room for a sleeping bag but needed one, like...

seatosummit.com

I have yet to sleep rough on a Camino but it wil take some moist to as the downs are coated against taking in humidity.
A douvét when you have the insulation of a foam mattres in an albergue, a sleeping bag when not.
Safeguards are enough of wooll first and second layers to securing a further warmth for the night.

 

[trecile]

Here's a new blanket that's a good size and weight to tuck inside a silk liner for cold nights.

UltraPak™ Everyday Blanket - More Packable & Puffy | Blue Checkered

An ultra-packable puffy blanket for anytime you need extra warmth! Packs down tiny, insulated & toasty warm, & snaps for hands-free napping. Keep it in your car's glovebox or toss it in any bag for camping, hikes, flights, road trips, movie theatres, sports games, and more.

www.graveltravel.com

 

[Candywalks]

Best buy ever has been a quilt that zips up when used as a douvét, Sea to Summit TR1. Packs down small and about 700 grms.

Traveller Down Sleeping Bag

FREE SHIPPING & LIFETIME GUARANTEE. The Traveller Sleeping Bag is great for a summer yurt trip, El Camino pilgrimage, bike tour, or as a lightweight backpacking sleeping bag. It's also perfect for those times when you didn't think you had the room for a sleeping bag but needed one, like...

seatosummit.com

I have yet to sleep rough on a Camino but it wil take some moist to as the downs are coated against taking in humidity.
A douvét when you have the insulation of a foam mattres in an albergue, a sleeping bag when not.
Safeguards are enough of wooll first and second layers to securing a further warmth for the night.

Thanks so much.