Summer clothes

[sacjward]

I just want to say thanks to Ivar and all the people who post and respond with such great info. I will be starting my first Camino from SJPDP on July 3 and finish at Santiago de Compostela/Finisterre in mid August. My question is about particular clothing. I will have zip off hiking pants and merino wool t-shirts from Unbound Merino. I was planning on bringing 1 long sleeve merino wool shirt from Unbound Merino. The long sleeve is a summer shirt and not really meant for warmth. Will I need something heavier as well during that time of the year? Does it get cool in the evenings/mornings or does it stay pretty warm? Thanks!

 

[J Willhaus]

We also use Unbound Merino items so good for you! I have a summer Merino dress and my husband has several shirts.

It is usually pretty hot in July. You can always check the "give away" box if you get really cold and of course there are stores in Spain. You can always pick up some sweat pants at an Asian Bazaar or a Decathlon if there is a cold snap or something. Maybe bring the bottoms to at least one pair of your zip offs so you have one pair of long pants.

 

[C clearly]

I don't think I would travel anywhere in the world, at any time of year, without a warmish layer of clothing. That could be 2 lightweight merino long layers, or if you have a rain jacket or windbreaker, maybe that with one light long sleeved underneath but I would want that layer to have some insulation qualities.

 

[trecile]

You should have one warm layer for cooler mornings and evenings. I started on the same date in 2017, and was freezing up at O Cebreiro in August!

 

[sacjward]

We also use Unbound Merino items so good for you! I have a summer Merino dress and my husband has several shirts.

It is usually pretty hot in July. You can always check the "give away" box if you get really cold and of course there are stores in Spain. You can always pick up some sweat pants at an Asian Bazaar or a Decathlon if there is a cold snap or something. Maybe bring the bottoms to at least one pair of your zip offs so you have one pair of long pants.

Yes, I will have the bottoms to the zip off pants (at least one set of bottoms anyway). That is probably a good idea…just to buy something or find something there in case I decide I need it.
Thanks!

 

[sacjward]

I don't think I would travel anywhere in the world, at any time of year, without a warmish layer of clothing. That could be 2 lightweight merino long layers, or if you have a rain jacket or windbreaker, maybe that with one light long sleeved underneath but I would want that layer to have some insulation qualities.

I will use a poncho rather than a rain jacket so that really wouldn’t work for warmth. I will maybe look for something a little warmer that is easy to pack or get something there if needed.
Thanks!

 

[sacjward]

You should have one warm layer for cooler mornings and evenings. I started on the same date in 2017, and was freezing up at O Cebreiro in August!

Good to know! Thanks

 

[J Willhaus]

I will use a poncho rather than a rain jacket so that really wouldn’t work for warmth. I will maybe look for something a little warmer that is easy to pack or get something there if needed.
Thanks!

Actually at night, I have used a poncho as a bed cover at night over my silk liner bag. It worked well.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

Actually at night, I have used a poncho as a bed cover at night over my silk liner bag. It worked well.

As a blanket, it'll work well to trap the heat you generate. Not so, however, flapping around in the breeze on the trail!

Like @C clearly, I never travel anywhere in the world no matter how warm I expect it to be without a decent warm layer. 95 x out of 100 I do not need it. On most of those other occasions it made my life a lot more bearable - two of them, that layer literally saved my life.

Yes, you can always buy additional Gear in Spain. But first, you have to be able to get to the shops, and they may be several hours away...... .

I have a cheap, super light puffer with elastic cuffs. At 390g, I travel with it even in the middle of summer. The camino is no different.

 

[SabsP]

This type of light hoodie always goes in my pack for afternoons and evenings when you want to have a clean extra layer.
Seeing I do not wash my thicker fleece everyday on a Camino this Uniqlo one is perfect. Weighs nothing and rolls up small.

https://www.uniqlo.com/be/nl/product/airism-mesh-vest-met-capuchon-en-uv-bescherming-465748.html?dwvar_465748_color=COL61

 

[SDJunkMan]

My question is what is the humidity like on the Frances in the fall?

I have also been trying to figure out what type of warm clothes to bring, since I plan to walk in September and October this year. I've been experimenting with different layers at different temperatures (walking most recently in the upper 30's and low 40's F) here at home where the humidity is low, and am wondering what the humidity is like on the Frances. I know from experience that a 40 degree day here in South Dakota is much different than a 40 degree day was in Alabama when I lived there, where the humidity was high.

 

[canyonhiker]

My question is what is the humidity like on the Frances in the fall?

I have also been trying to figure out what type of warm clothes to bring, since I plan to walk in September and October this year. I've been experimenting with different layers at different temperatures (walking most recently in the upper 30's and low 40's F) here at home where the humidity is low, and am wondering what the humidity is like on the Frances. I know from experience that a 40 degree day here in South Dakota is much different than a 40 degree day was in Alabama when I lived there, where the humidity was high.

The humidity is quite low on most of the Camino. I walked early Sept/Oct last year. I brought four tops: 2 quick dry SPF 50 t-shirts, 1 merino wool long sleeve shirt and 1 long sleeve button down SPF shirt. The weather will change a lot that time of year. By the time I got to Leon (mid Sept.) I had to buy a light fleece for early mornings and evenings. The fleece was also nice for sitting at a cafe as we don't generate much heat sitting.

 

[SDJunkMan]

The humidity is quite low on most of the Camino.

That's good to know. On the colder days I've been walking with a long sleeved marino wool shirt and a SPF long sleeved button down shirt and that is usually enough. I add a short sleeved marino wool shirt sometimes but usually end up not needing it.

I normally wear shorts when walking, but might bring a lightweight pair of hiking pants, not really a fan of zip offs and there's not a big difference weight wise.

 

[CWBuff]

I went out with 2 pairs of zip-off pants (light-weight), 3 Real Essentials Men’s Dry-Fit Moisture Wicking T-shirts, 1 Moisture Wicking long sleeve shirt, 1 Columbia Silver Ridge Vest and 1 light but water repellant NorthFace jacket. I also had a pair of knitted gloves.
The gloves, long-sleeved shirt and the jacket TRULY came handy in Galicia. Whole-of-a-sudden mid-June the morning temps were in low 40s F (4 and lower C) so it was a rude awakening start practically for 10 days or so

 

[canyonhiker]

That's good to know. On the colder days I've been walking with a long sleeved marino wool shirt and a SPF long sleeved button down shirt and that is usually enough. I add a short sleeved marino wool shirt sometimes but usually end up not needing it.

I normally wear shorts when walking, but might bring a lightweight pair of hiking pants, not really a fan of zip offs and there's not a big difference weight wise.

I brought 2 pair of shorts with a built in liner and 1 pair of hiking pants. The only time I used the pants was when I did all laundry and on the plane. never wore them hiking even when it rained.

 

[SDJunkMan]

I brought 2 pair of shorts with a built in liner and 1 pair of hiking pants. The only time I used the pants was when I did all laundry and on the plane. never wore them hiking even when it rained.

I'm thinking that's probably what I would do, wear the long pants on the plane and when doing laundry, but it might be nice to have them if it does get cold since they weigh about the same as my zip-offs but look and feel much better.

 

[Freewalker]

I just want to say thanks to Ivar and all the people who post and respond with such great info. I will be starting my first Camino from SJPDP on July 3 and finish at Santiago de Compostela/Finisterre in mid August. My question is about particular clothing. I will have zip off hiking pants and merino wool t-shirts from Unbound Merino. I was planning on bringing 1 long sleeve merino wool shirt from Unbound Merino. The long sleeve is a summer shirt and not really meant for warmth. Will I need something heavier as well during that time of the year? Does it get cool in the evenings/mornings or does it stay pretty warm? Thanks!

I usually bring both long and short sleeved merinos to layer together or separately. Lightweight wind/rain jacket as well as an ultralight 400 (or lower) down fill jacket or vest.

Women's Down Hiking Jacket - MT 100 Khaki - Ash khaki green, Grey - Forclaz - Decathlon

Stay warm when hiking in cool weather. Up to -5°C when active and 5°C when inactive.

www.decathlon.ca

https://www.rei.com/product/209760/mountain-hardwear-ghost-whisperer2-down-vest-mens

 

[lmp]

For a future Camino I'm considering bringing arm warmers instead of a long sleeve shirt. As a cycling enthusiast I believe they are one of the greatest inventions ever They are cheap and light, easy to put up/down when needed and you can just take them off easily without even having to stop.

But I've never used them for hiking, any experience about that? Any reason why it would not work?

 

[Stephan the Painter]

I just want to say thanks to Ivar and all the people who post and respond with such great info. I will be starting my first Camino from SJPDP on July 3 and finish at Santiago de Compostela/Finisterre in mid August. My question is about particular clothing. I will have zip off hiking pants and merino wool t-shirts from Unbound Merino. I was planning on bringing 1 long sleeve merino wool shirt from Unbound Merino. The long sleeve is a summer shirt and not really meant for warmth. Will I need something heavier as well during that time of the year? Does it get cool in the evenings/mornings or does it stay pretty warm? Thanks!

I walked at a different time of year in April and May, but I had long under-layer pants and a long sleeve, Merino shirt (that mostly I used as pajamas). But when it was cold, especially in the morning, I would wear them as underlayers while walking. if you have the under layer, you can wear it under your shorts.

I would want to bring something, at least a button up shirt or maybe a really lightweight vest. Or if you can find a really lightweight hoodie. You might never wear them, but if you do, you'll be glad you have them.

Weather is so unknowable, you have to plan for surprises.

 

[C clearly]

I'm considering bringing arm warmers instead of a long sleeve shirt.

I know people who walk with arm warmers. However, that is just one layer of arm covering, and you may need more for different circumstances.

 

[lmp]

I know people who walk with arm warmers. However, that is just one layer of arm covering, and you may need more for different circumstances.

Good point, of course there should be more layers. With the arm warmers I just want to get rid of the long sleeve shirt.