JulioCesarSalad
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- February
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Title of the thread does say 0C - - but certainly, a 0°F bag would do the trick !!I see you live in the US. Just be aware that if you are shopping in the US, that a 0 degree bag is different than one in Europe. 32 F bag is probably the same as a 0 degree bag in Europe...
Yes, This!I see you live in the US. Just be aware that if you are shopping in the US, that a 0 degree bag is different than one in Europe. 32 F bag is probably the same as a 0 degree bag in Europe...
Yes, I agree, but I am not sure if US bags would say F or C, but maybe just say 40 degrees, or 30 degrees etc. You'd have to read the fine print and unless you travel some outside the US, you might not even think about it being anything other than Fahrenheit. Just trying to clarify...egocentric, I know...Title of the thread does say 0C - - but certainly, a 0°F bag would do trick !!
I found a bag that is rated for -2 C comfort. Would that be good do you think? I'm assuming with the low winter traffic the shelters will be more reluctant to turn on the heat fullyA 0°C bag is really the minimum, as the heating can be a bit iffy sometimes, or even non-existent. What I have found, sleeping in such Winter conditions in Europe, is that it's best to be safe with something certified to -5°C. Including being safe if you end up with nowhere to sleep indoors.
As to a sleeping pad or inflatable mattress, it is an absolute essential unless there's a 0% chance of sleeping outside.
There's nothing wrong with that: each man (or woman, or someone in between those two) is the center of his universe. As it should be....egocentric, I know...
I wasn't referring to an expensive down quilt. I have one I used for my Camino that is throw sized (I am only 5'2") and cost about $35. Along with a silk bag, it was plenty for March on the Camino even when the albergue wasn't heated. And it was very light. But, like you, I live in the far north and am used to sleeping with the windows open even when it's 10 (F!) outdoors.I've walked various Caminos in the winter months and I've never needed a down quilt nor one that was good for minus F or C weather, in fact I was way too hot in most albergues as I'm used to sleeping without heating and an open window even in the winter. Granted, I live in northern Europe.
Things may of course greatly change this year with the exorbitant rise in utility costs but an expensive down quilt is IMHO overkill unless of course you plan on camping out in cold weather. In Nepal this past november I was very pleased I had one good till -20c but I was in a tent and at 5000 meters!
This of course depends on if you are a cold sleeper or a warm sleeper as well as the conditions in the room and outdoor temps and conditions you are used to compared to your home temperatures. But I experienced and unseasonably cool June/July Camino in which everyone was bundled in their sleeping bags and many still cold. For me - I am never surprised when I am too cold at night, but that summer most of the men who normally are warm sleepers were also very cold.A down bag will be overkill when it's warm. Unless it can be zipped open entirely and used like a blanket, you will be hot. 2. If you are like me and swing hot/cold all night, you won't be comfortable even in a cold room.
Check Wayfair or Kohl’s for inexpensive down comforters or throws. It need not be a pricy backpacking version. Just light. The money is better spent on a real silk liner. Surprisingly warm!!This of course depends on if you are a cold sleeper or a warm sleeper as well as the conditions in the room and outdoor temps and conditions you are used to compared to your home temperatures. But I experienced and unseasonably cool June/July Camino in which everyone was bundled in their sleeping bags and many still cold. For me - I am never surprised when I am too cold at night, but that summer most of the men who normally are warm sleepers were also very cold.
But yes - a down quilt does give more versatility. That said - I haven't found one light enough to switch it out for my ultralight down sleeping bag. At least - not at a price I am willing to pay! They are all heavier than my sleeping bag or very $$$$
I do - they are all heavier than my down sleeping bag! And yes - I own a silk liner and love it - but I am COLD!Check Wayfair or Kohl’s for inexpensive down comforters or throws. It need not be a pricy backpacking version. Just light. The money is better spent on a real silk liner. Surprisingly warm!!
Kohls has a down throw that's $15 and two together are lighter and more versatile than my $300 down bag that weighs next to nothing. They are a bit slippery, though. For the Camino, where you are always sleeping indoors, I prefer to save the weight and bring the down throws. But we are all individuals!! You gotta do what works for you.I do - they are all heavier than my down sleeping bag! And yes - I own a silk liner and love it - but I am COLD!
How much do the ones you mention weigh in grams? I still haven't found one that weighs less than my down summer weight sleeping bag. Slippery isn't a problem - just place them inside the liner instead of on top of. But I keep buying down throws and they are still heavier than my sleeping bag. They are always lighter than my 3 season sleeping bags - but not my summer sleeping bag.Kohls has a down throw that's $15 and two together are lighter and more versatile than my $300 down bag that weighs next to nothing. They are a bit slippery, though. For the Camino, where you are always sleeping indoors, I prefer to save the weight and bring the down throws. But we are all individuals!! You gotta do what works for you.
I'd have to get back with you on exact weights of the Kohls throws. I don't have them with me. The down throw that I prefer (with a microfiber cover) for use with my silk bag weighs 26 oz. The slippery Kohls versions are about half that -- but I think you'd lose loft and warmth if you you used them inside the silk bag. My sleeping bag (REI Magma 30) is 20 oz but is not as versatile as it's a mummy bag and way too warm if I'm sleeping indoors. I'm very weight-conscious as I'm small and in my 60s. I still chose the throw /silk sac option over my sleeping bag because it is great for cold but too hot for anything else. My husband has an REI down throw that's only 20 oz but it was very pricy. And also slippery!How much do the ones you mention weigh in grams? I still haven't found one that weighs less than my down summer weight sleeping bag. Slippery isn't a problem - just place them inside the liner instead of on top of. But I keep buying down throws and they are still heavier than my sleeping bag. They are always lighter than my 3 season sleeping bags - but not my summer sleeping bag.
It’s quite cold in February and most albergues do not have heat. Once, we were offered a space heater, because nobody else was staying there. Even in private accommodations, heat can be iffy, not very warm, on a timer so it shuts off at night, all sorts of variations. Some private accommodations were so well heated they were too warm, but that was the exception. I generally had to sleep inside my 30degree down bag wearing base layers and with more covers on top to be warm. This was in both Nov-Dec and late Feb-March.My cousin is planning a Camino Frances for February, starting February 1.
How cold does it get inside the albergues in winter? What level sleeping bag would he need? Given the scarce accommodations in wintertime the plan is for him to have at the very least a sleeping bag and sleeping pad.
Thank you! Hoping for insight who have done a Camino in wintertime
I highly recommend a down quilt instead of sleeping bag. Another alternative is one of the new sleeping bags that open almost flat to be used like a quilt. Why?
Your response is the one that worries me the most. Various people have different answers, some saying albergues are warm and others that it is cold. I am also worried about the heating costs meaning no heat.It’s quite cold in February and most albergues do not have heat. Once, we were offered a space heater, because nobody else was staying there. Even in private accommodations, heat can be iffy, not very warm, on a timer so it shuts off at night, all sorts of variations. Some private accommodations were so well heated they were too warm, but that was the exception. I generally had to sleep inside my 30degree down bag wearing base layers and with more covers on top to be warm. This was in both Nov-Dec and late Feb-March.
Is there a big weight difference?Your response is the one that worries me the most. Various people have different answers, some saying albergues are warm and others that it is cold. I am also worried about the heating costs meaning no heat.
We have two options: a 30F sleeping bag rated for 40F comfort or a 15F sleeping bag rated for 27F comfort.
What should he take? If he takes the 15 he will be fine in an albergue that's literally at freezing temperature. but will be too hot for anything around 40F. If he takes the 30F he will be mostly fine, but will be cold some nights and blankets aren't guaranteed, from what I have read.
At the same time, Weatherspark shows temperatures in February don't often dip below 35F outdoors at night, and it will only get warmer each day.
This is also why I am prioritizing advice from people who have gone in February, but it's a tough decision
440 grams, 1 poundIs there a big weight difference?
Thanks for following along, Tom!Now that you and he have decided on the Camino Frances life is going to be a lot easier.
Great spreadsheets! They provide a good visual.Thanks for following along, Tom!
Gronze is actually what helped with the decision making. I went stage by stage and looked at the available shelters.
These excel screenshots show shelter availability in February:
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