Camino de Santiago de Compostela

[bertietheblue]

Hi all

I'll be setting off from St Jean on 1 October. I've got a silk liner but I suppose I'll also need a sleeping bag at this time of year. I only have a 36l Osprey Stratos backpack so I'd need a compact bag. I don't want to spend too much and wondered if a basic, lightweight 1/2 season sleeping bag would be OK? Here are 2 I was looking at - any thoughts?

http://www.snugpak.com/index.php?MenuID=114-119&ItemID=149

http://www.nevisport.com/catdetail-4-catdetail1_id-72-catdetail2_id-360-product_id-833588

Thanks all
Bertie

[jpflavin1]

Bertie:

Either one should be fine, unless you plan to camp outside.

Ultreya,
Joe

[bertietheblue]

Thanks, Joe - Snugpak Travelpak Lite it is then.

[Lia]

I was wondering if any one thinks that either of these sleeping bags would be good for the Camino in May/June.

My partner and I will be walking the Camino in 2012 and are planning to camp along most of the route. My partner doesn't want to stay in the accommodation along route as he has read too much about bed-bugs lol...so I'm making him carry the dang tent lol.

[Anniesantiago]

I camped in August, September,and October and used a Marmot Pounder Plus which is a very lightweight bag. Most nights I was comfortable. If it was TOO cold or raining, I stayed inside.

[newfydog]

I'm getting ready to put two Golite bags on ebay. They look like this model but are down filled:

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/golite ... r~p~92787/

They are really, really light and pretty warm (Rated 40 F). The medium weighs 740 grams, the long 795 grams. We used them for a one week trip in the Canadian Rockies and look like new. We just found that in our old age, it is worth having a slightly heavier bag which unzips flat and allows one to thrash and sprawl. When I was younger I was happy as a clam in narrow, light bag.

These bags have no zipper at all, to save weight. I was able to get them new on ebay for $95 each. I'd be happy to send them to someone on this board for $50 each plus shipping from US.

They would be too warm for a summer camino, but a fall trip they'd be great. Anyway, send me a pm if anyone is interested.

[grayland]

Actually, I would go toward the second bag (Nevisport) due to the slightly lighter weight...but most importantly...it zips all the way open and can be used as a blanket when it is too warm for the bag.

[PilgrimChris]

This is a good price bag http://www.sleepingbagshop.co.uk/produc ... obalt.html
Weighs 880g, 3 season, comfort to -3 degrees and only £21.99

[newfydog]

That bag is for children. It is 125 cm long.

Thought it sounded too good to be true

[sdenisar]

Leaving for April, recommendation on sleeping bag or sheet?

[falcon269]

I am going in March, so I am taking my GoLite 40 degree bag. In April, I would take only my nylon sleep sack. I like to be cool when sleeping. If you need to be warm, take a sleeping bag (40 degree rating would be fine).

[tjz]

I opted for a Marmot Arete. You can find them for around $200.

I wanted a bag I could use in the summer for more traditional backpacking in the mountains too, and this seemed to be the best of the ones I tried for less than $200. It has a hood that will cover the head and a nearly full length zipper if you want to use it as a blanket. Not as constricting as some of the other lightweight summer bags I tried. I've spent many a summer night with a bag that is too warm and many a winter night with a bag that is too cold. I'm hoping this will balance out my embarrassingly large collection.

Actual measured weight for the long model is 801g and the supplied stuff sack is 50g. It's rated at 40F / 5C. It's not the lightest or the cheapest, but it seemed the best compromise for a full-featured bag, at least for US prices.

My original plans were to go this March, but unfortunately I've now had to defer till October. This bag might be a little too warm / heavy, but it's the one I'm taking now that I've bought it!

[Aslan75]

Hi guys,

Thanks to all the generous people who are sharing their experiences and advice on this forum. It's amazing!

I'mm planning to walk from Sarria to Santiago during the first week of May this year together with a friend. I still haven't got a suitable sleeping bag for this purpose. We will arrive in Santiago and stay there for two nights, before heading for Sarria by bus. Is it easy to buy a suitable sleeping bag in Santiago? How are the prices there?

(Maybe Ivar himself can give me a good advice - as far as I have understood, he is Norwegian like me, and living in Santiago... )

Thanks in advance!

Ola

[antelope]

Hi

I'm aiming to walk the Frances between mid april and the start of june.

In choosing a sleeping bag, I understand from reading the fora that:

A/ synthetic is best because it can be washed if you're unfortunate enough to get a bed bug infestation [how likely is this by the way?]
B/ Light as possible...say 900 grams max

I absolutely cannot stand mummy bags as I hate the way they constrain your feet. So I'm considering this:

http://www.snugpak.com/index.php?MenuID ... ItemID=153

My concern is that it won't be warm enough. I like to sleep warm, and maybe unzip the bottom so my feet are cool. Can anyone confirm or otherwise please that the addition of a silk liner would equate to a full season rise in rating? In other words, would a silk liner effectively convert a 2 season bag to a 3 season bag?

[SabineP]

http://www.millet.fr/en/products/fall-w ... al-750-reg

My favourite : 613 grams / 85 €

[antelope]

Thanks Sabine but that's a mummy shaped bag.

[Kitsambler]

I'm aiming to walk the Frances between mid april and the start of june.
In choosing a sleeping bag, I understand from reading the fora that:
A/ synthetic is best because it can be washed if you're unfortunate enough to get a bed bug infestation [how likely is this by the way?]
B/ Light as possible...say 900 grams max
I absolutely cannot stand mummy bags as I hate the way they constrain your feet. So I'm considering this:
http://www.snugpak.com/index.php?MenuID ... ItemID=153
My concern is that it won't be warm enough. I like to sleep warm, and maybe unzip the bottom so my feet are cool. Can anyone confirm or otherwise please that the addition of a silk liner would equate to a full season rise in rating? In other words, would a silk liner effectively convert a 2 season bag to a 3 season bag?

If you are planning to sleep indoors, then even a 1 season bag would be sufficient. If you want to camp and sleep outside, and you need the extra warmth, then adding a silk liner usually adds ten degrees Fahrenheit to the comfort level. If you like your feet unconstrained, one solution is the full-length zipper: you open the zipper from the bottom -- you can even unzip the entire zipper, opening the bag full length so it is flat like a quilt. Alternatively, the "long" version of most mummy bags is also bigger in the shoulder and the hips -- so a roomier bag overall, whether you are tall or not.

[SabineP]

I must say that this was one of those mummy bags where my feet had enough room....

[antelope]

Sabine, I'm afraid I'm someone who often sleeps spread out like a starfish at home! [I should add that I'm single!] So I'm looking for a square bag...

Kitsambler, thanks, that's good information. So if I get a lightweight bag, and a heavy duty silk liner [like this one: http://www.terrevistatrails.com/index.p ... x&cPath=26 ], then I should be able to cover all eventualities, if I also have merino base layers to sleep in if I sleep outside, as I'd like the option to do.

That pretty much answers it I think.

[Vidhisaharia]

Hi All,

I am walking the Camino in July and I need some tips on buying a sleeping bag.
Does a sleeping bag keep the bed bugs away?? Do I need a sleeping bag liner??

Thanks..

[falcon269]

Unless you sleep cold and need a sleeping bag, I would suggest a sleeping bag liner of silk or nylon. Albergues have blankets if the night gets cold. Sleeping bags and liners do not keep the bed bugs away. You can treat them with permethrin, which is an insecticide. Once dry, permethrin is safe for humans. For the most protection use an insect repellent with DEET in it at night. Bed bugs attack exposed skin such as head, shoulders, arms, and feet, so you only need to put the repellent on those places. DEET is a bit toxic, so I further suggest washing in the morning unless you encounter mosquitoes in the mornings. Bed bugs can be everywhere, so staying in private accommodations is no protection. Use measures that assume bed bugs are around, and you will be doing all you can do. I hang my backpack from the bunk corner post with a loop of rope to keep it off the floor. With no tasty flesh to draw the bugs to my pack, it is in a place where they do not have to crawl over it to get at me! The worst place for a backpack is under the bed, but sometimes that is the only place. Therefore, I also treat my backpack with permethrin, inside and outside.

[Bytehoven]

Unless you sleep cold and need a sleeping bag, I would suggest a sleeping bag liner of silk or nylon. Albergues have blankets if the night gets cold. Sleeping bags and liners do not keep the bed bugs away. You can treat them with permethrin, which is an insecticide. Once dry, permethrin is safe for humans. For the most protection use an insect repellent with DEET in it at night. Bed bugs attack exposed skin such as head, shoulders, arms, and feet, so you only need to put the repellent on those places. DEET is a bit toxic, so I further suggest washing in the morning unless you encounter mosquitoes in the mornings. Bed bugs can be everywhere, so staying in private accommodations is no protection. Use measures that assume bed bugs are around, and you will be doing all you can do. I hang my backpack from the bunk corner post with a loop of rope to keep it off the floor. With no tasty flesh to draw the bugs to my pack, it is in a place where they do not have to crawl over it to get at me! The worst place for a backpack is under the bed, but sometimes that is the only place. Therefore, I also treat my backpack with permethrin, inside and outside.

Thanks for the info. Does the Permethrin work for down sleeping bags? Does it stain?

[falcon269]

It works on down. I have never noticed any staining. Test your fabric if you are worried.

[DurhamParish]

I've treated my sleeping bag, back pack, and pillow case with permethrin. Thanks for the info.

[rwlh1950]

I walked in October, I bought the lightest and smallest I could afford. I was never cold as there were always blankets available. I do like to be quite cool at night.
And 'bed bugs', never encountered a single one.