Bed liner vs sleeping bag

[Sharonih]

Last CF I did (mid March-April) there were days I needed my small lightweight Woods Sleeping bag but am hoping to do another (CF or Le Puy) this coming Spring and I am considering bringing a sleeping bag liner and a lightweight small polar fleece blanket. Has anyone done similar and has thoughts on this? Thank you

 

[trecile]

Yes, except I bring a very small down blanket, which I believe is lighter weight than a fleece blanket. I tucknit inside my silk sleep sack.

 

[good_old_shoes]

It depends on whether you're a warm or cold sleeper, what kind of accommodation you'll stay at, ect...

I've been cold some nights on the Francés even in july and was happy to have a warm down sleeping bag then. Others are happy with only a liner even in october.

During spring from Le Puy, you can still expect snow in the Aubrac. If you plan to stay in the cheaper gites you might be happy to have a good sleeping bag at least on some of the days. When you arrive cold and wet, the last thing you want is to freeze at night because you wanted to save 200g.

For what it's worth, on my first Camino in spring of 2015 I met a girl who had brought only a liner. Was cold each night, then bought a fleece blanket. Was still cold, then bought a sleeping bag and was happy.

I walked with a lightweight sleeping bag and some nights also used my heavy wool coat as an additional blanket and slept fully clothed and it was still a bit chilly for me. But that's just me.

You've already walked in spring, you should already have an idea what you personally need

 

[lt56ny]

Last CF I did (mid March-April) there were days I needed my small lightweight Woods Sleeping bag but am hoping to do another (CF or Le Puy) this coming Spring and I am considering bringing a sleeping bag liner and a lightweight small polar fleece blanket. Has anyone done similar and has thoughts on this? Thank you

Of course it depends on how warm you like to be. Le Puy could definitely have some cold nights in March. I walked in 2015 and I started in September. I think there are more choices now but I have no idea of the heating situation in the gites.

 

[davebugg]

I have never regretted having a down sleeping/backpacking quilt. I have most assuredly done so with liners. As always, YMMV

 

[WayWalker]

I have bitten the bullet and changed from my 3lb sleeping bag to a fleece liner bag saving me 2 lbs. I hear some gites provide blankets. I generally sleep hot but like a bit of weight so I hope I'll be happy this fall.

 

[Donna Sch]

It all depends how hot you sleep and what you are used to. I live in the tropics and cold to me is 16 C. So on the VDLP in the 2015 heatwave I carried and used both. In Lubian I actually needed both together and was looking for blankets. I only used the sleeping bag in Feb/Mar 2019 as I did the Levante and Invierno with my partner. There were lots of blankets in the albergues and in the hostales I just snuggled as he sleeps warm.