Search 69,459 Camino Questions

Is a sleeping bag liner sufficient next week?

bbleasdale

New Member
Aug 7, 2018
8
19
Ireland
Time of past OR future Camino
Frances..2019
I’ve read that a sleeping bag is mandatory now in albergues and that a liner is not sufficient. Also is it true that albergues are no longer supplying blankets?
While on the subject, is it warm at night on the Portuguese coastal at the moment? We will begin in Porto next Tuesday and it’s difficult to decide what to pack in terms of clothing. Would love to hear from someone who’s there at the moment 😊
 
Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

€83,-

OzAnnie

Veteran Member
May 24, 2013
2,845
7,725
Sydney, Australia
Time of past OR future Camino
Oct/Nov 2022_Mozarabe from Almeria
hi @bbleasdale
Not sure which country you’re from.
It’s midsummer in spain/Portugal (Europe) etc.
There have been heat waves in many areas of Europe (uk spain portugal )and also fires along some areas of the camino routes.
I would think in terms of ‘warm temperatures’ this month and august.

Buen camino
 
  • Like
Reactions: Miki Goldie
Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

€83,-

bbleasdale

New Member
Aug 7, 2018
8
19
Ireland
Time of past OR future Camino
Frances..2019
Thanks for the replies. I'm from Ireland. I've travelled with just the liner on my previous camino but at that time many albergues provided blankets. I realise it can be cooler on the Atlantic coast and NW Spain but hey it will be warmer than the Atlantic Coast I'm from lol.
So I guess it would be wise to pack a fleece and leggings for cool evenings and mornings? And even in case of cold nights...
Really looking forward to the Portuguese Coastal!
I've noticed a lot of the guest houses/private albergues on Booking.com are already full but I'm confident there will be plenty of accomodation...
Buen Camino/Bom Caminho
 

OzAnnie

Veteran Member
May 24, 2013
2,845
7,725
Sydney, Australia
Time of past OR future Camino
Oct/Nov 2022_Mozarabe from Almeria
Really looking forward to the Portuguese Coastal!
I've noticed a lot of the guest houses/private albergues on Booking.com are already full but I'
Are you looking at Gronze.com ?
If you drill into the detail of the accommodation that interests you .. you will find an email to contact them direct (if booking .com says nothing available - the direct approach may help .. not all their rooms etc are on booking )
Or you can phone the number on Gronze detail as you are walking and ask if they have a bed.
 

bbleasdale

New Member
Aug 7, 2018
8
19
Ireland
Time of past OR future Camino
Frances..2019
Are you looking at Gronze.com ?
If you drill into the detail of the accommodation that interests you .. you will find an email to contact them direct (if booking .com says nothing available - the direct approach may help .. not all their rooms etc are on booking )
Or you can phone the number on Gronze detail as you are walking and ask if they have a bed.
Thank you! Never occurred to me to do that! ☺️
Had my flights for this Camino originally booked in April 2020…two years on I’m sooo looking forward to it!😊
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
Aug 1, 2020
229
537
71
Hatton, Warwick, England.
Time of past OR future Camino
2019
I’ve read that a sleeping bag is mandatory now in albergues and that a liner is not sufficient. Also is it true that albergues are no longer supplying blankets?
While on the subject, is it warm at night on the Portuguese coastal at the moment? We will begin in Porto next Tuesday and it’s difficult to decide what to pack in terms of clothing. Would love to hear from someone who’s there at the moment 😊
I have walked in April, May, June, July. September and October. April/may was on Camino da Costa. I have only ever used a sleeping bag liner. If you get cold you can always get a blanket from the alberque. I was on Frances May/June this year and all the alberques I used supplied blankets despite many people telling you they do not post Covid.
Buen Camino
Vince
 
  • Like
Reactions: Miki Goldie

Martin-B

New Member
Feb 9, 2020
25
76
UK
Time of past OR future Camino
Camino Frances, Oct 22
Hi.
I did the coastal route in May from Porto and only took a sleeping bag liner, only had one night which was a bit chilly but I carried thermals for such occasions. Some albergues had blankets, some didn't so I'd plan for them not having them available. Like you mine was also planned for April 2020 but I can say it's worth the wait. I'd recommend the Senda Litoral route out of Porto then stick to the coastal from Vila do Conde as the Senda Litoral gets very hit and miss the further north you go.

bom caminho!
 
A selection of Camino Jewellery

ScottPilgrim

Member
Apr 9, 2021
71
103
10018
Time of past OR future Camino
2021
Thank you all for your great replies. We’ll bring our liners as planned and make sure we have some leggings etc for chillier nights.
Wonderful to be able to discuss these little niggly questions with you people in the know!🙂
Bom Caminho
Bríd
Did Norte in August last year (in a cool year) liner was sufficient. Blankets were offered but if not you can, as you suggest, just layer up. Sleeping bag dead weight.
 
A guide to speaking Spanish on the Camino - enrich your pilgrim experience.
Aug 1, 2020
229
537
71
Hatton, Warwick, England.
Time of past OR future Camino
2019
Thanks for the replies. I'm from Ireland. I've travelled with just the liner on my previous camino but at that time many albergues provided blankets. I realise it can be cooler on the Atlantic coast and NW Spain but hey it will be warmer than the Atlantic Coast I'm from lol.
So I guess it would be wise to pack a fleece and leggings for cool evenings and mornings? And even in case of cold nights...
Really looking forward to the Portuguese Coastal!
I've noticed a lot of the guest houses/private albergues on Booking.com are already full but I'm confident there will be plenty of accomodation...
Buen Camino/Bom Caminho
HI
I did Camino da Costa in April/May 2019 and as I said in a previous reply was fine with a liner. However just as a word of warning it was my wettest Camino. On the good days it is stunningly beautiful but on the days the storms come in off the Atlantic the rain is of biblical proportions and it changes very quickly. You may be better off being later in the year but be prepared.
Buen Camino
Vince
 
Down bag (90/10 duvet) of 700 fills with 180 g (6.34 ounces) of filling. Mummy-shaped structure, ideal when you are looking for lightness with great heating performance.

€149,-

trecile

Moderator
Staff member
Feb 19, 2016
20,150
3
63,161
Southern Oregon
Time of past OR future Camino
Francés, Norte, Salvador, Primitivo, Portuguese
Also, wish we had left the rain poncho behind.
I don't care what time of year I'm walking, I would never leave my rain gear behind. It can rain in any month - especially in green Galicia.

I am happy to not have to use it, but it would be a huge mistake to not have anything for the rain, should it occur.
 
Jan 2, 2020
22
12
Lisbon
Time of past OR future Camino
Via de la Plata
I don't care what time of year I'm walking, I would never leave my rain gear behind. It can rain in any month - especially in green Galicia.

I am happy to not have to use it, but it would be a huge mistake to not have anything for the rain, should it occur.
Just personal preference. You’re probably a much more experienced hiker than me.
 

ScottPilgrim

Member
Apr 9, 2021
71
103
10018
Time of past OR future Camino
2021
I don't care what time of year I'm walking, I would never leave my rain gear behind. It can rain in any month - especially in green Galicia.

I am happy to not have to use it, but it would be a huge mistake to not have anything for the rain, should it occur.
I don't care what time of year I'm walking, I would never leave my rain gear behind. It can rain in any month - especially in green Galicia.

I am happy to not have to use it, but it would be a huge mistake to not have anything for the rain, should it occur.
I might be able to live without rain gear but a rain cover for your backpack is a must. It’s one thing to be wet yourself in the clothes you are wearing and quite another to have all your clothes wet.
 
Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

€83,-

JabbaPapa

"True Pilgrim"
Jul 15, 2005
6,150
13,340
Time of past OR future Camino
100 characters or fewer : see signature details
I'm further inland at the moment, where it's a lot hotter, but even so there can be some quite cool nights, I've seen some in the 12-13°C range. And my understanding is that near the Atlantic, cooler and wetter than that is possible even in Summer.

Up to you, but even were I to walk a Camino entirely on one of the major routes with assurance of sleeping indoors every night, I'd take at least a light sleeping bag (instead of my current heavy military one).
 
  • Like
Reactions: SabsP

KariC

Active Member
Jan 21, 2016
301
329
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Time of past OR future Camino
2016
I’ve read that a sleeping bag is mandatory now in albergues and that a liner is not sufficient. Also is it true that albergues are no longer supplying blankets?
While on the subject, is it warm at night on the Portuguese coastal at the moment? We will begin in Porto next Tuesday and it’s difficult to decide what to pack in terms of clothing. Would love to hear from someone who’s there at the moment 😊
I don't know about any sleeping bag requirement, but when I hiked the the Caminho Português 6 years ago in the fall, I needed no more than a liner. Right now it's a heat wave. Can't imagine needing even that and I would leave the fleece clothing behind!
 
A selection of Camino Jewellery

JabbaPapa

"True Pilgrim"
Jul 15, 2005
6,150
13,340
Time of past OR future Camino
100 characters or fewer : see signature details
One thing that I find to be unhelpful, typically, in these sleeping bag versus liner threads is that more often than not, when I read through one, the only people contributing are pro-liner ones, which can give a false impression of what the typical pilgrim's needs in these matters may actually be.

Whereas in nearly 30 years on these silly Caminos, I have come across exactly one pilgrim sleeping only in a liner, and as a matter of fact that night was a bit cooler, and he did not seem comfortable.

I do get that there are some pilgrims from northerly countries that are quite cold, and so may need less bedding than others. But this is quite outside the norm, and a genuinely cold night is always a possibility, especially next to the Atlantic or high up on the Meseta, and blankets supply in the Albergues is far from being guaranteed.

Now, these days I am mostly sleeping outside, so in rather different conditions.

But as to last night, a fairly strong wind between about 6 and 11 PM blew most of the day's heat away, and in the 3:30 to 6 AM pre-dawn, it was chilly enough that I needed to zip my sleeping bag up completely to keep warm until I woke up, for the first time this year. My big black woollen pilgrim's cape that I'm using as a blanket/"liner" wasn't enough to keep my arms warm in the early morning.

As to some saying you only need a liner, but pack some night clothes to keep warm, I just can't see why not pack a lightweight sleeping bag instead.

And I've seen too many contributions from those who only packed a liner from forum advice, and then on cold nights seriously regretted it.
 
Dec 31, 2017
46
99
Time of past OR future Camino
booked to do Lugo-Santiago June 2018
One thing that I find to be unhelpful, typically, in these sleeping bag versus liner threads is that more often than not, when I read through one, the only people contributing are pro-liner ones, which can give a false impression of what the typical pilgrim's needs in these matters may actually be.

Whereas in nearly 30 years on these silly Caminos, I have come across exactly one pilgrim sleeping only in a liner, and as a matter of fact that night was a bit cooler, and he did not seem comfortable.

I do get that there are some pilgrims from northerly countries that are quite cold, and so may need less bedding than others. But this is quite outside the norm, and a genuinely cold night is always a possibility, especially next to the Atlantic or high up on the Meseta, and blankets supply in the Albergues is far from being guaranteed.

Now, these days I am mostly sleeping outside, so in rather different conditions.

But as to last night, a fairly strong wind between about 6 and 11 PM blew most of the day's heat away, and in the 3:30 to 6 AM pre-dawn, it was chilly enough that I needed to zip my sleeping bag up completely to keep warm until I woke up, for the first time this year. My big black woollen pilgrim's cape that I'm using as a blanket/"liner" wasn't enough to keep my arms warm in the early morning.

As to some saying you only need a liner, but pack some night clothes to keep warm, I just can't see why not pack a lightweight sleeping bag instead.

And I've seen too many contributions from those who only packed a liner from forum advice, and then on cold nights seriously regretted it.
On 3 caminos I have only used a liner, and occasionally have had to use a blanket as well. However, I do agree with you, having only returned from the Frances 9 days ago, most people, (everyone i saw but me) contrary to these threads had a sleeping bag.... My next camino I am also thinking of taking a bag instead as it will keep me warmer, I could on occasion sleep outside, and if its too warm as recently I can just sleep on top of it. 👍
 
  • Like
Reactions: JabbaPapa

piquet

New Member
Jan 6, 2022
9
2
yorkshire, uk
Time of past OR future Camino
Via de la Plata
I did VdlP in Mar/Apr and Frances in Apr/May this year with only a silk liner. A very small number of albergues on the Frances did not provide blankets but I was OK using my down jacket as one where necessary (Roncesvalles and one other). I also wear Smartwool thermals as pyjamas (doubling up as extra walking layers in cold weather, although not needed on the Caminos, and wearable during laundries). In these warmer months it would be even easier. (However almost all pilgrims then did have sleeping bags). Hope this helps
 
Last edited:
A guide to speaking Spanish on the Camino - enrich your pilgrim experience.

Most read last week in this forum

Looking for Metro advice on skipping the Porto urban area and heading straight into the littoral beach way. Someone mentioned going straight to Matosinhos or the one before it. What Metro lines...
I’m planning to do over 12 days and want 2 rest days built in. What would be good recommendations to stay for a days rest/recover between Porto and Santiago? I was thinking on days 5 and 9 walking...
Hello, I have just picked up my pilgrim passport in Porto. Inside it says I need atleast 2 stamps a day. I thought that wasn’t necessary until the last 100km? Did anything change?
Hello all! I am doing my first Camino with my two adult children travelling from Porto to Santiago de Compostela. I'm reading John Brierley's book. It looks like the Senda Litoral route to Vila...
We are planning to start walking from Porto on September 18th. Would like to walk coastal route for 2 days and then switch to the Principal Way. Any advice?
Has anyone used Luis Mochilas transfer service before? I'm considering ising it from Redondela onwards. Would like to ask about your experience with it. Thanks

❓How to ask a question

How to post a new question on the Camino Forum.

Similar threads

Forum Rules

Forum Rules

Camino Updates on YouTube

Camino Conversations

Most downloaded Resources

This site is run by Ivar at

in Santiago de Compostela.
This site participates in the Amazon Affiliate program, designed to provide a means for Ivar to earn fees by linking to Amazon
Official Camino Passport (Credential) | 2024 Camino Guides