Sleeping Bag April/May

[momof34man]

I am trying to figure out the sleeping bag situation for the camino. I bought a sleep sack and did a trial run by sleeping in my house. I used a silk liner inside the sleep sack....I was freezing. I tested the sack in October and it was much warmer in my house back then than it is now. I returned the sleep sack to REI and got a new sleeping bag. This time I got a Marmot Maverick 30. It is supposed to be warmer, but it is really bulky even with the compession bag. I have a hard time sleeping in a cocoon type bag since I am a side sleeper. Right now, the new bag is STUFFED in the bottom section of my backpack. (Weighs almost 4 pounds though) I CANNOT use a down bag because I am allergic to it. I cannot afford to spend a fortune on a bag either. I am curious if any other "allergic"people have found a decent bag to use in the springtime on the camino.....or if anyone else has used THIS bag on the camino and what their experience was.
http://www.rei.com/product/880179/marmot-mavericks-30-sleeping-bag

 

[C clearly]

I had a Hotcore T-100 one year in October and found it warmer than necessary. The next year I took a Hotcore Cooper R-7 which was just right, and also it is rectangular. I bought them in Canada, but I see that at least the T-100 is available on Amazon.com. The Hotcore website is here (and I have no connection!)

 

[Gracemarie]

I notice you're going in April-June (me too!). Is a sleeping bag necessary then? Due to similar issues you face, I was hoping I could get away without one during the warmer season. Comments/advice please?

 

[momof34man]

I think it is. We are starting in France at the end of April and at times they can have snow over the Pyranees. I tend to sleep cold as well. I tested a sleep sack last fall (September) a warmer month than April....and froze. I will be miserable if I am cold. I even bundled up and slept in warmer clothes. I think I am going to return the bag I got even though it works exactly like I want it to. It is just too heavy and bulky. I am going to check out the Cat's Meow which is a pound lighter and it is filled with synthetic instead of down. I'm glad REI takes returns.

 

[David]

Momo, it sounds like your problem isn't the bags but your personal sensitivity to the cold. You will already have noticed, on your bag search, that the same sleeping bags are graded to a different comfort temperature depending on whether the user is male or female - women feel cold much more than men for some reason - but you know all this I should think.

My bag is a Snugpak Jungle bag - 925gms light and compresses small, rectangular, mesh screen keeps bed bugs away, and zips fully open so can be used as a throw - won't be nearly warm enough for you I shouldn't think. I am off again in early March and actually may take only a rectangular silk bag liner - if it is cold and there are no blankets, well, I will just wear everything I have - I tend to sleep warm, I'm more of a heat generator, so for me it isn't a problem - but it is for you ..... so, you are trying bulkier and heavier bags, just to stay warm and it still isn't working?
Have you thought of an alternative? Buy a lightweight travel bag but also take long underwear, warm socks, and a woolly hat so you can dress for bed? It is amazing how wearing a woolly hat in a sleeping bag improves warmth - add warm socks at the other end and perhaps Merino wool long johns ?? It would mean that you would save on space and weight - worth a try?
If you try that at home and it works - do post back on here - there are countless female pilgrims with the same problem as you (and possibly a few males too).

Oh - another thing - make sure your bladder is empty, don't hold it in, get up and go to the loo. I have found that having water in the bladder can lead to one being cold - I have no idea why but assume that the body has limited energy and has to use a lot of it to keep the water in there warm as well, remove the water and it releases that energy to other areas - now, I am assuming this reason, I don't know if it is true - but it does work.

Snugpak jungle bag link for those who want a 2 season bag - http://www.snugpak.com/outdoor/jungle-bag

 

[Americanperegrino]

As stated above, it sounds like you're a cold sleeper. So, I'd be taking a 'bag' of some sort. Take a look @ this http://www.enlightenedequipment.com/prodigy/
You can select the warmth rating you like and it's extremely lite. I have a down version and it is confortable. I can use it as a full-on mummy type bag, or keep it open for warmer times, or just use it as a quilt. It's very versatile. I realize $$ is always a concern. However, there are three critical pieces of gear every hiker needs and should budget for: Footwear, backpack and sleeping bag. Also, EE is highly sought after and you can sell this when you done easily.

Also, your Marmot is HEAVY @ 3lbs14oz. This Prodigy for the same rating is 25 oz

 

[T-Camino]

Having the same dilemma, we are walking in May/June and I know I can be a sucker for getting cold. Really don't want a to loft a heavy sleeping bag around with me. Today in go outdoors I stumbled accross this http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/hi-gear-fleece-mummy-liner-p143957 and it got me thinking. Im fairly sure it's lighter than a sleeping bag, definitely looks warmer than a a cotton or silk liner. The only problem is it still is a bit large. Got me thinking if I could just bung it in a compression sack. Perhaps this might work for you, maybe combined with another liner?

Just thoughts...

 

[David]

nice looking fleece but it is 860gms! the Snugpak jungle sleeping bag is only 900gms .....

 

[Urban Trekker]

I am trying to figure out the sleeping bag situation for the camino. I bought a sleep sack and did a trial run by sleeping in my house. I used a silk liner inside the sleep sack....I was freezing. I tested the sack in October and it was much warmer in my house back then than it is now. I returned the sleep sack to REI and got a new sleeping bag. This time I got a Marmot Maverick 30. It is supposed to be warmer, but it is really bulky even with the compession bag. I have a hard time sleeping in a cocoon type bag since I am a side sleeper. Right now, the new bag is STUFFED in the bottom section of my backpack. (Weighs almost 4 pounds though) I CANNOT use a down bag because I am allergic to it. I cannot afford to spend a fortune on a bag either. I am curious if any other "allergic"people have found a decent bag to use in the springtime on the camino.....or if anyone else has used THIS bag on the camino and what their experience was.
http://www.rei.com/product/880179/marmot-mavericks-30-sleeping-bag

If its been less than one year, take the bag back to REI and tell them your requirements. There are some very good light weight synthetic sleeping out there. I'm a little claustrophobic and uncomfortable in a mummy bag but still use one because box foot bags weigh a lot more. A stocking cap at night can make a huge difference too. Buen Camino

Happy Trails

 

[momof34man]

Just for information on whomever was following this feed. I ended up with this bag:
http://www.rei.com/product/880130/mountain-hardwear-laminina-z-spark-sleeping-bag-womens
It is 2 pounds 7 ounces.....lighter than my almost 4 pounder. It fits me perfectly. I hope it works well on the camino. I'll report after we return in June on how the bag worked for me. Finding a decently warm synthetic bag was definately a challenge.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Still too heavy in my opinion. 1 to 2 pounds, if you must.

 

[momof34man]

I have no other options in my price range. This is as light as it gets without being too cold since I cannot use down. I am pleased with my choice. I guess that's all that matters, right?

 

[Anemone del Camino]

I have no other options in my price range. This is as light as it gets without being too cold since I cannot use down. I am pleased with my choice. I guess that's all that matters, right?

I picked up something at Costco for 29$c, so about 20US$ from Double Black Diamond, it weighs a pound. Mind you, it is down now that I think of it. And you are right, being cold is dreadful and will not allow you to recouperate well at night. I hope it works out for you.