Jacket for Camino

[DanielaVasiljeva]

Hello.
I have searched some info about what to wear for Camino when you start in may. But mostly they talk about pants. I will start next week from Sarria.
I have zip off pants, that should do. But I am thinking about jacket??!! I bought Gelert softshell. And only now,2 days before departing I started to think,won't it be too hot? Cause I really don't want to overpack, and if I will not use it it will take a space.. Could I maybe wear some flannel shirt? Really confused.

 

[C clearly]

Pick a combination of clothes that you would wear for a long walk on a "typical" day at home, assuming a sunny day with the temperature starting at 8C and going up to 25C. That will probably include:

1. light base layer with short or no sleeves,
2. light layer with long sleeves to protect from sun and give a small amount of insulation,
3. light fleece or jacket in case it stays chilly.

That is 3 light layers, for typical walking when it is not raining. As the day warms up, you take off layers.Then consider what you need for rain - if your layer #3 is waterproof, you don't need a different one.

You should also have something warm and cosy (be sure to keep it dry) to wear in the evenings. In case of "emergency" (really unexpected cold weather) you could wear it in the day.

You mention a "flannel shirt." I'm not sure what you mean by this, but don't bring a cotton shirt unless you intend it to be to keep you cool on very hot days. Otherwise cotton is heavy, slow to dry, and not good insulation.

 

[poogeyejr]

I would add a fleece or light weight down jacket under the softshell for the colder mornings and days.
A flannel shirt would probably be too heavy to carry and take too long to dry if it got wet.

 

[DanielaVasiljeva]

I would add a fleece or light weight down jacket under the softshell for the colder mornings and days.
A flannel shirt would probably be too heavy to carry and take too long to dry if it got wet.

Do you think I should bring my softshell at all?

Pick a combination of clothes that you would wear for a long walk on a "typical" day at home, assuming a sunny day with the temperature starting at 8C and going up to 25C. That will probably include:

1. light base layer with short or no sleeves,
2. light layer with long sleeves to protect from sun and give a small amount of insulation,
3. light fleece or jacket in case it stays chilly.

That is 3 light layers, for typical walking when it is not raining. As the day warms up, you take off layers.Then consider what you need for rain - if your layer #3 is waterproof, you don't need a different one.

You should also have something warm and cosy (be sure to keep it dry) to wear in the evenings. In case of "emergency" (really unexpected cold weather) you could wear it in the day.

You mention a "flannel shirt." I'm not sure what you mean by this, but don't bring a cotton shirt unless you intend it to be to keep you cool on very hot days. Otherwise cotton is heavy, slow to dry, and not good insulation.

That is quite big difference 8-25 degrees. I would have my softshell for 8 degrees and when it would reach 25 degrees I would take it off, but then to carry it for 20km with me? I am starting to think should I need it at all? Maybe facing some time in cold in the morning but keeping it light? Or better to take it? Just in case? Or I will try to visit store tomorrow and maybe I will find some alternative. Anyways, thanks!

 

[C clearly]

That is quite big difference 8-25 degrees. I would have my softshell for 8 degrees and when it would reach 25 degrees I would take it off, but then to carry it for 20km with me?

Yes, that is a big range, which is why you need several thin layers rather than one thick one that is either on or off.

As far as I can tell, a "softshell" jacket is a multi-purpose jacket that is not fully waterproof. Maybe it will serve you well, but it is not the layering strategy that many of us use. How much does it weigh? What would you wear to walk in 16C?

You cannot avoid carrying some things some of the time, unless you are prepared to be uncomfortably cold at other times, or unless you simply get lucky with the weather.

 

[trecile]

Do you think I should bring my softshell at all?


That is quite big difference 8-25 degrees. I would have my softshell for 8 degrees and when it would reach 25 degrees I would take it off, but then to carry it for 20km with me? I am starting to think should I need it at all? Maybe facing some time in cold in the morning but keeping it light? Or better to take it? Just in case? Or I will try to visit store tomorrow and maybe I will find some alternative. Anyways, thanks!

How heavy is the soft shell?
There are other things that you'll be carrying that you won't be using all day, like rain gear.

 

[DanielaVasiljeva]

Yes, that is a big range, which is why you need several thin layers rather than one thick one that is either on or off.

As far as I can tell, a "softshell" jacket is a multi-purpose jacket that is not fully waterproof. Maybe it will serve you well, but it is not the layering strategy that many of us use. How much does it weigh? What would you wear to walk in 16C?

You cannot avoid carrying some things some of the time, unless you are prepared to be uncomfortably cold at other times, or unless you simply get lucky with the weather.

It doesn't weight that much actually but it's not like it's super light. I will try to visit some store tomorrow to check out some other lighter jackets maybe. I will pack my things tomorrow and I will see how much space I have left. I am usually cold so maybe better to take something extra for ''just in case'' yet I want to feel comfortable. I will make my choices shortly before departing probably. And will learn from my mistakes, what else I can do.

 

[poogeyejr]

Do you think I should bring my softshell at all?


That is quite big difference 8-25 degrees. I would have my softshell for 8 degrees and when it would reach 25 degrees I would take it off, but then to carry it for 20km with me? I am starting to think should I need it at all? Maybe facing some time in cold in the morning but keeping it light? Or better to take it? Just in case? Or I will try to visit store tomorrow and maybe I will find some alternative. Anyways, thanks!

The question is what will you wear when you are not walking in 8 - 15 degrees C weather. . .
I agree with C Clearly

1. light base layer with short or no sleeves,
2. light layer with long sleeves to protect from sun and give a small amount of insulation,
3. light fleece or jacket in case it stays chilly.

So a t-shirt for the bottom layer. Your softshell for normal walking over your t-shirt.

If it is cold add a fleece/very light weight down jacket.

For rain, you have to be prepared to carry a waterproof option. Poncho or rain coat and a cover for your pack.

The weather in Spain in spring is unpredictable and you could get quite cold or nice warm weather.

But there are stores all along the camino - if you make a wrong choice, you can mail a coat to the end and pick it up when you get to Santiago or you can buy a missing layer.

Just go, walk and have fun!!!

Kathy

 

[Annie Little]

That is 3 light layers, for typical walking when it is not raining. As the day warms up, you take off layers.Then consider what you need for rain - if your layer #3 is waterproof, you don't need a different

I agree with others strategic layering is way to go ....

Ultreia

 

[JP]

Mornings can be quite chilly even in May, by late morning it warms up so layers is the way to go I agree. Last time I had a shell and a light fleece, this time I might be using a light weight down jacket with my shell to cut down on weight.

 

[simeon]

if it has a full length zip in the front it is handy for the times that it is too cold take off and too hot to leave on.... If it doesn't don't fret about it. It will work out

 

[Priscilla NC]

For walking April/May, I had 2 light t shirts, a long sleeve merino wool shirt (light weight), a light fleece shirt, and a rain jacket. There were mornings when I wore all but one of the t shirts. The layers would peel off as the day grew warmer.

I would not bring a soft shell jacket unless I could also wear it in rainy weather.

Whatever you bring, may it serve you well, and Buen Camino!

 

[Scary]

Do you think I should bring my softshell at all?


That is quite big difference 8-25 degrees. I would have my softshell for 8 degrees and when it would reach 25 degrees I would take it off, but then to carry it for 20km with me? I am starting to think should I need it at all? Maybe facing some time in cold in the morning but keeping it light? Or better to take it? Just in case? Or I will try to visit store tomorrow and maybe I will find some alternative. Anyways, thanks!

I'm going in june and thought about a light fleece instead of a jacket?

 

[C clearly]

I'm going in june and thought about a light fleece instead of a jacket?

A light weight fleece is a good item to have at any time of year. But what was the purpose of the "jacket"? If it is a light weight waterproof for rainy days, then you still need it (unless you have another rain strategy). If it is a multipurpose semi-warm but not waterproof jacket, then I wouldn't take it at any time of year (except maybe in mid-winter). Other layer combinations would be more flexible.