Sleeping Bag

[Sara Jane Walsh]

What am I looking for in a sleeping bag to do the Camino in September? I weigh 100 lbs and I tend to get cold more so than others so I want to be comfortable, but not stifling. How much should my bag weigh, does it fit into the backpack, etc. I do not want anything bulky that will weigh me down.

 

[Tia Valeria]

Hola and welcome Sara. you do not say where you live so suggestions may vary from what you can buy. We like the 'Snugpac' range of sleeping bags as thet come in various weights and warmth levels. If in the UK then Mountain Warehouse have a good range too - they may be available elsewhere. Some folk suggest a down bag as lighter weight and greater warmth for less bulk when packed but we have used the synthetic bags successfully. I too feel the cold and my Snugpac bag weighed 750gms and was fine except on really cold nights on the Primitivo (May 2012) when I added a blanket on top. I think its comfort level is 5C and I do not use a liner with it to save bulk and also I dislike them.

 

[SYates]

The question is really how much do you want to spend and where are you living? Light, small, warm, good quality and not too expensive is what you are looking for. For September I would suggest a 3 season sleeping bag. You also will need to decide if you prefer a rectangular or a mummy shape. Best thing you can do, is going to an outdoor shop and just look at and feel the different models before deciding on one.
Buen Camino! SY

 

[Sara Jane Walsh]

I am going to be carrying everything and I weigh 100 lbs. I want something warm and easy to fit in my backpack. Am I dreaming? I do not know where to begin. So far I have gained a little knowledge, but I am relying on all of the experienced Pilgrims out there.

 

[SYates]

You still haven't told us, roughly, where you live. That does affect your shopping options ... SY

 

[Sara Jane Walsh]

You still haven't told us, roughly, where you live. That does affect your shopping options ... SY

Sorry. I live in Fort Lauderdale.

 

[naplesdon]

FYI, her closest REI is in Jax.

 

[SYates]

There is seems to be a Bass Pro shop closer by, perhaps that would be an option? SY

 

[naplesdon]

There is seems to be a Bass Pro shop closer by, perhaps that would be an option? SY

SY, admittedly I have never been to a Bass Pro Shop, but "our kind of camping equipment" is not their expertise. There is one about 30 minutes drive from where I live in Florida.
I'll visit it next winter and send you a report. Promise!
Maybe Mark Lee can chime in on this question.
Personally, I could survive quite well in a silk liner under and warm albergue wool blanket during the month of September.

 

[SYates]

My suggestion to go to an outdoor shop first to have a look around on what is available was based on

... I do not know where to begin. ...

as alone the varieties of shapes (rectangular, quilt, mummy) can be mildly bewildering for somebody completely new to the topic. SY

 

[Mark Lee]

SY, admittedly I have never been to a Bass Pro Shop, but "our kind of camping equipment" is not their expertise. There is one about 30 minutes drive from where I live in Florida. I'll visit it next winter and send you a report. Promise! Maybe Mark Lee can chime in on this question.
Personally, I could survive quite well in a silk liner under and warm albergue wool blanket during the month of September.

Been to Bass Pro here near Baton Rouge and in Katy, Texas. A man could go broke in that place buying toys, ha ha.
They have sleeping bags I am sure, but I think one could find better deals on amazon.com and with free shipping in a lot of cases.
Also, I agree. In September one could get away with just using a silk liner. Cheaper, packs smaller and lighter, but if you must have a sleeping bag definitely get the lightest one for warm weather.

 

[pudgypilgrim]

Bass Pro is really not much better than Sports Authority for this kind of stuff, alas. The lack of good outdoor stores in S FL is a mystery to me, too.

EDIT You might try Peter Glenn. Their emphasis is on ski stuff, but they do carry Osprey packs and technical clothing.

 

[Jacobus]

Bass Pro is really not much better than Sports Authority for this kind of stuff, alas. The lack of good outdoor stores in S FL is a mystery to me, too.

EDIT You might try Peter Glenn. Their emphasis is on ski stuff, but they do carry Osprey packs and technical clothing.

 

[david g]

Even though you get cold more easily than others, I'd still go with a light weight bag. I found most of the albergues were unbelievably warm at that time of year. (All that body heat) Good luck.

 

[Jacobus]

What am I looking for in a sleeping bag to do the Camino in September? I weigh 100 lbs and I tend to get cold more so than others so I want to be comfortable, but not stifling. How much should my bag weigh, does it fit into the backpack, etc. I do not want anything bulky that will weigh me down.

I prefer what is called a hostel bag. IT should be available in any good quality camping/hiking shop. I bought mine in Ottawa at Mountain Equipment Co-op and it is the store brand. The bag has a thin cotton sheet on one side and a quilted blanket on the other. It is versatile enough to handle autumn weather if you are on a bed (quilt on top) or summer weather (sheet on top). If staying in hostels/albergues/refugios ie blankets are almost always available to supplement the bag. If staying in hotels you won't need to worry about it. If camping something a little heavier might be appropriate depending on your shelter options. Don't forget you can also layer your clothing on those nights which might dip a little colder than forecast. Remember most floors are hardwood and or concrete based so will be much colder than a mattress.

Have fun exploring your options,

Jim

 

[Mark Lee]

Twenty-bucks, weighs a pound and a half. Get it at your local Wal-Mart.
I know there are those on here who would accuse me of blasphemy for saying this, but when planning and purchasing gear for walking the Camino you don't need to go out and spend a fortune buying high-tech, high end equipment designed for long, technical hikes in the mountains or wilderness where you spend your nights outdoors.
Besides, a great deal of the expensive high-tech stuff is manufactured overseas, in second and third-world countries, in sweat shops, by people being paid low wages. Same as the more inexpensive stuff. It just has a different label on it.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-Envelope-50F-Sleeping-Bag-Green/34109022

 

[pudgypilgrim]

How small will that pack up, Mark? I have one something like that, but it would entirely fill my backpack, even in a compression sack, no matter how hard I try to squoosh it down.

 

[Jo Jo]

I bought Mountain Hardware Phantom 45 bags for my wife and I. Did not need or carry them for a summer Caminio (July August 2014). But the bags are really light (about a pound), and really warm. And really expensive. Worth it for me because I do a lot of backpacking and they make a great summer-in-the-mountains bag.

 

[OzAnnie]

What am I looking for in a sleeping bag to do the Camino in September? I weigh 100 lbs and I tend to get cold more so than others so I want to be comfortable, but not stifling. How much should my bag weigh, does it fit into the backpack, etc. I do not want anything bulky that will weigh me down.

Hi Sara
I like my 'sea to summit' sleeping bag. Very light, easy to stuff back quickly, unzips completely if you prefer into flat cover. Zipped up you can still leave open at feet or pull cord to close off. I see it mentioned a lot here by others too.
Google sea to summit as there is plenty of info and explanation on line and choice. You can buy on line.

Buen Camino.
Annie

 

[Mark Lee]

How small will that pack up, Mark? I have one something like that, but it would entirely fill my backpack, even in a compression sack, no matter how hard I try to squoosh it down.

Don't know the exact dimensions, but the ones I've seen in the store were about the size of a football I suppose, when in their stuff sack.

 

[pudgypilgrim]

Thanks, Mark Lee.

Annie, the Sea to Summit Traveler is darned hard to find right now, for some reason. No dealer in the US has it anymore.

 

[Sara Jane Walsh]

Hi Sara
I like my 'sea to summit' sleeping bag. Very light, easy to stuff back quickly, unzips completely if you prefer into flat cover. Zipped up you can still leave open at feet or pull cord to close off. I see it mentioned a lot here by others too.
Google sea to summit as there is plenty of info and explanation on line and choice. You can buy on line.

Buen Camino.
Annie

Annie,
Very helpful. Thank you.

 

[Ellen St John]

Sorry. I live in Fort Lauderdale.

Hi. I live I Delray Beach and I am just starting to plan to go in September also. I found Peter Glenn to be a great store. Let me know if you want to get in touch as we live very close. I'm trying to figure out the route I'm going to take when I get there and the planes, trains, buses etc to start the walk Ellen

 

[pudgypilgrim]

Just to update, I was finally able to get the Traveller from REI, although it was backordered a while.

Very light and packs down to the size of a water bottle.

 

[Sara Jane Walsh]

Hi. I live I Delray Beach and I am just starting to plan to go in September also. I found Peter Glenn to be a great store. Let me know if you want to get in touch as we live very close. I'm trying to figure out the route I'm going to take when I get there and the planes, trains, buses etc to start the walk Ellen

Hi. I live I Delray Beach and I am just starting to plan to go in September also. I found Peter Glenn to be a great store. Let me know if you want to get in touch as we live very close. I'm trying to figure out the route I'm going to take when I get there and the planes, trains, buses etc to start the walk Ellen

 

[Sara Jane Walsh]

I would love to get in touch with you. Tell me your thoughts on how and when we could hook up with each other.

 

[Kanga]

@Sara Jane Walsh might be better to do it by private conversation rather than in this public thread.

 

[Rayne Stroebel]

Very helpful thread - I am from Cape Town, South Africa, and will be starting my journey in Lisbon on the 26th of September. I first have to go to a conference in Perth (Oz) and need different clothes etc (which I will send home) for that partnof the trip. I can sleep in a sleeping bag (i am 6"3 and fidget too much at night). I have been reading about a fleece blanket? Will I be able to buy that in Lisbon? Or should I get it in Australia? Any advice?

 

[Sara Jane Walsh]

@Sara Jane Walsh might be better to do it by private conversation rather than in this public thread.

I agree. Provide me with your contact information and I will get in touch with you and/or make a suggestion otherwise.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Just to update, I was finally able to get the Traveller from REI, although it was backordered a while.

Very light and packs down to the size of a water bottle.

Alas very expensive.

 

[pudgypilgrim]

Yes, unfortunately it is, but I was able to get a much better price by joining REI when they had a sale + a special + etc. But the back order was so long I was looking into alternatives because I really didn't expect to get it before Sept when I leave.

 

[Rayne Stroebel]

I agree. Provide me with your contact information and I will get in touch with you and/or make a suggestion otherwise.

Hi Sara, my email is rstroebel@geratecza.com. Thanks!

 

[Kanga]

A reminder to everyone to use the "Private Conversations" facility to exchange personal information. Click on the link towards the top of the page, in the middle, (next to "recent posts" in green, in the picture below). That will open a new page with a big blue button "Start a New Conversation".