Alternative to a sleeping bag

Ladybird1093 · Apr 12, 2023

Do i need a sleeping bag on the French route in September? What can be a good alternative? Would a silk liner be enough? I will appreciate any ideas and your experience to help me decide. Thanks.

trecile · Apr 12, 2023

Ladybird1093 said:
Do i need a sleeping bag on the French route in September? What can be a good alternative? Would a silk liner be enough? I will appreciate any ideas and your experience to help me decide. Thanks.

I use a silk sleep sack and a very small down blanket - I cut a larger blanket down to be the same size as the sleep sack. I tuck the blanket inside the sleep sack on cool/cold nights.

isawtman · Apr 12, 2023

This past September it started getting cold in the middle of the month so keep that in mind when choosing a sleep system

C clearly · Apr 12, 2023

Also consider what layers of clothes you can wear inside whatever sleeping/bag/blanket/liner you choose.

MichaelC · Apr 12, 2023

I have a "jungle blanket," which is light weight and the same material and fill as a sleeping bag, but it's a blanket not a bag. I really like it, and I absolutely needed it on the Frances in September / October.

For myself, I would have been completely miserable some nights with only a liner.

good_old_shoes · Apr 12, 2023

Depends on how your tolerance for cold temperatures is and what kind of accommodation you choose.

Private rooms / Hotels usually have blankets and linens.

Some albergues have wool blankets, but not all. So if you're cold with your liner, you're cold.

For albergues I'd always bring a small and lightweight sleeping bag, but that's Personal choice, as I've been cold in july even with the lightweight sleeping bag.

Some albergues are not heated so it can get cold at night.

If you want to find out what works for you, try at home. Wear what you'd wear at night in the albergue, and then sleep like that in the liner, at around 10°C. If you're fine with that, you might be OK with only a liner.

sarahchicago · Apr 12, 2023

I use a silk liner- square bottom not mummy-style, which has a pillow cover, and a lightweight fleece blanket. Was perfect on cool or cold nights in May last year. Using same system on the portugues starting from porto in 2 days.

malingerer · Apr 12, 2023

C clearly said:
Also consider what layers of clothes you can wear inside whatever sleeping/bag/blanket/liner you choose.

Every thing apart from the boots This is known as going to bed " Horse Fashion " where I come from

Samarkand.

konnie · Apr 12, 2023

Ladybird1093 said:
Do i need a sleeping bag on the French route in September? What can be a good alternative? Would a silk liner be enough? I will appreciate any ideas and your experience to help me decide. Thanks.

I used a Kammok Bobcat 45. Expensive but extremely lightweight, packs down to nothing and warm. It’s also something you can use at home after the Camino. I carried a silk liner but never used it.

Bob P · Apr 12, 2023

I have fallen in love with my "HangTite" quilt. Very small, very light(14 oz.), only $45. Supposedly 45f rated , but comfortable at 55f and up.

Bob P · Apr 12, 2023

Well, everything has gone up in price. Now $78 https://www.etsy.com/listing/675668288/hotfoot-series-hammock-top-quilt-700?ref=share_v4_lx

MichelleElynHogan · Apr 13, 2023

I agree with MichaelC, a Snugpak"Jungle Blanket," is an essential alternative to a whole sleeping bag. I use it regularly around the house as well.

rozmcg · Apr 13, 2023

Sea to sumit do a thermal sleeping bag liner designed to add some degrees of warmth to your sleeping bag. I am planning on taking mine along with my silk sleeping bag liner to be sure I have that extra warmth on those colder nights.
Also my lightweight synthetic down jacket can be used and sun gloves on hands, buff on head for a hot - all can be used to keep warm.
Buen Camino x

DreamWeaver · Apr 13, 2023

Ladybird1093 said:
Do i need a sleeping bag on the French route in September? What can be a good alternative? Would a silk liner be enough? I will appreciate any ideas and your experience to help me decide. Thanks.

I brought a Naturehike compact sleeping bag in April 2018. This time round I am going in end September, I gonna bring a polar fleece sleeping bag liner instead. Since we will be sleeping in albergues not outdoor, I think it should be warm enough.

Fleece Sleeping Bag Liner Outdoor Warm Camping Blanket Picnic Carpet Mat Hiking Sleep Bags Quilt Hotel Bed Pad Beg Tidur

www.utanking.com

You probably can find something similar on Amazon.

Easy · Apr 15, 2023

Ladybird1093 said:
Do i need a sleeping bag on the French route in September? What can be a good alternative? Would a silk liner be enough? I will appreciate any ideas and your experience to help me decide. Thanks.

Greetings,

I would suggest sleeping in soft clothing, which you could wear while walking. I used a flannel twin size sheet as a blanket as well.

WorddWizard · Apr 17, 2023

They have one pound down blankets on Amazon for about $70. That’s what I’ve been using in Spring along with a silk liner (lows of 38 and above). I sleep cold, so a liner alone wouldn’t cut it for me.

C clearly · Apr 18, 2023

OlivierF said:
Do I need to bring one from 22nd of April until 11th of May? I have to choose between bringing none (meaning only a silk liner) or a 1.8 kg sleeping bag I have here. If you had to choose between the two, what would you do in that period?

I would need something more than a silk liner. If you decide against the sleeping bag, do you have a down jacket or vest with you? Thermal underwear? Look at all your clothing to determine how you could layer up at night.

Camino Chrissy · Apr 18, 2023

C clearly said:
Also consider what layers of clothes you can wear inside whatever sleeping/bag/blanket/liner you choose.

I use a lightweight sleeping bag in spring and sometimes still have needed to wear my fleece to bed. I actually choose to sleep in my clean clothes when I stay in albergues so I make sure they are very comfortable and that the fabrics have some "give" in them.

KariannNor · May 10, 2023

I will walk in September and will use a down blanket (300g) and a silk sheet + pillowcase. The blanket has a pocket with a zip on it, actually it's the bag it's in that turns around. Smart way to keep valuables while sleeping.

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Alternative to a sleeping bag

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