StepheninDC
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- June 2017
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You will likely be staying in Albergues. Temperatures will not go below 0 C because the Albergues will be heated enough to at least keep pipes from freezing. Even in summer, mountains can be cold at night. I would base sleeping bag selection on these criteria.
That being said, anyone can be uncomfortable on the camino. You likely won't die for not having a sleeping bag. Try sleeping outside in cool weather or in a cold room using gear you plan to take with you.
Down fill is the lightest sleeping bag material in terms of weight vs warmth. The only downside is that down loses its loft if it gets wet. Make sure you get a waterproof valise for your sleeping bag.
John Brierley has written a good guide book. I would suggest getting a copy and reading on his insights as to when to go and how much time to allow.
Late May and early September are possibly the two busiest times of the year on the Camino Frances. Followed only by mid-summer. I still say "go for it" if that is the best or only time that fits your schedule.Anyway, the last two times I was in Spain were during the winter (Feb 2014 and Feb 2016). It was COLD, so I think I'll try for late spring, summer, or early fall in terms of time frames. If I were to go in late May or early September, for instance, would I need a downfilled sleeping bag?
Late May and early September are possibly the two busiest times of the year on the Camino Frances. Followed only by mid-summer. I still say "go for it" if that is the best or only time that fits your schedule.
However, winter in Spain does not last 7 months! How about March, April, October, early November? That is excellent weather for walking, and you don't need a down bag intended for sub-freezing weather. On a few mornings, you might find the air nippy and getting down close to freezing (so bring layers and some light gloves), and maybe even a night or 2 when you think "I could have used an extra blanket." I travel in those months with a synthetic sleeping bag rated to 7C (45C). I would often be walking in a t-shirt in the afternoons, and I am not a hardy Canadian. (I am from Vancouver.)
I would take virtually the same equipment and clothes at any time of year, with only some minor adjustments. My spring/fall kit can span the full range of weather, and weighs less than 6.5 kg (excluding water).
For me, the ideal time would be to start in mid-to-late March or mid-October.
P.S. Welcome to the forum, and happy planning!
I comfortably carried 6 kg plus water, in a 31 L backpack and had everything I needed. I am about the same size as you, with a couple of extra pounds around the middle. I am moderately fit 68 year old. In practice, the 10% rule simply means that you will probably be able to carry 12-18 pounds (5-8 kg) comfortably all day, if you have no particular back problem and if you have a properly fitting backpack. And, fortunately, we can assure you that you can include everything you need on the camino, within that weight. I do weigh everything as I select and pack it, because that discipline forces me to be really efficient with the weight. (And I enjoy the detail.)
I walk in early spring or late fall (my choice of the "best time", as I am retired and can go whenever I choose). The weather is unpredictable and can be wet, so I wear light waterproof boots - but only because they are equal in comfort to any shoe I have tried. If shoes were more comfortable, I would wear them. Here is my general advice, copied from another post:Do you have a preference for shoes vs boots?
I walk in early spring or late fall (my choice of the "best time", as I am retired and can go whenever I choose). The weather is unpredictable and can be wet, so I wear light waterproof boots - but only because they are equal in comfort to any shoe I have tried. If shoes were more comfortable, I would wear them. Here is my general advice, copied from another post:
Shoes are the most important decision. Choice of socks is also important, once you've picked the shoe. The absolute top priority is that the shoes or boots be a comfortable fit/shape to suit your foot. Once you find something that just "feels" right on your foot, try it in the next size larger. If the larger size is wearable (maybe with a thicker sock) then you should buy the larger size. Buy it from a store that has a good return policy. Test it first by walking briskly in a shopping mall or indoor location so you can return it to the store if it isn't right. Maybe test 2 sizes or 2 models. Boot vs shoe, waterproof vs not, are secondary decisions and either can work fine. I use a lightweight waterproof boot. Heavy hiking boots are not necessary. Many people wear trail runners.
deciding which backpack to buy
My biggest concern where shoes are concerned is blisters
Many say blisters are a product of either:
- close fitting shoes causing chafing; or
- heat build up causing sweating of the feet; or
- both.
For the former I suggest you consider wide fittings and longer fittings that you would use in your normal day.
For the latter I suggest you consider a shoe with woven uppers with built in small holes that will allow heat out easily.
I ford streams in such shoes: yes the water gets in and, yes, it dries out quite quickly as you keep going: the small holes see to that. So walking in the rain is not a big issue.
Kia kaha (take care, be strong get going)
Both of these reasons. Also, slight pressure points that will not be noticeable on a 1 or 2-day walk may become problematic after many days. I have always been uncomfortable with the blanket recommendation to "get shoes that are a size larger than normal." It depends on what you "normally" wear and whether your feet do swell. My feet do not seem to swell much, and I wear the same shoes around home as I do on the camino. But I do wear a very roomy shoe. I buy the biggest shoe I can, that does not slide around on my foot when laced comfortably but firmly.Is the reason for buying one size larger footwear, because of wearing thicker or double socks, or because of foot swelling
Too big a shoe, to me, means friction thus blisters.
Your feet swell, the skin gets so thick on the bottom of your feet you can comfortably run barefoot on gravel. Your toes get larger skin gets thicker. Your feet take a picture of them before you start. Then after your Camino.Is the reason for buying one size larger footwear, because of wearing thicker or double socks, or because of foot swelling? Too big a shoe, to me, means friction thus blisters.
Hi, everyone. This is my first post. I recently decided to do my first Camino in 2017 and am looking for suggestions on when to go. I realize after reading lots of discussions and other posts on here that things like sleeping bags, backpacks and even footwear depend a lot on when one is planning to walk the Camino. For now, I am planning to walk the Camino Frances, but haven't made up my mind exactly how long I'll be gone. I have a lot of vacation time at work I can use, but don't necessarily want to blow it all on one trip (my wife won't be coming along, but she and I do plan to do some traveling in 2017 together). Anyway, the last two times I was in Spain were during the winter (Feb 2014 and Feb 2016). It was COLD, so I think I'll try for late spring, summer, or early fall in terms of time frames. If I were to go in late May or early September, for instance, would I need a downfilled sleeping bag? I'm guessing that June-August would be warmer and so I might not need as warm of a sleeping bag. I have been reading lots on here about backpacks and it sounds like the lighter, the better. I'm 5'4" and weigh 135 lbs, I work out a lot and am very fit but I don't want to be too weighed down by gear. I can walk for long distances but I want to enjoy the scenery, as I'm very much a Europhile (I've been coming to Europe since 1984, on average once or twice a year). Looking forward to going on this very much and meeting other peregrinos! My mom passed away last year and I'm dedicating the trip to her memory. I'm also a major polyglot (I speak fluent German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and Norwegian), and I can figure out Galician and Catalan, if necessary, haha. Thanks!
Big fan of Osprey. If you find a shoe that is comfy but thin you can use inserts to like the "Sole" brand to keep from feeling rocks thru the shoe. If you can find a lightweight hiker with Vibram soles they will or should last the entire walk. My Keens were very comfy but I had no sole left & no lining left They were done 2 weeks before the Ocean (duct tape is great!). Part of the fun is finding what will work buying @ REI & returning after 45 days, think of it as quality control for the MFG.I had the opportunity to try on several backpacks and pairs of shoes yesterday. What an experience that was! For the most part, the backpacks were good, if a little too large at first. I was at REI, and the very helpful salesman showed me several styles by Osprey (which seems to get good reviews here, although I know it's ultimately a personal choice). The first couple were way too big, both in terms of capacity (50L and up) and size (too long for my rather short torso). I eventually got a size small in the Osprey Manta 36 and really liked it. I especially liked the many pockets and the inclusion of a water reservoir and tube. Some people don't seem to like the fact that the bladder isn't removable, but that isn't a concern for me. The shoes were harder to figure out. I definitely want a shoe that feels light and comfortable, something that breathes since I'll probably be there in the summer, but I worry about comfort vs support. I don't want to end up with a comfy shoe that allows me to feel every rock and pebble along the Camino. Trying on shoes is very tricky for me, especially since the carpeted floor of a shoe store is very different from the asphalt, gravel, dirt, etc I'll be encountering along the way. I'll try on lots of shoes to see what I like best.
Swelling is rarely a concern for the length of your foot. It is more an issue of width normally. However, a shoe that is too short will cause your toenails to hit the end of the boot on the downhill sections. Black toenails may result! If your footwear is a bit long, use a lacing technique that limits sliding around in the heel. A bit of room for the toes is a good idea.there wasn't much space between my big toe and the end of the shoe, so I'm worried about insufficient space to allow for swelling
@StepheninDC you are right about making a decision on when you will go before you buy any gear. Even shoes.
I've walked the CF in all seasons except winter. May and September are the most popular months for leaving SJPDP and it can be crowded. The weather is always unpredictable but
June, July or August can be pretty well relied on to be hot. You definitely do not need a down sleeping bag during those months - a silk liner or sheet will be plenty. I enjoyed my walk starting at the beginning of June. It was hot but we always seemed to get a breeze on the meseta, and the rain in Galicia was quite a pleasure! I would avoid a start in mid July going into August as just too hot.
If you do decide to walk in summer, consider hiking sandals. I love 'em!
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