Did you bring a sleeping pad?

[Peregrino Falcon]

Did you bring a foam or inflatable sleeping pad on your walk, and if so, what kind was it and when/where did you use it?

I'm wondering if there are times one can sleep under the stars with a sleeping pad and bag along The Way, or if bringing it will just add useless weight.

Thanks!

 

[Deleted member 3000]

The mat is usually useless weight.

 

[wayfarer]

I saw many of them abandoned at the albergues and even some discarded along the way. You should not need one and if you do you will pick one up on your journey.

 

[gerardcarey]

My friend Barbara carried a bright yellow closed cell (cheap) version all the way from Munich. She used it every day after picnic lunch for a snooze in the shade of a tree.
She loved her sleeping pad.
Regds
Gerard

 

[Mike Savage]

Useless weight and bulk IMHO.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

What for? You get beds in albergues, and if you end up in a flow-over tent, which is not likely to happen, or on a church poarch, you'll be just as uncomfortable with or without.

 

[Marc S.]

I never take one and you won't need it when staying in albergues. You mention considering sleeping under the stars; I never did that (although I like the idea) and in that case it would be usefull I suppose. Whether this is usefull extra weight, or useless extra weight, depends on your priorities I suppose (I am not a member of the weight police).

 

[David]

I took a foam sleeping mat with me on my first Camino - made the pack look seriously cool (I thought) - I dumped it somewhere in France after five days.

 

[MichaelSG]

You could use it if you want to but I would be shocked if at the end of your Camino you will say "I'm glad I brought it". That said, some days, I do get shocked.

 

[Linni]

I'm considering to take mine. As a first time pilgrim I don't really know what to expect from the camino or myself..

Will there be a lot of places to stop and sit down/ stretch your legs on the way between the Albergues? If not a matt would be great.. Or at least a sitting matt.. Not sure about how warm or cold the ground will be, but the last thing I want on the camino is a urin infection

 

[Anniesantiago]

The one thing I see more than any other item in the "Free Boxes" in the albergues are discarded sleeping pads.
You do not need one and if you DO take one, yours will most likely end up in the box with all the others.
It's absolutely unnecessary, in my opinion, and just added weight.

 

[Peregrino Falcon]

Thanks for all the replies. I realize I do not need a sleeping pad for the albergues. I was thinking more about for patches of grass, dirt/gravel, or even church porches, (cement), as someone noted.

I'm wondering if it's possible to sleep outside every other night or so, and not in a tent, and if I was near an albergue, if I could just pay their room rate, or a few Euros, to use the facilities.

 

[Marc S.]

I have seen people sleeping in tents near albergues, being allowed to use albergue facilities. (in fact when I walked the Camino del Norte I saw this lots of times). So the same could possibly apply to people sleeping outside, but not in a tent, I have just never witnessed it. It all depends on the hospitalero and albergue ownership I guess. I think the only way to find out is to try it.

 

[Marc S.]

I'm considering to take mine. As a first time pilgrim I don't really know what to expect from the camino or myself..Will there be a lot of places to stop and sit down/ stretch your legs on the way between the Albergues? If not a matt would be great.. Or at least a sitting matt.. Not sure about how warm or cold the ground will be, but the last thing I want on the camino is a urin infection

Linni, I really understand you do not know what to expect from the camino and from yourself & it perfectly summarizes how I felt before my first Camino. However, if you walk the Frances, there will be lots of bars and benches where you can sit. Or stones, or other things. I would not take a matt just to sit on during your break, I have never seen any one taking a matt just for that purpose and I have never met a pilgrim with a urin infection. However, if it would make you feel more comfortable, take one, but I think you will throw it away after a couple of days. Anyway, Buen Camino, I think you'll be fine. Marc.

 

[jsalt]

Or at least a sitting matt.. Not sure about how warm or cold the ground will be

Hi, at the top of my pack I always carry a supermarket plastic bag, which I use to sit on if the ground is wet, dusty or dirty. I do this on day hikes with my local hiking club, and there is always someone who says they wished they had one too, so I usually carry a few now! It is also useful for picking up any litter on our nature trails. Jill

 

[SeaHorse]

I have a foldable sitting pad from IKEA, about 45x45 cm, 85g. Very happy to have it and never thought of leaving it behind. Early morning at breakfast sitting on cold stone benches - there is no way my precious butt is going to touch the cold stone. I would stand if I didn't have the pad. Or I put it on the gravel covered ground to rest my bare feet on. Or to sit on the ground.
Outside Camino life use it during dog walks.

 

[Linni]

Many good answers to this thanks guys Will probably cut a small piece of the pad for just a little thing to sit on! Hehe better safe than sorry If one day I realise I don't need it I'll just leave it behind

 

[Lynda t]

On the Lisbon route you may need a pad if sleeping at the bomberos. It's on the floor mostly. Though we had beds at one stop. We slept on a school floor one night without a pad. Still a bad nights sleep. You choose if to carry one or not!!!