February-March sleeping bag ratings

[Spooneybarger]

Greetings. I am new to the forum.

I have two choices for sleeping bags:
-- Northface -7C/20F 3.2 lb. bag or
-- Snugpak Traveller 7C/45F (comfort) 0C/35F (extreme) 1.8 lb. bag and a Snugpak silk liner.

Use would be early-mid February to early-mid March, St. Jean to Santiago.

I tend to sleep cold(er than my wife) and plan to wear capilene or fleece top and bottom and am not bothered sleeping in a fleece hat.

I'd prefer the lighter weight and integral insect netting of the Snugpak, but have no experience with albergues.

I would be grateful for recommendations from someone who has walked at this time and experienced the range of normal and more extreme temperatures in albergues.

 

[whariwharangi]

You'll be sleeping indoors. Temperatures in Albergues vary from chilly to roasting but they are never below freezing.

I carried a -10C bag during my walk late October to early December 2012. I never had the zipper closed and often woke up sweating. In many albergues it was warm enough with just the sheet liner.

Blankets are available in most albergues ... the ones that had no blankets also had the hot house temperatures.

Si yo fuera tu ... go with the light weight bag.

 

[scruffy1]

whariwharangi got it right-many other snoring pilgrims expelling warmed air in all its variations will help to warm up most rooms-unless you choose to stay say at St Juan de Ortega or the Samos monastery where both are so cold even the arctic bag won't help! SJdO also offers a lingering odor of mildew - value for money but do mush on to Ages less tradition more comfort!

 

[lettinggo]

Hola

I agree with taking the lighter bag+silk liner when you prefer to sleep cold.
3 blankets on top will keep you warm when needed.
Scruffy got it right with calling Samos Monastery freezing cold..
But if you ask the monks if you may listen in to their singing in the late afternoon, that
may warm you for the night.

Some Albergues has no heat except a little fireplace, such as Calzadilla de los Hermanillos.
One of the best nights shared with a fellow pilgrim, despite the subzero degree.

Buen Camino
Lettinggo

 

[don88]

You'll be sleeping indoors. Temperatures in Albergues vary from chilly to roasting but they are never below freezing.

I carried a -10C bag during my walk late October to early December 2012. I never had the zipper closed and often woke up sweating. In many albergues it was warm enough with just the sheet liner.

Blankets are available in most albergues ... the ones that had no blankets also had the hot house temperatures.

Si yo fuera tu ... go with the light weight bag.