How necessary is a sleeping pad on the CF?

[G_the_D]

I'm trying hard to cut my pack down as much as possible.

I've not yet seen anything about pilgrims sleeping rough unless it is by their own choice. Is it truly necessary to carry a sleeping pad?

Gord

 

[Rick M]

No. No Pad. The Albergues all have mattresses. Most have blankets too, but not all of them.

 

[Mike Savage]

I have seen many people carrying sleeping pads and never seen one used. Every place I have stayed has had mattresses.

 

[trecile]

How necessary is it? Not at all.

 

[G_the_D]

Thanks all. *places pad back on the shelf*. *continues to evaluate contents of pack*

Cheers!

Gord

 

[onwayhome]

Thanks all. *places pad back on the shelf*. *continues to evaluate contents of pack*

Cheers!

Gord

Totally not necessary for sleeping though I use my mat almost every day on the Camino for really comfortable rest breaks or a shared seat on wet ground etc.

 

[natefaith]

Gord, your time on the Camino is coming up. Enjoy all the last bits of planning and Buen Camino.
Faith

 

[Ian Afloat]

Roncesvalles had a big basket of them left behind by pilgrims who thought better of it when i was there in 2015.

 

[HighlandsHiker]

Gord, if you had worries about having to sleep rough (and I would have them too), you could take some of that tough plastic sheeting cut down to size. It weighs very little, but would keep the ground dampness away.

 

[G_the_D]

Just an FYI, if anyone gets in the position that you are stranded in the wild (anywhere, not just on Camino) a large garbage bin liner is your best friend.
Tear a hole for your head in one corner of the bin liner (bag if you prefer), find a tree to lean against and assume an upright fetal position (sitting with your knees against your chest).
The bag should be large enough to cover your torso and legs, keeping you warmand dry enough to make it through the night.
Comfort isn't the goal, survival is....

They also make great emergency ponchos....

Gord

 

[Priscilla NC]

Totally not necessary for sleeping though I use my mat almost every day on the Camino for really comfortable rest breaks or a shared seat on wet ground etc.

I had 2 squares of bubble wrap for this purpose. And even with that, I didn't use them much. Next time I might bring one square, which has negligible weight.

 

[G_the_D]

I might take a section for comfort in sitting for picnic lunches.
That seems to be a great idea!

It was cheap enough, but not worth carrying without use. a 1.5x1.5 section seems reasonable for on trail comfort

 

[LdnWalker]

Roncesvalles had a big basket of them left behind by pilgrims who thought better of it when i was there in 2015.

This is where I picked one up as I hadn't taken one with me. It mostly proved useful for helping to keep my overfilled backpack upright when I put it on the floor. Duly abandoned in a Santiago hotel having possibly never been unrolled.

 

[G_the_D]

What a great idea!
Thanks!

G

 

[G_the_D]

Good ideas lead to other ideas.
I just started a new thread about gear exchanges. It's in the wrong area, but you can reach it here.....

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/gear-left-in-sdc.48325/#post-519485

Is this feasible? Does anyone know if it can be done?

Just thinking...

Gord

 

[josephine upton]

I did not have a mat but I slept rough one night on the Norte two years ago. I was not alone but with a young German. The large hostel was full of schoolchildren and consequently all other accommodations were full of pilgrims. We found a rural ruin. I carry camping gas which meant we could boil water from the stream. We had just about enough food between us.

 

[Deleted member 56069]

Have never used a pad and come to think about it, in 4 years have only used my sleeping bag 3 times.
My wife and I tend to prefer private rooms at albergues, pensions and hotels, so little use for a sleeping bag except on rare occasions.
So worth it to get a good night's sleep. No grumpiness ever due to sleepless nights listening to the snore fest typical of most bunk rooms.
Still meet lots of people each day.
Costs a little more, but a Camino is still such a cheap trip compared to virtually anything else involving over seas travel.