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Jacket or coat?

A camino without a coat or jacket?

  • I have always taken a coat or jacket with me and happy I did so

    Votes: 7 50.0%

  • I have always taken a coat or jacket with me, but it wasn't always necessary

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • I sometimes take a coat or jacket with me, depending on season or location

    Votes: 2 14.3%

  • I have never taken a coat or jacket with me and sometimes regretted it

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • I have never taken a coat or jacket with me and happy I didn't

    Votes: 2 14.3%

  • I used to take a coat or jacket with me, now I don't

    Votes: 2 14.3%

  • I didn't take a coat or jacket with me, now I do

    Votes: 1 7.1%
  • Total voters
    14

Luka

Veteran Member
Time of past OR future Camino
Next: Camino Sanabrés (May 2024)
It may sound strange but until now I have never taken a jacket or coat with me om my pilgrimages. I have mostly been walking for three or four weeks.

- northern France in August
- the middle of France in September
- southern Spain in May
- northern Spain in August

Now I am counting down the days to my Big Journey: from May till July from Paray le Monial (250 kms north of Le Puy) to Santiago. And now for the first time I am doubting about bringing a coat or jacket. Just because I am not walking for three of four weeks now, but for almost three months.

Until now I have always managed with layers: merino shirt, merino long sleeve and fleece sweater. If rain, Altus poncho. Yes, it has been cold sometimes in the morning. It was a question of walking in a firm pace and resting inside instead of outside. Good to add: I don't like wearing coats or jackets.

So why am I doubting now? Any experience on walking without a coat or jacket? If not, which coat or jacket?
 
Altus Poncho (ATMOSPHERIC H30)
Very light, comfortable and compressible poncho. Specially designed for protection against water for any activity.

Our Atmospheric H30 poncho offers lightness and waterproofness. Easily compressible and made with our Waterproof fabric, its heat-sealed interior seams guarantee its waterproofness. Includes carrying bag.

€60,-
Maybe you are doubting because it's the middle of winter in northern Europe right now, and hard to imagine how much warmer things are going to be in a few months… The length of your walk shouldn't make a difference, unless there's some overlap with winter months, and that isn't the case here. I think that May-July should be warm enough in France and Spain to go with your usual 'layers' approach!
 
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SYates said:
Ok, before I answer, does coat equal poncho in this survey? SY
Click to expand...
If you mean a piece of plastic to protect yourself from rain, then no ;-)
 
I am considering leaving my fleece at home. As another poster said, "am I daft?"
It's cozy but bulky and I have short and long sleeved shirts to layer plus a rain jacket.
I know I won't hike in fleece so it would just be used at night.
 
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Everything depends on the season. I walk in early Spring March/April. My morning begins in t-shirt and fleece. Usually stripping to just a t-shirt as the day goes on. I would never walk without rain gear in any season.

Ultreya,
Joe
 
I can only share my wife's and my experience based on one Camino,July 3 to August 9, 2014 (SJPP to Finestere). I took only a rain jacket that doubled as a warmth layer. My wife took a poncho, and therefore also took a fleece jacket (probabaly similar warmth to your merino wool sweater). We both had stocking hats of some type (for me, a stocking hat has the equivalent warmth of another layer, for a fraction of the weight--odd but true). That was plenty for both of us (only time we were really cold the whole trip was Roncevalles, because they have no blankets there).

But you are starting earlier, and starting further way, so your mileage may varry.
 
Ahhhs said:
I am considering leaving my fleece at home. As another poster said, "am I daft?"
It's cozy but bulky and I have short and long sleeved shirts to layer plus a rain jacket.
I know I won't hike in fleece so it would just be used at night.
Click to expand...
Ahhhs,

What time of year are you walking, and from where to where?
 
Altus BALI Sleeping bag liner
Ideal sleeping bag liner whether we want to add a thermal plus to our bag, or if we want to use it alone to sleep in shelters or hostels. Thanks to its mummy shape, it adapts perfectly to our body.

€46,-
Jo Jo said:
Ahhhs,

What time of year are you walking, and from where to where?
Click to expand...
Late April, May, part of June this year. From SJpdp to Santiago.
 
Ahhhs,

I am generally reluctant to suggest taking more of anything, but I know my wife loved having her fleece (North Face Monkey Fleece, to be specific) along later in the season when it is generally warmer. Indeed, it is the only thing she had with her on the Camino that was not relegated to the "I'm sick of this and will never wear it again" pile upon returning. Although I'd want more opinions from those who have walked that time of the year, I have no doubt my wife would take hers for a Camino in May.

Buen Camino,
Jo Jo
 
I carry a rain jacket and light fleece. In 2010 I mostly worn the fleece in the mornings as an extra layer. Last year it seemed windier, and I regularly used the rain jacket instead, and took it off after an hour or so.

In summer, the downside of the jacket, compared to a poncho, is that the jacket won't give you the same air circulation. It will keep you warmer, which might not be what you want to achieve.
 
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Leaving my fleece home? Never! I love something warm and fluffy.
OK, I will stick to my old layer plan: merino T-shirt, merino long sleeve, fleece and rainponcho. No jacket.
 
Wow Luka, that will be some great adventure!

I have walked in October/beginning November, July and August and in February and the only time I took a jacket (a shell) was from Sevilla in February last year. I look a poncho (without arms) in the fall and last February which except for a few days in February stayed at the bottom of my pack. I have been VERY lucky with weather on all my Caminos.

Even in February I only had on one thin, long-sleeve wool undershirt and my jacket. That was it. At night I had a thin fleece and scarf. I never was cold. You will be going much later in the season so I would think that you would be fine without a jacket. If it rains you have a poncho and the Altus has sleeves.

Can imagine that you are counting the days. Hoe heb je zo veel vrije dagen???
 
Get a Spanish mobil number + data while on the Camino
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
I bring a (rain)jacket and a shell jacket. Up to now i walked in may and in sept/start october and from mid sept onwards it starts getting colder earlier at night, so when eating/drinking outside or in the shade, both jackets were really needed from time to time.
The same goes for the mornings from mid sept onwards. Early morning can start to get cold.

I can imagine that France might be a bit colder in the first part of your walk.

Buen camino en goede reis!!
 
Last edited:
This weekend I did a little Camino training and found another reason not to bring a jacket. The sound of my pack rubbing against my wintercoat...
 
I traveling on September 2nd. I was planning on using a wind shirt. This could be combined with long sleeve undershirts and long sleeve guide shirt. It would seem as if those would be enough for that time of year.
 
Altus 24 Liters daypack (DENON 24 H30)
Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

€83,-
I am going in April/May. My rain jacket weighs 500g, is this too heavy?
 
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