Not THAT sort of sleeping bag thread.

[Ian-on-a-stick]

Hi everyone,

I hope I won't try anyone's patience too much with this question. I've read all the "should I take a bag?" threads and noted all the wise advice dispensed and enjoyed everyone's take on this fairly impossible question. Which, to answer accurately, requires future knowledge of the weather, the locations to be stayed at - all over a 40 day period and also some knowledge of how a person sleeps (hot/cold). I gather that the only true answer is "It depends".

After a hot UK summer of sleeping under a single sheet, I am now noticing that it is a bit nesh at night and I have retreated under the duvet. As it has been 9 degree C the past couple of nights, that is clearly my cut off point. The same will be true of Spain through times of my proposed travel (circa 17th Sept to.....well, I don't know that date yet). Being away from home will not make me any more partial to sleeping chilly. Therefore I have decided to take a bag. It's a hit on weight and storage space but listening to a bunch of snoring AND being cold would be a bit much to take. I won't be doing all that much communal sleeping if I can help it and I gather that I am probably going to find many establishments that provide bedding, but I'm planning on stopping at two albergues right at the very start (not on the same night of course!) and I don't groove on the idea of being cold in either of them!

So my question is, what sort of lightweight bags do people recommend? It has to be less than 1kg and fairly packable. I want to buy cheaply. I'm UK. Many people mention REI as a place to shop but we simply don't have that here. And sometimes I see gear recommends and Amazon don't have it either. I'm really looking forward to your feedback.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Hi Ian,

You'll see a lot of talk about "Costco" down throws on the site. You can get these in the UK

Costco throw

Indeed they are either labelled Costco or Double Black Diamond or Eddie Bauer. Modified with some press studs to make a foot box they are a light and compact alternative to a "proper" sleeping bag and can be used as a simple blanket too. Some private hostales can be a little tight on blankets!

Snugpak make some lightweight and quite rugged lightweight bags (at least the British Army think so) but the are clones around so watch out. Or they make the Snugpak Jungle Blanket.

Just as the days can be quite hot, nights can be cold in late September/October. If you feel the cold then best be prepared - I remember freezing inside a 3 season bag in Santo Domingo de la Calzada (pre-refurbishment when it was a vast hall) because somebody left the back door open to "let the fresh air in"!

 

[Kanga]

By that date, I would definitely take a sleeping bag too. I like something that opens out flat for temperature regulation. My preference is a very, very lightweight down quilt. A few years ago I bought one of these from the US (I'm in Australia) but a few months ago I discovered down quilts/throws at Costco - at a fraction the price. Something very similar can be found on Amazon UK - here. At Costco they were only $Aus15. On the last two caminos I took the Costco quilt and used it with a silk sleeping bag liner. It was fabulous. But be warned, the cover is slippery so I sewed a few press studs on the quilt and the silk liner. Velcro would work but it tears the silk. The weight is less than 400grams.

 

[Kanga]

Ah @Jeff Crawley our posts crossed in the ether!

 

[Jeff Crawley]

By that date, I would definitely take a sleeping bag too. I like something that opens out flat for temperature regulation. My preference is a very, very lightweight down quilt. A few years ago I bought one of these from the US (I'm in Australia) but a few months ago I discovered down quilts/throws at Costco - at a fraction the price. Something very similar can be found on Amazon UK - here. At Costco they were only $Aus15. On the last two caminos I took the Costco quilt and used it with a silk sleeping bag liner. It was fabulous. But be warned, the cover is slippery so I sewed a few press studs on the quilt and the silk liner. Velcro would work but it tears the silk. The weight is less than 400grams.

Follow @trecile and put the down thrown inside the silk liner magic!

 

[domigee]

Hi everyone,


So my question is, what sort of lightweight bags do people recommend? It has to be less than 1kg and fairly packable. I want to buy cheaply. I'm UK. Many people mention REI as a place to shop but we simply don't have that here. And sometimes I see gear recommends and Amazon don't have it either. I'm really looking forward to your feedback.

Hi! I’m in the UK too and I bought my first sleeping bag from that place, good prices I thought....http://www.gapyeartravelstore.com/lightweight-sleeping-bags/
Mine weighed 600g (maybe 500g, can’t remember) and packed really small.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Ah @Jeff Crawley our posts crossed in the ether!

You say ether, I say either . . .

 

[Robert Long]

I purchased a sleeping bag liner from REI. It adds 10 to 20 degree F to my down mummy bag for backpacking in the Sierra Mountains in California in the winter, but it is also good by itself down to approx 50 degrees F. In my estimation the albergues are warm and do not require a lot of bedding. The cost is approx $50 to $60, weight approx 8 oz.

Buen Camino

 

[Kanga]

i would not rely on a bag liner only. October can be cold.

And no REI as the OP said.

 

[Jodean]

I got my very light sleeping bag in Germany from a company called Globetrotters. 830gr and it only cost 39€. For me it is perfect in the albergues. Check Amazon to see what they offer in the UK.
Visited REI last year in the US and could not believe how over-priced their stuff was.

 

[KJFSophie]

Hi everyone,

I hope I won't try anyone's patience too much with this question. I've read all the "should I take a bag?" threads and noted all the wise advice dispensed and enjoyed everyone's take on this fairly impossible question. Which, to answer accurately, requires future knowledge of the weather, the locations to be stayed at - all over a 40 day period and also some knowledge of how a person sleeps (hot/cold). I gather that the only true answer is "It depends".

After a hot UK summer of sleeping under a single sheet, I am now noticing that it is a bit nesh at night and I have retreated under the duvet. As it has been 9 degree C the past couple of nights, that is clearly my cut off point. The same will be true of Spain through times of my proposed travel (circa 17th Sept to.....well, I don't know that date yet). Being away from home will not make me any more partial to sleeping chilly. Therefore I have decided to take a bag. It's a hit on weight and storage space but listening to a bunch of snoring AND being cold would be a bit much to take. I won't be doing all that much communal sleeping if I can help it and I gather that I am probably going to find many establishments that provide bedding, but I'm planning on stopping at two albergues right at the very start (not on the same night of course!) and I don't groove on the idea of being cold in either of them!

So my question is, what sort of lightweight bags do people recommend? It has to be less than 1kg and fairly packable. I want to buy cheaply. I'm UK. Many people mention REI as a place to shop but we simply don't have that here. And sometimes I see gear recommends and Amazon don't have it either. I'm really looking forward to your feedback.

I've evolved with past caminos to now pack both a very light silk liner ( Vietnam Silk on Etsy ) for base layer or for warmer nights...and a very lightweight down blanket for cooler temps. Together, they weigh less than any bag I had carried and offers a variety of temperature/comfort options. And I don't feel restricted by a bag.

 

[RJM]

I have one of those inexpensive Costco quilt/throw mentioned in this thread. I had it sewn up into a sleeping bag configuration. It will be with me on my very soon, next Camino walk and I anticipate it will work well. Inexpensive, lightweight and packs down small. It is all I will require. I think it is perfect for a September-November Camino walk.