Roll mat or no roll mat?

Darren John

Member

• Jun 30, 2015

• #1

Hello all,

Another quick question about roll mats. In many many video and even many many more pictures I see pilgrims with their backpacks and attached are there sleeping bag and roll mat to sleep upon, is this roll mat necessary?

Much Thanks for answers....

 

wayfarer

Veteran Member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

2012, 2013, 2014.

• Jun 30, 2015

• #2

In short, no. I have seen more of these abandoned in albergues and even along the trail. Unless you intend sleeping out under the stars you will not need it IMO.

 

scruffy1

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Holy Year from Pamplona 2010, SJPP 2011, Lisbon 2012, Le Puy 2013, Vezelay (partial watch this space!) 2014; 2015 Toulouse-Puenta la Reina (Arles)

• Jun 30, 2015

• #3

Not necessary then again not heavy just bulky and always in the way if on top or your backpack always falling over if underneath, carry one as a security blanket if you are worried but not needed.

 

Peter Fransiscus

Be a Rainbow in someone else's cloud.

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

All that we are is the result of what we have thought.

• Jun 30, 2015

• #4

Darren John said:

Hello all,

Another quick question about roll mats. In many many video and even many many more pictures I see pilgrims with their backpacks and attached are there sleeping bag and roll mat to sleep upon, is this roll mat necessary?

Much Thanks for answers....

Click to expand...

Don"t take one wiyh you , not realy need one . Wish you a great time on the Camino , Peter .

 

WldWil

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

2015 SJPDP - Halfway
2016 Fromista - The other half

• Jul 1, 2015

• #5

I was thinking of taking about a four foot length of the roll. There are special straps on my backpack that it carries it on the bottom. I hiked 16 miles on Saturday and took a couple breaks and it would have been nice to set on something else other than Gravel or grass,

 

A

Anemone del Camino

Guest

• Jul 1, 2015

• #6

WldWil said:

I was thinking of taking about a four foot length of the roll. There are special straps on my backpack that it carries it on the bottom. I hiked 16 miles on Saturday and took a couple breaks and it would have been nice to set on something else other than Gravel or grass,

Click to expand...

You'll find plenty of bars and cafes with plastic chairs to sit on, no need to worry. In fact, putting bags and other stuff on the grass and the. On your bed is apparently how chiches get into albergues. I would recommend avoiding it.

 

Anniesantiago

Veteran Member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

2006 to date: Over 21 Caminos. See signature line

• Jul 1, 2015

• #7

The one thing I find dumped in the "free boxes" more than any other item are those mats.

 

Anamya

Keeping it simple

Time of past OR future Camino

Frances (2015)
Portugues (2017)
Lebaniego (2019)

• Jul 1, 2015

• #8

Not necessary. The sleeping bag will do. Carry as little stuff as possible!

 

M

Mark Lee

Guest

• Jul 2, 2015

• #9

If you are sleeping under the stars....yes, bring a ground pad.
If you are sleeping in albergues....no, don't bring a ground pad.

 

Diggeratpctcd

New Member

Time of past OR future Camino

2015 Camino Frances

• Jul 2, 2015

• #10

I'm not carrying my zlite pad on the Camino , but since I'm following the Camino with going directly to Ireland to do the Irish Coast to coast hike, I will mail myself my pad to greet me in Compestella

 

MartinZ

Member

Time of past OR future Camino

camino frances 2012 ... 2017

• Jul 4, 2015

• #11

It's not a necessity.

In the bottom of my pack I do carry a Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm inflatable sleeping pad. For me the peace of mind that I can crash the night anywhere is worth the weight.
On my three CF's I only used it once myself and lend it out to others on 3 occasions when the Albergues were full.
As a trade-off i don't pack my nexus7 or an ebook-reader with charger which weigh about the same.

The nights can be fairly chilly, even in mid summer.
I almost always use my MontBell Ultra Light Spiral Down Hugger Thermal Sheet

 

Last edited: Jul 4, 2015