Sleeping Bag- Backpack Weight

[Interpreter]

My sleeping bag weighs 1 lb 11oz. I want to keep my backpack weight to 12-13 lb, therefore the sleeping bag weight is worrying me. Is there anything lighter and less bulkier I can take instead of the sleeping bag? I plan to walk the Camino Frances in September.

 

[SYates]

If the price doesn't worry you, you could chose a down sleeping bag or, if you are planning to walk during the warmer season and warmth isn't a concern a silk liner. Personally I prefer to take always a >800g summer sleeping bag, but that is just me ;-) Buen Camino! SY

 

[dougfitz]

Leave the sleeping bag at home, and just take a liner. You may need to make sure that the albergue you are planning to stay at can provide blankets, or defer to a hostel or hotel on nights that are particularly cold. I wouldn't take this approach myself, but there are clearly many on this forum who have and seem to have survived to tell us about it.

 

[SYates]

Despite blankets that haven't washed in .... Lol, Buen Camino! SY

 

[dougfitz]

Despite blankets that haven't washed in .... Lol, Buen Camino! SY

That is why one should always carry a liner - it is some protection against what might have been collecting on the blankets from the bodies of those who have been using them without a sheet or liner.

I prefer my own sleeping bag!

 

[Interpreter]

If the price doesn't worry you, you could chose a down sleeping bag or, if you are planning to walk during the warmer season and warmth isn't a concern a silk liner. Personally I prefer to take always a >800g summer sleeping bag, but that is just me ;-) Buen Camino! SY

Mine is an REI Travel down, 41 degree, I believe.

 

[t2andreo]

I recently discovered my NEW default sleeping kit. It is an ALPS Mountaineering, rectangular, micro fiber, sleeping bag liner. It measures 76 cm x 203 cm (30 inches by 80 inches) and weighs 450 gm (15.9 oz) in the stuff sack. It has a #5 YKK FULL SEPARATING zipper, so it can open and be used as a blanket or ground cover. Here is the web site:

http://www.alpsmountaineering.com/alps/products/bags/sleeping-bag-liners/rectangle-liner

I found it on Amazon.com for USD 21.00 (plus or minus).

As I am currently "between Caminos" the best way for me to test this was by sleeping out on one of my balconies (I live in an 8th floor flat). So, I did. It does what microfiber is intended to do. It works. Also, it is machine washable.

There is no insulation, per se, but outside at this time of year, the night temperature is running about 13 - 14 degrees (55 - 58 Fahrenheit). I was not uncomfortable.

This liner is just that, a sleeping bag liner. But for someone who can reliably expect they will have at least an albergue roof over their head each night while on Camino, this might be just the trick.

My biggest problem for three years running was finding a microfiber liner that was large enough for my "stout" frame; 106 Kg and 182 cm; AND which had a zipper that made attending to my frequent night time loo calls easier. I am over 60 and need to go to the toilet about every two hours. Suffice it to say, and bordering on TMI here, I think I found a solution, at least for warm weather Caminos.

Although I think that, at the price these things sell for, I suppose you could nest two inside each other and connect the zips with a twist tie or nylon wire tie so they open together. Otherwise, I would NEVER get where I needed to be fast enough... OR if the liner were not warm enough you could choose to either use your opened poncho as a top cover, or simply wear clothing to sleep, or both.

Check it out. The liner also comes in a mummy shape that weighs fractionally less. But, for me, the rectangular liner seems to tick all the boxes, and the price is certainly right.

I hope this helps.

 

[C clearly]

Have a look at this thread for some suggestions.
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/allright-who-has-the-lightest-sleeping-bag.32405/

 

[Rajy62]

Yes, have a look at the list @C clearly referred to. There is a comparison (post#37) of 15 bags under 1 kg. Since i am going ultralight, i ordered the Cumulus 125 magic, 285g, and having it shipped to Sevilla. Without vat, it costs e159.

 

[Mark Lee]

Yeah, leave the bag at home and buy an inexpensive liner. You can get a 100% silk one on eBay for pretty cheap.
A lot of the albergues do have blankets and I always used them (did not have a sleeping bag on either Camino) and did not catch the cooties.
I'm assuming you are bring a cooler weather jacket like a fleece one. If you get a little chilly at night, wear the fleece jacket. You would be surprised how much warmer it makes you feel.
cheers