Minkey said:
In cold weather, I'd heartily recommend a down sleeping bag. Mine packs down to larger than a slimline bag, but it is noticeably lighter, so if you're prepared to concede to the fact that you'll have marginally less space in your pack in order to do this... Then I'd say it's worth it.
Minkey.... re sleeping bags. I am interested by your comments for a March departure in Spain, and wonder what your opinion would be for mid-April in France.
I leave for a mid-April start from Le Puy. I have two sleeping bags, both down. One is summerweight, weighs about 1kg, and is very compact. I had just about decided against taking it when one night camping in January (summer here), it simply was not warm enough. But I have since talked to someone in Oz who says there are always plenty of blankets in gites in France.
My other bag weighs 1300g, is reasonably compact, but about twice the volume of the lighter one... is three seasons so is often way too hot in hostels and in summer, but I have still been too cold in it occasionally in cold weather in unheated hostels.
I would prefer to take the lighter bag, and am hoping that in France, with a sleeping sheet, blankets, all my dry clothes if the worst comes to the worst, I will be warm enough. But I am hoping I will not regret this decision in a few weeks time! (Buying another bag is not an option: I have researched the NZ market for lighter, warmer, more compact bags... but they are prohibitive in cost.)
I was just wondering what you think about a summerweight down bag for mid-April in French gites?
Margaret