Sleeping bag on VdlP April & May

[rainforestgirl]

Is it necessary/vital to take a sleeping bag on the VdlP in April & May?
I have a Thermalite sack & a silk sack. Will this be enough?

 

[C clearly]

It depends on the weather, the heating in your albergue (or hostal), and whether you like to sleep warm or cold.

At home, if the temperature outside were 8°C at night or a few degrees colder and your house weren't heated, would that be sufficient? What extra layers of clothing do you have that you could wear to bed?

 

[Kanga]

I was cold during the nights on the Vdlp in April and May, and also needed gloves first thing in the mornings. I'm not familiar with a Thermalise sack so don't know how much heat they generate. I use a silk sack with a light down throw inside it. I'm contemplating the Via this year in mid April and will definitely take the silk sack and down throw.

 

[Hikoi]

I left Seville on the 7th of April and took a silk inner and sleeping bag (good down to approx 0 degrees Celsius). I used it opened as a blanket and only closed it up a couple of nights - notably in the Monastery of Oseira! I did use gloves in the frosty mornings too.

 

[GraemeHall]

I left Sevilla last year on 28 April and walked as far as Salamanca. I carried a light sleeping bag and a cotton/silk liner. I used the liner a lot, but not once the sleeping bag.
This year I start on the same day again from Salamanca. I'll be leaving the sleeping bag at home. I think.

 

[OnHellas]

I left Sevilla last year on 28 April and walked as far as Salamanca. I carried a light sleeping bag and a cotton/silk liner. I used the liner a lot, but not once the sleeping bag.
This year I start on the same day again from Salamanca. I'll be leaving the sleeping bag at home. I think.

I’d rather carry a sleeping bag and not need it than not carry one and need it.
I find that a lightweight bag with a liner is a good combination with various options I how you utilise them.

 

[benny aumala]

Sea to Summit Thermolite Reactor Extreme
seems to be enough with it's 100 g/m2 isolation.
Even 60 g/m2 is good.
In case of emergency use your clothing.

 

[GraemeHall]

I’d rather carry a sleeping bag and not need it than not carry one and need it.
I find that a lightweight bag with a liner is a good combination with various options I how you utilise them.

Fair enough. I just put on another layer of clothes that are already in my pack.
Everyone has different tolerances.

 

[OnHellas]

Fair enough. I just put on another layer of clothes that are already in my pack.
Everyone has different tolerances.

Indeed. I’d rather not sleep in my clothes.
Just another example of ‘it’s your Camino’. There are many different answers to any one question.

 

[Dodger]

I walked last year at that time, nights can get cold. I would recommend a light weight sleeping bag.

 

[OnHellas]

Sea to Summit Thermolite Reactor Extreme
seems to be enough with it's 100 g/m2 isolation.
Even 60 g/m2 is good.
In case of emergency use your clothing.

The Sea to Summit Reactor and Reactor Extreme liners are superb in my experience. They add 5 and 8 degrees respectively to a bags capabilities (from memory). Great bits of kit that pack small too.