Sleeping bag versus blanket?

[JakeBurgess]

Hey. I'll be doing El Camino Frances during June for 3 weeks. My sleeping bag is quite bulky, and I am thinking about just taking a blanket to sleep in instead, for it will be lighter and smaller.

I'm from Scotland, so I think it will be more than sufficient for warmth - has anyone done the same, or can advise if it will be particularly warm/cold in the Albergues?

Buen Camino!
Jake

 

[scruffy1]

Summertime...in Spain can be quite warm actually and many albergues do provide extra blankets, go for a sleeping bag liner, basically a sheet in the shape of your sleeping bag and it you need it take a blanket from the albergue-the liner is good insulation from a plastic mattress cover and minimal protection against mosquitoes bedbugs and midges. They can be quite expensive if you go for silk or some of the synthetic fibres, cotton is a better value and may take longer to dry when washed but never develops that weird smell that synthetics always grow.

 

[tyrrek]

Hi Jake!

Don't take a blanket. If it's got any warmth in it, it would probably be bigger than your sleeping bag anyway. Albergues often (though not always) have blankets, so if you want to cut corners just take a sleeping bag liner rather than a bag.

I'd recommend a proper sleeping bag though. Mine's bigger than I'd like but I comfortably fitted it into my 35+8litre pack for my most recent Camino. It should be fine.

Buen Camino!

 

[merrellj]

I didn't take my sleeping bag either in April for the same reasons, weight and bulk, and didn't have cause to regret my decision despite the cold weather with the use of a blanket on top of the liner I took. I actually took a rectangular (rather than mummy shaped) XXL size liner which I picked up cheap in Blacks' sale and the extra width proved a real bonus because of the ability to move around inside it.

Not all albergues offer blankets and some of the larger municipales may charge you 2 Euros to use one. By taking a (cooler) liner you will be unlikely to need a blanket in the summer.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Not all albergues offer blankets

I have stayed in hundreds of albergues, and they all had blankets except Leon. Sometimes you have to ask.

 

[JakeBurgess]

Thanks guys, this is great feedback! No substitute for experience, thanks for taking the time to answer!
Jake