- Time of past OR future Camino
- (2015) (2020, CANCELLED)
Hi, any recommendations for a suitable sleeping bag to use on the Camino in late April through May.
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This year I swapped my synthetic mummy-shaped bag weighing 850 grams for a Mont Bell spiral down thermal sheet weighing 430 grams. The new bag completely unzips to be used as a quilt and packs down into a tiny compression sack. The fabric of the new bag is cut on the bias (hence the name ‘spiral’) and so allows for more movement and stretching than a traditional straight cut bag. It was my biggest single expense, I love it. Didn’t need it much during the first couple of weeks (in May, from Lisbon) when we mostly stayed in hostels that provided bedding (including sheets and towels), but from Porto it was in use most nights and was wonderfully comfortable. I can imagine getting regular use from the bag as a comforter at home, as an extra layer on a cold night – so light weight, but so warm and cosy. I love it! You can see my full assessment of clothes and gear here
I would recommend a lightweight bag and a silk liner. I bought one a while back from a Spanish site weighing about 600 grams and not too costly. I will dig out some links tomorrow when I am on the PC?
Magwood, do I understand correctly from the specs on the internet, that you can have the sides zipped up but (through use, I guess, of a double zip) have the foot part open? This would solve the dread I have of having my feet 'mummy' bound.This year I swapped my synthetic mummy-shaped bag weighing 850 grams for a Mont Bell spiral down thermal sheet......
....I obtained a product called "Zip Care - Zipper Cleaner and Lubricant." ....... I recommend this product. I hope this helps.
Hola
Other possible lubricants for zippers are:
Vaseline oil
Petroleum gel
Candle vax
Olive oil
Soap
'Sewing machine oil', which cost a bundle in specialized shops, is in fact the same as Vaseline oil; acid free oil, and can be bought in larger packages cheaply (at hardware stores, etc).
Lettinggo
My sole concern about some of these lubricants listed here is that they may contain petroleum distillates or vegetable oils, that can both stain and weaken synthetic fabrics we use in so many of the items we use for the Camino. Getting your zips to slide better is a good thing. Staining your gear in the process is not desirable.
The "Zip Care" product I mentioned above does not contain silicone. The label says it is "silicone free." It also does not smell like many of the natural or synthetic lubricants I use to maintain my firearms.
So, I concluded that it is neither silicone nor petroleum based. It DOES have the über light consistency and clear appearance of a personal lubricant (borderline TMI here). However, it is persistent following a water-only rinse. My best bet is that it is a plant based, water soluble oil-type product. But I am not a chemist...
This said, if I were to use any of the cheap to free substances listed above, I would opt for a plain, water-soluble soap.
I hope this helps.
I have a couple of those left over from my military days. They are very warm for their weight. I debated bringing one with me on my last Camino in June-July, but ended up leaving it at home.LOVE the look of the Montbell! It's a bit expensive though. John uses a Poncho Liner, and it's what I took with me for November. It's light 800 gms , squashes down small, can be used as a blanket, or with the ties as a roomy bag with an open bottom. These cost around £20 to £30, and are available from Army Surplus stores, Amazon etcView attachment 14932
I'm assuming that you already determined that you need a sleeping bag. On the rare nights I was cold on either camino that I did during September, I just used an albergue blanket. I don't need much additional insulation and, normally, my silk liner is all I need. My wife, on the other hand, gets cold very easily at night. She uses a special silk liner (http://seatosummit.com/products/display/90) that keeps her warm. If needed, she adds a blanket or socks. She reckons that if a blanket wasn't ever available in really cold conditions, she would just wear the next day's hiking pants and shirt. We didn't think the weight, size and cost of a sleeping bag was worth it for what appeared to be a luxury carry.
Happy Christmas!Hi All, Thanks for the advice and recommendations on the different sleeping bags,
I have settled for Snugpak "Jungle" (an early Christmas Present from a nephew). I will purchase a silk liner later.
Happy Christmas to you all, ;-)
Kevin.