SLEEPING BAG

[JAMESDOUGLAS]

SHOULD I BE TAKING A SLEEPING BAG FOR LATTER PART OF MAY ? TRYING TO KEEP THE WEIGHT DOWN BUT ALSO WANT TO BE COMFORTABLE . I AM A LITTLE CONCERNED ABOUT OVERCROWDING AS IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING QUITE BUSY .

 

[sulu]

I know of two people who only used a silk bag liner at the end of March/ beginning of April. They seemd to manage to get blankets even in places that weren't offering them as a general rule. I don't think either of them started in Roncesvalles though! Personally I don't think I would be warm enough, and I suspect that night time in May can still be pretty cold but I'd like to hear opinions of more experienced people.
Sue

 

[Anniesantiago]

If you aren't leaving until late May, I'd take a fleece liner.
It will plenty hot in the albergues full of pilgrims!

 

[Davroos]

We walked this at the start of April, and only got blankets in Rates. We had fleece blankets which were warm. Everyone else had lightweight sleeping bags and they wore clothes as they were cold. Ponte de Lima was freezing whilst Redondela was boiling !!!

Enjoy your camino

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Except for Leon, every albergue has had blankets. Leon did not even have pillows, so have a stuff sack of soft stuff handy!

 

[BryLl]

Could I ask the same sort of question about undertaking the Camino Portugues in July (starting in Porto). Would I need a sleeping bag or will I survive with a silk liner? It would make a huge difference to my packing volume if I can leave the sleeping bag behind.
Thanks for any advice

 

[Finisterre]

July (starting in Porto). Would I need a sleeping bag or will I survive with a silk liner?

I have done it in May and a liner and T-shirt would have been enough, I ended up being quite cross with my one season sleeping bag for being so hot.

 

[BryLl]

Thanks for that, a space in my rucsac has just opened up!

 

[ksam]

Greetings James! Well for my two cents worth...we did the Portuguese route in exactly late May. It was also a very very rainy year (2008) and a bit chilly. We all in our group had fleece bags and were fine. If I got chilly I simply added socks or another layer. Most if not all the places had blankets too, but honestly I think I only used on once in Padron.

Wishing you all the best,
Buen Camino,
Karin

 

[mmonomm]

Hi James,

i just came back from Santiago, i did the route in May and i slept in a bit heavy 1.4 kg sleeping bag the hostels were a little bit chilly in the first days, while accomodating to the rainy weather, but then it was ok. so my advice is to take a sleeping bag, not a heavy one.