Sleeping bags for a winter camino?

[Artemisofephesus]

Hey all,

I was wondering whether anyone could give me an indication of what sort of sleeping bag I'd need for a November/December camino (in terms of warmth), or if anyone had one that they can reccommend that would suit this time of year? I'll be sleeping in the albergues and I've heard it can get pretty cold. But I'm also wanting to keep my weight down, of course. Bonus points for stuff that's available in AU.

Thanks,
Jo

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Hi - I like walking in cold conditions but I need to be warm especially for sleeping. My advice is to invest in a good winter bag ( lightweight of course ) designed to go to -5 degrees or more. Then you have flexibility and it will be a good investment if you are going to walk more in winter in future. Some may find this is overkill but it works for me. Also I find a sleeping suit of very lighweight thermal top and long johns ideal for unheated albergues. I use Rab - http://www.rab.uk.com/stockists/interna ... stockists/.

You can see the specs here which may be helpful for comparison with other makes:
http://www.rab.uk.com/equipment/sleepin ... ies---116/

Depending on where you are starting an option would be to buy in Spain - I've been impressed with the amount of equipment available in the larger Corte Ingles shops and there are shops with hiking quipment in the larger towns too.

Buen Camino

John

 

[Artemisofephesus]

Hey John,

Thanks for you advice in regards to temperature range and stuff! I was thinking I should get something that goes down to -5 or -10 degrees, which matches what you say.

There is one thing that I probably should have mentioned though... I'm a student, and trying to save as much money as I can (without going to bad quality stuff, obviously). Those Quantum ones you pointed out look really cool and seem really light as well (!), but I've been looking at prices and something round 200 Pounds translates to a LOT of AUD. :lol:

*sigh*

It's easy to find good stuff, but finding good stuff within your budget it hard!

~jo

 

[JohnnieWalker]

I totally understand and really that level of expenditure only works if you are going to use it again and again. You will definitely find cheaper alternatives and many (most?) albergues provide blankets (mantas) to supplement whatever you eventually decide on.

 

[Javier Martin]

Hey all,

I was wondering whether anyone could give me an indication of what sort of sleeping bag I'd need for a November/December camino (in terms of warmth), or if anyone had one that they can reccommend that would suit this time of year? I'll be sleeping in the albergues and I've heard it can get pretty cold. But I'm also wanting to keep my weight down, of course. Bonus points for stuff that's available in AU.

Thanks,
Jo

Hi,

I've walked several Caminos in winter.

Usually in the Camino Frances you will find the heating working fine. In quite cold places like Cebreiro even in late spring.

My worst camino in weather terms was my Sanabres in february/2006, when it was snowing a lot of days, with a lot of degress under (-7ºC in the morning in Tabara) and without heating in many places, where the last pilgrim passed about one week ago. In my opinion in that situation the worst moment is not the sleeping time, but when you leave the shower to take your towel!!

About the sleeping bag, a good winter one is recommended, but don't forget it's weight.

Buen Camino, enjoy it.

Javier Martin
Madrid, Spain.

 

[Artemisofephesus]

Hey Javier,

Thanks for the help! I bought one the other day which was on sale for $200, it seems to be a really good one so I'm happy. It ges to -5 degrees, and I figure if I get really cold I'll just get a thermal or silk liner, then I'll be nice and snuggly. And I'm going to try and stick to the albergues that have some degree of heating!

What's hot water like, btw? Do most albergues have hot water in winter? (Might be a silly question, I don't know.)

 

[Javier Martin]

What's hot water like, btw? Do most albergues have hot water in winter? (Might be a silly question, I don't know.)

Usually water is enough hot, that is not a problem. And most radiators are ready for you if you need to dry something.

And no, is not a silly question, when you have "enjoyed" the cold water when arriving late to the albergues on summer.

Buen Camino, better in winter in my opinion,

Javier Martin
Madrid, Spain.

 

[soulmiles]

hi there!

on my pilgrimages (usually October through to March) I almost exclusively sleep outdoors. My equipment is a 3-season sleeping bag from MAMMUT with synthetic fiber filling. Around that I have a Gore-Tex cocoon by Carinthia that adds insulation and waterproofness. Further insulation is provided by a Therm-a-Rest ProLite 4 self-inflatable matress.

With that combination I have slept in all types of weather.

Be Well & Be Blessed!