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Sleeping pad

Liene Er.

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
Camino Frances 2018
Hello! I am starting my Camino on 29th of April. I have heard contradicting opinions on whether I should carry a sleeping pad with me. Some say it is not necessary since, if needed, there are always sleeping pads left behind by other pilgrims, while others say that it starts to get busy in May and I should definitely carry one with me.

Is there anyone who has recently done Camino in May and can share his/her experience?

Thanks in advance!

Liene
 
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Liene Er. said:
while others say that it starts to get busy in May and I should definitely carry one with me.
Click to expand...
Honestly, I have never heard anyone say that!!

Floor sleeping has all but disappeared because of fire codes, so you would only need it if you were to sleep outdoors. That is quite rare. The reason sleeping mats are abandoned is that no one ever needs them.

Have fun, save the weight of the mat.
 
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3rd Edition. More content, training & pack guides avoid common mistakes, bed bugs etc
no sleeping pad needed....
 
Unless you plan on spending the night under the stars by choice then leave at home to collect dust while you are gone.
 
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I always take sleeping pad. Be a therm-a-rest Air or closed cell one. Reason is I either hammock camp or tent camp on my caminos.

Stay out side at the a’burg. Pay for services such as shower, clothes washing etc. then sleep without hearing the snoring or rude bag diggers - packing at 4 am in the morning.

One or two times I used the pad inside the a burg. One was when on the ingles And beds were horrible. I was only one there so didn’t matter if was on floor or not.

Used the pad waiting on bus early in the morning. Was sure better than sitting on the hard cold bench.

Other times used my pad to take a nap when walking a Camino. Very relaxing on pad with shoes off and legs up.

Also to sit on when ground is wet or muddy.

I would much have a pad than not have it.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Depends. If you are going to sleep in an albergue, not needed. If you are going to sleep outside on the ground, take it.
 
Reactions: RJM
Buz Radican said:
Depends. If you are going to sleep in an albergue, not needed. If you are going to sleep outside on the ground, take it.
Click to expand...
Good point. As the OP did not specify which Camino route they intended to walk and what type of accommodations they intended on staying in, it can best be put that for the average pilgrim walking the Camino Francais and intending on staying in albergues and such every night, and sleeping on the bunks/beds of the albergues, no sleeping pad is needed.
 
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Unless your plans include sleeping in a tent, you can feel comfortable not bringing a mat or pad.
 
Becky 59 said:
I used to hike with a small square from a sleeping pad to use as a sit-upon (avoid wet bum from the wet ground).
Click to expand...

Yup. A nice feature on my Gossamer Gear pack is that the back pad is in an exterior pocket, so it can be quickly removed to use as a 'sit pad'.
 
Altus BALI Sleeping bag liner
Ideal sleeping bag liner whether we want to add a thermal plus to our bag, or if we want to use it alone to sleep in shelters or hostels. Thanks to its mummy shape, it adapts perfectly to our body.

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I agree that sleeping pads are not needed. However, when I walked the Frances last April, I was showing my son and daughter in law the municipal albergue in Zubiri (it was my least favorite one I had stayed at in 2015). I noticed a large building in back with a door open so peeked in. There were pilgrims on the floor with their gear as this was obviously an overflow area. I didn't notice if they were on mattresses or sleep pads, but "never say never". Also, there was a nearby bus filled completely with pilgrims, hauling them off to some other destination as the town lodgings were all completo!
 
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