JessArmstrong
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- LateJan-mid mar 22 Camino Frances
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Hello new Camino Friends,
I'll be commencing my first Camino Journey from St Jean on the 25/03/2020 through to SdC arriving around the 2/5/2020. I am finalising my pack list and would like to know if I should bring my down jacket or not ? Interested to know other people's experiences over the years traveling around these dates in spring. I will be wearing merino base layer t shirt, lightweight Kathmandu fleece and I have waterproof North Face nylon rain jacket if windy/rainy. Just not sure if these 3 layers will be enough and to also bring the down jacket as well?
I have read so much useful info on the forum over the years and thanks to all that contribute.
Jess from Australia
Thanks Sabine, I actually have another LW fleece here so I could bring that too. HmmmHi Jess, I think you will be ok with the three layers.
But if your down jacket is lightweight you could think about bringing it with you. Could be handy for the evenings. I walked twice in this period and I tend to cool down quickly after walking and not all albergues have sufficient heating. So for this I always pack a second lightweight fleece but your down jacket would do the trick as well.
Hello new Camino Friends,
I'll be commencing my first Camino Journey from St Jean on the 25/03/2020 through to SdC arriving around the 2/5/2020. I am finalising my pack list and would like to know if I should bring my down jacket or not ? Interested to know other people's experiences over the years traveling around these dates in spring. I will be wearing merino base layer t shirt, lightweight Kathmandu fleece and I have waterproof North Face nylon rain jacket if windy/rainy. Just not sure if these 3 layers will be enough and to also bring the down jacket as well?
I have read so much useful info on the forum over the years and thanks to all that contribute.
Jess from Australia
I wouldn't describe this as a three-layer system if the rain jacket has no insulation. If that outer layer was a soft-shell, it might work. I walked at a similar time of year, and wore a base layer wool blend tee shirt, mid layer trekking shirt and my outer warm-layer was a mid-weight fleece. I didn't count my rain jacket as part of my warmth layering, although it was essential if I needed wind protection as well as warmth.I will be wearing merino base layer t shirt, lightweight Kathmandu fleece and I have waterproof North Face nylon rain jacket if windy/rainy. Just not sure if these 3 layers will be enough and to also bring the down jacket as well?
I wouldn't describe this as a three-layer system if the rain jacket has no insulation. If that outer layer was a soft-shell, it might work. I walked at a similar time of year, and wore a base layer wool blend tee shirt, mid layer trekking shirt and my outer warm-layer was a mid-weight fleece. I didn't count my rain jacket as part of my warmth layering, although it was essential if I needed wind protection as well as warmth.
On using down, I avoid it during the walking day because I sweat profusely when I am pushing out, and in those circumstances, prefer fleece over down. I take the approach of having a lightweight rain jacket, currently the Patagonia Houdini, that serves as a reasonable option for evening wear instead of having to wear a bulky rain jacket. It also serves as a reasonable windproof and rain-resistant option for light early morning showers.
Thanks Ruth, and a Buen Camino to you tooHi Jess, great question! I start the CF on 1st April and was wondering about layers also. I have a warm merino base layer, one short sleeve merino t-shirt, a long sleeve sun shirt, a lightweight Kathmandu fleece hoody and North Face rain jacket which provides no warmth whatsoever. I have a second lightweight fleece (Cederberg from Anaconda) for evenings/sleep. Best wishes for your camino!
Thanks so much Tom for sharing your March/April Camino experiences. I’m now feeling more confident in my gear list thank to your post. By the way it’s 35 deg Celsius here in OZ, a world away from Colorado and needle snowI'll chime in here much the same - my wife and I have these layers - synthetic tee shirt, synthetic long-sleeve shirt, (new, not worn out) fleece jacket, raingear jacket for top layers. Synthetic pants, raingear pants for lower layers. Warm socks and boots (waterproof for my wife, not for me). If it looks like a super cold day, we will add a second long-sleeve shirt as we carry 2 so we always have a clean one. We have gloves and warm hats and my wife brings a buff too. The usual underclothes. You could substitute merino for the synthetic, but stick with something warm if it gets wet.
In three March-April Caminos this has always been sufficient, even in falling snow and driving rain. Once you get walking, you'll be plenty warm, and maybe one of those layers will be coming off even if it does seem cold at the beginning. It probably helps that we are from Colorado and used to hiking in challenging weather.
The worst of it was almost a solid day of driving "needle" snow one day in 2018 where I was pretty envious of my wife's buff that she had pulled up over most of her face. We are always walking west towards Santiago, and that is the direction the nasty stuff comes from most times on the CF, so it can be pretty in your face!
Buen Camino!
Tom
Yes, the down jacket would work well IF it doesn't get wet. So be sure to keep your down jacket dry.Hi Jess, I think you will be ok with the three layers.
But if your down jacket is lightweight you could think about bringing it with you. Could be handy for the evenings. I walked twice in this period and I tend to cool down quickly after walking and not all albergues have sufficient heating. So for this I always pack a second lightweight fleece but your down jacket would do the trick as well.
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