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Thermal Underwear? Is it cold enough?

Ross Sheeran

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
November 2015
We are starting the Camino in late October through to early December. Is it cold enough at this time of the year to be wearing long thermal underwear or is it unnecessary extra weight to carry if not needed. Thanks for any
 
Camino Inglés Walking Holiday - UK
St James' Way - Self-guided 4-7 day Walking Packages, Reading to Southampton, 110 kms
I use a merino layer for sleeping and then it is available if needed to wear during the day. I often wear 2 layers of pants while walking - either thermals plus walking pants, or rain pants over the walking pants. You could get snow at the higher elevations in November.
 
I walk wearing winter weight runner"s tights, and a long sleeve poly blend winter shirt over a short sleeve poly blend shirt. This combo is topped with a lightweight waterproof jacket. A dry second set of the same tights and 2 shirts is used for winter sleeping. Ĺate November 2012 there was deep snow climbing O Cebreiro. Be prepared!
 
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A selection of Camino Jewellery
Ross Sheeran said:
We are starting the Camino in late October through to early December. Is it cold enough at this time of the year to be wearing long thermal underwear or is it unnecessary extra weight to carry if not needed. Thanks for any
Click to expand...


Merino wool is yesterday..very controversial in which the way the wool is extracted from the "merino" sheep and the practice of Mulesing

Merino wool is a natural fabric that is comfortable and odour resistant, but is a less effective fabric at wicking sweat. Merino is ideal for extreme cold conditions. Synthetics are lightweight and wicking alternative to merino. They do dry very quickly and also cost less than merino layer.

Merino does not last as long and gentle hand washing is better for a more usable life of the product.............I use Merino in extreme cold conditions, when I need to replace them I will return to synthetics..
 
I agree. Bring them. Even if the weather is lovely you can wear the, as PJs at night. I also wear them under my Macabi in the evening. And if needed in bad weather (under rain pants or in cold them's), you will have them.
 
IMO. Take the thermals for wearing in the evening and at night . I never walked in mine (May) but if it was cold started the day with my waterproof trousers on over my walking trousers. I could get them off if it warmed up. Not so easy with the longjohns! I also had longsleeved thermal top but again would have used it at night rather than for walking, or put it on over my shirt maybe so I could get it off easily. Mine were lightweight, synthetic and wicking, very quick drying and which I prefer to any sort of wool.
 
Camino Preparation Guide
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
Just reinforcing the good points that others have made - for my non-Winter walks, I bring one Merino wool and one polyester shirt - this year I've moved from the pure Merino to the new Icebreaker 135 cool-lite tshirt that adds wicking to the great ability to cope with a wide range of temperatures (unlike the polyester) - and, as others have said, all of these can be worn at night as well
 
I walked Oct-Nov and a 150 merino wool bottom and a ultra light silk long sleeve shirt was sufficient to walk however some albergues turn off the heater in the middle of the night and my sleeping bag was not enough to keep me warm next time I will take a warmer bottom and top.

Zzotte
 
If you intend to walk from St Jean to Santiago then yes I would support thermals, gloves and rain/snow proof over pants. You might like to consider waterproof shoes/boots. It can get very cold from Astorga onwards. Buen Camino
 
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Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
There are some incredibly cold refugios. Unless you have a winter-weight sleeping bag (which will leave you sweltering in the refugios where the central heating only has one setting) you may be happy to have it at night. It's also useful as a change to wear while your walking trousers are drying.
 
I take Merino wool bottoms and last Camino, when my Merino wool top tore through, I bought a long sleeved bamboo shirt.
I'm in love with bamboo now.
It is much sturdier than the merino, weighs about the same, and is VERY warm!

And yes, I'd take long johns ... you will be happy you have them.
 
I never have taken them before...but might, if I go in January as planned.
Might feel good between SJPdP and Roncevalles (and cold albergues).
 
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.

€46,-
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