Gina Johnson
The Camino de Santiago is not a rugged wilderness adventure, and most people stay in hostels or albergues along the way. If you plan to stay in private rooms, hotels, or guesthouses, you won't need a sleeping bag as bedding is provided. However, if you plan to stay in albergues, you may want to bring a sleeping bag for hygiene and comfort reasons. The time of year also makes a difference—in the summer, a sleeping bag liner or sheet may be sufficient, while in the off-season, a lightweight sleeping bag is recommended. Ultimately, the right sleeping bag depends on your chosen route, the time of year, and your personal preferences.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sleeping bag vs no sleeping bag | If you plan to stay in albergues, you may want to bring a sleeping bag as they may not provide blankets, or you may find them unhygienic. If you are walking the Camino in the summer, a sleeping bag liner or sheet may be sufficient. If you are staying in private rooms, guest houses, pensions, or hotels, you will not need a sleeping bag as these places will provide blankets and bedding. |
| Sleeping bag type | If you bring a sleeping bag, it should be lightweight and easy to pack. Silk sleeping bag liners are also a good option as they are extremely light, small, and provide warmth. |
| Other considerations | If you are walking the Camino in the off-season or plan to sleep outdoors, you may need a warmer sleeping bag or a higher season rating. A pillow is not necessary as albergues and guest houses will have pillows, but you may want to bring an empty pillowcase for hygiene. |
What You'll Learn
Sleeping bag vs. sleeping bag liner
The Camino de Santiago is not a rugged wilderness adventure, and most people stay in hostels or albergues. If you plan to stay in an albergue dormitory room, you will be provided with a bed, and most albergues also provide blankets. If you are staying in a private room, guest house, pension, or hotel, you will not need a sleeping bag as these places will provide blankets and bedding.
If you are staying in an albergue, you may want to bring a sleeping bag or a sleeping bag liner for hygiene and warmth. The time of year you choose to walk the Camino will influence whether you should pack a sleeping bag or a liner. If you are walking in the off-season, before March or after September, you may wish to carry a lightweight sleeping bag. If you are walking in the summer, you may want to bring a sleeping bag liner instead of a sleeping bag, as it will be too hot to sleep under a heavy woollen blanket.
Sleeping bag liners are designed to slip inside your sleeping bag, keeping your bag clean and adding extra warmth. Liners are also useful if you are sleeping in a hostel and want to separate yourself from bedding of questionable cleanliness. If you are sleeping outdoors, you will need something to act as a windproof barrier laid over the liner, such as a poncho or an ultralight sleeping bag cover.
If you are hiking the Camino, a Reactor liner would be the liner of choice. Silk liners are also a good option for sleeping in hostels.
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Sleeping in hostels or albergues
If you're walking the Camino in the summer, a sleep sheet or liner will be sufficient as it can get very hot at night to use a sleeping bag. If you're walking in spring or autumn, a lightweight sleeping bag is recommended. In the off-season, you may wish to carry a lightweight sleeping bag rather than a sleep sheet.
Most albergues provide blankets, but these are usually thick woollen blankets without covers. If you're staying in a dormitory, you'll be sleeping on a bunk bed, which may be basic and have old mattresses. Most tend to provide disposable sheets and pillowcases, but you may prefer to bring your own pillowcase or pillow for hygiene and peace of mind.
If you plan to stay in private rooms, you won't need a sleeping bag as all hotels and guesthouses provide blankets and bedding.
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Choosing a sleeping bag for the season
The choice of a sleeping bag for the Camino depends on the season and your personal preferences.
If you are walking the Camino in the summer, a sleeping bag liner or a lightweight sleeping bag should suffice. Liners are available in silk, cotton, wool or fleece, and they can be a very good alternative to a sleeping bag. Silk liners are extremely light and small and provide warmth and a barrier between you and questionable bedding. They are also useful if you are walking in the off-season, or if you tend to feel cold at night.
If you are walking in spring or autumn, a lightweight sleeping bag is recommended. A light sleeping bag with a comfort temperature limit of +12°C/55°F will be good for sleeping indoors even in winter.
If you are walking in winter, a 4-season sleeping bag will protect you against temperatures below zero.
It is also important to consider the type of accommodation you will be using. If you are staying in private rooms or guesthouses, you won't need a sleeping bag as they provide blankets and bedding. However, if you are staying in public albergues, you will need a sleeping bag or a liner. Albergues tend to provide blankets, but they may not be washed frequently and can be very thick woollen blankets, which may be too hot for summer months.
Ultimately, the right sleeping bag depends on your personal preferences, your route, the time of year, and your budget. Synthetic bags are cheaper and provide more warmth, but they weigh more. On the other hand, down bags are more expensive but can be a good investment for future adventures.
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Sleeping bag weight and pack size
The weight and pack size of your sleeping bag are important considerations when preparing for the Camino de Santiago. The time of year you plan to walk the Camino will influence your decision. If you are walking in the summer months, a sleeping bag liner or sheet may be sufficient, as temperatures can be quite high. Silk sleeping bag liners are popular during the spring and summer due to their lightweight and compact nature. They provide warmth and act as a barrier between you and questionable bedding.
If you are walking in spring or autumn, a lightweight sleeping bag is recommended. Mummy-shaped sleeping bags tend to be lighter than square ones, but the square option provides more room to move your feet. Sleeping bags with a comfort temperature limit of +12°C/+55°F are suitable for sleeping indoors, even in winter. For spring, a summer sleeping bag with a 12°C comfort temperature rating was adequate for one pilgrim on the Camino Frances and the Coastal Portuguese Camino.
If you are walking in the off-season, before March or after September, a lightweight sleeping bag may be preferable to a sleep sheet. Synthetic bags are a good option as they provide more warmth for their weight, although they do weigh more than other options. For winter, a 4-season sleeping bag will protect you against temperatures below zero.
It is important to consider the trade-off between weight and warmth when choosing a sleeping bag. If you opt for a very thick fleece liner, an ultra-light sleeping bag may be a better choice. Additionally, combining a lightweight liner with a lightweight travel blanket can provide adequate warmth. Ultimately, the right sleeping bag depends on your chosen route, the time of year, and your personal preferences.
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Sleeping bag shape
The shape of your sleeping bag is an important consideration when packing for the Camino de Santiago. The two most common shapes are square and mummy. Square sleeping bags offer more room for your feet, while mummy-shaped bags keep your feet warmer. Mummy-shaped bags are also typically lighter, but there are lightweight options for square-shaped bags as well.
If you are walking the Camino in the off-season, or if you tend to get cold at night, you might want to opt for a mummy-shaped bag to retain warmth. On the other hand, if you are walking during the summer months, a square-shaped bag might be more comfortable as it provides more room for your feet and may feel less constricting.
Another option is to bring a lightweight sleeping bag liner instead of a full sleeping bag. Liners are smaller in size and can provide warmth and hygiene, especially when paired with a lightweight travel blanket. Silk liners, in particular, are extremely light and small, and can provide warmth in addition to acting as a barrier between you and questionable bedding.
Ultimately, the shape and type of sleeping bag you choose will depend on your personal preferences, the time of year you are walking the Camino, and your chosen route.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the time of year and your accommodation. If you're staying in hostels, albergues, or guest houses, you may not need a sleeping bag. However, if you're camping or walking the Camino in spring, autumn, or winter, a lightweight sleeping bag is recommended.
A lightweight sleeping bag is recommended, as it will be easier to carry. Synthetic bags are cheaper, provide more warmth, and are easier to find, but they weigh more. Silk liners are also an option, as they are extremely light and small, and can provide warmth.
You will typically stay in hostels, albergues, or guest houses/hotels. Albergues are dormitory-style accommodations with bunk beds that can vary from luxurious to basic. They usually provide blankets and pillows, but these may not be washed frequently.
Consider the time of year and your preferred sleeping temperature. If you get cold easily, a sleeping bag might be a good idea, even if you're staying in accommodations that provide blankets. Also, think about your budget and the weight of your luggage.
A pillow, earplugs, a sleeping mask, and a sleeping mat can enhance your comfort. A liner can add warmth to your sleeping bag or serve as a standalone in warmer seasons. A travel lock is also recommended if you plan to stay in albergues with lockers.
