Sleeping bag or sleeping bag liner

[2MPT]

I'm trying to tradeoff between weight and comfort. I want to keep my back pack weight down and hence considering using a sleeping bag liner for nights. However I am concerned that some nights might be cold and require a sleeping bag for comfort.

I'm starting in Pamplona on May 18th. My decision would be made easier if I knew that blankets were supplied in the hostels. Any advice is most welcome.

[Covey]

Most albergues will have blankets available.

If you are taking a sleeping bag liner, take a silk one. They are lighter and have much better thermal insulation properties than cotton or nylon. If you can find one, get a bug treated one. The better camping shops sell liners which have some long lasting anti bed bug repellent. Most useful.

I would take a lightweight fleece this time of year, and if you get chilly at night at all, just put on your fleece and a pair of socks.

[2MPT]

Thanks for this Covey.... most helpful

[fraluchi]

We would keep away from blankets because so many different people with different hygiene standards may have been using them. They are ideal places to harbour bedbugs. Not all albergues have blankets available.

[Franky]

July 12 through Aug 19
You think i will be ok with a Silk liner and Bug Bivy, or should I do a sleeping bag and Silk liner? I will carry one decent fleece jacket

[Covey]

I went on 3rd July last year from St Jean with just a silk liner and my fleece. You will be fine.

[Tanya Yaksich]

Where are you Covey??

[Covey]

The physical me is in South London, but the virtual me is omnipresent!! Were you planning on buying me a beer?

Ah..... Have just read Huskynerds private mail to me which indicates that despite my initial optimism that a date and beer might be in the offing, the reality was much more mundane..

All my hopes consigned to the bonfires of vanity!!

[Tanya Yaksich]

Couldn't get you so i got Leslie. Please also delete my comment about sleaze as it looks like i'm replying to the previous post. I will have a virtual wine with you. Cheers tanya

[D-Note]

This may sound stupid, so forgive me if so...

I'm walking for two weeks, starting the beginning of September. Would anyone strongly advise against just taking a thick duvet cover that could be slipped over the provided blanket (or to get inside to avoid contact with the bug-ridden blankets)? I've only got a fairly thick sleeping bag that I don't want to cart around with me and don't want to spend money on a new sleeping bag liner that won't get loads of use. I'll be taking long-johns and a coat for warmth also.

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can give.

[jennifermcinnes]

I am walking right now and you certainly do not need a sleeping bag, right now 35 to 38 degrees. Sleeping without covers now. Make sure you take a bug treated sheet or something. We have already encountered bed bugs but did not get bitten because of Permithrin treated silk sheet and silk bag liner. Neighbouring lady in next bunk got bitten and killed some in her bed in the morning today. This was in the large municipal albergue in Estella.

[Covey]

A thick duvet cover will be fine and if you can treat it with some form of bug killer, so much the better. The best bug killer is a chemical called Permetherin. You can usually buy it from the more serious camping shops. In the Uk you can buy it in Millets or Blacks in a 5% solution and it comes in a spray on plastic bottle. Soak the duvet cover and hang it to dry where pets cannot get at it whilst drying. This way, the bugs will head for the hills and you will emerge from a good nights sleep without having been eaten alive!!

[D-Note]

Jennifer and Covey, thanks very much for the advice.

[Franky]

I just got back on thursday, I ended up throwing my thermal reactor liner away cause it got infested with bugs. i would say get anything that is fully silled like the silk liner or microbfiber and yes you will need a sleeping bag also for the last 200KM it gets pretty cold and you might have to sleep outside, i slept outside a total of 7 days and only had a bug bevy and piece of silk for blankets take a warm jacket. its worth taking something that will keep you warm so you can sleep outside carefree of bedbugs and get some good sleep. If(i bought in a town) i did it again i would take a full sleeping bag and one really good jacket

This may sound stupid, so forgive me if so...

I'm walking for two weeks, starting the beginning of September. Would anyone strongly advise against just taking a thick duvet cover that could be slipped over the provided blanket (or to get inside to avoid contact with the bug-ridden blankets)? I've only got a fairly thick sleeping bag that I don't want to cart around with me and don't want to spend money on a new sleeping bag liner that won't get loads of use. I'll be taking long-johns and a coat for warmth also.

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can give.

[Franky]

fyi

if you go to FINSTERRA AND MUXIA the alberques are clean and you wont need much, i sleep at both places and 4 nights on the beaches which gets really cold at night so take a sleeping bag if you want to sleep out on the beach, inside all you will need is a liner its warm and clean with all the bodys inside

have fun