What do you sleep in?

[going walkabout]

Hello All,
I'm walking from SJPP to Finisterre starting early June this year. I'm really enjoying the reading and learning and planning involved in such an adventure. But there's one particular question that keeps coming to mind. In all the lists of what to (and not to) pack I can't remember anyone mentioning pyjamas. What do you sleep in? Are pilgrims sleeping in their one set of clean clothes - especially eager for an early and easy get away in the mornings? I'd really appreciate some experienced advise on this one please. Thanks.

[Covey]

Walking the Camino is not an exercise in sartorial elegance and PJ's tend not to be in great use, especially in the summer months.

I carry a set of cotton long johns (long sleeve vest and leggings) and sleep in these and they can also double up as a base layer if it gets cold. Da Ladies tend to sleep in a cotton tee shirt and leggings so modesty is satisfied for those needing to get up in the night.

If the weather in June/July is as per normal, it will be warm at night, and some of the Albergues can get very warm at night with lots of bunk beds in rooms.

You need to carry a bug treated sleeping bag liner, or sleeping bag, or a single fitted sheet which has been treated with Permetherin., otherwise the bed bugs will get you!

[HuskyNerd]

I think Covey and his fellow Brits are a little more modest than the average pilgrim, which probably is a good thing (not that Brits aren't all beautiful and shapely). But many pilgrims simply wear underwear of some kind to bed. I shower in the afternoon and wear clean hiking undershorts to bed. Albergue etiquette doesn't seem to frown on middle-aged men like me appearing the bathroom in the middle of the night in their boxers.

I never seen anyone wear either pajamas (which would add weight to the pack) or hiking clothes (which would get damp) to bed, but that doesn't mean it's wrong -- just unusual. Most of the 20-year old Europeans seem to be content sporting their relatively modest underwear to the bathrooms. Covey's definitely right that most women seem to have a large, loose-fitting t-shirt of some kind.

I'm taking Covey's advice on a sleeping bag liner very seriously this year and for the first time will carry the permethrin-treated version.

All the best to you in your ongoing preparations.

[Covey]

Well, in defense of the Brits I would say that we tend to be more modest in our night attire than some nationalities.

Virtually all Albergues have mixed rooms with men and ladies of a wide variety of ages sleeping in very close proximity. Boxer shorts for men are OK, but wandering around in Y-Fronts and male thongs (usually worn by overweight German men!!) is a little "off" especially when bunk living can bring you very close to people you have never been introduced to!!

If it is cool I sleep in my long john leggings, and if warm/hot I wear my swimming shorts which look like normal shorts. A pair of swimming shorts is a useful thing to pack as there are often places to swim which is a nice way to cool off in the summer.

A pair of light flip flops are good for walking around at night and in the shower. Last year I swallowed my pride and left my Teva Trail Sandals behind and took a pair of Crocs (in Black!!!!!) Crocs have been popular with the Ladies for a few years, but they seem to always be pink or bright yellow. They are very comfortable and more importantly, very light!