Obviously, there is no one answer for everyone. But with some information about what the Camino is actually like, you can make an informed decision that could potentially save you a lot of weight carrying, and make your trip more comfortable.
What kinds of sleeping gear is there?
1. Sleeping bag – this is the most common choice. There is a sleeping bag out there that will fit everyone. Key features that will ensure you get the right bag for you include:is it long enough or wide enough for you? Does it have double zippers so you can stick your feet out? How heavy is it? Is it artificial insulation or down? You only really need a one season bag, in the shoulder season. If you tend to be cold you might get a two season bag, but the weight increase is often a trade-off. Sleeping bags can often pack down *really*small, so that can be an advantage over another kind of sleeping blanket.
2. Fleece blanket – in the warmer parts of the shoulder season (September or June) or if you like to be very warm in the summer, you can easily get away with a small fleece blanket. The blankets tend to be very light, but they don’t pack down so much as a sleeping bag. In some albergues you may be sleeping right on a bare mattress if you don’t bring a sheet as well as your blanket.
3. Sleeping bag liner. These tend to add a lot of warmth to a sleeping bag, can keep the bag cleaner and are easier to wash than a sleeping bag because they are so much smaller. Some say that silk sleeping bag liners prevent bed bugs – but that is a complete myth – do NOT expect this to work. If you can stick your head out, the bed bugs can get in.
I’ve brought a liner on two caminos and ended up using it for only a night or two, both times. I hate having my feet stuck inside a bag, and liners tend to be less spacious than a sleeping bag. I also tend to find it a little too hot in many of the albergues with heat. If you are going in the summer, however, and you want *something* to sleep with, a liner might be a good option.
4. Albergue blankets – I’ve heard that some people do this. It might be okay in the summer, if you don’t really need anything, but I wouldn’t rely on it. Not all albergues have blankets, or they don’t have enough blankets for everyone. You will almost certainly find yourself sleeping in your clothes or ALL your clothes, and your coat, and your towel at least once. It is also true that many albergue blankets are pretty manky, are scratchy and smell bad, and some carry bed bugs – so if you are at all squeamish don’t choose this option.
5. Permithrin treated sheets – I’ve never seen anyone with these, and I’ve never seen them in an actual store here in Canada, but I know you can get them in other countries. If I could get my hands on one, I would! They are probably worth bringing, along with something for warmth, at any time of the year. They’ll help with bed bugs, bare mattresses and dirty beds!
Whatever you bring to sleep in on the Camino, consider bringing a waterproof sac to put it into. A waterproof sacs for your sleeping gear will help prevent any bed bugs in your sleeping bag/sheet/blanket from infecting the rest of your bag and clothes, etc. , plus it means that even if your other rain gear fails, you’ll always have a dry bed to sleep in.