Ultralight sleeping bag for walking the Camino de Santiago – recommendations?

My wife used the Feathered Friends Swallow on that hike and also uses it for backpacking in the Pacific Northwest.  It’s rated at 20 degrees and weighs about 2 lbs.  She’s 5’2″.

Everyone’s different but I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t want to go any lighter for the dual use.  She’s never too warm and sometimes a bit cool.

as a small woman youll likely want a bag/quilt that is rated at least 10F warmer as most bag ratings are for men …

in addition if you are a ~5ft woman with low body fat who gets cold easily, youll likely want an even warmer bag as the dead air space in a 5’6 bag for a 5′ woman is substantial and would likely result in lost warmth

my favorite climbing partner is 5′, 100 bs and we had to get her a 7F sleeping bag (7F mens, 19F womens en-rating, old marmot xenon) just to keep her warm to just below freezing … a 20F+ differential between actual temps and the “rating”

you may not require something that extreme … but in the PNW at least for general 3 season lower altitude, or summer moderate alttitude use you should be looking for 30F temps …. which for women generally means a 20F bag (mens rating) at minimum … even a 10-15F bag if you are often cold

i own and use a WM highlite, and i can definately say it wont be enough for my favorite 5′ 100 lb climbing partner in the PNW

;)

Did you look at any quilts – saves weight and as long as you have an insulated pad you won’t miss the bottom of the sleeping bag (or zipper).  I find them more comfortable inside and outside.   Enlightened Equipment and Hammock Gear are two great brands (there are others).

Weather sleeping bag or quilt, I would go for the treated water resistant down.

-Slbera

Eric’s advice on temperature ratings vs. reality is very true. If you’ve found that other bags haven’t met your temp needs, try to factor in the difference between their ratings and your comfort while shopping. Also, make sure the bag is sized properly for you to avoid excessive dead space, leading to cold feet. If you decide on a quilt, I’d recommend using a flat sheet or bag liner while sleeping in a hostel if you’re concerned about sleeping on whatever the last resident left behind.

With regard to brands, I can say that I’ve been very pleased with my WM bag and jacket; FF is also a quality brand. I don’t have a Zpacks bag, but I’ve been impressed with several of their other products. I believe all three brands will overstuff a bag on request, which might work well if additional warmth is required. It won’t matter for hostel use, but since you mentioned the PNW, you may consider how the shell fabric will work in those conditions. I prefer bags with a very minimal shell to keep weight down & breathability up, and I rely on my stuff sack & shelter to keep the bag dry. Use of dry down is another consideration worth a look.

It sounds like a fun trip! Enjoy the experience, and please post some photos when you return.

I have seen many kids doing that route without any SB or quilt. The synthetic blankets they have over there are really something.

I am not sure you need ‘heating’ in a hostel full of ‘pilgrims’ anyhow.

Cheers

My wife has done two Camino’s in the last 3 years and each time has used a 50 degree EE down quilt along with a Permethrin treated silk liner and has been very happy wit the combination.

Hi Zarina,  I’m a cold sleeper too.  I  mean really cold…..I wish I wasn’t.  I’ve tried quilts and they just don’t work for me.  Any opening for the cold air to get in wakes me instantly up.  I tried two manufacturers and no luck.  I went back to sleeping bags where I know the cold air can’t sneak in if I role over or ???.  With that said…I’d stick with a mummy bag.

Daryl’s suggested FF bag is a great bag!  FF makes a great product.  FF has a Swallow version for women called the 20 UL Egret.  Cut and made for women.  A 20F bag will work wonders on the Spain hike and always function great in PNW.  I live in Seattle and use a 20F bag for 3 seasons.  I use a 3 oz overfill 5F Western Mountaineering Antelope bag for winter….great bag!

You’ll get cold in the Zpacks bag.  Take a look at the ‘fill’ ounces and feather type of each bag you’re considering.  Zpacks bag has far less feather fill for its temperature rating them others.  I trail angeled this year on the PCT and those with Zpack bags said they got cold.  I know the FF Egret is expensive, but it’s a great bag.

The medium FF Egret fits up to 5’9″.  It has 17.3 oz fill of 950 feather.  That’s 16,435 cubic inches of fill.

The Zpacks 20 degree medium bag fits up to 5’9″.  It has 11 oz fill of 900 feathers.  That’s 9,900 cubic inches of fill.

Which do you think will be warmer?  The FF Egret weighs 1lb 12oz.  About 10 oz more then Zpacks.  But well worth the extra weight.  Heck….6 of those ounces are in additional fill.

Food for thought.