Hostel Necessities

Katie,

The majority of Hostels DO NOT allow Sleeping Bags these days, due to the possibility of "contamination" of bedding.

Most Hostels provide a Sleepsack in the cost of the room, or at very reasonable cost. You could certainly take a silk Sleepsack if desired. Have a look at the models in the Travel Store here (click the tab at the top of the page).

Happy travels!

I have stayed in many hostels throughout Europe and like the OP said, many don't allow sleeping bags. I never bring sleep sheet and most hostels will provide you with clean linen free of charge. Of those who charge, it is very cheap. Save the extra room in your backpack for souvenirs!

I agree, sleeping bags are pretty much forbidden. The RS sacks seem a bit steep. I carry a regular sleeping bag liner that cost maybe ten bucks way back when, but have only used it once or twice -- probably better to rent for next to nothing than tote the darn thing.

We packed cotton sleep sacks on one trip a few years ago, they took up a too much space in our carry on and we never needed them once. We used them once only because we felt like needed to (since we lugged them around).

If there are hostels that don't provide linen, I haven't found them (I usually stay at hostels that have reputations as clean and quiet, might be different at party hostels). Because of the resurgence of bedbugs, hostels don't promote, and usually don't allow, you to use your sleeping bag.

As far as I'm concerned, bringing a sleeping bag or sleep sack is simply adding weight that you don't need and won't use.

Hi, Katie.

I've always used a sleep sack - just a decent King or Queen cotton sheet folded in half and sewn. Been in enough hostels where the cleanliness was "sketchy". Sleep sack that size also makes a nice pillow or picnic blanket if blanket.

I also like to carry a "bath sheet" which is a really large, thin bath towel (bigger than most beach towels) and can double as a small sheet, picnic blanket, beach towel, etc. Walmart used to have them under $10.

I brought a really light silk sleepsack once while backpacking for a year. I used it maybe 3x. Just about every hostel has fresh sheets at no charge or you can rent bedding for between $2-$5/night. The towel sitation is very hit or miss. As Chris recommended, bring a bath sheet. I brought a really light microfiber camp towel from REI. It dries way faster than cotton and folds up really small.

What I found to be "hostel necessities" were flip flops to wear in the showers as many of the bathroom floors at hostels can be gross. A travel alarm clock because your cell phone may be low on charge at night and just getting a vacant outlet in a 6 or 8 share hostel room can be a challenge. A headlamp or small flashlight is useful when you want to get something out of your pack & not disturb sleeping bunk mates. Ear plugs and a sleep mask (I've been in plenty of hostels that are noisy after the bars let out and hostels with no curtains on the windows, or other bunk mates that come in at 3am and flip on the overhead light). A cable lock to secure your backpack (yes, most hostels have lockers but I've seen some lockers that are only big enough for a Hobbit's backpack and you might want to lock up more than just your wallet & passport)-also comes in handy if you are taking trains & have to store luggage in between the cars on a rack away from your view.

Katie,

One "Hostel necessity" you WILL probably need is a Towel, as many don't provide those. I carry one of the Travel Towels, similar to those shown on this website (click the Travel Store tab at the top if you want to have a look). As someone else mentioned, flip-flops for the showers (and of course soap) are a good idea too.

Cheers!

To echo everyone else, definitely bring a sleep sack. You can make your own or just shell out the cash for the RS Silk one - I used that all over Europe in hostels and it was really light in my pack. Other things I highly recommend for staying in hostels: ear plugs and an eye mask! People are inconsiderate in hostels sometimes - plan accordingly if you want to actually sleep :)

And of course shower flip flops. If you're a loofa person, I used one of those gloves - not quite the same, but they dried out FAST. And a moisture wicking towel is a really good idea. They dry like that. Not quite the same as cotton towels... but worth it.