Sleeping bag or no?

[tubtooj]

I've got a really light-weight sleeping bag that stuffs to a fairly small size. Is it even worth bringing a sleeping bag? As I understand it, many hostels won't even let you use a sleeping bag? Would it be better to just bring a sheet and make do with that?
Thanks.

[MuvverRussia]

Hostels don't allow sleeping bags as they can transmit pests like bed bugs etc from hostel to hostel. Depending on how heavy/bulky it is it may be worth taking for overnight trains/buses though, although I personally wouldn't bother.

Some people like to bring their own sleep sheet, although I normally just rent one from the hostel. As long as you wash it regularly then it's worth carrying though.

[LHR02]

Unless you are going in the dead of winter you'll have no need for a bag. And even then, I doubt you would need it. Places are 'heated' after all. No matter how small and lightweight, it is something you surely do not need to carry around on your back.

[WillTravel]

I wouldn't take a sleeping bag or a sleepsheet either. Some hostels (particularly in Scandinavia) charge for sheets, but the cost is minimal compared to the hassle of carrying a sleepsheet around. That said, some people just like having a sleepsheet, and I think it could be nice for overnight train rides, if you want to do that.

One exception to the sleeping bag thing - if you are going to Iceland, it seems many hostels there want you to have one. If you are hiking through some very rural areas that are serviced with huts, some of these require you have your own bedding.

[Jules80]

i took a sleepsheet with me. it was tiny (old thin bedsheet sewn in two) and was very glad of it. couldn't be bothered to pay and extra 3-5 euros in hostels. it really didn't way me down very much.

[tubtooj]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I think I will just take a sleep sheet. I will be traveling mostly through western europe in the hottest months of the year, so it makes sense not to carry around sleeping bag.