Trekking Gears Checklist
If you are packing for your climb, it is important to really plan your clothing appropriately. This is why we recommend that you pack the following:
Top Base Layer:
1-2 long sleeve hiking shirts. These shirts should be made of moisture-wicking fabric to keep you dry and comfortable. They should also be lightweight and breathable to help regulate your body temperature.
Bottom Base Layer:
1 insulated trekking pants, 1-2 pairs of hiking trousers. The insulated trekking pants will keep you warm during the colder parts of the climb, while the hiking trousers will provide protection from the sun and wind. Both should be made of quick-drying, moisture-wicking fabric.
Insulated Winter Jacket:
1 Polartec fleece jacket, 1 hard shell jacket. The Polartec fleece jacket will provide insulation and warmth, while the hard-shell jacket will protect you from wind and rain. Both should be lightweight and breathable.
Basic Equipment:
Daypack (30-40L), waterproof duffle bag (80-90L), sleeping bag (4-season or -20 Deg C), trekking poles, water bladder/bottles (capacity to carry 3 litres of water), neck gaiter or scarf, headlamp, sunglasses.
Headwear:
Warm beanie style hat, sun hat (preferably wide-brimmed for protection and has a neck cover if you aren’t going to be wearing a neck gaiter). The warm beanie style that will keep your head warm during colder parts of the climb. The sun hat should have a wide brim to protect your face and neck from the sun’s rays.
Footwear:
Hiking boots, gaiters. Hiking boots should be sturdy, waterproof, and provide good ankle support. Gaiters will keep debris out of your boots and prevent snow from getting inside.
Handwear:
Insulated down mittens or similar, lightweight gloves for non-summit days. Insulated down mittens or similar will keep your hands warm during colder parts of the climb. Lightweight gloves are useful for non-summit days when you need dexterity.
Clothing Accessories:
Sweat-wicking T-shirts/vests, fleece (Polartec 300 grading or similar), thermal long-johns or compression tights for summit night, lightweight walking trousers (avoid jeans or heavy cotton as they chafe and dry slowly).
Sweat-wicking T-shirts/vests will keep you dry and comfortable during warmer parts of the climb. Fleece (Polartec 300 grading or similar) will provide insulation and warmth. Thermal long-johns or compression tights are essential for summit night when temperatures can drop below freezing. Lightweight walking trousers made of quick-drying fabric are preferable over jeans or heavy cotton as they chafe and dry slowly.
Kilimanjaro Equipment & Packing List
BASIC EQUIPMENT
Daypack: Your main gear will be carried by a porter (up to 20kg). You will need to carry your own daypack. 30-40L is sufficient. We recommend Osprey daypacks.
Waterproof duffle bag: To carry your main gear we recommend using an 80-90L duffle bag. Large rucksacks (>65L) can also work.
Sleeping bag: You will need a 4-season or -20 Deg C sleeping bag and compression sack. We recommend Mountain Hardwear or The North Face sleeping bags. You can hire sleeping bags from our store in Tanzania.
Trekking poles: Trekking poles can reduce the impact on your joints by up to 20%. They are great for going down Kili! We recommend adjustable Black Diamond trekking poles.
Water bladder / bottles: Capacity to carry 3 litres of water. Options: 2 x 1.5 litre wide mouth nalgene bottles or 2 litre platypus + 1 litre water bottle. Note that disposable plastic bottles are not permitted on Kilimanjaro.
Neck gaiter or scarf: It can get dusty on Kilimanjaro. We recommend bringing a neck gaiter or bandana. The most versatile options are made by Buff or Hoo-Rag Headwear.
HEAD
Warm beanie style hat: Go for a version of a beanie that is either knitted or fleeced for extra warmth. The North Face, Berghaus and Columbia all make good outdoor beanies.
Sun hat: Preferably go for a hat that is wide-brimmed for protection, and has a neck cover if you aren’t going to be wearing a neck gaiter.
Headlamp: You will need a headlamp with good light output for any late-night toilet journeys, and importantly for summit night. Petzl make market-leading and affordable headlamps.
Sunglasses: Choose a pair of high UV protection glasses as sun intensity above 4,500m is very high. Julbo are a great mountain sunglass brand but any brand with high UV protection will suffice.
HANDS AND FEET
Warm gloves or mittens: For the cold nights and for the summit push we recommend heavyweight, insulated, preferably water-resistant gloves. The North Face and Black Diamond are recommended brands.
Lightweight Gloves: For lower slopes we recommend lightweight, fleece or quick drying fabric gloves. Berghaus and The North Face make good lightweight gloves.
Trekking boots: We recommend using a mid-weight trekking boots with good ankle support. Recommended brands include: Salomon, Scarpa, Hi-Tec and Merrell.
Training shoes: To wear around camp after a day’s trek we recommend bringing a pair of training shoes or sandals.
Socks: 3-4 pairs of outer socks and 2-3 pairs of liner socks. We also recommend bringing 1 x thick thermal socks for summit night. Merino wool is the best material and Bridgedale or Smartwool make good trekking socks.
Gaiters: Help keep your trousers clean in wet and muddy or dusty conditions.
UPPER BODY
Thermal base layer: 1 x thermal base layer, ideally made from merino wool. Recommended brand is Icebreaker.
Short sleeved shirt: 2 x lightweight, moisture wicking short sleeved shirts. Recommend brands include Icebreaker, Under Armour, Columbia, Berghaus.
Long sleeve shirt: Go for a light or medium weight, moisture wicking long sleeve shirt (x2). Icebreaker, Berghaus and Under Armour make great breathable trekking shirts.
Fleece or soft-shell jacket: A mid-weight polartec fleece jacket is ideal for Kilimanjaro. Berghaus, Helly Hansen and The North Face all make great fleeces.
Insulated jacket: A good quality and warm down or primaloft jacket is required for the cold nights and summit push. Recommended brands include The North Face, Rab, Arc’Teryx and Mountain Hardwear.
Hard shell outer jacket: A water/windproof hard shell outer jacket to protect you from the elements. Goretex material is best. Recommended brands include The North Face, Arc’teryx, Berghaus and Mountain Hardwear.
LEGS
Leggings: Thermal or fleece base layer for your legs. Merino wool is preferable. Recommend brand is Icebreaker.
Trekking trousers: Light or medium weight (x1) trekking trousers. Convertible trousers are an option. Recommended brands include Craghoppers and Columbia.
Hard shell trousers: To protect yourself from the elements you need a good pair of waterproof / windproof hard-shell trousers. Ideally Goretex. Patagonia, The North Face and Arc’Teryx all make good outer trousers.
OTHER BITS AND BOBS
Plug Adapter: A plug adapter for charging your devices in the hotels before and after the trek. The standard voltage and frequency in Tanzania are 230 V and 50 Hz respectively. The power sockets that are used are of type D / G.
Camera and spare batteries: Unless you are a keen photographer, we recommend taking a good quality and lightweight point and shoot camera like the Panasonic Lumix.
Sun and lip screen: High SPF sunscreen and lip protection balm.
Toothbrush and toothpaste: Ideally travel size.
Ear plugs: For light sleepers. Snoring travels in quiet high-altitude camps!
Power bank: Keep your electronic devices charged.
Wet wipes and hand sanitizer: Staying clean on Kilimanjaro is a challenge. Wet wipes and hand sanitizer are a huge help.
Pee bottle (optional): Useful for the ladies, but not a requirement.
DOCUMENTS
Passport and visa: Ensure they are valid.
Travel insurance: Including coverage for high-altitude trekking.
Important Mt. Kilimanjaro/ Mt. Meru Packing list Information:
- The porters will carry your main duffel bag. The weight of this pack on Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru is strictly limited to 20 kg. Overweight or extra luggage will require an extra porter.
- Wrap clothing in rugged, waterproof stuff sacks.
- In your daypack, take water, sunglasses, camera, binoculars, rain pants and jacket as a minimum. Add any other items you might need during the day because you won’t have access to your main luggage until the end of your trek for the day.
- Bring extra sets of batteries as cold weather shortens their life.
- Carry critical climbing gear on the plane with you (especially your boots) in case baggage is delayed.
NOTE: It’s important to note that the weather on Mount Kilimanjaro/ Mount Meru can vary greatly depending on the altitude and time of day. Therefore, it’s essential to pack clothing that can be layered and adjusted accordingly. You should also bring items that are comfortable and familiar to you.