It is very important to know what should be included in your Kilimanjaro Gear List. Every Kilimanjaro Trek will start in the Rainforest (Except for the Shira route). So, it is obvious that you will be getting rainfall from the beginning. To combat it, you will need a Rain Jacket For Climbing Kilimanjaro. Without your rain jacket, you will be fully drenched in water that may lead to Hypothermia, which can be fatal. Here we will discuss what type of rain jacket will be feasible while Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
KEY CHARACTERISTICS TO LOOK OUT IN A RAIN JACKET
While Preparing To Climb Mount Kilimanjaro, you must know what exactly to look for in your gears. The temperature inside the rainforest will range from 20 – 26 degree Celsius, with light or heavy rainfall. The more you are comfortable in all the adverse conditions, the more is the chance to reach the Kilimanjaro Summit. And for that, you will need the right rain jacket to protect you from the rain.
Material
The obvious characteristic of a rain jacket is that it needs to be waterproof and not only water-resistant. A water resistance jacket will be good only for light pours. But if it rains heavily, you will get soaked. So, a fully waterproof jacket is a must.
There are various materials used to make a rain jacket. Each company can have its own type of material to make the jacket. One of the most popular waterproof materials used is Gore-Tex. All rain jackets have hoods to protect the head from getting wet. The hoods are also made from the same material as the jacket.
Breathability
A good rain jacket should be breathable. While doing the Kilimanjaro Trek, your body will sweat a lot. Even when it’s raining. A good quality rain jacket has fabrics woven so tightly that the water droplets don’t penetrate the outer layer and reach your body. However, there are tiny gaps between those fabrics that allow the moisture of your body to escape, making it breathable. If the heat gets trapped inside, it could lead to condensation freezing, which will make your Kilimanjaro Climb very tough.
Rubber and Vinyl are un-breathable materials. These materials do not allow your body heat to escape and traps the body moisture inside. You must avoid purchasing a rain jacket of these materials.
Fitting
You will wear your rain jacket above your other clothing. So you need to make sure the rain jacket fits you properly. It should cover your base and mid areas. It shouldn’t be too short or too long, or it will get in your way of moving. The hood should be adjustable. The jacket should cover your hands and waist properly. As a test, you must check the fitting of your rain jacket by putting all the other clothes before purchasing.
Weight
Your rain jacket should be as light as possible. Most of the jackets are thin and flexible so that you could roll them into a small bundle and pack it easily. Also, there are some hard shell jackets such as ski or snowboarding jackets, which should be avoided, as they do not bend easily.
FEATURES OF A RAIN JACKET FOR CLIMBING KILIMANJARO
Hood
The hood of your rain jacket must be adjustable. It should be large enough so that there’s room for your beanie or hat.
Zippers
The zippers should be heavy and sturdy so that they won’t break while Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. They should run smoothly up and down and must be waterproof too.
Pit Zips
Pit zips are zippers present in your armpit area of the jacket. They are very useful while trekking. Pit zips can be adjusted for ventilation according to the temperature of the surrounding.
Pockets
Pockets are very useful when it comes to pretty much anything. Go for pockets with zippers, as they will be waterproof and you keep your items dry. Some jackets also provide insulating pockets called “hand warmer”, which is a very good feature since you will be trekking under cold temperature.
RECOMMENDED RAIN JACKET FOR CLIMBING KILIMANJARO
Your Kilimanjaro Packing List must contain the best items for your journey. Some of the best and most preferred rain jackets used by mountaineers are given below:
The North Face Venture Jacket
North Face Venture Jacket is a classic, fully waterproof jacket. It has a brushed chin guard for extra comfort. This jacket has a fixed adjustable hood, external cord locks, pit zips, Velcro cuff tabs, and a stow pocket.
Mountain Hardware Exposure Jacket
It is a rugged hardshell jacket made of Gore-Tex material. Mountain Hardware Exposure Jacket provides protection from extreme rainfall. It has stretchable elasticity for better movement. It has an adjustable hood and deep side vents.
Marmot Minimalist Jacket
It is a waterproof, ultra-light, and breathable rain jacket. Its internal draft flap and trim external storm flap provides great protection from wind and water. It has an attached adjustable hood, adjustable cranium cord, and pit zips for better ventilation. It is a softshell jacket with zippered handwarmer pockets.
Keeping the right Rain Jacket in your Kilimanjaro Gear List is very important. You do not want raindrops dripping on your body, risking hypothermia. Now that you know what to look for in a good rain jacket, we suggest you contact Jerry Tanzania Tours for information on other Kilimanjaro Gears.
