Kilimanjaro Gear List

Complete Kilimanjaro Gear List for climbing Kilimanjaro:

Everything you need, from toe to top, for your Kilimanjaro climb

The right gear will help you to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in an ease. Your Kilimanjaro Gear List should consist of all the essential items rather than luxuries. Clothing gears, hiking gears and camping gears are important for Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro For Beginners as well as professionals.

There are few things which we have listed out to be in Kilimanjaro Equipment List:

Footwear :

Sturdy boots to keep you stepping up Kilimanjaro comfortably.

Footwear is one of the most important items on your Kilimanjaro pack list. This is where you should be particularly attentive and selective. Choosing your hiking boots and/or sneakers is a task of supreme importance. For this trip you will need high-quality trekking boots, gaiters and hiking socks etc.

Trekking Boots

Waterproof hiking boots designed for hiking in cool to cold conditions. Choosing the appropriate hiking boots is probably of utmost importance. There are many options on the market, and sometimes it's hard to find the right one.

Running Shoes

Lightweight, comfortable running or walking shoes are recommended for off-mountain use and pre-and-post trip travel. In some situations, these may also serve as approach shoes.

Hiking Socks

Hiking socks are a must on hikes like this. Do not pack cotton socks, as they will retain sweat and give you blisters. In contrast, woollen socks are a good option for Kilimanjaro - they will ensure fast and effective.

Gaiters

Gaiters help to keep your trekking pants and boots clean during the trek, making your clothing more pleasant to put on. Also, the gaiters help to protect your more expensive membrane and trekking pants from the edgy rocks which are ubiquitous on Kilimanjaro.

Micro Spikes

Lighter and tougher, it helps to deliver unrivalled traction on icy winter trails. The heavy duty crampons are best in class, with long-lasting soles which are equipped with heat-treated stainless steel cleats that bite into the slickest ice and snow.

Technical Clothing :

Stay dry and warm with our expert-recommended technical apparel.

Make sure you carry appropriate clothing according to the season you are climbing Kilimanjaro. If you are Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in summer you will need to carry full sleeve clothes and if you are climbing mt Kilimanjaro in wet season then you will require warm clothes. However, more warm clothes are preferred year around due to the high altitude in Kilimanjaro.

Short Underwear

You will need 5-6 pairs of underwear for your Kilimanjaro adventure. Having 2-3 pairs of thermal underwear is necessary for this trek - you'll be wearing the first pair on your usual days, and the second one on the summit night. Also, sleeping in thermal underwear is very comfortable than without it.

Hiking Shirts

As far as shirts for Kilimanjaro expeditions are concerned, having 3-4 short-sleeved and 2 two long-sleeved shirts is necessary. Avoid cotton, as it is bad for wicking. Fabric should be light and 'breathable'. Shirts made of the mixture of polyester and spandex or nylon are excellent.

Baselayer Bottom

Non-cotton base layer bottoms that should fit snugly without constriction. We recommend lighter weight base layers rather than heavier fleece-type layers. Wool, wool blend, polyester, or other synthetic fabrics all work well. Be sure your base layer pants are not constructed from cotton.

Heavy Baselayer Bottoms

Heavy, expedition-weight base layer bottoms designed to be used while climbing in very cold conditions. Fabrics such as Polartec Power Stretch, Capilene 4, and Polartec Power Dry will work well.

Trekking Pants

Trekking pants of good quality are usually enough for a Kilimanjaro expedition. If you prefer hiking in shorts, taking a pair of trousers is nevertheless needed for the higher elevation parts of Kilimanjaro and chilly evenings in the camps.

Long Sleeve Sun Shirt

One long-sleeved sun shirt. This item must be constructed of a non-cotton material such as merino wool or polyester. Note that light-coloured, hooded sun shirts are strongly recommended for sun protection, and are worn by guides throughout most climbs.

Softshell Pants

Stretchy, comfortable, non-insulated soft-shell pants that should fit comfortably with or without your base layer bottoms. Please note that "zip-off"-style trekking pants are too light to be considered soft-shell pants.

Hardshell Pants

Non-insulated, fully waterproof shell pants that must fit comfortably over your base layer bottoms and soft-shell pants. Full-length separating size zippers are generally required; occasionally, 7/8th zippers suffice but are strongly advised.

Softshell Jacket

This breathable but wind-and-weather resistant jacket is a key part of a mountaineering layering system. We recommend a hooded model. This layer must fit well over your midlayer top and base layer top.

Mid layer Top

A midweight, form-fitting, lightweight fleece layer for use over base layers. Hoods are optional but recommended. Grid fleeces generally provide the best warmth-to-weight ratio. Note that very light puffy jackets can also suffice as a midlayer.

Hardshell Jacket

A non-insulated, fully waterproof shell jacket with a hood. Must fit comfortably over your base layer, midlayer, and soft-shell. This jacket is meant to protect you against wind and drizzly rain before you reach the summit camp.

Lightweight Insulated Jacket

We recommend a lightweight insulated jacket to serve either as a layering piece or as stand-alone insulation when appropriate. This may be filled with down or synthetic insulation. They are great to have at night when you are in the camp.

Insulated Down Parka

This jacket or parka should be heavily insulated with high-quality down fill. We recommend an overall parka weight between 1.5 and 2.5 pounds. For warmth, a hood is required. Down sweaters or light puffy jackets will not be sufficient.

Insulated Synthetic Pants

A synthetic insulated pant with full-length separating side zips. Ski pants are typically not appropriate for this layer. When worn together with the trekking pants, they provide excellent protection against winds and rains.

Hand gear :

Gloves and grips for warmth and comfort on chilly mountain climbs.

Hand Gear includes two types of gloves you should take on your Kilimanjaro trek - inner and outer gloves. Like base layer clothing, inner gloves provide the next-to-skin insulation that is critical when trekking in cold temperatures. Outer gloves are thicker, waterproof and provide the shell protection needed to prevent freezing hands.

Lightweight Liner Gloves

Lightweight gloves are meant to keep your hands warm starting from the second day of your expedition. Most hikers wear them till the summit camp and then put on their outer gloves. Inner gloves should be made of good-quality materials.

Softshell Gloves

Midweight, lightly insulated gloves for use when mittens are too warm and liner gloves are not warm enough. Leather-palm construction is always ideal for the sake of durability.

Insulated Mittens

You will also need warm gloves or mittens for the summit night. They should be warm and waterproof, while comfortable to use. Mittens are better - the summit usually takes around eight hours, and all the time you will be holding trekking poles in your hands.

Head gear :

Protect your head with gear designed for Kilimanjaro's diverse climates.

Headgear is important to protect yourself from the sun. It will protect you from sunburn, rashes and also mainly skin cancer if you are more allergic. Carry a headgear which covers ears and neck during the wet season and carry a simple headgear to protect from UV rays during summer. Here are the list of Headgear which you should carry while Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

Buff

A buff-also called a "neck gaiter" or, even worse, "multifunctional headwear"-is a tube of elastic fabric that you can wear in lots of different ways. A must-have for all outdoor activities, the UV Buff is a versatile replacement for the bandana and serves a multitude of purposes.

Sun Hat

Any style of lightweight hat for shading the head will work well. Baseball caps and sombrero-style sun hats are the most common. The long neck flap protect your neck from sunburn and the neck flap can be stowable as a bucket hat.

Balaclava

Balaclava is a handy solution for hikers who are particularly susceptible to cold temperatures. A woolen balaclava will protect your chin, nose, cheeks and forehead from wind on the summit night. It is unlikely that you will be using it anywhere.

Wool/Synthetic Ski Hat

A non-cotton wool or synthetic hat that covers the head and ears comfortably. At higher elevation you'll start feeling cold, so in order to keep your head and ears warm you will need a good hat. It should be warm enough for the low temperatures and snowy conditions of the summit area.

Sunglasses

Firstly, sunglasses should provide good UV protection. At the elevation of 6,000 m above the sea level UV radiation is much higher than at sea level. Secondly, when choosing sunglasses, you should remember that snow in the summit area reflects light, thus putting extra strain on your eyes.

Headlamp

A modern outdoor LED headlamp offering 200-300 lumens of output. Freshly installed batteries plus spare batteries. Weather-resistant models are strongly preferred. A headlamp will be necessary during the summit. Normally, hikers start at midnight aiming to reach Uhuru peak by sunrise.

Sleeping Gear :

Cozy sleeping gear to recharge you after a long day's climb.

Sleeping gear is one of the important thing on your Kilimanjaro Gear List. No matter which season you are climbing Mt Kilimanjaro, a sleeping bag will be necessary in any camp and on all routes. Though some may think that it is warm in huts on the Marangu route, the fact is that they are not heated, making it your responsibility to keep warm at night.

Sleeping Bag

Whether filled with down or synthetic insulation, your sleeping bag should be rated to approximately 0-degrees Fahreheit and feature a collared hood for warmth. Be sure to include a compression stuff sack. Weather conditions and your body temperature needs may effect what rating of sleeping bag you require.

Inflatable pillow

An inflatable pillow will be of great use for those who like reading in a tent. At the same time, however, you may put your back pack or some clothes under your head to make an improvised pillow.

Equipment :

Essential equipment that's a must for tackling Kilimanjaro's challenges.

You need to bring the following carrying equipment to Kilimanjaro. Your daypack should contain drinking water, snacks, your camera and any extra clothes you might need that day. All the big equipment (tent, sleeping bag for Kilimanjaro and duffel bag) you will need for your trek on Kilimanjaro will be provided by the hiking company. Also Good trekking poles is recommended which will minimize the impact of a lengthy hike on joints. Make sure to check with your tour operator in advance to know what is included.

Day Pack

An internal frame climbing/trekking pack of approximately 32-40 litters in carrying capacity. Emphasize simple, lightweight designs. They feel light and stable on your back and won't create a ton of wind resistance, keep your body functioning at peak.

Trekking Poles

Trekking poles are a highly recommended item on your Kilimanjaro packing list, not only because it is a matter of comfort, but because of health concerns. Collapsible skiing/trekking poles. Three section, adjustable-height models are preferred.

Pee Bottle

Collapsible or hard-sided models can work well. If opting for a hard-sided bottle, 1 liter of capacity is typically sufficient. If opting for a collapsible model, please pick a 1.5-2 liter model as it can be more difficult to use than the full capacity of the collapsible version.

Pee Funnel (For Women)

No more trekking to the restroom in the middle of the night or wandering into the infested wilderness to squat in privacy when nature calls. Now you can stand up and go without having to drop your pants completely.

Water Bottles

Two to three one-litre capacity bottles. Bottles should be wide mouth made of co-polyester (BPA free plastic). No water bag or bladder systems (they freeze or are hard to fill) and no metal bottles (they have a tendency to freeze).

Large Duffel Bag

Have a minimum of 90-120-liter capacity. It should be made of waterproof materials.Along with a duffle bag we recommend taking several large dry bags and packing your gear inside separately. This approach will provide extra protection and will keep all your gear dry in case of heavy rains. You will pack all of your belongings into this bag, and porters will carry this pack on the mountain for the duration of the trip.

Others :

Miscellaneous items that make all the difference on your climb.

Normally the guides will have a medical kit with everything needed for common health conditions. Remember that some of the pills, also some cosmetics and toiletry things that you can easily buy in the home countries. Also some of the gadgets that will be useful on your Kilimanjaro trip are Camera etc. Also get something for your lips or skin like Sunscreen and Lip Balm to protect yourself from sun. Find Hydration Bladders to make it easy to drink as you're walking. These are the additional Kilimanjaro Gear List that you can rely on.

Insect Repellent

One small bottle of insect repellent. Repels biting flies, gnats, no see ums, ticks, chiggers, and mosquitoes, provides just the right level of protection with a traditional unscented formula.

Small Duffel Bag

This item can double as carry-on luggage for your flight, and is used to store any items you do not plan to take into the mountains. Think light and simple, with 40-50 liters of total capacity. Bring a travel lock for peace of mind.

Camera

Optional. Small point-and-shoot cameras (including compact SLR's) are ideal & work well at altitude. Alternatively, many opt to use a smartphone camera. Due to weight & care in the mountain environment, large dSLR cameras are discouraged.

Toiletry Bag

Include toilet paper, hand sanitizer, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and wet wipes. Choose a quantity appropriate for the length of your trip. Don't forget to pack your Toothbrush and Toothpaste with your toiletries before leaving for Tanzania.

Sunscreen

One to two ounces of SPF 30+ sunscreen. Varieties with zinc-oxide are more protective! One ounce is typically sufficient per week, but several small tubes can offer insurance against lost or exploded tubes.

Lip balm

Every hiker, man or woman, adult or child, should carry a tube of lip balm with them on every outing. Not only are chapped, cracked lips painful but being outdoors in the sun all day means sunburn lips are a real possibility. Keeps your lips healthy and prevent the chances of sun damage. With a formula designed especially for active use, this lip balm is water resistant (80 minutes).

Small Personal First-Aid Kit

Basic medical supplies in a compact package. All-purpose, compact first aid kit includes essential first aid and wound care supplies like cleansing wipes, gauze pads, assorted bandages, rolled gauze, antibiotic cream, itch stopping cream, acetaminophen caplets, an instant cold pack, and much more.

Medications & Prescriptions

Bring any personal prescriptions, plus Pepto Bismol, Immodium, Cipro, Metronidazole, Z-Paks, Diamox, and a variety of standard painkillers like Ibuprofen.

Earplugs

Always recommended for getting high-quality rest. Soft foam rather than wax models are recommended as they are light and disposable. Small size of earplug delivers optimal fit and ear protection for smaller ears, but low pressure foam expands to fit virtually any size ear and ear canal.

Hand And Toe Warmers

MULTIPURPOSE WARMERS - Single use air-activated heat packs that provide everyday warmth and are ideal for keeping your body warm when the temperature gets cold. They're available in several styles designed for your hands, feet, and body.

Hydration Bladder

If your daypack is compatible with a hydration bladder, having one will surely add comfort to your trek. Make sure that the pipe is insulated, otherwise it might freeze on the summit night. 1.5 And 2-liter variations will be perfect for your trip.

Kilimanjaro Gear List FAQ's

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