All the kit you’ll need for climbing Kilimanjaro

Preparing for a successful and enjoyable climb up Mount Kilimanjaro requires careful planning and the right gear to ensure your safety and comfort. To help you get ready for this incredible trip, I've compiled an in-depth guide on the essential kit you'll need for your Kilimanjaro hike.

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is an awe-inspiring experience as you traverse through five distinct climate zones. You'll start in the warm, humid forests and lower slopes and ascend to the bitterly cold summit zone, which is adorned with glaciers, ice, and snow. Given these varying conditions, it's crucial to be equipped for any type of Kilimanjaro weather you might encounter, whether it's sunny, windy, or rainy.

Although your guide or travel company will handle larger provisions such as tents, communal camping equipment, food, and cooking facilities, you'll be responsible for your individual gear. The porters will carry a duffel bag containing your main personal kit, but you'll need to carry your own daypack during the hike.

Kilimanjaro core clothing list

To get started, I recommend the following kit for your trip to Kilimanjaro. I’ll cover the specifics in more detail below. Please note, the amount of kit you take depends on the route you choose to do and the amount of days you’ll spend on the mountain.

• 1x waterproof hard shell jacket

• 1x Top layer - Synthetic or Down Jacket

• 1x Middle layer - Fleece

• 4x Bottom layer - t-shirt or if cold then a Merino wool long sleeve base layer (when cold)

• 5-7x Pairs of Underwear

• 5x Pairs of socks - Merino wool socks

• 1-2 pairs of hiking trousers

Core kit for climbing Kilimanjaro

Daypack: a 25-40L bag is sufficient to carry your essentials such as water, layers, waterproofs and snacks. Your main gear will be carried by a porter (up to 15kg).

I recommend the Osprey daypacks such as the Talon range for men and Tempest range for woman.

Waterproof duffle bag: To carry your main gear I recommend using a 80-95L duffle bag.

I recommend the Osprey duffle such as the Osprey Transporter 95

Sleeping bag and liner: Your travel company should provide you with a sleeping bag, but if you’d rather take your own, you will need a 4-season or -15/-20 sleeping bag and compression sack. I recommend Mountain Hardware or Rab sleeping bags.

I recommend the Sea to Summit sleeping bag liners that give you extra warmth and help keep the interior bag clean.

Trekking poles: Trekking poles can reduce the impact on your joints by up to 20%. They are great for going down Kili!

I recommend adjustable Black Diamond or Leki trekking poles

Water bladder / bottles: You should aim to carry 3 litres of water. You can either carry 2 x 1.5 litre nalgene bottles or 2 litre bladder + 1 litre water bottle. Please note that disposable plastic bottles are not permitted on Kilimanjaro.

I recommend the Osprey 2 litre water badder.

Neck bandana or scarf: It can get dusty and cold on Kilimanjaro, I recommend the Buff unisex bandana.

Head torch: You will need a head torch with a decent power for any trips to the loo and more importantly the summit hike. I personally use a Petzl ACTIK® 600 CORE which is affordable and has a decent battery life. You’ll also need spare batteries as the cold will drain them quicker.

Upper body

Thermal base layer: Merino wool base layers

I personally use the Icebreaker 175 Mid Weight Merino Wool Base Layer and this has kept me warm in all sorts of winter conditions.

Short sleeved t-shirts: Lightweight, moisture wicking t-shirts

I personally use Arc’Teryx t-shirts but any tshirt from brands such as Icebreaker, Berghaus and The North Face will do

Mid-layer Fleece: A mid-weight fleece jacket is ideal for Kilimanjaro both when hiking and around camp

I personally use a Patagonia R1 as my mid-layer but The North Face, Arc’teryx, Berghaus and Mountain Hardwear all make great mid layer tops

Top-layer - Insulated jacket: A good quality and warm down or primaloft jacket is required for the cold nights and summit push

I personally use the Arc’Teryx Atom and Arc’Teryx Proton but Rab and Mountain Hardwear make some great options too

Hard shell outer jacket: A Goretex water and windproof hard shell jacket is super important to protect you from the elements

I personally use the Arc’Teryx Beta LT but Rab and Mountain Hardwear make some great options too

Legs

Leg base layers: Thermal Merino wool base layer for your legs.

I personally use Icebreaker Merino wool leggings for both during the hike and then a clean pair for sleeping in.

Hiking trousers: Light weight hiking trousers with pockets

I personally use Arc’Teryx but I recommend the hiking trousers from Decathlon, Craghoppers and Columbia

Hard shell trousers: To protect yourself from the elements you need a good pair of Goretex waterproof and windproof hard shell trousers.

I personally use Arc’Teryx but I recommend the hiking trousers from Decathlon, Patagonia and The North Face as they all make good waterproof trousers.

Headwear

Warm beanie hat: You’ll want a warm beanie that keeps your ears warm, especially for the last day or two closer to the summit. I use a Sealskinz waterproof and cold weather beanie.

Sun hat: A wide-brimmed hat will offer the best protection from the sun during the walk.

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 - Gloves

Warm gloves or mittens: For the cold nights and for the summit hike I recommend an insulated and waterproof glove. Rab, Montane and Black Diamond are my recommended brands.

I personally use the Rab Mens Pivot GTX Gloves and these worked well on my recent winter hiking trips.

Lightweight Gloves: For lower hills I recommend lightweight, fleece or quick drying fabric gloves. Rab, The North Face and Sealskiz make good lightweight gloves that will keep you warm or protect your hands while climbing.

I personally use the Sealskinz unisex waterproof gloves if it is raining and the Montane Prism gloves if it is dry but windy (they are lighter and a little more comfy.

Feet - Socks, Shoes and Gaiters

The most important bit of kit you’ll need is your footwear. Make sure your hiking boots are well worn-in (you’ve been on several walks in them), that they fit properly (including with thick socks) and you are comfortable walking all day in them. If you don’t have a pair already, take your time choosing and don’t buy them online, always try them on in store!

I recommend light- to mid-weight waterproof boots with good ankle support. You don’t need to go full-mountaineering B2/B3 boot, as you won’t be wearing crampons and you don’t need the extra weight. Trainers are not appropriate, except for wearing around camp.

Your hiking boots need to have a rugged, semi-rigid sole, and don’t forget to bring a spare pair of laces just incase you need them on the mountain.

Recommendations:

Hking boots: I recommend using a mid-weight trekking boots with good ankle support. Recommended brands include: Salomon and Scarpa.

I personally use the Scarpa Rush Treck GTX and these have been fantastic in all weather conditions so far.

If you’re buying a pair of boots make sure to try them on in-store to find the right fit before buying!

Comfy shoes for camp: While in camp you’ll either want a pair of lightweight trainers, camp shoes or sandals.

Hiking 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

I personally use Smartwool merino wool socks which are incredibly comfy, help keep my feet dry

Gaiters: These are handy for keeping your trousers clean in wet and muddy conditions, especially important if you are only taking one pair of trousers. I use a pair of Rab gaiters.

Accessories, hygiene and nice to haves

Head torch: You will need a head torch with a decent power for any trips to the loo and more importantly the summit hike. I personally use a Petzl ACTIK® 600 CORE which is affordable and has a decent battery life. You’ll also need spare batteries as the cold will drain them quicker.

Plug Adapter: A travel adapter for charging your devices in the hotel and at the airport ahead of your trip.

Wet wipes and hand sanitiser: There are no showers on the mountain, so staying clean and fresh Kilimanjaro is a challenge. Wet wipes and hand sanitiser are super helpful in providing a little personal hygiene.

Sun and lip screen: High SPF sunscreen and lip protection balm

Toothbrush and toothpaste: which will last you for 2 weeks

Personal snacks: Cereal bars, energy bars, dried fruit, nuts and sweets are all great options. Electrolyte drink tablets that you can mix with water are also helpful to keep you hydrated on the mountain. I use the PHIZZ brand and they are great.

Ear plugs: To protect you from those snorers.

Tips for choosing your Kilimanjaro clothing

• Choose your base layers carefully – choose merino wool or a combination of merino/synthetic for the best odor-control and breathability

• Take an extra base layer to use for sleeping - you’ll be hot and sweaty throughout the day so best to bring a spare

• Waterproof trousers with full-length zips make getting them on and off quick and easy when it starts to rain

• Technical fleeces (such as Polartec) make great, lightweight insulation layers

• Bring a down jacket. Down does a great job at retaining heat when standing around or at camp but not so well when it gets wet

• Get the best lightweight rain gear you can afford

• Your gloves are important: it’s cold on the mountain! You’ll need a good paid of thick gloves for the summit

• Your sunglasses are important. I suggest you get the UV ‘wraparound’ variety to protect your eyes. The sun at high altitude is intensified and can reflect off ice and snow.

• A lot of heat is lost through your head, so be sure to get a warm thermal hat as well as one that protects your neck from the harsh rays of the sun.

Sleeping

The nights are bitterly cold on Kilimanjaro. As you get higher up, you’ll be tired from the hiking and will feel the cold even more. You can either bring your own sleeping bag or rent one from from your travel company.

If you decide to bring your own, it needs to be a 4-season rated, -25 sleeping bag. Whether you rent or bring your own, make sure to bring a sleeping bag liner, to keep any mountain dirt out of the bag, and add a bit of warmth.

An inflatable pillow is a great shout and can be bought from Decathlon and Amazon.

Sleeping Gear:

• Sleeping bag rated -25 or four season

• Sleeping bag liner

• Sleeping mat: the travel company will normally provide on

Packs & Bags:

During your Kilimanjaro trek, your porters will be responsible for carrying your main duffel bag up the mountain and you'll only have access once you reach your camp each evening. For the day's trek, you'll need your daypack to hold all the essentials you might need while hiking, such as water, waterproof clothing, camera gear, snacks, and any other personal items.

When it comes to choosing a duffel bag, the Osprey Transporter is a fantastic option. Known for its waterproof and rugged design, the 95-liter version offers ample space for all your gear. Even though it's designed to resist water, I highly recommend using waterproof stuff sacks or packing cubes to provide an extra layer of protection for your belongings.

I recommend the Osprey duffle such as the Osprey Transporter 95.

For your daypack, comfort is key. It should have adjustable shoulder straps and a hip belt to ensure it fits you well, as you'll be wearing it all day. Look for a design that supports a hydration bladder and has enough room for water bottles. Your daypack should also be large enough to accommodate your rain gear, a couple of extra clothing layers, and other necessary items you'll need access to throughout the day.

I recommend the Osprey daypacks such as the Talon range for men and Tempest range for woman.

Keep in mind that not all daypacks come with a built-in rain cover, so check to see if you need to purchase one separately to keep your essentials dry in the event of rain.

Water and Snacks

• Water bladder: 2-3 litre hydration bladder (Camelbak or Decathlon)

• Water bottle: 1-2 litre water bottle

• Hydration: Electrolyte /Sports drink powdered formula for adding to your water

• Snacks: Energy bars of your preference – plan for 2-4 per day

• Optional: Water purification tablets or filter pen (we provide boiled/filtered water)

Staying hydrated on Kilimanjaro is important. If you get dehydrated, this will affect your ability to acclimatise to altitude. Your travel company should provide purified mountain water throughout your trip.

Personal Health and Comfort

You won’t be showering on Kilimanjaro, so anti-bacterial wet wipes are a good way of maintaining personal hygiene. Sunscreen is very important as the sun’s rays are much stronger at altitude.

Bring three rolls of toilet paper, one to keep in your daypack for use on the trail, and two in your duffel for use at camp.

• Toiletries: toothbrush & toothpaste, deodorant, body wash and shampoo

• Any regular medication you are taking

• Nail clippers

• Ear plugs - boots make a great wax ear plug that moulds to the ear

• Sunscreen SPF 40+

• Anti-bacterial hand-sanitiser gel -

• Baby-wipes and anti-bacterial hand wipes

• Microfiber quick-dry towel - this is the one I take

• Pee-bottle for night time calls of nature

• Headtorch

• Spare contact lenses/glasses

• Toilet paper

• Diamox (if using)

• Blister plasters – different shapes and sizes

• Antibiotic cream or ointment

• Band-Aid for minor cuts and scrapes

• Ibuprofen/Paracetamol – over the counter pain relief

• Immodium for diarrhoea

Thanks and have a great trip!