We often get asked for recommendations on gear items. There are a myriad of quality brands and products, so what you ultimately find visually appealing, functional and economical is a personal choice. However, we would like to point out specific products that we find outstanding.

---

On Kilimanjaro, you won’t need a huge backpack because our porters carry most of your gear from camp to camp. The only things you need to carry are those that you may need while on the trail. This includes extra layers of clothing, water, snacks, sunscreen, and other small items. A medium-sized pack is recommended.We like the Gregory Z35. It is the right size, and sits very comfortably on your body, as all Gregory packs do. It has a mesh back panel to keep your back dry, several back and side pockets, compression straps, and is hydration bag compatible. The Gregory Z35 Backpack retails for $149 and is available at REI.

Gregory Z35 Pack - Men’s

Gregory Jade 35 Pack - Women’s

We often get asked for recommendations on gear items. There are a myriad of quality brands and products, so what you ultimately find visually appealing, functional and economical is a personal choice.  However, we would like to point out specific products that we find outstanding.

---

When it comes to mid-layers, the top choice for extreme cold is a down jacket.  With a superb warmth to weight ratio, down is a great insulator that is also highly compressible.  We like the Sub Zero Down Jacket by Mountain Hardwear. Stuffed with 600-fill power goose down, the jacket is toasty warm and lightweight. A drawcord cinches the waist to trap in heat and fleece-lined pockets keep your hands warm.The Mountain Hardwear Sub Zero Down Jacket retails for $170, and is available at US Outdoor.

Mountain Hardwear Sub Zero Jacket

We often get asked for recommendations on gear items. There are a myriad of quality brands and products, so what you ultimately find visually appealing, functional and economical is a personal choice.  However, we would like to point out specific products that we find outstanding.

---

Boots used on Mount Kilimanjaro should be warm, waterproof and comfortable. And for these characteristics, we find that the Asolo TPS 520 GTX Hiking Boot is a top performer. These heavy duty boots are high cut, constructed of full grain leather, and have a breathable Gore-Tex membrane.  Many rave about the comfort of these boots, right out of the box.  However, always break in your boots before using them for extended periods of time. 

These boots retail for $230.  You can purchase them online at REI.

Asolo TPS 520 GTX Hiking Boots - Men’s

Asolo TPS 520 GTX Hiking Boots - Women’s

On Kilimanjaro, most of your personal gear will be carried by hardworking porters.  As climbers begin their trek in the morning, the porters stay behind to break down the tents and clean the campsite.  Then, the porters proceed ahead of the climbers at a faster rate, beating the climbers to the next campsite to set up, prepare meals and boil water.  Therefore, climbers will often not see their porters again until they have reached their overnight destination and thus will not have access to the gear that the porters have transported until then. 

Climbers are expected to prepare their own day packs and to place all other items into a duffel bag for the porters.  As far as what goes into the day pack, it depends on what you may need during the day.  This typically includes rain gear, some extra layers of clothing in case the temperature drops, and clothing accessories.  Additionally, climbers should carry sunscreen, insect repellent (at lower altitudes), first aid kit, toilet paper, snacks and water.  The general rule is only carry what reasonably can be expected to be needed.  For instance, you do not need to carry fleece, insulated jackets, and gloves in the rainforest.  The sleeping bag and pad should not be carried, and probably would not fit, in your day pack.

To pack your day pack efficiently, you should use plastic bags to separate items based on categories.  For example, small bottles such as prescriptions, sunscreen, lip balm and hand sanitizer should be secured in a zip-lock type bag.  Extra layers of clothing should also be put into larger bags.  Paperwork, such as your passport and insurance documents into another bag.  Heavier items should be placed close to the midpoint of your back to keep your center of gravity in-line with your spine.  Placing heavy items near the top, bottom, left, right or rear of your day pack will cause you to lean forward, back, or to the side.  If your day pack has compression straps, tighten them so that your items do not move around as you walk.  Lastly, be consistent as to where you store your items (main compartment, side pockets, pant pockets, etc.), so that you do not fumble for your items when needed.  A medium sized backpack, with the capacity of  about 1,800 cubic inches (30 liters), is appropriate.

When choosing your footwear for Kilimanjaro, you should consider these factors:

1. warmth
2. waterproofness
3. ankle support
4. weight
5. traction

For most people, the appropriate footwear is boots.  Compared to trail shoes, boots offer superior warmth, which will be immensely important should temperatures dip below zero.  Additionally, boots support the ankles that can help prevent the risk of injury.  Because of the height of the boots, your feet are less likely to get wet while stepping in puddles, snow or ice.  Lastly, the tread on a boot is also deeper, enabling a better grip on the terrain, whether it be mud, scree or rock. 

So given the above, why would anyone choose trail shoes?  The main reason is weight.  It is said that a pound on your feet is equivalent to carrying five on your back.  Therefore, an average pair of boots, which weighs more than three pounds is like adding fifteen pounds to your pack.  Walking with boots can be much more tiring when you think about how many steps you take on the climb.  But unless you are comfortable and used to hiking in trail shoes, in perhaps extremely cold weather, then Kilimanjaro is not the place to experiment.