Generally, climbing Kilimanjaro does not require any technical equipment including crampons or microspikes. The hike can be done completely wearing trail shoes or boots with no footwear attachments on nearly all routes at all times. However there are special periods when the…
Looking for gear to fill your Kilimanjaro packing list? Mount Kilimanjaro is a giant stratovolcano, with its peak touching the sky at 19,340 feet above sea level. To climb it, you’ll need the right clothing, accessories and equipment to stay safe, warm,…
Gaiters are fabric sleeves which cover the upper boot, ankle and usually lower leg. The main reason they are worn is to close the gap between the pants and boots, preventing things from getting inside your footwear. This includes snow, rain, gravel,…
How do I keep warm while climbing Kilimanjaro? At higher elevations, Mount Kilimanjaro can be brutally cold. A down jacket is a heavy mid layer used for chilly to extremely cold weather. They are usually worn at camp in the evenings, during…
You probably think you are wearing the correct size shoes for your feet. But statistics say you’re probably wrong. A study of more than 2,000 adults showed that one third of men are wearing shoes that do not properly fit them. The…
Ask any climber what he or she is most concerned with when climbing Kilimanjaro and the majority of the time the answer is the summit attempt. While every other night on the mountain is spent sleeping in tents, this night is spent…
Can you recommend socks for a Kilimanjaro hike? You can have the best gear, but if you choose the wrong sock, it can all be for nothing. Your socks can mean the difference between a miserable and painful expedition or a wonderful…
What are the best pants for climbing Kilimanjaro? Actually, you will need several types of pants to be fully prepared on the mountain. We will go through each individually to make sure you have the right gear. Our gear list has the…
What are the best hats for climbing Kilimanjaro? Hats perform two basic functions on Mount Kilimanjaro. One, a hat acts as a shield against the sun. And two, it insulates your head to keep it warm. You will need two hats for…
What kind of sunglasses do you recommend for climbing Kilimanjaro? The equatorial sun is very strong. While you should make it a habit to protect your eyes against the sun’s UV rays all the time, on Kilimanjaro it is extra important that…
Trekking poles are an optional item when it comes to our gear list. However, they are very helpful when climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. The Benefits of Using Trekking Poles The purpose of using poles is three fold. One, they ease the stress on your…
What is important in a sleeping bag for Kilimanjaro? When it comes to climbing Kilimanjaro, one of the first questions people usually ask is, “How cold does it get?” On the lower slopes, in the rainforest zone, temperatures are regularly around 50-60…
What kind of duffel bag do I need to climb Kilimanjaro? To climb Kilimanjaro, you will need two bags – a daypack (or backpack) and a duffel bag. Climbers are responsible for carrying only what they might need in their backpack during…
Which rain jacket and rain pants should I bring to climb Kilimanjaro? Almost every Kilimanjaro routes begins in the rainforest (Shira is the one exception). One can assume that the rainforest tends to receive rain. It is important to be prepared. Being…
What is the best backpack for climbing Kilimanjaro? Everyone is familiar with backpacks. After all, we lugged around our things in classic book bags as children as we walked from classroom to classroom and traveled to and from school. There are many…
On Kilimanjaro, it is acceptable to wear boots, trail shoes or both, as we discussed here. Compared to boots, the main advantage of wearing shoes is that they weigh less. This conserves energy in the long run, which you will need to…
