Climbing Kilimanjaro requires serious gear.

You could face a wide range of conditions, from warm days to cold nights and everything in between. Therefore, you need to be properly equipped on the mountain. Although we provide a complete gear list and thoroughly explain every item on our website, unfortunately people still get things wrong.

Here are the 8 biggest gear mistakes people make.

1. Overpacking

This is the most common error we see. It’s very understandable, particularly for those who have never backpacked before. People bring far too much gear, believing this amounts to being better prepared. But in actuality, it hinders your performance. Excessive clothing, comfort items, and random gadgets all add weight. This makes your duffel bag and backpack heavy and bulky. 

Park regulations limit the amount of weight that porters are allowed to carry. Your duffel bag, which will be transported by our crew between campsites, must be under 33 pounds (15 kgs). Your daypack, which you carry yourself, should be no more than 15 pounds (7 kgs). If you’re struggling to stay within these weight requirements, you’re almost certainly overpacking.

We urge you to stick to the Ultimate Kilimanjaro gear list in terms of the specific items you bring and the number of each item. Scrutinize everything, especially if it’s outside our list, and ask yourself whether you truly need it.

When it comes to clothing, it is expected that you will wear many of the same items for more than one day. You don’t need and shouldn’t have fresh clothes for each day. Rewearing clothing is common on Kilimanjaro and other alpine expeditions. It may sound dirty (and you probably will be), but it’s the norm.

2. Wearing Non-Hiking Apparel

Street clothes and casual wear aren’t built for the demands of Kilimanjaro. They don’t wick moisture, regulate temperature, or block wind and rain. They’re not breathable, lightweight, or made for sustained use over days of hiking.

Proper hiking gear is made for performance in challenging mountain conditions. Hiking jackets, shirts, pants, shoes, and accessories are specifically designed for trekking. Even clothing made for other sports may not be suitable. Ski clothing, while technical, is often too heavy, bulky, or insulated for long-distance hiking. It works well on the ski slopes, but not in the variable conditions found on Kilimanjaro. And everyday sneakers lack the grip and stability of trail shoes or boots. So come equipped with gear that is meant for the trail.

3. Bringing a Light Down Jacket

The down jacket is one of the most important pieces of gear for Kilimanjaro, yet it’s often mishandled. We know that climbers get away with wearing light down jackets on the mountain. They return and advise others that this is all you need. But the truth is, they got lucky. Fortunately for them, they encountered mild temperatures and conditions. If they got hit with a fierce snowstorm, they would be singing a different tune.

Your down jacket should be well insulated to protect you for the worst possible scenario. If all you have is a thin down jacket, you’re gambling with your life that the weather won’t be bad. Don’t be a person who fails to summit due to the cold. Bring a robust down jacket (see our recommendations here).

4. Packing Only Warm Clothing

Some people are so afraid of the cold that they leave out lightweight clothing. Yes, Kilimanjaro gets chilly – especially at night and near the summit. But during the day, and at lower elevations, it can actually get quite hot. If all you bring are thick jackets and heavy base layers, you’ll overheat.

That’s why we recommend lightweight base layers and hiking pants. They help regulate your core temperature and prevent sweating during the day. When it gets cold, you simply add insulating layers on top. That’s the advantage of the layering system – it’s versatile and adaptable to a wide range of weather conditions.

5. Wearing the Wrong Shoe Size

Most people are not wearing the right size shoes. Studies show that one third of men and half of women wear shoes that don’t fit properly. You can get away with it at home. But on Kilimanjaro, you will pay a price. Ill-fitting shoes are one of the most common causes of blisters, bruised toenails, and other foot problems. 

Your hiking shoes or boots should not be snug at the toe. You need a minimum of 1/2 inch of space between your longest toe and the front of the shoe. For Kilimanjaro, you can go up to a full inch of space. This extra room accounts for the expected swelling of the feet during multi-day hikes. If you’re unsure of your shoe size, have a professional measure your feet.

6. Not Testing Your Gear Beforehand

Training for Kilimanjaro isn’t just about building fitness. It’s also about testing your gear. Too many people buy their gear at the last minute and then show up with brand-new equipment they’ve never used before. That’s a mistake.

Every piece of clothing should be evaluated under real world conditions. Test your gear in different weather if possible. Shirts, pants, jackets, and footwear should all be worn in advance to check for comfort, fit, and how well they perform. Same goes for your backpack, hats, gloves, and any other accessories.

Even small issues can become big problems over time. Your sunglasses might feel fine when worn for one hour, but how do they feel after eight hours? Your backpack was comfortable at the store, but what about when it’s fully weighted and carried up and down a trail? Your new footwear worked well while you walked around town, but how will your feet hold up after a long day of hiking?

These are the things you’ll want to know before you arrive, while you still have time to make adjustments. Once you’re on the mountain, you’re stuck with what you have.

7. Having a Messy Duffel and Daypack

There’s always someone who can’t seem to find a piece of gear.

If your belongings are randomly scattered around your daypack, duffel bag, and tent, you’ll almost certainly end up wasting time and energy searching for what you need. When you’re tired, cold, or short on oxygen, you’ll want to make things easier for yourself. So pack with an organized system.

We suggest grouping items by categories into different colored stuff sacks: accessories like gloves, hats, and neck gaiters go in one stuff sack; electronics like chargers, headlamps, cables, and batteries go in another; toiletries and medications make up another category; as well as snacks and electrolytes.

In your daypack, keep the things that you’ll need often, like lip balm, sunscreen and hand sanitizer, in the top compartment, called the brain. Pull out the snacks and electrolytes you’ll consume during the day. Keeping things in consistent spots means you stay organized and efficient.

8. Skipping Trekking Poles

Trekking poles are an optional item on our gear list. But we highly recommend them. They help preserve your legs, boost efficiency, and aid in balance. Using them on the days leading up to the summit puts you in a better position to tackle the big day simply because you’ll endure less wear and tear on the way up. 

We know that many people hate trekking poles. They believe they’re unnecessary, find them awkward to use, and think they’re a sign of weakness. In reality, experienced and very capable mountaineers use poles, not because they’re weak but because it makes them even stronger. With proper technique and a little practice, trekking poles are a major advantage, especially on steep slopes, tricky descents and long distances. Even if you feel like you don’t need them early on, you’ll be finishing in better shape with them.

There’s not many people who wouldn’t benefit from using trekking poles.

Bringing the right gear is about performance, safety, and summit success.

These are the most common mistakes we see, and they’re all avoidable. Follow the Ultimate Kilimanjaro gear list closely and heed our advice. It could be the difference between standing on Uhuru Peak or turning around early.

See our gear recommendations.