Gear That Failed Me on Kilimanjaro (And What I’d Do Differently Next Time)
The Truth About Gear on Kili
THE most important thing to consider when packing to climb Mount Kilimanjaro is how much space you have. That makes having the right layers even more important, so you’re not packing unnecessary items.
It’s easy to make gear mistakes on Kilimanjaro. I would know. I had never been camping more than 1 night, and never having submitted a mountain before. Who knew a sleeping bag liner would make or break the quality of sleep I got every night?!
This doesn’t have to be you! Here you have the real Kilimanjaro gear review about what held up, what didn’t, what I overpacked, and what I wish I had done differently.
Everyone tells you what to pack for Kilimanjaro, but no one tells you what fails, or what you wish you had when you actually get up there.
Kilimanjaro Packing Checklist: 7 Day Machame Route
TOPS
1 – TANK TOP
2 – SHORT SLEEVE T-SHIRTS
3 – LONG SLEEVE SHIRTS
3 – SPORTS BRAS
14 – UNDERWEAR
9 – HIKING SOCKS
1 – THERMAL PULLOVER
1 – FULL ZIP ATHLETIC JACKET
1 – QUARTER ZIP PATAGONIA FLEECE
1 – THIN RAIN JACKET
1 – FLEECE PULLOVER WITH HOOD
1 – 600 FILL DOWN JACKET
PANTS
1 – RUNNING SHORTS
3 – LEGGINGS
1 – THICK COTTON LOUNGE PANTS (SLEEPING)
1 – WIND PROOF HIKING PANTS
SHOES
HIKING BOOTS w/ INSOLES
SANDALS
SNEAKERS (optional)
ACCESSORIES
30L BACKPACK W/ 2L BLADDER
1L INSULATED WATER BOTTLE
SUNGLASSES (POLARIZED)
SNOW GLOVES
THIN GLOVES
BALACLAVA
EAR WARMER HEADBAND
EYE MASK
HEADLAMP
2 POWER BANKS + CORD
TOILETRIES
DEODORANT
TOOTHBRUSH/TOOTHPASTE
FACE MOISTURIZER
SUNSCREEN SPF 50
CONTACT LENSES
AQUAFOR
BODY WIPES
HAND SANITIZER
TOILET PAPER/ANTIMICROBIAL CLOTH
DIAMOX – ALTITUDE MEDICATION
RENTED
SLEEPING BAG
PILLOW
HIKING POLES
RAIN PONCHO
100L DUFFEL BAG (to hold most everything listed above!)
Clothing & Layering Fails
My Gloves Weren’t Warm Enough
I wore Gordini Ski Gloves with thin Nike running gloves underneath. I was not at all worried about how warm my gloves would be, having used them for skiing for many years, and winters back home in the Midwest, BUT that was not the case.
My gloves really only became a problem on summit night, but that’s exactly the night you don’t want anything to fail you.
Between the whipping wind and sub-zero temps, I lost feeling in my fingers to the point where I couldn’t even grip a granola bar. Thank goodness another girl in my group had hand warmers, which were a complete lifesaver.
✅ Bring at least 2 hand warmers (per hand) for summit night, and a few extra for chilly nights along the way
Socks That Didn’t Cut It
You will read many articles telling you to bring at least 1 pair of socks for each day of hiking, and probably a few extras. DO NOT underestimate the power of fresh socks. I’d say you need at least 10 pairs to be comfortable on the 7-day Machame route.
I layered 2 pairs of socks every day besides the first and last day, and had designated thick, tall socks for sleeping.
Not all socks are created equal. Merino wool is your best friend because it is pretty much stink-proof, and dries faster than cotton.
The weather is unpredictable, and rain isn’t uncommon, so don’t expect to re-wear socks that get soaked. Bring extras. Socks should fit 1-2 sizes smaller to avoid blisters.
✅ Bring 10 pairs of socks – 7 Merino wool thick calf height, 3 (or more) lightweight athletic ankle socks
Midlayer Regrets
This is where efficient packing really comes in. Most of the layers that touch your skin, you will be rewearing at least 3-4 times throughout the trek.
I opted for short/long sleeve Lululemon Swiftly Tech shirts and a thick Patagonia fleece quarter zip, along with my down jacket on top. Double-layer leggings did the trick, and I added windproof hiking pants for summit night.
✅ Plan to rotate a breathable short/long sleeve base layer, thick fleece, and down coat every day
Gear That Broke or Didn’t Hold Up
Sleeping Bag Tips
The sleeping bag that I rented was a 0 C mummy sleeping bag, and it did the job, but what would have made it infinitely better was a sleeping bag liner.
There were nights that I was shivering all night and barely got any sleep, despite wearing every layer I had. Little did I know, you’re only supposed to wear base layers so that your body heat can keep you warm. The liner is an added benefit for more insulation between your body and the bag.
There was a clear difference in sleep quality between those who had liners and those who didn’t.
✅ Invest in a microfiber sleeping bag liner and use it every night. Lightweight, compact, and won’t break the bank. Your sleep is worth it
Headlamp & Battery Issues
Don’t underestimate the cold when it comes to draining batteries. Your headlamp is the most important thing you’ll want charged, along with phones, cameras, etc, so there’s a lot to keep up with.
I opted for a USB-C rechargeable headlamp from Husky, and it worked wonders. Other people had headlamps that required physical batteries, which wasn’t the end of the world, just adds weight you don’t need to carry.
✅ Bring a rechargeable headlamp, 2 backup power banks, and a usb to usb-c charger for use on all devices
*Pro-Tip: Solar chargers look like a great option, but take ages to charge to full. Play it safe and bring the rechargeable bank.
Water Bladder vs. Water Bottle
Summit night will be the coldest night right from the get-go, and everything will freeze.
You’ll likely be carrying a hydration backpack, and the straw from the bag to the nozzle will completely freeze until the sun comes up. You can mitigate this by blowing air into the straw, but mine froze anyway.
In addition to the bladder, make sure to have an insulated water bottle. I used my 32oz hydroflask with a twist-off top, avoid straws.
✅ Bring at least 32oz (~1L) of water in an insulated water bottle in addition to the hydration backpack
Overpacked & Underpacked Items
Overpacked: Shoes
I was actually very pleased with what I packed the first time around as a serial over-packer. I knew that couldn’t be the case for this trip, and I really thought I had the bare bones.
Every shirt, sweatshirt, and pair of pants that I brought got worn at least once. However, I never touched my running shoes.
It was recommended to bring closed-toe shoes for hanging around camp, but I opted for socks and sandals instead. I never go anywhere without my Birkenstocks, even to the top of a mountain, apparently.
This was a lot more convenient for me going in and out of the tent, and the socks kept me warm.
✅ 2 pairs of shoes. Your hiking boots and easy-on, easy-off sandals
Underpacked: Hygiene & Comfort Items
Flashback to when I said I had only been camping once before this trip, which shows here.
With no shower access for a week, staying clean is crucial, especially before bed to get a good night’s sleep. Luckily, the porters supplied us with a bowl of hot water for washing, morning and night.
This would have been even more helpful if I had a small towel to wipe off with; I ended up using a T-shirt that never really dried.
Aside from camp, going to the bathroom on the trail will undeniably be a part of your day. There are antimicrobial cloths like Kuli Cloth to use in lieu of toilet paper. If you do opt to use traditional toilet paper, DO NOT LEAVE IT ON THE TRAIL!
It was unfortunate to see how much waste there was at some popular bathroom spots. It’s not the most glorious thing to pack out toilet paper, but use a zipped plastic bag to keep all of your trash in.
There are no trash bins anywhere on the mountain, so it’s crucial to pack out what you pack in.
✅ Fast dry wash cloth, baby powder, body wipes, bathroom towel, 2-3 plastic bags, gallon size
“Trail Hacks” That Saved Me
Small things that DID work well:
- Ziplock bags for any trash, wet/dirty clothes, etc
- Putting my phone on airplane mode and inverted colors to save battery (3 days on 1 charge!)
- Baby powder for after washing down
- Custom insoles in hiking boots
- Bag of easy snacks for in between meals and summit night
- Electrolytes
- Acquafor (cannot stress this one enough)
Conclusion: Lessons Learned the Hard Way
Overall, I really didn’t feel too underprepared for trekking Kilimanjaro. There are definitely different items I’d bring if I were to climb again (sleeping bag liner, I’m looking at you), but there will always be things to improve upon after another experience.
I would highly recommend renting as much gear as you can from the tour company you’re going with. Most of the gear they have is passed down from others who have climbed before you, so it’s tried and true.
Make sure you have good base layers, have the guides check your gear before you start trekking, and pack more socks than you think! Keep it light, but be prepared with the right things.
Have more questions? Drop me a comment or send me a message!
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