Get your gear
Build a simple, reliable kit system that keeps you warm, dry, and efficient — without overspending.
Beginner high-altitude treks
These are non-technical treks where the main challenges are altitude, sun exposure, wind, and staying comfortable over multiple days. Objectives such as Kilimanjaro, Everest Base Camp, and Mount Toubkal don’t require technical climbing equipment, but poor clothing choices and badly fitting footwear can still derail a trip. Guided itineraries usually provide camp infrastructure (tents, cooking equipment, food), while you’re expected to bring all personal clothing and day-to-day gear.
Absolutely necessary
| Item | Why it matters | Provided? |
|---|---|---|
| Trekking boots (broken-in) | Foot comfort & blister prevention | ❌ No |
| Base layers (top & bottom) | Moisture control | ❌ No |
| Insulating mid-layer | Warmth when inactive | ❌ No |
| Waterproof jacket | Wind & rain protection | ❌ No |
| Trekking trousers | Daily comfort | ❌ No |
| Warm hat & sun hat | Temperature + UV control | ❌ No |
| Sunglasses (UV rated) | High-altitude glare | ❌ No |
| Daypack (25–35L) | Carry layers & water | ❌ No |
| Water bottles / bladder | Hydration | ❌ No |
| Headtorch | Early starts | ❌ No |
| Personal first-aid kit | Deal with issues early | ❌ No |
Strongly recommended
| Light insulated jacket | Cold mornings & evenings | ❌ No |
| Waterproof over-trousers | Weather changes | ❌ No |
| Trekking poles | Knee protection | ⚠️ Sometimes |
| Light gloves | Wind protection | ❌ No |
| Buff / neck gaiter | Versatile warmth | ❌ No |
| Power bank | Charging reliability | ❌ No |
Nice to have
| Camp shoes / sandals | Evening comfort | ❌ No |
| Compression socks | Recovery | ❌ No |
| Travel pillow / earplugs | Sleep quality | ❌ No |
First expedition mountains
This category marks the transition from trekking into true mountaineering, with colder camps, snow and ice travel, and longer exposure to the elements. Peaks such as Mera Peak, Island Peak, and Aconcagua typically involve glacier travel and summit days that demand warmer insulation and compatible technical equipment. Guiding companies usually provide shared tents and cooking systems, but climbers are still responsible for their boots, clothing, sleeping system, and fit-critical items.
Absolutely necessary
| Item | Why it matters | Provided? |
|---|---|---|
| Insulated mountaineering boots | Cold protection + crampon fit | ❌ No |
| Down jacket | Camp & summit warmth | ❌ No |
| Base layers (multiple) | Layering control | ❌ No |
| Hard shell jacket & trousers | Storm protection | ❌ No |
| Gloves + liners | Dexterity & warmth | ❌ No |
| Expedition pack (50–70L) | Carry gear | ❌ No |
| Sleeping bag (-20°C) | Cold camps | ⚠️ Sometimes |
| Headtorch + spares | Summit day reliability | ❌ No |
Strongly recommended
| Crampons | Snow & ice travel | ⚠️ Sometimes |
| Ice axe | Self-arrest | ⚠️ Sometimes |
| Helmet | Rock/ice protection | ⚠️ Sometimes |
| Harness | Glacier travel | ⚠️ Sometimes |
| Insulated sleeping mat | Ground insulation | ⚠️ Sometimes |
| Overboots | Extra warmth | ⚠️ Sometimes |
Nice to have
| Down pants | Camp comfort | ❌ No |
| Thermos flask | Warm drinks | ❌ No |
| Hand warmers | Cold mornings | ❌ No |
Serious high-altitude expeditions
Serious high-altitude expeditions involve weeks of exposure in extreme cold, wind, and low oxygen, where equipment functions as life support rather than comfort. On mountains such as Everest, K2, or Broad Peak, guiding companies typically provide extensive shared expedition infrastructure including base camp facilities, high camps, cooking systems, fixed ropes, and often oxygen logistics. Climbers remain responsible for all personal survival systems, including boots, insulation, eyewear, and medical equipment.
Absolutely necessary
| Item | Why it matters | Provided? |
|---|---|---|
| 8,000m boots | Extreme cold protection | ❌ No |
| Expedition down suit | Survival insulation | ❌ No |
| Multiple base layers | Rotation & hygiene | ❌ No |
| High-altitude mitts | Frostbite prevention | ❌ No |
| High-altitude goggles | Storm & snow blindness | ❌ No |
| Sleeping bag (-30 to -40°C) | High camp survival | ⚠️ Sometimes |
| Personal medical kit | Self-reliance | ❌ No |
Strongly recommended
| Oxygen system (where used) | Safety & performance | ⚠️ Often arranged |
| Steel crampons | Steep ice travel | ⚠️ Sometimes |
| Ice axe(s) | Steep terrain | ⚠️ Sometimes |
| Satellite communicator | Emergency comms | ⚠️ Sometimes |
| Repair & spares kit | Field repairs | ❌ No |
Nice to have
| Heated socks or gloves | Cold tolerance | ❌ No |
| Comfort food from home | Morale | ❌ No |
| Media / documentation kit | Personal use | ❌ No |
Why is this important
Gear issues are one of the fastest ways to ruin a trip. Cold hands, wet layers, blisters, and an overpacked bag don’t just make you uncomfortable — they drain energy, slow the team down, and increase the chance of poor decisions. The goal isn’t “more gear”. It’s a system: layers that work together, footwear that fits, and a few essentials you trust.
Good kit also protects your preparation investment. If you’ve trained for months, the last thing you want is a trip derailed by avoidable problems like chafing, soaked insulation, or boots you never tested properly.
Steps to take
- Start with your objective: temperature range, precipitation, altitude, and terrain determine almost everything.
- Build a layering system: base layer (moisture), mid layer (warmth), shell (wind/rain), plus a warm “stop layer”.
- Choose footwear early: pick boots appropriate to the route and break them in on training hikes (with the socks you’ll wear).
- Dial the “big three”: boots, pack, and sleep system. These drive comfort, recovery, and daily energy.
- Cut redundancy: remove duplicate items and keep spares only where failure is high-cost (e.g., gloves, headtorch batteries).
- Test everything: do at least 2–3 long hikes using your full system (pack weight included) before you travel.
2–3 recommended companies / products
These brands are widely used in trekking and mountaineering because they’re reliable, easy to layer, and perform well across changing conditions:
- Rab: strong insulation and shell systems that work well for cold, windy objectives.
- Arc’teryx: premium outer layers and technical clothing for wet/windy environments.
- Scarpa: dependable trekking and mountaineering boots with models for a wide range of objectives.
Tip: prioritise fit (boots) and function (layers) over brand. The “best” option is the one you’ll actually test and trust.
Related climbs and preparation
Keep planning with the rest of the preparation hub.
Get your gear – FAQ
Do I need different gear for trekking and mountaineering?
Often yes. Trekking usually prioritises comfort, breathability, and durability, while mountaineering may require warmer insulation, stiffer boots, and more technical equipment. Always match gear to terrain, altitude, and conditions rather than the activity label alone.
What’s the most important piece of gear to get right?
Footwear. Boots that fit poorly or aren’t appropriate for the terrain cause blisters, knee pain, fatigue, and early turnarounds. Buy boots early and break them in fully before your trip.
Should I buy or rent gear?
Buy items that affect fit and comfort, such as boots, base layers, and packs. Renting can make sense for expensive or rarely used items like down suits or high-altitude sleeping bags, especially if your operator offers quality rental options.
How much gear is too much?
Overpacking is one of the most common mistakes. Extra weight increases fatigue and slows recovery. Aim for a complete system with minimal duplication, keeping spares only for high-consequence failures like gloves or headtorches.