Choosing the right clothes for Kilimanjaro is important step for successful summit. Unless you hike more often, I do not recommend purchasing expensive performance clothes for Kilimanjaro. If you need something more technical but would likely not use again, it is better to borrow it or rent it out from the company you will be traveling with.
If you do need or want to purchase some pieces, you can always opt in for budget friendly variation from budget outfitter such as Decathlone (Europe). You might have luck in shops such as TK maxx (Europe), TJ maxx or Ross (USA). You can also find some gear in second hand shops or on Apps such as Vindet.
When choosing the right clothes for Kilimanjaro, you can follow common hiking wisdoms HERE, which are especially critical on Kilimanjaro. For example cotton is even more dangerous on the mountain and wearing it might CAUSE frostbite.
Note: I have done 7 day Lemosho route at beginning February 2023, it has been relatively warm with minimum wind (still very cold, especially at night). No snow at the summit. Also I generally run warm, especially while hiking.
More articles and general tips on clothing:
What to wear for hiking – 4 tips
Where to buy hiking clothes and gear
Hats
I suggest to bring 2 hats: One for sun protection and another one for cold protection.
You will hike in open areas, which can be hot, so a hat as sun protection is recommended. I have personally used my favourite baseball hat by Ponyflo, which didn’t protect my ears or neck, so I had to remember to apply sunscreen to these areas. Or you can buy/take hiking hat which has protective rim, which is the best option
Then you will need a warm hat, ideally woollen. Take something that is very comfortable also for sleeping because you will loose a lot of heat though your head, so sleeping with your hat on can help you preserve some heat. I used my usual winter bobble hat by DKNY, which was not ideal for sleeping but it worked.
In both cases I used what I already had, I didn’t want to purchase another item which I didn’t really need after the trek.
Buff
Buff is very useful while on Kilimanjaro. A lot of heat also escapes through neck, so it is additional way to preserve heat. I slept with mine during the cold nights. Also it helps as smell and dust blocker if you use the restrooms at campsites or in case the trail is dusty. You can also turn it into a hat. I bought 100% merino by Buff, medium thicknes. There is usually 3 different thicknesses available, do pay attention to this before you buy as it will assure your comfort, for this trek I suggest medium or heavy depending how cold you run.
T-shirts
I brought with me 2 short sleeve shirts (both merino) and 3 long sleeve shirts (extremely thin performance from Decathlone, thin performance from Odlo and light/medium merino from Vaude).
One short sleeve shirt was for hiking and 1 clean one only for sleeping. Instead of short sleeve I would have preferred long sleeve shirt for sleeping, because it was so cold at night. I ended up wearing several layers anyway. I do hike a lot, so most of my shirts are merino or quality performance materials which are also antibacterial, so didn’t mind to wear them few days in a row. Of course if you do not hike often, merino might is too expensive to purchase only for this trip. You can also do with less depending on your preference, but my layers were thin and lightweight for layering. Of course you can also do more, but I find it unnecessary.
Hoodie/Fleece
The purpose of the zip-up/hoodie is layering piece that will keep you warm, so good quality but cheap fleece will also do the job. I personally used high quality merino blend hoodie by Norrona, which I already had.
Jackets
Jackets are very important pieces of clothes for Kilimanjaro. If you do not have or do not want to purchase, I suggest to rent them out, although it is better to have your own tested jackets. I brought my two jackets I already had. Make sure the jackets are large enough to fit all the layers you plan to wear at the same time.
Waterproof hard shell
My piece was lightweight waterproof yet breathable Montane jacket with armpits zipper. I did ended up wearing it already on the first day because it was raining, although it was very warm. If you run cold or going in colder months, thicker shell jacket might be better option.
Insulating soft shell
Puffy jacket, typically down or synthetic down. I used Icebreaker MerinoLoft Hyperia light jacket I already had. Which is eco-friendly, water resistant, lightweight jacket.
This jacket was sufficient for me also for summit night, it was cold but not extremely cold. My guide wanted me to rent out warmer jacket for the summit, but I wore almost all my layers and I was very warm.
Rain gear
I personally prefer ponchos over umbrellas and full rain gear. Even if you have rain gear, poncho can be still used in combination for better overall protection and to protect your backpack. I had bit of rain in the rain forrest part and I used very thin and lightweight poncho. Do get one that will go over your backpack too and is quick and easy to pack/unpack. You might get away only with poncho but if you are coming while there is more rain expected, full rain gear will be better.
Underwear
Iecommend 2 sports bras, alternating them. You could do it with only 1 also, but I was worried in case one gets wet and it doesn’t dry fast enough.
I brought 4 pairs of underwear only. The first day I wore a hygiene slip and 2nd day just the underwear itself. You can also use the method of wearing the underwear inside out, if you do not mind this. Or just bring 7 pairs, it is personal preference. I tried to minimise the amount of clothes for Kilimanjaro due to weight limits. The style of underwear purely depends on your comfort levels. As long you tested before, what works for you during your training. Although again, I strongly advise against cotton or cotton blend materials.
Socks
I brought 7 pairs of socks with me: 5 for hiking, in various thickness. This allowed me to be comfortable in hot jungle as well as in the snow. At the same time I had the option to layer them, if necessary. 1 mid-thickness pair which I used only as my tent/sleeping socks, and I used these as my hiking socks on the last day. 1 very thick/thermal socks for the summit. If you like to sleep with thick socks on, you can also use your summit socks as sleeping socks.
Gaiters
Optional piece of gear. I worn lightweight gaiters by Altra to prevent stones rolling into my trail runners. Some people were wearing heavier duty gaiters, also with their booths, which were to their knees and were also waterproof.
Gloves
I brought 2 gloves: very thin merino gloves and thick pair. My merino gloves were my primary gloves when it was chilly. They could be also used as glove liner for the thick warm pair. The warm pair was very warm, the thickness depends on the season you are climbing and how hot you run. I wore the thin pair only shortly one morning when it was chilly but once I warmed up, I took them off. I wore both pairs on summit night.
Sunglasses
Polarised sunglasses to prevent your eyesight from snow reflexion in case there is snow at the summit. Luckily I didn’t need them but you never know, so it is best to bring them to prevent damage to your eyes.
TROUSERS/PANTS
I had 4 layers:
Merino pants
Ideal for sleeping and as the thermal base layer on summit push. Mine were from Bergen.
Leggings
I wear leggings during majority of my hikes and it is my preferred layer. Make sure to choose pair stretchy enough to be pulled over my merino pants. Mine were from BuffBunny collection, review HERE
Hiking zip-off pants/shorts
Alternating them with leggings or wearing them over leggings on colder days. Shorts came in handy at the jungle portion of the trek, so I made sure to wear them on the first and last day. They go easily over my leggings, even while also wearing the thermal layer. Mine were from Colombia
Summit pants
Waterproof, skiing kind of warm pants. My guide insisted I rent them out for summit night as my 3 layers were not sufficient. Since my summit night was relatively warm, I was almost too warm in them, but I admit, I’m not sure if I would be warm enough in my 3 layers.
Rain pants
You could possibly bring also thin pair of rain pants, but I personally don’t like to wear them as you then sweat more easily. I did not bring them and did not miss them. But I have seen some people and even porters wearing them, while it was raining in the jungle.
Shoes
Shoes are the one item where you should invest and purchase the best possible option for you. Make sure the shoe is about 1 size bigger (or more) than your usual size and can fit the sock(s) you plan to wear at the summit and still have some space left to prevent blisters.
If you are hiking boot person, then your boots might be the only pair you bring. Optionally you can bring pair of trail runners and wear them in lower elevation and as camp shoes. Some people bring additional camp shoes, this is not necessary.
Although I prefer trail runners, I brought hiking boots and used them more than expected. I definitely recommend boots for the summit, even if you don’t like them as much. My trail runners were Altra Lone Peak and boots Vivobarefoot Tracker II. As much as I love and swear by both shoes, I do not recommend them unless you trained into them gradually, since they are zero drop, minimalist style, wide toe box shoes.
Hope these tips helped you to narrow down and choose the right clothes for Kilimanjaro hike. As you probably noticed, I recommend keeping your packing list to minimum, layer thinner layers as much as possible and use as much as possible of what you already have. The most important gear are your shoes.
