Note: I have done 7 day Lemosho route in February 2023, it has been relatively warm with minimum wind. No snow at the summit. Also I generally run warm, especially while hiking.
You do not need to purchase expensive clothing to climb Kilimanjaro. Unless you hike more often, I do not recommend expensive performance clothes. If you need something more technical but would likely not use again, it is better to 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 clothing there are few rules that will apply across all categories. These are common hiking wisdoms, but especially critical on Kilimanjaro:
1. Avoid cotton at all costs! Cotton is not breathable material and it does not dry quick. If you wear cotton socks for example and they get wet (from rain, snow or sweat), they will not dry, they will make you very cold and in very extreme cases, they might CAUSE frostbite. Check the clothes composition, because sometimes even if its branded as performance/merino material, it might be actually cotton blend.
2. Layer up. It is better to have few lightweight options that you are able to layer together. I wore the layers individually at lower altitudes and added more and more as I went higher. Also make sure they all layer together well, without constraining any movement. On the summit push, I wore almost all my clothes I had with me.
3. Less is more. You do not need new outfit for everyday, unless you have done few long distance treks, you will likely bring and not use half of what you think you will need.
4. Comfort. Wear whatever is the most comfortable for you. Someone might tell you, you must wear hiking boots and hiking pants, but if you always hike in trail runners and leggings, then you should consider those. Of course you should be smart about selecting each piece. If you are not used to hiking mountains in the snow in your trail runners, you might need to bring boots.
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 with you for Kilimanjaro: One as sun protection and another one as heat protection.
You will hike in some 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, but I did not want to purchase this as I knew I will not have a use out of this gear.
Then you will need a warm hat, ideally woollen. Take something that is very comfortable also for sleeping because we loose a lot of heat though our heads, 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. I didn’t want to purchase another item which I didn’t really need after the trek.
Buff
I normally don’t wear buff but for these kind of trips it is essential. A lot of heat escapes through neck so it is additional way to preserve heat. I slept with mine during the cold nights. Also it helps as smell 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. You do not see me wearing it on the pictures because I used it only few times while hiking but almost all the time at the campsite or during sleep.
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).
The idea was to have 1 short sleeve shirt for hiking and 1 clean one only for sleeping. I wish I would have rather brought 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 be too expensive to purchase only for specific 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 hoodie is layering piece that will keep you warm, so good quality but cheap fleece hoodie will also do the job. I personally used high quality merino blend hoodie by Norrona.
Jackets
These are very important pieces, if you do not have or do not want to purchase, I suggest to rent them out, although its better to have your own tested jackets. I brought my two jackets I already had.
Waterproof hard shell
My piece was lightweight waterproof yet breathable Montane jacket with armpits zipper, also because my strategy was to layer, I could get away with lightweight option. I did ended up wearing it 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. 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 even warmer jacket, but I run hot easily and I wore almost all my layers at once and I was very warm.
Rain poncho
I prefer ponchos over umbrellas. Even if you have rain gear, poncho might be better or used in combination with your gear. I had bit of rain in the rain forrest part and I didn’t bother with rain gear as it was too warm for it. Since the only time you will use poncho will be in the lower elevations, I suggest to get some think lightweight poncho. I had one that had holes in the side for better breathability. Do get one that will go over your backpack too and is quick and easy to pack/unpack. Mine was cheap one from eBay.
Underwear
I brought 2 sports bras, alternating them. I could do it with only 1 also, but I was worried in case one is wet from sweat 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. The style of underwear purely depends on your comfort levels, if you are used to wear string and you tested before that this works for you during hiking training, then that’s what you should wear.
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. They should have sufficient space to put other sock underneath. If you like to sleep with thick socks on, you can of course 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. I have seen people 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, which I used as might primary glove when it was chilly and they could have been 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. Otherwise 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
I used every night for sleeping and as the primary thermal layer on summit push. Mine were from Bergen.
Leggings
I wear leggings majority times during my hikes, it is my preferred layer. I made sure to choose pair stretchy enough to be pulled over my merino pants. Mine were from BuffBunny collection.
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 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 and I would not wear them single time if I brought them. I have seen some people and even porters wearing them while it was raining in the jungle.
Shoes
This can be tricky topic. Shoes are the one item where you should invest and get 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 system you plan to wear at the summit, such as very thick socks, or several socks at the same time. Also consider your feet might swell and you need to have enough space for all of this otherwise you might get blisters.
In general it is recommended to wear hiking boots for this trail. If you are hiking boot person, then your boots might be the only pair you bring. Optionally you can bring another pair of sneakers as camp shoes as personal preference.
I had two pairs of shoes as I do not like hiking boots and normally do all my hiking in trail runners. I also use trail runners in winter, however I usually walk on paths clear of snow and the temperatures are usually not extreme. For this reason I bought Vivobarefoot Tracker II boots, they are barefoot style shoes and relatively lightweight for boots. They worked for me great. I did ended up using them more than I thought I would. If you are trail runner person like me, I still suggest for you to bring hiking boots because I think they are essential for the summit night, especially in the snow and also for the descent from the summit. My trail runners were Altra Lone Peaks.
I had funny moment on the summit climb where person overtaking me high-fived me for wearing Vivobarefoot boots 🙂 Turned out they were wearing exactly the same boot and even colour as me.
I would not recommend sandals as your camp shoes for several reasons.
